Buying a sofa online is a slightly odd act of faith. You're spending a few thousand dollars on something you've never sat on, chosen from photos lit better than your living room will ever be. It works out well far more often than it doesn't. When it goes wrong, it's rarely the sofa's fault. It's usually a measurement nobody took or a line in the returns policy nobody read.
This guide covers the practical details that are easy to skip: what to measure, what fabric swatches can and can't tell you, how to read reviews, and how to check the fine print before you buy a sofa online. We've used Eva's own products and policies as examples.
Measure more than the wall
Everyone measures the wall. That's the easy one. The measurements that cause problems are the other three.
The first is the space in front. Leave enough room between the front of the sofa and anything you need to walk around, whether that's a coffee table, kitchen bench or door. A sofa that fits the wall but blocks the path to the balcony will annoy you daily.
The second is depth, which can catch you out with L-shapes in particular. The Everyday Sofa's 4 Seater and 5 Seater L-shape are both 289cm wide, but that's where the similarity ends. The 4 Seater is 99cm deep, while the 5 Seater L-shape extends 198cm into the room. So although they take up the same width along the wall, the L-shape uses more than twice the depth.
The third is the route in. Measure every doorway, hallway, stair turn and lift door. Usable clearance on a standard Australian internal door is around 75cm once you allow for the frame. If the sofa arrives in modules, compare the route with the largest single piece rather than the assembled sofa.
Then do the unglamorous thing. Mark the footprint on the floor with masking tape and live with it for two days. If you're still stepping around the tape by day two, you have your answer, and it costs you a roll of tape instead of a return.
What fabric swatches can and can't tell you
Order swatches. Screen colour is unreliable, and a swatch is the easiest way to see a fabric under your own lighting. Put it where the sofa will go and look at it in the morning and again at night, because the same "oatmeal" can read warm at breakfast and grey after dinner.
A swatch gives you a better sense of colour, texture and how the fabric feels under your hand. It can also show you whether the weave makes lint or pet hair particularly noticeable. If the care instructions allow it, you can even test how the fabric responds to a small amount of moisture.
What a swatch can't tell you is how the sofa itself feels. Not firmness, seat depth, seat height or how the cushions behave over time. Those are things you need to assess from the sofa's specifications, reviews and, where possible, a showroom visit. Eva offers free fabric swatches across its sofa range, so you can see the options in your own space before choosing.
How to choose a sofa from the product page
A good product page should give you enough information to make a sensible comparison before you order. You don't need to become a furniture engineer. A few details will tell you a lot.
Start with the fabric. Look for its durability rating, composition and care instructions. These give you a better idea of how it will hold up and what living with it will involve.
Then check the frame. Look at what it's made from and how the frame is constructed, as these details can give you a better sense of its durability and how it's designed to hold up over time. A vague claim that a frame is simply "high quality" doesn't tell you much on its own.
Cushion fill also affects how a sofa feels. Foam tends to feel more supportive and structured, while feather and feather-wrapped cushions generally feel softer and more relaxed.
Finally, look at the dimensions and seat depth. The overall dimensions tell you how much space the sofa will take up, while seat depth can affect how you sit and how much room you have to stretch out.
If a product page gives you very little information about any of these, that's worth taking into account before you buy.
How to read sofa reviews
Reviews are useful, but the star rating only tells you part of the story. Read the actual comments to get a better sense of what living with the sofa is like.
Look at reviews from different points in time. Recent reviews can tell you about delivery and first impressions, while older ones may reveal how the cushions, covers and frame hold up after months of use.
Pay attention to repeated comments rather than one-off complaints. If several people mention the same issue, it's more useful than a single unhappy review.
Check which configuration and fabric the reviewer bought, too. A comment about a sofa feeling too deep may not apply to everyone, and fabric performance can vary between materials.
Customer photos are also worth a look. They show the sofa in normal homes, with everyday lighting and furniture around it, which can give you a better sense of its colour and scale. You can read Eva's customer reviews to see how that works in practice.
