I Tested John Lewis' Best Sofas — These Are the Design-Led Styles That Don't Just Feel Good to Sit On, but Earn Their Place in a Room, too

I know the optimism of buying a sofa from a screen — the photos look lovely, the dimensions seem manageable, and surely the fabric will feel as good as it looks. Then you sit down and discover it’s uncomfortable, scratchier than you expected, and not at all the sofa you thought you were buying. Spoiler — it’s a lesson worth learning before the sofa arrives. So, if you’re searching for the best John Lewis sofas⁠, consider this my attempt to save you a few showroom visits — I’ve done the sitting, shifting and fabric-feeling for you.

That hands-on look matters because a product page can’t tell you everything — how firm the seat feels, whether the back offers enough support, or if those beautifully plump cushions stay put. We've tested plenty of sofas over the years here at Livingetc, building our guide to where to buy a sofa⁠, and those are exactly the details we look for.

We’ve updated this review after testing three of John Lewis’ newer sofas for 2026. As an interior stylist for Design Lab by Livingetc, I’m always looking beyond the first impression — I’m checking the seat depth and height, noticing how the seams and pleats are finished, and seeing whether the cushions stay put or need constant straightening. I gave each one a proper sit — and, in a couple of cases, a longer one than I planned.

I rate John Lewis’ sofas based on my own testing, and there’s no commercial relationship to disclose beyond the fact that the brand may pay us a commission if you buy through a link. These are my honest impressions of what each sofa gets right — and the little details that might make you think twice.

With so many styles in the collection, I focused on the sofas I could find in store and genuinely picture in a Livingetc reader’s home. This is an edit not just of the sofas that feel good to sit on, but of the ones with the design, details, and personality to earn their place in a room.

Pleat Sofa

(Image credit: John Lewis)

The Pleat caught my eye before I’d even sat down. Its rounded shape and pleated base feel quite different from the classic sofas nearby, giving it a contemporary, statement-making look. The Ginger chenille is especially tactile — brush the fabric in different directions and the pile shifts in the light, leaving visible hand marks and creating a suede-like effect. It isn’t real suede, but it feels lovely against the skin.

I’d describe the seat as medium to firm, with a noticeably firmer, more supportive fixed back. The slight incline makes it hard to sit completely upright; at 175cm tall, I found my feet hanging when I sat right back. At the front edge, meanwhile, I didn’t get much support from the back. It felt better suited to stretching out than sitting upright for a quick chat.

A few throw pillows would make it more comfortable for sitting upright and help break up that generous depth. The arms feel a little high, although they land in a natural place to rest your arms. For me, this is a sofa made for lounging — and a particularly stylish way to bring a contemporary edge to a room. John Lewis gives the Pleat a medium comfort rating, which sits between my own impression of its firmer back and more giving seat. It currently has a five-star average from two customer reviews, so it’s a positive early response, if a very small sample.

(Image credit: Future)

Dimple Sofa

(Image credit: John Lewis)

The first thing that caught my eye was the light blue color, which looks a little deeper in person and has soft gray undertones. The shape feels contemporary, but there’s a softness to it too — from the rounded arms to the relaxed, low profile. The cotton-linen blend has a gentle texture you can feel, but it’s still soft to the touch. The pleat detailing is nicely done and gives the sofa a little extra character.

Sitting down, I immediately felt myself sink into it. The seat is very soft but still supportive; the back is softer, with a more relaxed kind of support. It’s low and slightly inclined, so I could sit right back and still sit upright, although I wouldn’t call it the most supportive sofa I tried. The back is comfortable to lean against, and the bulky, soft arms fall naturally where you want to rest yours.

The loose seat cushions are the detail to keep in mind — they move easily, and after sitting for a while I noticed them creeping forward, so they’ll need straightening. I’d also add a few throw pillows to give the back more support. For me, the Dimple is made for sinking in and switching off; if that’s what you want from a sofa, its softness and light blue color could bring a lovely lift to your room. John Lewis describes the range as designed with relaxation in mind, which matches my experience of its soft, pillowed feel. I couldn’t find a customer rating or reviews for this specific listing, so my in-store test is the clearest guide for now.

