Comfort: With a good sofa you should not be able to feel the frame or the springs through the upholstery. When sofa shopping, don't be afraid to try the sofa out in the shop and sit or lie on it as you would at home. You'll be spending anywhere from 600 upwards so you want to make the right decision.

Size: "You need to think about the size of the sofa and the size of the room in which it's going into, and the size of your front door, " says Sarah Lysaght, manager of Galleria, Dublin. It's a good idea to take a measuring tape with you when shopping so if you find a sofa you like you can map out the measurements at home in the room with newspaper or cardboard boxes to see if it suits the space.

"And if the sofa you like doesn't suit, don't be afraid to ask if it comes in a different size or colour, " says Derbhile Brennan, area manager, Diamond Living. "Most furniture showrooms, including Diamond Living, offer a tailormade service on certain lines, so you can get a size and shape that suits your needs."

Shape and style: Do you want a traditional three-piece suite or would the room be more suited to a two-seater and chair or a modular sofa?

"Modular sofas are ideal for apartments and awkward spaces, " says Brennan. "We sell modular sofas by Italian company Flexform which can be reconfigured and rearranged by taking the sides and arms apart."

Sofa beds are rarely as comfortable and if this is going to be your main sofa, think again.

If you're placing the sofa in front of a window it might be a good idea to go for a low back. You don't want the sofa to overwhelm your room but you also don't want it to be dwarfed by other pieces, so choose a style that won't date . . . nothing too fussy. Squishy sofas may be inviting but they'll always look untidy, something more minimal will look fabulous.

Frame: The actual construction of your sofa is a major factor and actually affects the price, but it's also the bit you can't see so ask loads of questions before you buy. How the frame is made is crucial to your sofa's longevity. The best sofas are made from hardwood frames with coil springs.

When testing out the sofa lift the frame . . . it should feel heavy and sturdy . . . and wiggle the arms to see if they hold firm.

Legs built into the frame are sturdier than legs screwed into the frame. Remember, you get what you pay for so expect to pay that little bit extra for quality.

Filling: The filling is what adds to your sofa's comfort and the main choices are foam-filled, feather-filled, feather-filled with a foam wrap or fibre-filled. Try to strike a middle ground . . . fibre fill and foam backs are soft enough to sink into and sturdy enough to keep a good shape. Feather is the ultimate in luxury but cushions will require regular plumping to ensure they keep their good looks.

Upholstery: When it comes to coverings, pretty much anything goes . . . just make sure the fabric won't wear or mark easily and will be as durable as you need it to be. If you want something patterned avoid too much fuss; the pattern should flow like wallpaper and wrap around the sofa. Chenille, suede and corduroy are popular choices but leather is still the firm favourite among many buyers.

"When buying a leather sofa make sure that what you're buying is actually leather, 100% leather, " advises Nick Cogan, manager of Classic Furniture, Carrickmines, Dublin.

"Leather comes in different grades and the higher the grade the better and more expensive the leather. Highergrade leathers will also need more looking after. The leather is thicker, softer and more subtle."

Cheaper leather sofas tend to be made from a mix of leather and PVC. This is leather that has been corrected and given texture and colour. It looks like real leather, and could be ideal, especially if you can't afford the real thing.

Delivery: Once you've ordered your sofa, expect to wait anything up to 10 to 12 weeks for delivery and even up to 16 weeks . . . that's four months . . . if you've ordered something custom-made. You may also have to pay extra for delivery if you live outside Dublin or if your order is under a certain price. Some stores may have certain lines of sofas in stock . . . good news if you need your sofa in a hurry . . . but do ask before you buy.