Buying The Best Sofa Online: The Design Lover's Ultimate Guide

Have you been searching online for the best sofa to no avail? Truthfully, there is no “best," there is only the sofa that’s right for you. But when you can’t sit on or even touch the contenders, how do you figure out what's right and what's not?

Well, as Livingetc's sofa expert, I can reassure you that there are plenty of tried-and-tested ways to narrow your choice down. I've spent the past two months doing nothing but talking with sofa industry experts and manufacturers for their buying tips and warnings; testing out top brands' sofas in-store and in real homes; reading independent reviews, as well as those of our competitors, from happy — and unhappy — customers; asking friends and colleagues for reviews of their own couches; researching on-trend and classic styles; and much, much more in the hopes of creating a buying guide so detailed and so informative that it streamlines your online sofa buying process.

Welcome to your new favorite sofa-buying guide (do note that this piece is still a living document that I will add to over time).

On this page, I’m focusing on what’s important to me (and should be top of your list, too) when buying a couch, whether online or in person. I’m talking about things like frame construction, upholstery, and cushion filling — all the nuts and bolts that make a stylish sofa look as good in five years as the day you bought it. I’ll cover lifestyle considerations, sofa colors, sizes and shapes, and even styling and placement, both of which are key in bringing your new piece of furniture to life. I will also dive into specific brands and their niche pros and cons, the list of which will grow over time, as well as my top product recommendations, yet another living list I'll be sure to update as I interview additional experts on the latest and greatest sofa news.

Let's dive in.

Table of Contents

• How I built this guide - if you want to know what qualifies me to have crafted this piece, I summarized it all for you below.
• My top product picks - After 3 months of work and hours of interviewing, researching, and in-store shopping, I’ve narrowed my recommended sofa list down to six top picks.
• The best sofa brands - Where to shop when you don't know where to start.
• Shop your lifestyle - Dogs and white sofas don’t necessarily mix. Make sure you’re making the right choice for your household.
• Sofa types - Sleeper sofas, loveseats, sectionals, outdoor sofas … together, we’ll take a look at what’s out there
• Sofa styles - Tuxedo, Chesterfield, Mid-Century Modern, Settee, Chaise … the list goes on and on.
• Sofa colors - The sensible, the dirt-hiding, the trends to avoid.
• Size considerations - What to know to ensure you’re selecting a sofa that isn’t too large or too small, but just right for you and your space.
• Measuring up - Sofa height vs. seat height, sofa depth vs. seat depth.
• Upholstery - You have plenty of options; let’s discuss the pros and cons of each, including feel, maintenance, and price.
• Joinery - Making sense of the joints that hold your new sofa together.
• Filling choices - Which is best: foam or feathers?
• Durability of the frame - Which material is best for you?
• Sofa placement - How should you orient your new couch in your room?
• Sustainability and wellness - How to make the healthiest, most eco-friendly choice.
• Flame retardants - Should you be worried?
• Accessibility - If you have knee or back problems, you should be looking for couches that satisfy specific criteria
• Warranties and customer service - You need a brand that will have your back if something goes wrong
• Delivery and assembly - Curbside vs. threshold vs. white glove
• Expert sources - A list of everyone I spoke with when compiling this guide.
• How this guide has changed - And what's up next.

How I Built This Guide

This guide will walk you through the full online sofa purchase process, from start to finish, based on 40+ hours of recent research, expert interviews (see my full list of sources at the end of the article), and in-store testing, which included visits to Pottery Barn, the Anthropologie Home Outlet, IKEA, Crate and Barrel, Ashley Home, and more. To supplement the above, I even visited the American Leather factory in Dallas, Texas, where I took a tour of the brand’s manufacturing facilities and spoke with top company executives about their process. This guide only includes the tried-and-trusted brands I've worked with, shopped, and tested over the past few years, and only mentions specific sofas if I have testing evidence from trusted friends and family, my own first-hand experience, or scouted excellent first-person reviews online. Buying a sofa is an incredibly personal choice, with thousands of combinations of styles, shapes, colors, finishes, and sizes to choose from. But in reading this guide, you'll take my buying mastery (and soon yours) into account. We'll be shopping only the best sofa brands — and only the sofas I can hand-on-heart recommend.

Brigid Kennedy

Having been immersed in the cross-section of high design and online shopping for over a year now, I am uniquely positioned to craft Livingetc's new and improved sofa buying guide, especially when considered alongside my news-writing background. Not to mention I just purchased a new sofa myself (the Aspen Tranquil Blue L-Shaped Sectional from Living Spaces, to be exact). To bolster my knowledge, I visited a variety of furniture stores, including Pottery Barn, IKEA, and an Anthropologie home outlet, and even took a trip to Dallas, Texas, to tour the factory at American Leather. I know there are plenty of publications offering similar information as I am now, which is why I also read those articles, eager to learn more about sofa buying, but also eager to improve upon the competition. What you will find here is not only a “how to choose” guide, but also a highly-curated shopping list that prioritizes aesthetics as much as quality and make. My experience crafting shopping edits and sniffing out internet trends will inform this information, just as it informed the color advice I gave in the “Sofa Colors" section below. There aren't many places you can get it all in one go; but at Livingetc, you can.

