How to chooseyour bespokesofa.
The nice thing about having something made for you is that you don't have to compromise quite so much
There is quite a lot to think about when choosing a sofa. It needs to fit the room, obviously, but it also needs to fit the way you live in it. How you sit, how much space you have, whether there is a dog involved, and whether you are someone who likes a sofa to look very neat or rather more relaxed.
This is why we make our sofas to order. You can choose the size, the fabric, the cushions and the cover, as well as all the smaller details that give the sofa its character. And if there is something you would like that isn't on the list, it is always worth asking.
The size
We make our sofas in a range of sizes, from armchairs and loveseats through to four-seaters, as well as modular and chaise configurations. So there is usually a standard size that will work for most rooms.
Whether you are looking for something compact and cosy or a larger sofa for stretching out on, you can choose the size and configuration that works best for your space.
Start With the Room
Start with the room rather than the sofa. Think about where you want it to sit, how much space you need to walk around it and, most importantly, how you want to use it. If you are not sure what size will work, send us a photograph or some measurements and we can help.
The Way You Sit
A sofa can look beautiful, but if it isn't comfortable for you, none of the rest matters very much.
Some people like to sink into a sofa and stay there for the afternoon. Others prefer a little more support. You might curl up in the corner with a book, stretch out to watch a film, or need somewhere that can cope with several people at once.
Cushion Styles
Depending on the sofa you choose, there are different cushion fillings and styles to choose from. You can also choose between a knife edge and a box edge cushion. A knife edge is softer and more relaxed, while a box edge has a band around the cushion and gives a more tailored appearance.
It is worth thinking about how you actually sit rather than how you think you ought to sit. The answer usually makes the choice rather easier.
The Cover
The choice between a loose and fixed cover is partly about how you want the sofa to look, and partly about how you live.
Fixed Cover
A fixed cover is upholstered closely to the frame, giving the sofa a neat and tailored appearance.
If you prefer something more formal, a fixed cover may be the better choice.
Loose Cover
A loose cover has a softer feel and can be removed for cleaning. Depending on the sofa, you can choose a dressmaker skirt or a box pleat to finish it at the floor.
If you have children or a dog, I would think carefully about the loose cover. Being able to take it off and wash it is one of those things that seems like a small detail when you order the sofa and becomes very useful once you are living with it.
Neither is more correct. It is simply a question of what works for you.
The Legs, or the Skirt
If you choose a sofa with a visible base, there are several leg styles and finishes to choose from. Depending on the model, these include turned and tapered wooden legs in Natural, Walnut and Ebony, as well as metal options.
The legs are quite a small part of a sofa, but they can change its appearance more than you might expect. A dark wooden leg can make a sofa feel more grounded, while a lighter finish gives it a little more air around the floor.
Or you can hide them altogether with a skirt. A dressmaker skirt is softer and more relaxed, while a box pleat gives a slightly neater finish.
The Details Around the Edge
Once you have chosen the main things, there are a few smaller details to consider.
Piping
You can choose flat or round piping, in the same fabric as the sofa or in a contrasting fabric. Or you can leave it off altogether for a softer edge.
Oxford Border
A wider border of fabric around the cushion.
Soft Edge
A softer, more unstructured finish.
Bespoke at no extra costThese are not decisions you necessarily need to make straight away. They are the things that you can come back to once you know the shape, size and fabric you want.
The Fabric
This is usually the part people enjoy most.
There are our own fabrics to choose from, including plains, stripes, florals and velvets, as well as fabrics from other fabric houses. And on the Coco, Barton and Isobel, we can also work with your own fabric.
Order samples
I would always order samples before making a decision. Put them in the room where the sofa will be and look at them at different times of day.
A fabric can look very different in bright morning light to how it looks under a lamp in the evening.
If you already have a fabric you love, or something that has been passed down to you and you would like to use it on a sofa, do ask us. We will check the fabric and work out how much is needed before anything is made.
One Sofa Can Look Very Different From Another
All these choices are there for a reason. They mean that two people can choose the same sofa and end up with something that looks completely different.
The Coco
Tailored- Size2.5-seater
- FabricPlain
- CoverFixed
- CushionsBox edge
The Coco
Relaxed- Size2.5-seater
- FabricFloral
- CoverLoose
- CushionsKnife edge
They are both Coco sofas, but they will suit very different rooms and very different ways of living.
- The frame is the same
- The way it is made is the same
What changes is the combination of choices you make.
If you want something a little different
Bespoke does not have to mean changing everything about a sofa. Sometimes it is simply choosing the combination of options that feels right to you.
Sometimes it means making a particular size because your room needs it. Sometimes it means using a fabric that isn't one of ours. And sometimes you have an idea that we haven't thought to put on the website.
If that happens, ask us.
Not every decision can be made through a drop-down menu, and that is rather the point. For the sofa size or your own fabric, we will talk through the details with you and make sure everything is right before the sofa goes into production.
Nothing is made until you have chosen.
SophieWhere to begin
Choosing your sofa
You do not need to make all these decisions at once. Start with the shape and size, think about how you will use it, then work through the cover, cushions, fabric and smaller details.
And if you are not sure, ask.
A photograph of your room, a few measurements or even a description of how you like to sit can be enough to get the conversation started.
Questions, answered honestly
What can I customise on a Sophie Conran sofa?
Depending on the sofa, you can choose the size and configuration, cushion filling and style, loose or fixed covers, skirt or legs, piping and other trim details, and fabric. Coco, Barton and Isobel can be made in your own fabric. The options available vary between sofa models, so the individual product page will show you what you can choose.
Does bespoke cost extra?
Not necessarily. Many of the choices are simply part of our made-to-order service, rather than an additional bespoke package. The Soft Edge, for example, is available bespoke at no extra cost. Where a particular choice requires more material or changes the specification, it may affect the price, but we will always confirm this with you before anything is made.
Can I use my own fabric?
Yes, on the Coco, Barton and Isobel. We will need to check that the fabric is suitable and confirm how much will be needed before we can approve it, so please contact us before ordering if you would like to use your own material.
Which is better, loose or fixed covers?
Neither is better. A fixed cover gives a more tailored appearance and follows the shape of the sofa closely, while a loose cover is softer and can be removed for cleaning. If your sofa is going to get a lot of everyday use, particularly if you have children or pets, a loose cover can be a very practical choice.
What's the difference between a knife edge and box edge cushion?
A knife edge cushion has a softer point at the corners and a more relaxed appearance, while a box edge has a band running around the side and gives a squarer, more tailored look. Both are comfortable, so the choice really comes down to how you want the sofa to look and how you like to sit.
Can I choose the piping?
Yes, where piping is available on your chosen sofa. You can choose flat or round piping, in the same fabric or a contrasting one, or leave it off altogether for a softer edge. The Oxford border and Flange Edge are also available on selected sofas.
What if I want something I can't see on the website?
Please ask. Not every bespoke request can be shown online, particularly when it involves an unusual dimension, your own fabric or something slightly outside the standard options. Our team can talk it through with you, check what is possible and make sure the details are right before anything goes into production.