A sofa is the piece you live on most, and the one that is hardest to send back. Before you fall for a colour or a fabric, take ten minutes with a tape measure. These are the measurements we look at with every customer who visits our shop on Calle de Loreto, with real examples from the sofas on our floor.
1. The room: leave space to walk
Measure the wall where the sofa will go, then the space in front of it. Keep a walkway of around 80 to 90 cm where people pass, and about 40 to 45 cm between the sofa and the coffee table, close enough to reach a cup, far enough for your knees. Mark the outline on the floor with tape: a sofa always looks smaller in a shop than in a living room.
2. Width: count the people, not the seats
Think about how many people sit on it on a normal evening, and whether someone likes to lie down. A modular sofa lets you choose the length with the modules: the Elara is 347 cm with three modules, the Lunara 286 cm with two. The sizes of each module are fixed, so you build the composition that fits your wall.
3. Depth: sit up or sink in
Depth decides how you sit. Around 95 to 100 cm keeps you upright, good for conversation and smaller rooms; from about 105 cm you can pull your legs up. The Calira is 100 cm deep, the Elara 108 cm, the Velora corner sofa 110 cm. The Trezza goes up to 149 cm: a sofa to lounge on, more than to sit on.
4. Seat height: low and relaxed, or easy to stand up
Seat height is measured from the floor to the top of the seat cushion. A low seat of 38 to 40 cm feels relaxed and very Ibiza: the Noria and the Trezza are 38 cm. A seat of 42 to 45 cm is easier to get up from, which matters for older family members: the Zoia is 42 cm, the Elara and the Floriva 45 cm. For comparison, a dining chair is usually around 45 to 48 cm.
5. Back height: open room or full support
A low back keeps a room open and works well in front of a window or in the middle of a space: the Noria is 60 cm high, the Calira 66 cm. A higher back, like the Lunara at 80 cm, supports your shoulders when you lean back for a film.
6. The way in: doors, stairs and lift
This is the measurement people forget. In Barcelona many buildings have narrow staircases, tight turns and small lifts. Measure the width of the street door, the lift (door, depth and height inside), the stairs at their narrowest turn and your own front door. Modular sofas help here: every module is a separate piece. The armless module of the Elara, for example, is 91 cm wide. If something cannot go through the stairs, an exterior lift is possible at an extra cost. Delivery and installation in Barcelona start from €110, and you always get a quote before you pay.
7. Check the drawing, then come and sit
Every sofa in our sofa collection has a measurement drawing among its photos, with width, depth, height and seat height. Then come and try it: numbers tell you if a sofa fits, sitting on it tells you if it is yours. All our sofas are Italian design and you can choose the fabric in the shop. Sofas in stock are delivered in 1 to 2 weeks, others in 12 to 14 weeks.
Quick answers
What is a comfortable seat depth for a sofa?
Around 95 to 100 cm to sit upright, 105 cm or more to curl up or lie down.
What seat height is easiest to get up from?
Around 42 to 45 cm. Lower seats (38 to 40 cm) feel more relaxed but take more effort to stand up from.
Can I order a sofa in a custom size?
No, the sizes are fixed. With a modular sofa you choose the composition and the fabric.
Where can I try these sofas in Barcelona?
At M&O Living, Calle de Loreto 37. Walk in, no appointment needed: Monday to Friday 10:00 to 20:00, Saturday 12:00 to 19:00. You will also find our gallery, with a new artist every three months.
