Sofa So Good: Modern settee etiquette

Don’t take up more space than your allotted seat cushion…

Researchers have revealed a definitive guide to modern sofa etiquette, according to UK families, with a resounding 88 percent agreeing the family pooch should definitely be allowed to snuggle up on the sofa.

Shoes, however, should never be allowed (33 percent), and there should be no talking when a show is on (29 percent), or switching channels without getting everyone’s approval (26 percent). ALL snacks must be shared (24 percent) and there should be no hogging the remote control (24 percent). One in four (24 percent) think snoring should be banned, while a further 24 percent believe sharing spoilers is a big no-no.

No doom scrolling during a film (20 percent), blankets must be shared (17 percent), no putting feet on someone without asking (12 percent), and the person closest to the door must let in the food delivery in (10 percent. And if you binge a family favourite show on your own (10 percent) you can expect a short shrift, according to the 2,000 Brits polled by furniture retailer DFS.

One in five (19 percent) believe family movies should be a completely no phone zone, with four percent believing that bowls of cereal and chocolate (two percent) have no place being consumed on the sofa.

One TV dinner a week is fine (three percent) but a tray must be used (eight percent), while four percent believe that one cushion per person is enough and that armrests are for arms rather than feet (eight percent).

One in ten (eight percent) think that manspreading should be banned with 17 percent saying that dads are the biggest sofa hogs of all. Young children (16 percent), the dog (16 percent) and teenagers (13 percent) have also been known to spread out on the couch. And with the average Brit spending as many as 26 hours a week sitting on the sofa, the research also revealed the nation’s perfect sofa to snuggle up on, with a corner sofa (26 percent) considered the best.

1. The dog CAN sit on the sofa – 88%
2. No shoes on the sofa  – 33%
3. No talking when watching a show – 29%
4. No switching channels without asking – 26%
5. If you bring snacks, you must share – 24%
6. No hogging the remote – 24%
7. No snoring – 24%
8. No spoilers – 24%
9. No doom scrolling during the film – 20%
10. Family movie time is a phone free zone – 19%
11. Blankets must be shared – 17%
12. Curtains must be closed during the movie – 15%
13. Use a coaster – 13%
14. No falling asleep in a family film – 13%
15. No putting feet up on someone without asking – 12%
16. Pausing for a wee is acceptable ONCE per family member, per film or episode – 12%
17. Don’t take up more space than your allotted seat cushion – 11%
18. Never binge a family favourite on your own – 10%
19. Whoever is closest to the door lets the food delivery in – 10%
20. Armrests are for arms not legs – 8%
21. No manspreading – 8%
22. A tray is a must for a TV dinner – 5%
23. Footrests should be shared – 5%
24. No eating cereal on the sofa – 4%

This research of 2000 Brits was commissioned by DFS and conducted by Perspectus Global during April 2025.