1. "When shopping for a sofa take a plan of your room making note of windows, doors and radiators, with you to the showroom. You'd be surprised at the number of people who buy a sofa without measuring the room first," says Anne Murray of Houseworks.

2.A good tip for seeing how a sofa will look in your room is to map out its size on the floor with newspaper or stacking boxes.

3. How deep your sofa is will influence how comfortable it is. "If an older person is using the sofa, opt for a high-back because they are more supportive and easier to get up from," says Emily O'Sullivan of Diamond Living.

4.You can't see it but the frame of your sofa is crucial. "A quality upholstered sofa consists of many integral parts. To prevent twisting and warping, the frame should be made from hardwood, such as beech, and not new pine – or worse, plywood or MDF which is corner-blocked to maintain the dimensions," says interior designer Damien Fogarty of www.dfdesign.ie

5.To test the strength of a sofa frame, lift one front corner or leg off the floor. By the time you've raised it six inches, the other front leg should have risen too. If it's still touching the floor, the frame is weak.

6.Joinery is also important. Make sure your sofa has wooden dowels or wooden corner blocks, metal screws and brackets. Avoid sofas that are held together solely by staples, nails or glue.

7.Sofas are not made for bouncing on but you still need to make sure you have good springs. "A quality sofa's construction should be coiled – just like a mattress – not made up of sinuous wire," says Fogarty. Sofas with no springs, just webbing or mesh are often uncomfortable and flimsy.

8.Fillings also make a difference. Polyurethane foam is a low-cost, easy-care cushion filling. The more durable, high-density type can feel hard, and softer, low-density foam deteriorates more rapidly with constant use. High-resilient (HR) foam is slightly more expensive but more comfortable and long-lasting. Polyester fibre is also inexpensive, but it flattens quickly. Top of the range fillings include goose down mixed with feathers.

9.Sofas need to be durable. Cotton and linen are popular but loose weaves can snag. Synthetic microfibre is another good option and is stain resistant. Wool and leather are also popular but can be expensive. "If you've a young family, a sofa with a removable cotton cover is a great choice," says O'Sullivan. "Leather is popular with family buyers, but always check out the grade of leather. Some natural leathers which are less processed can scuff easily."

10.Shape is another consideration. "Again your room size and dimensions will influence the type of sofa shape you should go for," says Murray. "A lot of people like the L-shaped sofas, but not every room can accommodate one."