I tried a sofa-in-a-box brand to see if you can really get a good quality sofa in 24 hours

Buying a new sofa is a big decision. With so many styles, shapes and fabrics to choose from, the process can feel a little overwhelming. And just when you think you've finally found the one, you might just be hit with a delivery lead time of months rather than weeks.

Thankfully, a new generation of sofa-in-a-box brands is claiming to help sidestep the classic waiting times. Sofa Club is one such brand, along with Swyft and Sofa.com, offering a range of over 200 sofas that are designed to be stylish, practical, and, crucially, delivered quickly. In fact, Sofa Club claims it can deliver sofas in as little as 24 hours, though there is a caveat (but more on that later).

From compact loveseats to sprawling corner and modular designs, Sofa Club's collection is varied. But there's one distinctive feature that sets the brand apart: the sofas are only available in neutral tones. Think soft greys, rich chocolates and warm creams, which is ideal if you're after a timeless, versatile piece, but less so if you're on the hunt for a bold, statement colour.

Every sofa on their website is named after a location (from Soho to Oslo), and like other brands, most designs can be customised in terms of size, fabric, and colour.

Living in a flat, I was drawn to Sofa Club for two key reasons: I needed a sofa that could be delivered without hassle, and one that would blend effortlessly with my existing décor while still being adaptable enough to suit future interiors, should we decide to redecorate or move. But I was admittedly sceptical. Could ordering a sofa really be and quick and easy as the brand claimed it would be?

With Sofa Club, pretty much everything is done online, which is a more convenient alternative to the traditional showroom experience. While you do miss out on the opportunity to test the comfort in person, the website has detailed images of each sofa from all angles.

Sofa Club allows you to order up to four fabric swatches for free, so you can see and feel the materials firsthand before making your decision. These swatches typically arrive within 10 days. And if you aren't happy with your sofa upon arrival, they offer free returns.

That said, the brand does have showrooms in Hertford and Liverpool, and smaller displays in Essex and Newcastle, though these are probably only helpful if you live in the local area.

Luckily, navigating the website is a breeze, with intuitive filters allowing you to sort sofas by size, colour, fabric, or style. In our case, we were specifically on the hunt for a three-seater. From there, we narrowed down our search even more by inputting the maximum measurements of our space. What I liked about the website is that you can get really specific in your search, filtering further by delivery time and price range, too.

For those in need of a quicker turnaround, there's a dedicated section for sofas that are available for next-day delivery. However, not every sofa is available for immediate dispatch, and delivery times in some cases can fluctuate (as we experienced). Once you've selected your sofa, the website provides a calendar showing available delivery dates for your area. Should any delays occur, Sofa Club will be in touch with the next available delivery date, and you can track your delivery online.

All sofas also come with a lifetime guarantee from the date of delivery, covering structural manufacturing defects, and a one-year guarantee, covering general manufacturing faults.

I tested Sofa Club by ordering one of their sofas and putting the entire process through its paces, from browsing the website to unboxing the final product. I started by navigating the site to see how easy it was to find styles, compare models, and explore the range of customisation options available, including fabric types, colours, and sizes.

Once we'd placed our order, I tracked how quickly the sofa arrived and compared the delivery timeframe and communication with what was promised online. Mine ended up taking two weeks to arrive due to the sofa I had chosen and a slight delay in delivery. I also paid close attention to the delivery experience itself, including how the sofa was packaged and how easy it was to unbox and assemble at home.

Once set up, I assessed the look and feel of the sofa in person; whether it matched the photos and descriptions on the website. Finally, I also had to consider comfort. I tested how firm the cushions were, how well they held their shape after use and, ultimately, how supportive the sofa felt to sit on.

After browsing the site, we decided on the Edgware Three-Seater: a modern, low-profile sofa upholstered in a light, neutral linen fabric. The sofa retails for £799, which, once I saw the quality, felt like a really good price (a similar sofa from Loaf would set you back £2,145).

