What Size Sofa Should I Buy? A Room-by-Room Fit Guide

Not Too Big. Not Too Small. Just Right.

Choosing a sofa isn’t just about comfort or color—it’s about getting the scale right.

A sofa that’s too large can overwhelm the space. Too small, and it can feel awkward and underutilized. Especially in New England homes, where square footage is often at a premium, getting the size just right makes a huge difference.

There are a few good rules of thumb to follow. Leave about 18 inches between the sofa and coffee table, and keep at least three feet of clearance for walkways. When in doubt, tape out the dimensions on your floor using painter’s tape—it’s one of the easiest ways to visualize fit. Keep in mind that sofas tend to look smaller in spacious showrooms, so always measure your room before you start shopping.

For smaller living rooms or apartments, we usually recommend sofas in the 70–80 inch range or a full-size loveseat. Skip tall backs and wide arms in favor of clean, streamlined designs. Shallow-depth sofas—around 34 to 36 inches—help maximize floor space without sacrificing comfort. Raised legs also help create a more open, airy look. If you’re dreaming of a sectional, condo-scaled versions can give you the lounge seat you want without eating up your entire layout.

In open concept spaces, a larger sofa or sectional can actually help define the room. Pieces in the 84–96 inch range, or modular sectionals with an L-shape, work well when they’re floated to create zones. Custom depths of 38 to 42 inches offer that perfect sink-in feel. Adding a console table behind a floating sofa can help anchor the space and add useful surface area.

Older or narrower homes can present more of a challenge. We recommend sofas in the 76–84 inch range with low-profile arms and a slim frame. Always measure your doorways and stairwells before committing—some tight turns can surprise you. Two-cushion or bench-seat designs help minimize visual clutter, and split sofas or modular delivery options are a smart way to get around tricky entries. If you're working with especially tight quarters, ask us about American Leather’s Comfort Sleeper line—they’re built with compact delivery in mind.

For media rooms or finished basements, deep sofas or large sectionals in the 90–100 inch range are a great fit. Go for extra-deep lounge depths—40 to 44 inches—for maximum comfort. Recliners and chaises add a little luxury to movie night, and darker or performance fabrics make cleanup easy after the kids, the pets, or the pizza. We have options that look good and hold up beautifully.

Still unsure? Just ask us.

Come by Fly By Night in Northampton—or soon, in Maynard—and we’ll walk you through it. Bring photos or floor plans if you have them. We’ll help you compare models in person, think through delivery logistics, and find the right size for your space. You can even bring home fabric swatches and spec sheets to double-check everything before you commit. No guessing required.