(Image credit: Future)

Oxford Sofa

(Image credit: John Lewis)

The Oxford felt like the most supportive of the other two styles above. I’d call it medium to firm — you don’t sink into the seat, and I could sit upright comfortably. The back cushions are loose, but they spring back into shape when you get up. They’ll still need regular plumping if you want the sofa to keep looking neat. The arms felt a little high for resting mine, though the relaxed shape gives the sofa an easy, welcoming feel.

The mustard color looks lovely with earthy shades — I can picture it alongside terracotta or soft green — while the skirted base gives the sofa a more traditional feel in person. I think the right styling could bring out a more contemporary side. The chunky linen has a pronounced, slubby texture; it isn’t as soft to the touch as the other linen option I tried, but those irregularities are part of its natural character. The Oxford asks for a little attention if you want it looking its best, between the textured fabric and cushions that need plumping. In return, you get a supportive sofa with warmth and character. John Lewis describes the Oxford as having a slightly higher back for added support, and its box-pleat skirt is the defining design detail. I couldn’t find customer reviews or a rating for this exact listing, so there isn’t a reader consensus to add yet.

(Image credit: Future)

Harbour

(Image credit: John Lewis)

At first glance, the Harbour sofa didn't inspire a whole lot of reaction; however, on closer, real-life inspection, I found it to be quite the charmer. It's subtle in design, for sure, but the curved arm detail was just enough to elevate it and make it feel special enough for a contemporary home. It has a cool, Scandinavian design quality to it, but you could take it in a bolder direction with a choice of color and fabric from the 70-deep range.

(Image credit: Future)

It's a nice, medium firmness which, coupled with another deep seat, felt like it would work for both lounging and a more upright sitting position, striking a good balance. Not too much plumping, but soft and enveloping enough; not too much of a statement that you'll get tired of it, but enough character to hold your attention — it's sort of a classic Goldilocks sofa, if ever I've seen one.

My only note? The fabric I tried was the Aquaclean Matilda Natural, which I found a little coarse. It brings a nice texture, but I don't think I'd choose it for my everyday lounging sofa.

Lozenge

(Image credit: John Lewis)

When interiors editor Emma Breislin attended the John Lewis showcase this year, she reported back that the Lozenge sofa has been such a big seller for the brand that they even launched an outdoor version of it for 2025. It surprises me, not because this curved sofa isn't a great, inventive design, but because it is. It's one of the more out-there sofas in John Lewis' range, so I'm a little surprised it has such wide appeal.

However, it's hard to deny its star power in real life. In almost every John Lewis store I visited, I had to wait my turn to sit on this sofa. It seems to have a natural draw — something inviting and enticing about its curves.

(Image credit: Future)

It's firm, and structured, for sure — not the sort of couch that you dive onto and sink into the cushions, but the amorphous shape of the seat cushions means whatever mood you're in, you can find the best seat in the house. The curved backrest makes it cocooning, and lends itself well to hangout sessions, where more linear sofas can feel like you're pointing away from each other.

The white textured fabric it's often pictured in is, again, a little coarse for my tastes, but it feels like it'd be more durable than a true boucle, which it emulates pretty well.

Flow

(Image credit: John Lewis)

I had the sense that the Flow sofa was a sort of modern take on the Art Deco shell design, with its curved arms and channeled back. It has that formal 'cocktail couch' feel, but, actually, it's much deeper and more comfortable than that. At my height, my legs were flush to the seat cushion when my feet were on the floor, a sign that it's a good sofa for taller people.

(Image credit: Future)

The back is a little firmer than some of the other sofas on this list, but its curved corner made it comfortable to relax into. The arms are high, so not the ideal couch for napping, necessarily, but a great comfortable spot to rest your arms on.

The Natural Boucle, again, for me, was a little coarse for a sofa textile, but felt robust enough for a family sofa that I'd waive my concerns.

Tokyo

(Image credit: John Lewis)

I really enjoyed the modern, low, and deep silhouette of the Tokyo sofa when I saw it in the store. It's structured, but it has an easiness about it too, thanks to the movable back cushions. This is your real hangout sofa — it's feet up, hours-long conversations, and get comfortable for a film night. It works in a group setting, if you were hosting, for example, but the back cushions being adjustable means you can really create your own comfortable way of sitting when there are fewer of you using it.

