There are loads of sofas out there, so we’ve done the legwork for you and found a range of styles, all of which cost less than £700.
Before you begin to wade through the countless designs on offer though, you need to consider a few key things to make sure you buy the right one for you.
First of all, despite the fact that they’re called three-seater sofas, they quite often don’t have three seat pads, they just need to have room for three people to sit comfortably.
Now that’s cleared up, let’s look at the material options for your new sofa: leather (or faux leather), fabric, or a mix of both.
The main benefit of leather sofas is that they are very easy to clean – simply wipe down with a damp cloth. They will also get better with age as they wear and develop a unique patina.
Bear in mind though, that the choice of colours and patterns are more limited.
When it comes to fabric sofas, however, the choice of colour and patterns for is practically endless.
If you have young children or you’re just a bit prone to spills, look for a sofa with removable and washable covers that you can stick in the washing machine for when you have a big spillage.
Half-leather, half-fabric sofas offer the best of both worlds; the seat pads and back cushions are usually fabric for comfort, while the leather is often reserved for the frame and the armrests.
Next, think about the colour and style you’d like. The darker and more heavily patterned a sofa, the more forgiving it will be at hiding marks, dirt and the occasional spillage.
If you’re keen on keeping it clean, you can get away with a white or cream sofa, which will make a great impact in a modern living room.
If you’re going for a leather sofa, brown leather is warmer than black and you’ll see the patina develop much quicker.
Style wise, curved or tub designs are perfect for a retro feel, while a boxier shape with clean lines is better suited to contemporary schemes. For a classic feel that won’t date, pick something between the two above – think gently curving corners in a neutral shade and you won’t go far wrong.
A final word on the legs on sofas – retro-style designs often have longer, tapered legs to give a fair amount of clearance from the floor, which will help to make your space feel less cluttered.
Those with lower, block-style legs and much less ground clearance are best for larger rooms and have a much sturdier feel.
Right, now on to our top selection of the best cheap sofas on the market.
Classic Tailoring
- The Alana is a Sofa King classic. Prices start from £399
This classically shaped design, with gently curving arms in versatile stone-coloured linen won’t date and will work with practically any type of decor.
So if you really can’t decide on a style or like to change your decor fairly regularly, this sofa is for you.
It’s available in four fabric colours.
Modern Styles
- Scala range is graphite velvet. Prices start from £329
A leather, Chesterfield-style sofa updated with clean modern lines, we love this Landskrona design from Ikea, which will get better with age as it wears.
The sleek, slim legs are the perfect partner for a minimalist room.
Also available in Golden Brown leather and a choice of wood or metal legs.
Easy-going Style
- Erin Grey Sofas. Prices start from £449.
This great all-rounder is ideal if you want a mix of modern and classic styles that’ll work in all schemes. This great recliner sofa is a great fit to cover comfort and style.
It comes in 4 colour choices – stick to the neutral shades if you want to keep your look more classic, or go for the cranberry red or slate grey options for a subtle hint of mid-century style.
4. Buttoned Up
Ashford chesterfield classic. Prices start from £449.
The Chesterfield is an iconic piece of furniture for a reason, and you can have one in your living room for well under £500.
This velvet design also features the putter tacks on the arm frames for a fantastically high-end feel.
Corner sofas
Nero corner options. Prices start from £579
We couldn’t do a round-up of the best three-seater sofas without including a super-cosy corner design. This sleek, unfussy number would look great in a modern living room and has a decent amount of ground clearance to give the illusion of space.