I really appreciated how user-friendly the website was, especially the ability to filter by size, which was crucial for us given our limited space. Sofas also come with a variety of fillings, though these depend on the model chosen. According to the brand, they are a mixture of medium-density foam wrapped in fibre for added comfort, soft silicone fibre, and feather.

Although our chosen sofa wasn't available for next-day delivery, that wasn't an issue for us (if you're in urgent need, it's worth noting that not all models qualify for 24-hour delivery, but there is a specific section of the site dedicated to sofas with one-day delivery). We initially selected a specific delivery date, but after placing the order, we were notified of a change. This wasn't a problem in our case, but it could be inconvenient if you've taken time off work.

The day before delivery, we received a text with our scheduled time slot. We then received another update on the morning of arrival, indicating our delivery position in the route and a courtesy call from the driver shortly before they arrived.

Although we didn't choose a sofa with 24-hour delivery, several reviews on Trustpilot commend the option, with one shopper describing it as "prompt and efficient".

As promised, our sofa came packaged in a box, which the delivery team kindly carried up to our second-floor flat. I was slightly concerned it might not fit through our building's main entrance, but the two drivers unboxed it downstairs to make the process smoother (so smooth, in fact, that I didn't have time to snap a picture of the delivery process).

Despite arriving packaged, I was surprised to find the sofa came nearly fully assembled. Only the cushions needed placing, which the delivery people did for us, giving us a preview of how it should look. They also took all the packaging with them, so we didn't even have anything to clear up.

I was especially impressed with the fabric colour. Admittedly, I'd taken a bit of a gamble by ordering without a fabric sample (not recommended if you want to match with other furniture), but the shade was exactly as pictured on the website. In fact, I thought the sofa looked even more luxurious in person.

The cushions were incredibly plump, especially compared to our old, worn-out IKEA sofa-and I couldn't resist flopping myself down onto it straight away. They strike a great balance between softness and support: comfortable to sink into, yet firm enough to hold their shape. After two weeks, they softened slightly but still bounce back well after use.

Though it only has two main seat cushions, the sofa comfortably seats three and fits perfectly in our small living area. But if you do have more space to play with, you can add a matching footstool or loveseat. The Edgware is also available in a larger size.

When it comes to keeping the sofa clean, I was happy to find that both the smaller and larger cushions can be removed by unzipping them, though due to the fabric, they are not machine washable.

Sofa Club advises regularly cleaning with the brush head on your vacuum, something we have found handy for picking up dust or dirt. Luckily, we haven't had any spills yet, though the brand says small stains can be dabbed with a damp cloth. For larger stains or spills, they recommend specialist fabric cleaning. They also offer an optional five-year fabric protection plan for all purchases, which includes a cleaning kit for peace of mind (though we did not purchase this additional extra). The price of the plan varies depending on how much the cost of your total order is, but it starts from £105.

I'll be honest, I was initially sceptical about the idea of a sofa arriving in a box. How could something that ships so compactly be comfortable, sturdy, and look good? It felt like one of those things that sounds great in theory but disappoints in reality. I assumed it would be flimsy and tricky to assemble. But I'm happy to say I was wrong.

The sofa itself is exceptionally comfortable, with generously filled, cosy cushions and a design that looks far more high-end than its £799 price tag would suggest. Despite a small change in our delivery plans, it still arrived within two weeks of ordering, challenging the notion that long lead times are just part of buying a sofa.

Not only did it exceed my expectations in terms of quality, but I was pleasantly surprised by how seamless the delivery experience was. The drivers assembled the entire piece for me and even removed all the packaging - a thoughtful touch that made the process incredibly smooth.

If there's one minor drawback, it's the limited range of colour options, as Sofa Club currently offers a more neutral palette. These versatile shades will suit most homes, but might not scratch the itch if you're looking for something more daring.

Still, for anyone looking for a stylish, comfortable sofa without the usual wait or hassle, this is a good choice.

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