Why Seeing (and Sitting) Matters: The Value of Experiencing Furniture in Person

Beyond the Screen: Why Experiencing Furniture in Person Matters

In an age when everything can be ordered with a click, it is easy to forget that good design still needs to be felt. Recently, we took a couple of clients on a design day in London, not for sightseeing but for sofa testing. It might sound simple, but it turned out to be one of the most valuable steps in their project so far.

When designing a home, we often start with the big picture: layout, light and flow. But what brings those spaces to life are the pieces that fill them, the furniture that defines how you live day to day. Sofas, in particular, are more than just seating. They are the heart of the home, where families gather, unwind and connect. And that is why this trip mattered.

The Power of Touch and Scale

Online, a sofa might look perfect: the colour, the shape, even the fabric. But proportions can be misleading, colours shift in different light, and comfort cannot be measured through a screen. Standing in front of a piece, sitting on it, feeling the fabric and seeing how it holds its shape is where real understanding happens.

During our London visit, our clients quickly discovered how different two seemingly similar designs could feel. One model offered generous depth but proved too low for comfortable conversation. Another had the right pitch and proportion but needed a custom configuration to better suit their open-plan layout. It was in those small details, the subtle difference between “nice” and “perfect,” that their decision became clear.

Custom Design, Perfect Fit

This visit also highlighted the value of custom furniture. When we talk about bespoke design, it is not about indulgence, it is about fit. A sofa can make or break a space, particularly in modern homes where zones flow into each other. Custom designs allow us to adapt proportions, tailor fabrics and adjust comfort levels to suit how each family actually lives.

In this case, we were able to specify a modular layout that mirrored the architecture of the room, creating a natural conversation area while maintaining the visual balance of the space. It is a detail that photographs well, but more importantly, it lives well.

Design That Feels Good

One of the most rewarding parts of the day was watching our clients’ reactions. The moment they sat on the one — the sofa that just felt right — there was no hesitation. Comfort is not just physical, it is emotional. It is about how a space makes you feel when you are in it.

That is the magic of in-person design experiences. They slow the process down, encouraging reflection and genuine connection with what you are choosing. Rome was not built in a day, and neither should your home be. The most timeless interiors are those that evolve with care and patience, built on thoughtful decisions rather than impulse.

Guided Choices, Confident Decisions

At murfo, we encourage clients to step away from screens and experience materials, furniture and finishes firsthand. We arrange visits to showrooms and studios across the UK and Europe because we know that those tactile moments — the feel of a linen weave, the weight of a handle, the comfort of a cushion — are what elevate a project from good to exceptional.

And not to mention, when working with and engaging the services of an interior designer, you get to benefit from exclusive trade pricing. That means access to quality pieces and bespoke suppliers that are not always available to the public, often at significantly better value. It is one of the many ways professional design guidance does not just improve your space, it can make smart financial sense too.

Design is not just about how things look; it is about how they live. Our role is to guide, edit and advise, helping clients make decisions they will still love years down the line.

Patience Pays Off

Choosing the right pieces takes time. But the reward is a home that works beautifully, feels personal and invites you to enjoy the slower moments of life, that Sunday afternoon nap, family film night or evening glass of wine on the perfect sofa.

Because ultimately, it is not just furniture. It is where memories are made.