How to size a sofa for a real living room

Start with the wall the sofa will live on, then subtract the doors, vents, and the path people actually walk. A sofa that looks perfect in a photo can block a radiator or a closet once it lands.

Leave about 30 to 36 inches for the main path through the room, and about 16 to 18 inches between a coffee table and the front of the seat. If you have to turn sideways to pass, the table is too close.

Seat height matters as much as width. Most PrimeNest sofas sit near 18 inches at the cushion, which pairs with dining chairs and makes standing up easier. Deeper seats feel luxurious and need a room that can spare the extra depth.

If the room is narrow, choose a track arm or a slope arm. Those shapes give you sitting room without the visual weight of a rolled arm. Bring your largest doorway width when you book a showroom visit and we will check the piece against it.