The best sofa for movie nights and long TV evenings

A sofa for a quick coffee with a guest and a sofa for a three-hour film are not quite the same thing. For long evenings in front of the screen, look for five qualities:

1. A deep seat, so you can sit back, tuck your legs up or lie on your side.
2. Somewhere for your feet: a chaise, an ottoman or a wide footstool at seat height.
3. A soft seat that you sink into a little, so your body relaxes rather than sitting up straight.
4. Back cushions you can lean into, with extra cushions for your neck or your lower back.
5. Enough places for everyone, all with a clear view of the screen.

The shape of the sofa and the way the room is set up matter as much as the sofa itself, so this guide covers both.

Seat depth is measured from the front edge of the seat to the back cushions. It decides how you sit more than anything else.

For movie nights, a deep seat is a real luxury. Comfo has a seat depth of 74 cm, and Doudou 65 cm, both made for curling up. If some of your family prefer to sit upright, a large cushion behind the back brings the seat forward for them. Our guide to seat depth and height explains how to find your own measure.

The best shape gives everyone a good view and at least one person a place to stretch out.

• A sofa with a chaise gives one person a full lounging place, while the others sit. It suits couples and small families.
• A sofa with a movable ottoman is the most flexible: push it against the seat to make a chaise, pull it out as a footstool, or move it where a child wants to sit.
• A U-shape with a lounging spot at each end lets two people lie back at once while the others sit in the middle, all facing the screen.
• A large corner seats the whole family, but the seats on the short side face across the room, so check that they still see the screen comfortably.

Our comparison of U-shaped and L-shaped sofas helps you choose for your room.

A common rule is to sit 1 to 1.5 times the screen diagonal away from the TV. Closer feels more immersive, like a cinema; further feels more relaxed for everyday viewing.

Height matters too. A common rule is to place the centre of the screen near seated eye level, which is about 100 to 115 cm from the floor for most sofas, and a little lower for a deep, lounging seat. A screen mounted high above a console looks neat but tires the neck over a long film. Our guide to living room layouts shows how to place the sofa and the TV together.

For films and series, many people love a very soft seat that wraps around them. It is the feeling of sinking into the sofa at the end of the day. Others prefer a medium seat that supports them and makes it easy to get up for snacks during the break.

At Pufflo you choose, at the same price. Cocoon is very soft: you sink in, made for curling up and long, lazy evenings. Classic is medium: you sit on the seat and get up easily. Comfo starts in Cocoon, because it is a lounging sofa by design. Our guide to soft or firm sofas goes into more detail.

• Soft light. Turn off the ceiling lights and use a floor lamp beside the sofa, or a soft strip of light behind the TV. It is easier on the eyes than a bright screen in a dark room.
• Curtains. In the UAE, strong afternoon sun makes daytime films hard to see. Lined or blackout curtains turn any hour into movie time.
• Sound. Tiled and marble floors make rooms echo. A large rug, curtains and a generous upholstered sofa soften the sound and make dialogue clearer.
• Air conditioning. If a vent blows straight onto the sofa, angle it away or keep a throw within reach for each person.
• A tray. A large tray on the ottoman turns it into a table for popcorn, karak and dates, and lifts away when you want to put your feet up.

Comfo is our fully modular sofa, designed for long evenings. Its seats are 74 cm deep, its cushions are plump, and its ottomans move wherever you want to put your feet up. Choose a chaise sofa, 343 by 229 cm, for a couple, or a U-shape of five or six modules, up to 457 cm wide, for the whole family.

Comfo is European quality, handmade locally when you order, and delivered and installed free in all seven emirates, 3 to 6 days after your order. The Will it fit? tool on its page draws each shape against your wall.