How to choose the cosiest, most sociable sofa (and get it in time for Christmas from sofa.com)

The sofa is, in many ways, the heart of Christmas Day. Yes, while dinner might be served at the table, it’s the sofa where you’ll sit and watch the kids unwrap their presents, and where you’ll retreat sluggishly after lunch with a full belly. 

It’s also the place for those special seasonal moments, whether that’s curling up in front of a fire or entertaining friends and family. The wrong sofa can turn this festive bliss into a bit of a Christmas nightmare. Without a cosy sofa, or enough seating for everyone to have a place to sit, a Christmas gathering can quickly become uncomfortable for all involved. 

So what makes the perfect sofa when it comes to Christmas? We asked the experts at sofa.com exactly what to look out for when shopping for a sofa that will arrive before Christmas begins. 

The 'feels like Christmas' sofa

When you think of the picture-perfect Christmas, what kind of sofa do you imagine in your mind? For us, it’s undoubtedly a style that draws on a classic Chesterfield styling, positioned next to a roaring fireplace with a beautiful surround. 

A sofa like the Patrick, sofa.com’s version of a Chesterfield, is perfect for this traditional Christmas look, with beautiful details like buttoning and a pleated low back. The main difference between the Patrick and a classic Chesterfield? This sofa is far superior when it comes to comfort - your key consideration for a sofa that will keep the family happy at Christmas.  

The perfect ‘after-lunch lie down’ sofa  

If you’re prone to a post-turkey snooze, you’ll want a sofa that lends itself to a quick afternoon nap, too. The key to a good napping sofa? The arms. The likes of the Bluebell, a classic design that’s one of sofa.com’s most popular sofas, has soft scroll pleated arms that are ideal for those who are ‘just resting their eyes for a moment’. Plus, with a mix of feather and fibre cushions, you get the ultimate balance of comfort and support that makes reclining on this sofa a dream.  

The 'room for everyone' sofa

Sometimes, you don’t know you’ve not got room to host the extended family until you’re all trying to squash on the sofa. The dreaded ‘sinking into the middle’ that sometimes occurs is far from ideal when you’re trying to squeeze three (or even four) onto a small sofa at Christmas time. 

The solutions? A stylish modular design like the Cohen. Not only can you create a sofa of any size, or even add more units over time in case you suddenly come to realise you need extra seating, but this style has extra lumbar back support built in, ensuring everyone can sit in comfort, no matter how many people you’re trying to pack in.  

The 'guest ready' sofa

Christmas is the time of year you’re most likely to have a house full, so whether you want a guest room that doubles up as a useable space the rest of the year or you just need to find extra room at the inn for an unexpected visitor, a sofa bed can be a real problem-solver. 

The Aissa sofa bed, with its svelte, curvy arms, might not be as deep as some sofas, but that doesn’t stop it from being spectacularly comfortable. It also means it’s the perfect piece to add some flexibility to a small space. 

How to get a sofa in time for Christmas

If you want to enjoy your new sofa in time for Christmas, you’ll need to be mindful of last order dates, guaranteed for delivery in time for the big day. For sofa.com, that’s the 21st November as, after all, these sofas are all handmade to order to the highest quality by sofa.com’s elves in their European factory.