28 of the best sofa retailers in the UK

Best for: Design your own

If you count up all the different sofa designs, sizes, configurations and finishes available at Next, you have in the region of 70,000 options to choose from. They're a great place to shop iconic British brands – this piped pink sofa is by Cath Kidston and they have selections from the likes of Laura Ashley, Jasper Conran and Nina Campbell.

Pictured: Edged Sofa by Cath Kidston, £2,099 at Next

Best for: Reliable high-street options

Ever reliable and with a good range of sofas that run the gamut from leather chesterfields to sleek and spindly Scandinavian styles. We're fans of this Otley 2 seater in vintage ticking upholstery as well as the collaboration with Ercol (more on that below.)

Pictured: Otley Medium 2 Seater Sofa, £1,499 at John Lewis

Best for: The country estate look

Sofas for a grand country home, or for those who aspire to it. OKA's pieces can have a wonderful injection of English eccentricity in the form of eye-catching patterned upholstery. Collections are generally furnished with matching footstools and armchairs should you want a set.

Pictured: Coleridge Sofa in Velvet, £2,495 at OKA

Best for: Fuss-free neutrals

You can always rely on Dusk to offer something contemporary and fuss-free in a calming and neutral colour palette. They have a great variety of sofas with matching armchairs and footstools, and prices are fantastic too.

Pictured: Hampshire Sofa, £629 at Dusk

Best for: The whole living room

Neptune is the destination for country-inspired furniture made with conviction. Their sofa collection is small but perfectly formed, and you can find all the accompanying cushions, side tables, footstools and accessories for your whole living room.

Pictured: Long Island Sofa, £2,995 at Neptune

Best for: Luxury sofas

If you have ever admired the modern interiors of Soho House, or the country-inspired Soho Farmhouse, then Soho Home brings them to you. Their premium sofa selection includes some brilliant patterned fabric options such as this olive ikat.

Pictured: Ashford Sofa, £7,395 at Soho Home

Best for: Traditional sofas

Darlings of Chelsea is the luxury choice. Premium fabrics, robust leather chesterfields and generous proportions make these sofas perfect for the larger home with space to spare.

Pictured: The Dulwich Midi Sofa, £4,482 at Darlings of Chelsea

Best for: Colour lovers

A little more under-the-radar than the other retailers on our list, but likely not for long. It is the colour palette that will likely strike you most in Rose & Grey's selection. Fans of oversized, sink-in comfortable sofas in pastels or well-chosen primary colours will likely fall for their Penny range.

Pictured: Penny Striped Sofa, £3,695 at Rose & Grey

Best for: Simple classics

We would head to Cox & Cox for their occasional sofas – they have handsome examples with high backs and slim arms that look elegant in spare corners. The colour palette at Cox & Cox is almost unanimously soft and pale, which is great for simple country-style homes.

Pictured: Assan Sofa, £1,950 at Cox & Cox

Best for: Creative upholstery options

Sofa & Stuff is second to none for patterned upholstery. They frequently collaborate with British institutions like the RHS and V&A on inspired fabrics drawn from the archives. Threads of India is their latest collection of fabrics designed with the V&A, drawn from their magnificent array of South Asian objects.

Pictured: Exbury 3 Seater Sofa, £2,584 at Sofa & Stuff

Best for: Finding the designers

Heal's have operated out of its legendary Tottenham Court Road store for over 200 years, and its influence on modern furniture retail continues to this day. Their sofa collection includes a great selection from luxury brands – including Ligne Roset's iconic Togo range.

Pictured: Ligne Roset Togo Large Sofa, £4,055 at Heal's

Best for: Chenille sofas

Compared to the other retailers on our list, M&S sell a small but perfectly formed collection of chenille sofas. Similar in look and feel to a sumptuous velvet, chenille is both easier to clean and more resilient to daily wear, making it a great choice for families with pets and little ones.

Pictured: Barker & Stonehouse Orson Grand Sofa, £1,599 at M&S

Best for: Bohemian styling

A lot of Anthropologie's sofas follow a relaxed and bohemian design formula of tropical hardwood frames, rugged cotton upholstery and armless modular silhouettes. They are great for conjuring rooms that feel lived in and well travelled.

Pictured: Channel Tufted Irena Sofa, £1,998 at Anthropologie

Best for: Vintage and antique sofas

Vinterior is our favourite source of vintage and antique furniture. The site is a labyrinth of mid-century, Art Deco and more, and you can while away happy hours browsing through it all. Even if you find a sofa that requires a touch of restoration, it is still more economical (and sustainable) than buying new.

Pictured: Antique Chesterfield Sofa, £915 at Vinterior

Best for: Interesting wood frames

Ercol are world renowned for their handcrafted wooden furniture, and this exclusive collaboration with John Lewis includes elegant chairs and sofas made in ercol's Buckinghamshire factory – with upholstery by expert craftspeople in Wales.

Pictured: Ercol for John Lewis Sorrento Sofa, £2,499 at John Lewis

Best for: Sofa beds

For sofa beds that don't look like sofa beds. The Cotswold Company have a wonderful range full of classic shapes and close to 100 upholstery options.

Pictured: Hurley Sofa Bed, £2,699 at The Cotswold Company

Best for: Timeless styles

Browsing Rowen & Wren's website is like stepping into the most stylish country home. Everything feels relaxed and lived-in, and acquired from a different and altogether chicer time. Their sofas are a real selling point – all with soft silhouettes and tactile upholstery, with cushions and throws to complement.

Pictured: Abington Sofa, £3,138 at Rowen & Wren

Best for: The eclectic home

Graham & Green is home to the quirky, the unexpected, and the joyful. All of their sofas are thoroughly classic in design, but they offer a touch of English eccentricity in their selection of upholstery, from canary yellow velvet to a pesto-coloured linen.

Pictured: Clio Sofa, £2,775 at Graham & Green