What types of sofas are there: configuration, fillers, upholstery materials
Short answer: sofas differ by configuration (straight, corner, modular, chaise longue, sofa bed), filling (foam only, synthetic down cushions, natural down and feather), depth, frame, mechanism and upholstery. To choose well, start with comfort and overall size — fabric comes later. In Portugal, at INTERIA, you can take a sofa from stock with delivery in 3 working days or order it made to measure in 25–44 working days.
We have been making sofas for 15 years, and here is what we have learned: in the shop people choose by “looks versus price”, but at home they live with comfort. A gorgeous, uncomfortable sofa is of no use to you. So below we explain the types of sofas the way we do in the studio — by what you feel when you sit down.
Types of sofas by configuration
Straight sofa
The classic: one line, two armrests, a back. Good for living rooms where the sofa stands against a wall or faces the TV.
Corner sofa
People choose it to sit comfortably with their legs stretched out. One of the most popular sizes today is about 255 + 170 cm or 270 + 170 cm — compact, but with a projecting section; for example, Solar Small. See all corner sofas.
Modular sofa
We are often asked, “Which of your sofas is modular?” Honest answer: almost all of them. The armrest is a module, the inner section is a module, the projecting part is a module — a sofa is not a solid casting of metal. Only a small sofa of 1–1.5 m can be one piece; a four-metre sofa or one with a projecting section is 100% modular. The practical upside: it fits through the door, and later you can add a module, a pouf or an armchair.
Sofa with chaise longue
One section is extended so you can lie with your legs out without taking up a whole corner. We make these too, in stock and to order.
Sofa bed
For a home office, a guest room or a child’s room where a nanny sometimes sleeps. We have always been honest about it: if you can, buy a bed. If you really need a sofa bed, read Sofa bed for everyday sleeping — and see the section on mechanisms below.
Types of sofas by filling
- Foam only. Holds its shape and gives a firmer, neater seat.
- Back cushions with synthetic down. Softer and more enveloping; we use it a lot.
- Natural down and feather. Some models have it everywhere — armrests, backs, back and seat cushions. In our opinion, after many years of making sofas, it gives the most comfort.
There is one place where many save money and we don’t: the armrests and the back itself, behind the cushions. You don’t notice that saving at first — but you do every time you lean your arm or head on it. On our sofas armrests and backs are soft, so that wherever you touch the sofa you feel softness, not the frame.
By depth: what is a deep sofa
For us, a deep sofa has a seat of 80 cm or more. It is our speciality: very comfortable, very soft, deep sofas. A single number says little, though, because depth is often adjusted by the back cushions. Hermes has two rows: take one out and you sit deeper, almost lying; put it back and you sit more upright. Topchan and Monomakh work the same way. Among the deepest and softest are also Solar, Prostir and Pangea. More in Deep sofa: how to choose.
By frame
The frame depends on the model: metal, plywood, chipboard or solid wood. Each material has its place — what matters is that it is used where it makes sense and in the right amount. What counts for us is the final product, so we don’t skimp on materials or on how much of them we use.
By mechanism: 2Sleep sofa bed vs an ordinary sofa bed
In an ordinary “dolphin” mechanism the base is rigid plywood with no give, topped with a little over 10 cm of foam — so the sofa is hard. The “French” fold-out is, in our opinion, the least reliable system of all.
In our own system, 2Sleep, the base is like that of a bed: a metal frame with elastic wooden slats (what are bed slats). Folded, there is more than 24 cm of foam, versus about 12 cm in a “dolphin”. The result: it is comfortable both folded and unfolded. The covers of the cushions you sleep on come off and can be washed; sleeping areas are 200×160, 190×140, 190×160 or 190×180, medium or firm. Having your own transformation system is a rarity on the market — we have ours. Examples: Place sofa bed (has in-stock versions), Meridian and Piccolo.
By upholstery
On every sofa page you choose the upholstery: “Fabric of your choice” (made to order, any fabric) or one of the “In stock” options in a selected fabric. The Portuguese love to customise — even if it is only the fabric. We also work with the customer’s own fabric. A true story: with good woven fabrics it is hard to tell the face from the back, there was no marking — and we upholstered a sofa inside out. The customer noticed, we quickly redid it on the right side and had a laugh that we couldn’t find the face ourselves.
In stock or made to order in Portugal
- In stock: delivery within 3 working days after payment (mainland Portugal), in selected fabrics. Many models have in-stock versions — for example Topchan, Soul, Fellini, Place and Kobzar.
- Made to order: 25–44 working days, in the fabric, size and configuration you choose. More in Made-to-order sofas.
- Delivery and assembly: free in Greater Lisbon (Grande Lisboa); beyond it, charged per kilometre from the nearest city with free delivery.
- Payment: card at the studio, bank transfer, online or Klarna. Warranty: 3 years.
In Portugal about half of our customers buy from stock and half order made to measure. Our studio in Cascais has been open since 2022, Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 to 19:00.
How to choose without mistakes
Comfort first, looks second: with a very comfortable sofa, even if it isn’t exactly “you” visually, life is much easier than with a beautiful, uncomfortable one. So sit on it before you decide.
The most common mistake is the overall size — too big as well as too small. Upholstered furniture, unlike cabinet furniture, can’t be made to the millimetre: fabric, curves and slopes need tolerances. Measure the room, leave a walkway and remember: if you played it safe and ordered a sofa that is too small, that is easy to fix — you can always order a module, a section, a pouf or an armchair later. Making it bigger is always easier than making it smaller. Browse the sofa catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What types of sofas are there?
By configuration: straight, corner, modular, with chaise longue, and sofa beds. Beyond that they differ by filling (foam only, synthetic down, natural feather), depth, frame (metal, plywood, chipboard, solid wood), mechanism and upholstery.
What is the most comfortable sofa filling?
In our opinion, natural down and feather. Some of our models use it everywhere — armrests, backs, back and seat cushions. Synthetic down is also very comfortable and we use it often.
What is a deep sofa?
For INTERIA, a sofa with a seat of 80 cm or more. Depth is often adjusted with the back cushions: Hermes has two rows — take one out and you sit deeper. Topchan and Monomakh work the same way.
What is the difference between a 2Sleep sofa bed and an ordinary sofa bed?
In 2Sleep the base is like a bed: a metal frame with elastic wooden slats, and more than 24 cm of foam when folded. A dolphin mechanism has a rigid plywood base with about 12 cm of foam. That is why 2Sleep is comfortable both folded and unfolded.
How long does an in-stock or made-to-order sofa take in Portugal?
In-stock sofas are delivered within 3 working days after payment (mainland Portugal). Made-to-order production takes 25 to 44 working days. Delivery and assembly are free in Greater Lisbon.
What is the most common mistake when choosing a sofa?
The overall size, too big or too small. If the sofa turns out small, you can always add a module, a pouf or an armchair later — making it bigger is easier than making it smaller.