I was surprised that John Lewis had rated it as a soft vs firm sofa, however. I took my own notes before consulting the brand's guides, and rated it more towards a medium (even on the edge of firm), just with a nice bounce to it in the cushion. The deep seats were comfortable for my long legs, and the size of the arms felt right for when you want to sit a bit more upright in the chair. I like the slight slant to the arm for comfort, but it takes it to more of a 'modern' design, and I think, in general, I prefer a more boxy arm format.

(Image credit: Future)

I found both the foam and fiber seat cushions and back cushions nice to relax into. I can see, however, that the back cushions will need a gentle plumping most times you get up, but it's definitely not the most drastic case in that the cushions don't look terrible if they're not plumped, just slightly unkempt.

Legs can be in either dark or light wood, and you've got the option of 70 fabrics. This sample was in a beige chenille, which I found soft and comfortable.

Bloc

(Image credit: John Lewis)

The Bloc sofa is part of John Lewis's Anyday range — the brand's budget offering. However, I think this sofa, in particular, looks a lot more expensive than its £899 price tag. It's not available in alternative configurations other than a left and right chaise, but if the size and shape suit your space, you're in for an affordable treat.

With no separate cushions as such, it feels like one of John Lewis' best sofas for a minimalist living room. The Bloc has quite a low back, which doesn't give you the most support, but on the flip side, makes it feel like an ideal sofa for an open concept living space. It looks good from all angles. It's rated medium, but I'd say a medium firm, and it feels low to the ground.

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike the majority of sofas on this list, it's not available in a huge range of fabrics — just the Natural Weave Fleck I tried in the showroom, and a subtle corduroy Corded Latte Mini. They're versatile choices, but not if you want color or a particular texture outside these materials.

It's also worth noting that because it's part of the Anyday range, this sofa has a seven-year guarantee, compared to a 25 year on the rest of these sofas.

We also tested..

These sofas might not have been our favorites, but here's our review of them, to help you navigate John Lewis' sofa section.

Newlyn

(Image credit: John Lewis)

On paper, the Newlyn sofa was my favorite John Lewis sofa as I headed into the store. The modern and un-bulky shape caught my eye; the side pillows make a nice detail that makes it feel more expensive, and it has that boxy, low-to-the-floor style I'm all about in sofa trends right now. However, the problems with it were obvious in person, at least the version I saw in the John Lewis Oxford Street. It's fair that it may have been the fabric choice for this sofa in this setting, but I'd be keen to see it again in another setting to see how it compares. So, I'm not ruling it out completely.

(Image credit: Future)

I love the look of relaxed linen, but this sofa was just a little too relaxed for me. It feels like the sort of sofa I'd be constantly plumping and trying to get creases out of, all the while nervous to let anyone sit near it with a drink or food for risk of stains (however, the covers are removable and washable, which is a plus).

It's soft, but I didn't find it super cushioned to sit on either. I get it, feather fills are an acquired taste, but I've not acquired the taste for this type of sofa quite yet.

It has its plus points, however. It's super deep, which makes for a comfortable reclining seat, even for someone my height, and if you like a low sofa, this one definitely fits the bill.

FAQs

Are John Lewis Sofas Good Quality?

I have a John Lewis sofa that is seven years old, and still going strong, even in households with dogs and children. That's at the lower end of how long a sofa should last, but it's a good sign they're built to endure.

John Lewis says that its fabrics are 'tested over and above standard requirements'. Every sofa gets '20 checks' during its manufacturing and assembly process to avoid quality issues and flaws in the final product. The brand offers a 25-year guarantee on its own brand sofas, but only a 5-year guarantee on its budget Anyday range.

Will John Lewis Remove My Old Sofa?

John Lewis has a partnership with Clearabee, so you can arrange your old sofa to be collected as part of the purchasing process, with a promise that any old sofa will be diverted from landfill if possible.

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And if you want a sofa that can do double duty, we’ve also tested the best John Lewis sofa beds⁠, too.

We're still on the hunt for more of John Lewis' best sofas to try — even in its biggest stores, you might not find every single style it lists on its websites. However, while we were there, we did also find time to test other sofas, from the likes of the sofa-in-a-box brand Swyft. John Lewis has such a wide offering; you don't have to limit yourself to just its own sofas, no matter how stylish we think they may be.

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