Surfing the net, snuggling up with the family, chilling with a takeaway or indulging in an afternoon with your favourite DVD box set...
Modern living means a sofa has become much more than somewhere to rest your legs of an evening.
The days of the three-piece suite may be gone, but there's still an almost endless selection of sofa shapes and styles on offer.
So how do you choose between a traditional chesterfield and a big squashy number? 'No other piece of furniture rings the changes like a new sofa,' says Polly Dickens, creative director at The Conran Shop.
'The right design can form the centrepiece of a room and dictate the mood of an interior.
' With this in mind, knowing your options is crucial - and a breeze with our guide to finding your perfect sofa.
Before You Buy Sofas can cost anything from a few hundred pounds to the price of a small car, so it's wise to be clear about your budget.
Think about your lifestyle and how the sofa will need to function.
'Is it for a living room, a family room or a playroom?' asks Matt Gayleard, brand director at Natuzzi.
'Do you have kids or pets, and how much effort can you put in to maintaining it?' How many people do you have to seat? What about a sofa bed for guests? Some sofas have built-in storage, so think about other uses the piece could have, too Consider the Size Measure up before you shop and work out how big a sofa you can accommodate.
Two smaller sofas or one large one and a couple of armchairs may be more flexible.
'Sofas will look much smaller in the store than in your living room, so it's vital to make sure it will actually fit and won't look out of proportion,' says Sally Hudson, central buyer for upholstery at John Lewis.
'Lay out newspaper on the floor to the size of your sofa to see roughly how much room it will take up.
' From a practical point of view, don't forget to think about the access into your home.
Some retailers offer a home visit to check that the sofa will fit through doors, along corridors or up staircases.
Some sofas ease the process by having detachable arms or coming in sections.
Consider the shape and style You will, of course, naturally gravitate towards a style of sofa that appeals to you - do you want something soft and squidgy, or firmer and tidier? 'If you're someone who likes to lie down and relax, you may want a sofa with low arms and lots of loose cushions to get cosy on,' advises Paul Staden, marketing director at Sofa Workshop.
'However, if you prefer to be supported when you sit, more formal, upright shapes with back cushions may be better.
' Try out lots of styles and don't be afraid to have a good lounge and really test a sofa.
The shapes of a sofa and even the number of cushions can make a difference to the overall feel of the room.
In a smaller space, narrower sofa arms give the illusion of a more compact piece, and whereas one or two cushions give a cleaner, more modern look, three feel more traditional.
Consider the Fabric The material you choose to cover your sofa is crucial to its feel and comfort.
Once considered a luxury, leather has now become much more affordable and therefore a popular choice.
Fabrics give a huge range of colour and texture options, but where leather often improves with age, fabric will show wear and tear.
In a household with children or pets, machine-washable loose covers are a practical option.
Removable covers also mean that, should you redecorate and your sofa doesn't match your new colour scheme, you can simply dye them or buy a new set of covers.
Tightly woven fabrics will wear the best and fabrics with woven patterns will retain their appearance better than printed designs.
But unless you're going for loose covers, choose something classic, such as a smart stripe, as patterned sofas can date quickly.
Wool is springy and resilient, with a natural stain resistance, chenille is soft and hard-wearing, and velvet is warm and textural with a luxurious feel.
Linen is cool and crisp and one of the most durable fibres for sofas, while cotton is great for taking colour and blends well with other fabrics.
Leather is robust, cool in summer and warm in winter and, if well-maintained, can last a lifetime.
Technology means that all sorts of finishes can be achieved, from distressed and antiqued to smooth and soft.
There are several different grades of leather, so ask an expert which type is most suited to your needs.
Most leathers will age in some way, but this can add to the character.
Alcantara is a man-made microfibre with a luxurious feel that's similar to suede.
It's incredibly strong, with a contemporary look, but because it's easy to maintain, it's an excellent option for busy households.
Consider the filling Cushion fillings vary widely.
Foam has a firm feel and appearance and will hold its shape well.
Feather-filled cushions are soft and comfy, and have a more casual look, but will need regular plumping.
'A combination of feather-wrapped foam seat cushions and serpentine springs makes for extremely soft and comfortable sofas,' says Rohan Blacker, co-founder of Sofa.
com.
'Plus, this type of filling will maintain its shape and reduce the need for continuous plumping.
'