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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Abha Shah

Best sofas in a box to order online: Comfortable and stylish couches tried and tested

Alongside a bed, a sofa is a crucial furniture purchase in any home. 

It’s going to be one of the most popular spaces to sit in the house - be it for movie and gaming marathons, entertaining guests, or just kicking back with a cold one - so it needs to work hard for its money. 

Of course, comfy and stylish are always going to be pretty high on the checklist, but ease of delivery is a pretty crucial one too. Imagine the burning hot frustration of signing for your dream sofa, only to realise you can’t get it into the house.

While traditional couches need careful negotiating around tight corners, narrow corridors, stairs and doorways - and that’s after waiting for months for delivery - all those considerations evaporate when you pick a sofa in a box. 

These nifty designs are typically modular pieces fitted with clever interlocking panels, twisty knobs and sliding mechanisms, meaning they need little or no tools to put together. Everything gets delivered in a series of easy-to-handle boxes that are far easier to move into position than a fully constructed sofa. Most options can be built solo, though we’d recommend roping in a friend to make the process faster. 

Sofas in boxes are a growing trend, with a few choice retailers and brands perched at the top of the pile. If you’re considering trading in your tired, stained sofa for a flashy new model, you’re in luck.

We’ve rounded up the best options below to help make shopping for one simple.

Shop now

Swyft Model 02 Large 3 Seater Sofa, Vine Velvet

Sleek with mid-century leanings, Swyft is an expert at designing seating that requires no tools to construct. Using clever locking hinges, you can slot together its sofas in mere minutes.

While the instructional videos on its site claim one person can manage it on their own, we needed a friend to help line up the hinges and push them into place - so rope in a pal to help. It’ll take longer to finish the glass of wine you’ll offer as a reward afterwards.

They’re so confident in their frame that it comes with a 15-year guarantee. How’s that for peace of mind? Unlike many other sofa retailers, you won’t have to wait months for delivery.

The vast majority of Swyft’s designs can be delivered as quickly as the next day.

Buy now £1359.20, John Lewis

WeDoSofas

Offered in the same zingy lemon as the fruits on the Amalfi coast, this cute two-seater is ideal for small spaces.

There's 109cm of velvety seating space to sprawl across, which you will do in next to no time once delivery has been made. Simply hand screw the feet, fluff the back cushions, and it's ready to go.

Buy now £299.00, Amazon

Snug The Rebel 3 Seater Sofa - Blush Coral

Snug’s sofas-in-a-box make a supremely comfortable perch in your home thanks to seats made of pocket springs and layered with foam. Delivery comes in a series of cardboard boxes that are easy to navigate through the tightest of spaces, stairwells and doors - barely a PIVOT! required. But the best bit? it’s not the durable fabric, nor the anti-stain fabric but the assembly. No tools are needed, so you’re ready to put your feet up in no time.

This design is also modular, which means you can add a corner unit to give you more seating room, or switch the legs and arms if you fancy a quick upgrade without going to the trouble of replacing your entire couch.

Buy now £1124.00, Snug

DUSK Hampshire Loveseat - Burnt Orange

Dusk's loveseat sofa comes in a box, not that you’ll be doing any heaving. The company's delivery people will take it to the room of your choice; all that’s left is to screw on the legs and stand it upright to enjoy.

The sofa is a 1.5 seater, giving one person plenty of space to stretch out and lounge. As well as this warm rust hue, it comes in a range of muted and neutral shades, with textures like linen, chenille and velvet to choose from.

Buy now £349.00, DUSK

ELEGANT Sofa Bed Modern Fabric Sofa Bed

Small homeowners know when it comes to new furniture purchases, versatility is the name of the game. Why get a simple sofa when you can buy one that turns into a fully flat bed for the same price? That's what's being offered with this cream-coloured sofa in a box that can be constructed in as little as 15 minutes.

Buy now £269.99, Amazon

Loaf Bed in a Bun - double

Loaf performs an interiors magic trick with this chic upholstered bench that transforms into a single or double bed - complete with a headboard with a few quick pulls.

It’s ideal if you don’t have a guest bedroom or room for a sofa bed but have visitors lining up to stay over. A mattress comes with the frame, all tucked neatly into the bench. The only things you’ll have to add are bed linen and pillows.

There is construction involved but the company will do it for you - talk about using your loaf, eh?

Available in a myriad of colours to tie in or stand out in your room’s decor.

Buy now £945.00, Loaf

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