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It's hardly a consideration when you first start shopping for a new sofa, but whether your chosen model can fit through a narrow doorway, up steep stairs, or even in your building's lift is as, if not more, important than your choice of colour and fabric. Enter the sofa in a box – your regular flatpack sofa with added layers of convenience like 24-hour delivery and tool-free assembly.
Where once a compact two-seater was about as much as you could wrestle into a box, today, the most generously proportioned corner sofas are cleverly dismantled and delivered seamlessly to any home. The ease of experience is key with a sofa in a box purchase, and market leaders like Snug and Swyft have in-stock models available for speedy delivery, while assembly is reassuringly pain free.
A sofa in a box is sometimes the only viable solution for small urban flats or old cottages with narrow corridors, and so new developments from brands and retailers are welcome. There is a tendency to cater for the city dweller – a lot of sofa in a box designs are very sleek and modern – but there are some traditional shapes too, as well as a handy sofa bed in a box.
Here, we've scoured some of our favourite sofa brands and retailers, from John Lewis & Partners to Habitat, to find the 15 best sofa in a box designs...
Swyft is really changing the game when it comes to the sofa in a box. No matter how tight your entry space, or how many flights of stairs you need to contend with, Swyft sofas are easily delivered in a box that can be lifted by one person – and you won't need any tools for assembly.
The sleek arms and modest silhouette of this Max sofa in a box from M&S make it deceptively compact – at just 80cm in depth, it's the perfect choice for small spaces.
Convenience is the name of the game with the Cassie sofa from Dunelm. This sumptuous jewel-toned velvet is a team favourite, and it's available for super speedy delivery. The deep seat, on-trend bolster cushions and sleek legs are a design bonus.
For living rooms with a Scandi touch. This is as simple and fuss-free as a sofa gets – affordable, available for quick delivery, and upholstered in a goes-with-anything grey.
You may have seen the Cozmo sofa on your Instagram feed, and the brand is becoming one to watch. This fabulous sofa in a box is designed to maximise your seating area on minimum footprint, with a modular system to provide flexibility. The cover whips off easily and can be swapped out for other designs from their range.
One for the colour lovers. We're totally taken with the bright coral shade on this Cassie sofa from Dunelm. This one can be delivered in a matter of days, too.
The Dixon sofa from Habitat has a sculptural quality that makes it a great accent piece. It would be a good fit in a bedroom or wide hallway used for perching rather than lounging.
Compact and super affordable, the Cosmo sofa from Homebase still packs a design punch with its pretty rose pink upholstery and brass detailing on its feet.
Even design classics can be modernised into a handy sofa in a box. This Swyft model has all the reassuring design elements of a traditional Chesterfield – the softly worn leather, ample cushions, rolled arms and deep button back.
This is the ultimate in multifunctional furniture, with a subtle nod to Scandinavian design principles. If you don’t have a spare bedroom, this sofa bed in a box from the Futon Company is a super practical option.
Here's a clever three-seater from Snug with marshmallow-like cushions and seat. Note the paper thin arms that make this sofa super compact. And the fabric is spill-proof, so you can go for a light colour without worrying about stains.
From two seats to 10, left or right corner, with or without an ottoman – the sofas at Swyft are a picture of versatility. With its low back and generously proportioned seats, this is great for the loungers.
The sofa in a box formula isn't just for small spaces or indeed small sofas. This fabulous corner sofa can be assembled without tools, and comes in a choice of 12 on-trend colours. You can even add a few modules to create a massive U-shaped configuration.
This Mila sofa from Next has all the markers of a classic mid-century piece – slim legs, low-set arms, and a curved silhouette. The references make it a great fit for retro colours – it's available in seven shades including sage green and a light brown leather – but we're really taken with this nubbly cream boucle.
A clever piece of design from Snug Sofa, the Cloud Sundae comprises a two-seater sofa with a handy storage chaise. It will easily fit through tight doors and awkward spaces, and can be assembled in minutes.
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