Stylist Nat Turnbull's guide to choosing the right couch for your home 

The couch does not discriminate. You can have catnaps on it. You can dump unfolded laundry on it. You can spend an inordinate amount of time on it trying to decide what TV show you’re going to watch tonight.

As one of the home’s most valued players when it comes to furniture, you want to make sure your couch is really working for you. 

Set designer, art director and stylist Nat Turnbull takes couches very seriously. While most of us are scrolling Instagram, Turnbull is scrolling 1stdibs to Gumtree for couches that are worthy living room players for her clients and friends. 

If you’re looking for a new couch, the first thing Turnbull recommends is establishing who will be using it and the size of the room it will live in. 

“Is this couch for an informal or formal living room?” she asks. “Do you want something to lie on while watching TV? Will children be using it? Will pets have access to it?” 

If the couch will be the prime possie for a family with young children, think about the material it’s upholstered in: cotton, wool, velvet versus something you can easily wipe down. 

“A couch is an investment that ideally should be in your life for a long time and taking these things into consideration will ensure you get the most longevity out of the sofa you chose.” 

The size of your living room is another important factor when couch hunting. 

Apartments with compact living spaces are better off with sofas that are positioned flush against the wall. Just be sure to measure the width and depth of your couch to ensure it will fit nicely in your space. 

“You want your couch to fit seamlessly into your space and not take over,” says Turnbull. “If you’re working with a smaller living area, sofas that have legs that elevate it from the ground create the illusion of more space.”

If your living area is generously proportioned, Turnbull suggests positioning your couch off the wall. 

“This creates a greater sense of space and if your living room has a rug, make sure the couch sits on top of it.” 

Comfort is key when it comes to a couch and, if possible, always try before you buy. 

“Sofas are made with different foam densities and frameworks and therefore have different levels of comfortability,” Turnbull says. “It’s like finding the perfect pillow, everyone has a different comfort preference.” 

Upholstery is also a big player when it comes to couch hunting. Are you looking for something cushy or something firm? 

“Some people love the durability of a leather sofa but others find the leather to be cold in winter while some love the softness of a linen sofa but others find it scratchy,” says Turnbull.

And as for the shape of the couch itself? 

“Modular couches are great for those moving spaces as you’ll have more flexibility with your couch integrating into a new space in the future,” says Turnbull. 

“L-shaped sofas are great positioned in the centre of a larger space or in the corner of a smaller space, while curved sofas create the illusion of a space and can create a softness in the room.” 

If you’re undecided about the best couch for your floor space, Turnbull suggests marking up your floor with tape or string with the dimensions of the couch that’s caught your eye. 

“I find this helps a lot in understanding the size and also how the sofa will feel in the space,” she says.

When searching for couches for her work, Turnbull leaves no stone unturned, sourcing from high street stores, local designers and scouring secondhand shops. 

“If you’re up for the thrill of the chase, buying secondhand is always a great option,” she says. “Often you’ll find a piece that needs some love but keep in mind that reupholstering can be a costly exercise, so speak to local upholsterer to gain insight into how much the job may cost before you buy.” 

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