Buying a sofa with free shipping sounds simple until the delivery driver arrives and discovers it won’t fit in the elevator. Before clicking “buy,” it’s worth following a specific order of checks. This is the one I use when advising on a remote purchase.
Step 1: establish the real measurements of the space, not those of the living room
Measure the available space, subtracting radiators, baseboards, and the swing path of doors and drawers. A 210 cm sofa may fit in a 4-meter living room and still not make it through the landing if there’s a 90-degree turn with a wall less than 80 cm away. According to the delivery documentation of the main furniture stores, most issues with “free” deliveries are due to undeclared access conditions, and reshipping is usually at the customer’s expense.
Step 2: verify exactly what free shipping covers
Here’s the usual catch. Free shipping almost never means the same thing across all stores:
- Street door: the driver unloads on the sidewalk. You handle the rest.
- Home door: they bring it up to the apartment, but they don’t unpack it or remove the packaging.
- Room delivery + assembly: this is the less common option and usually requires a minimum purchase.
Also check whether free shipping applies to mainland Spain and excludes the Balearic and Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla, or whether it adds a surcharge for rural areas. Many product pages state this in small print at the bottom, not in the top banner.
Step 3: choose upholstery and frame based on actual use
A practical tip: chenille-type fabrics hold up well to daily use, but they trap pet hair; faux leather can be wiped with a damp cloth, yet it cracks sooner in friction areas such as armrests. If the sofa will sit next to a south-facing window, rule out fabrics that fade under UV without treatment. As for the frame, check that the maximum weight per seat is stated: below 110 kg per seat, it’s wise to be wary of low-end sofas.
Step 4: configure the options before adding to cart
Online configurators let you choose the chaise orientation (left or right), legs, and fabric. A common mistake: ordering the chaise on the right when facing the sofa head-on when it’s actually needed on the left based on the wall. The configurator shows the front view, not the view of your living room. Sketch a quick floor plan with the measurements and place the module before confirming. Changing the orientation after manufacturing usually means a return due to a change of mind, with a pickup cost.
Step 5: confirm lead times, assembly, and returns
Made-to-order sofas have lead times of several weeks, and free shipping doesn’t speed up production. Ask whether assembly is included, whether packaging removal is a separate service, and how many days you have to return it. Under European consumer regulations, custom-made products may be excluded from the right of withdrawal: check that clause before paying.
A specific case that keeps recurring
A customer ordered a three-seater sofa with free home-door delivery to a third floor with no elevator. The driver charged a per-floor surcharge not included on the website. The lesson: when shipping is free, always confirm in writing the type of delivery and the access conditions before completing the purchase.
What this method doesn’t solve
There’s no way to check seat comfort remotely. Firmness depends on foam density and filling, data that isn’t always published. If the sofa is your main seat for many hours, consider buying in a physical store or requesting a fabric sample before deciding.