Home / Black Friday 2026 Furniture in the UK: The Department Guide
Black Friday 2026 Sofas UK: What to Check Before You Buy
Shopping for sofas this Black Friday in the UK? Check measurements, frame, cushion fill and delivery access first, with live UK listings to compare.
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Before buying a sofa, measure the room and every part of the delivery route, then compare those figures with the sofa’s listed width, depth and height. Ask what the frame and cushions are made of, look for the fire label, and read the delivery and returns terms. Fit is the check to settle first.
Measuring the delivery route for a sofa
The delivery route is the first thing to measure, since a sofa that cannot reach the room is useless at any size. Barker and Stonehouse sets out two simple comparisons for doorways. Door width should beat the sofa’s depth or height if it goes through sideways, and door height should beat its width if it goes through upright.
Go through the route from the front door to the room:
- Doorways: width and height, including radiators and handles that stick out
- Stairs: the narrowest point, plus the ceiling height at the bottom, top and landings
- Landings: width and depth, since long sofas need room to turn
- Corridors: the narrowest width and any tight corners
- Lifts: the door and the interior, plus any weight limit
Barker and Stonehouse suggests allowing 5 to 10 cm of wiggle room. Poltrona Sofa adds that packaging adds a few centimetres, and that skirting, shelving and light fittings can get in the way. Some sofas arrive in two parts or without their feet, so ask the seller how the sofa is delivered.
Checking a sofa’s footprint in the room
The footprint in the room is easy to test before you buy. Poltrona Sofa suggests marking the shape on the floor with masking tape, which shows how much walking space remains. Recliners need extra room behind them, about six inches (roughly 15 cm) on Poltrona Sofa’s figure, so check the reclined dimensions and not only the upright ones.
Frame, cushion fill and cover
Frame and cushion details tell you how a sofa is likely to wear, though listings vary in how much they share. Ask what the frame is made of and whether the legs come off. Read what the seat cushions are filled with, because foam and fibre feel different and hold their shape differently over time.
| Detail | What to ask the seller |
|---|---|
| Frame | What material is it, and is there any movement in a used sofa? |
| Seat cushions | What is the filling, and are the cushions removable or reversible? |
| Cover | Is the fabric or leather removable, and how is it cleaned? |
| Shape | For a corner sofa, is the chaise on the left or the right when you face it? |
Fire labels on new and used sofas
Fire labels are a legal matter on upholstered furniture in the UK. Business Companion says new upholstered furniture must carry a permanent label headed Carelessness Causes Fire, usually behind a loose cover at the back or under a seat cushion.
Used furniture sold by a business must meet the same flammability standards. The guidance favours stitched-in labels and advises further checks on stapled ones. Furniture made before 1 January 1950 is excluded. The same guidance is written for businesses and does not address private sellers, so ask for a clear photo of the label on any used sofa.
Sofa delivery and returns
Delivery terms decide how easy a mistake is to fix. Ask whether the seller delivers to your room or only to the kerb, and who pays for collection if the sofa needs to go back. Citizens Advice says the 14-day cooling-off period on online purchases does not cover bespoke or made-to-measure goods, or items bought from private individuals.
More in the furniture department.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a sofa will fit through my door?
Measure the door's width and height. A sofa carried on its side needs the door to be wider than its depth or height, and a sofa carried upright needs the door to be taller than its width. Allow 5 to 10 cm of extra room, and include radiators and handles.
Where is the fire label on a sofa?
Business Companion says the permanent label is usually behind a loose cover at the back or under a seat cushion. New upholstered furniture must carry one headed Carelessness Causes Fire.
Can I return a made-to-order sofa?
Usually not under the 14-day cooling-off right, which Citizens Advice says does not cover bespoke or made-to-measure goods. Items from private individuals are not covered either, so read the seller's terms first.
Sources
Found in the Black Friday 2026 Furniture in the UK: The Department Guide department.