How to read a returns policy before you order
A sofa's "trial period" sounds simple until you read the conditions. The number of days is only the starting point.
Check when the return window starts, whether there's a minimum period before you can return it, who pays for the return and whether delivery costs are refundable. A long trial can look less generous once you factor in return costs or waiting periods.
Then look at the condition requirements. Some retailers require the sofa to be returned in as-new condition, with all original pieces and packaging. Others may deduct fees or reduce the refund if anything is missing or damaged.
It's also worth checking whether the policy applies to the exact product you're buying. Sofa covers, individual modules, custom orders and other add-ons may have different return terms from the main sofa.
For Eva, sofas are covered by a 60-day return policy, while individual sofa modules and fabric covers have a 30-day return period. For full details on return conditions and what's covered, see the Eva Returns Policy.
Delivery: the questions worth asking first
Ask what delivery costs to your postcode, not what the banner says. Delivery fees can vary by location, and regional or rural addresses may be treated differently from metro areas.
Ask how long it will take for your postcode, too. A general delivery estimate may not apply to your particular sofa, configuration or location, so check the product page and delivery information before ordering.
Ask how the sofa arrives and whether you'll need help moving it inside. Modular sofas usually arrive in multiple boxes, but individual pieces can still be heavy. Check the box dimensions and weight if you have stairs, tight corners or a lift to contend with.
Finally, ask what happens to your old sofa. Some retailers offer removal or recycling, while others leave disposal up to you. It's much nicer to know that before the new sofa arrives.
Five things to check before you order
- Have you measured the wall, the space in front and the narrowest point on the way in?
- Have you seen the fabric swatch in your own light, morning and night?
- Does the product page give you enough information about the fabric, frame and cushion fill?
- Have you read reviews from people who have owned the sofa for a while?
- Do you know who pays for a return from your postcode and what isn't refunded?
If the answer to all five is yes, you're ready to order with more information than most people who sat on the sofa first.
Ready when you are
Still deciding? Have a look at Eva's returns page and warranty page before you order. You can also order fabric swatches to see your options at home, or try the sofa in person at the Richmond showroom, Carlton showroom or Surry Hills showroom.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy a sofa online without sitting on it first?
You can reduce the risk by checking the things you can know before ordering. Measure the sofa and your delivery route, compare the seat dimensions with a sofa you already find comfortable, order a fabric swatch and read the returns policy. That covers the main unknowns: whether it will fit, whether it will suit how you sit and what happens if it doesn't work out.
What happens if I don't like the sofa when it arrives?
Check the return policy before you buy, then keep the packaging until you're sure the sofa works for you. If you change your mind, check the return window, condition requirements and who pays for collection before contacting the retailer. Eva's furniture trial is 60 days from delivery, with free pickup available in eligible metro areas.
Who pays for return shipping on a sofa?
It depends on where you live. Some retailers cover return shipping in eligible metro areas but leave the cost to the customer elsewhere.
How do I tell if a sofa is well made from the product page alone?
Look for useful specifications rather than broad claims. Check the fabric's durability, the frame materials, cushion construction and what the warranty actually covers. A product page that gives you this information makes it easier to compare sofas and understand what you're buying.
Do fabric swatches really help?
For colour and texture, yes. A swatch lets you see how the fabric looks in your own space and under your own lighting, which can be quite different from how it appears on a screen. For comfort, no. A swatch can't tell you how deep the seat is, how high it sits or how firm the cushions feel.
How long does sofa delivery take in Australia?
It depends on the retailer, your location and whether the sofa is in stock or made to order. Ask for a delivery estimate for your specific postcode before you order.
Can I return a sofa if I've assembled it?
Usually, yes, provided it meets the retailer's return conditions. Eva requires returned furniture to be in as-new condition, with all original pieces and no damage to the fabric or timber. Original packaging is also required.