My Top Product Picks

After 3 months of extensive sofa research, which involved 10 total hours of interviews with a combined 17 interior designers and sofa experts at leading brands, six hours touring a couch factory, and 12+ hours sitting on 48 (and counting) sofas across Pittsburgh and Manhattan, I’ve narrowed my list down to six favorites, chosen for their make, comfort, style, and price. In-store visits were hugely helpful here; of course, I couldn’t test every sofa on the market at home, but I could touch and try however many were in a showroom. Where possible, I also spoke with sales associates about the benefits and drawbacks of each model, as well as the popularity of different product lines. I later vetted these sofas via online customer reviews, which I scoured for info on durability (has the sofa held up over time?), as well as delivery or customer service issues, which we all know can instantly downgrade a couch from “amazing” to “avoid at all costs.”

TLDR: The following six sofas are ones I have personally tried and rated. I dive into specifics below, but in including them here, I’ve decided these couches are constructed with quality materials; are extremely comfortable, regardless of sit preference; are well reviewed by others; are accessible; and, for that added Livingetc touch, stylish as all get out. I ventured to keep the price in mind as well but will concede that a few might be more than you’d care to spend. Still, if you’d like something that will last a long time, that performs well even in a kid- or pet-filled household, or something free of chemicals you’re worried could harm your little ones, I encourage you to look past the price as much as your finances allow.

In addition to my top 6, I selected 2 honorable mentions. These are sofas I did not get to try but feel comfortable recommending thanks to retailer reputation, research, feedback from friends and family, or a combination of all three.

Honorable Mentions

The Best Sofa Brands

Knowing where to shop for a sofa is just as important as the shopping itself; the below list, based on my personal shopping experience, industry research, and interviews with experts, should prove a great place to start. I rated each brand on a $ to $$$$ price range — $$$$ being the most expensive — and included a brief description of what each retailer is known for, plus notes on the return policy and lead time.

Disclaimer: Future, Livingetc’s parent company, earns money from some but not all of the below brands; such an arrangement has not and will not impact our review of their products, nor will it ever cost you more.

American Leather
Known for its sleeper sofa, but the whole catalogue is worth shopping.
Price: $$$-$$$$
Pros: Excellent warranty protections
Cons: A bit harder to find online (easiest to go through a third party) but worth the search.
Lead Time: Retailer dependant
Returns: Retailer dependant

Anthropologie
Whimsical, high-design pieces with lots of customization options. Non-traditional in the best way.
Price: $$-$$$
Pros: Incredible variety, unique designs and construction, funky colors
Cons: Fewer customer reviews
Lead Time: 2-4 weeks for in-stock furniture; 8-10 weeks for custom furniture
Returns: 25% restocking fee for custom furniture; 30 days for everything else

Article
Modern furniture at middle-of-the-road prices. Perfect for interior design lovers who don’t want to break the bank.
Price: $$-$$$
Pros: Smaller inventory, with just the right amount of variety; strong customer reviews
Cons: Somewhat limited upholstery options
Lead Time: 1-3 weeks
Returns: 30-day return policy on all orders

Benchmade Modern
Quick-ship custom furniture with a modern look.
Price: $$$
Pros: Excellent warranty protections, exponentially faster manufacturing/delivery than competitors, most sofas ship fully assembled, free swatches
Cons: Threshold delivery (required for larger furniture) costs between $149 and $349
Lead Time: Approx. 3 weeks
Returns: Full refund minus shipping fee if returned within 14 days; full refund less the shipping fee + 10% return fee if returned after 14 days but before 100 days

Castlery
Minimalist mid-century modern furniture that’s functional and easy to clean.
Price: $$-$$$
Pros: Free swatches, excellent customer reviews, offers a “quick-ship” filter
Cons: Short return window, free shipping only applies with orders above $999 and in select cities
Lead Time: 2-6 weeks, depending on location
Returns: Requests must be made within 14 days of receipt; 20% restocking fee per returned item; must be in original packaging or else a $50 repackaging fee is added

Crate & Barrel
Timeless and modern options for the whole home from a legacy furniture retailer you can trust.
Price: $$-$$$
Pros: Plenty of brick-and-mortar showrooms (so you can test the sofa before buying), customer reviews available
Cons: Cannot return custom pieces
Lead Time: 1-2 weeks for in-stock furniture, 6-8 weeks for made-to-order
Returns: 30 days for in-stock furniture, minus shipping costs; custom/made-to-order furniture is final sale

Design Within Reach
The place to shop for instantly recognizable design classics, like the Camaleonda Sofa or the Eames Lounger.
Price: $$$-$$$$
Pros: Offers lots of sales to offset high prices
Cons: Expensive prices, limited showrooms
Lead Time: 1-3 weeks for threshold and in-home delivery
Returns: 30 days following receipt + 10% restocking fee, save for performance seating, which must be returned in original packaging and will be charged a $59 return fee.

IKEA
Scandinavian design at budget prices. Minimalist, simple, and often quick-delivery.
Price: $-$$
Pros: Affordable price; easy assembly, versatile, functional designs
Cons: Potentially lower-quality materials, high variance in customer reviews, pieces go out of stock often
Lead Time: 1-2 weeks, or possibly next-day
Returns: 365 days for new and unopened products

Living Spaces
Massive, middle-tier retailer with thousands of fairly-priced (and accordingly made) options.
Price: $$
Pros: Free outdoor drop-off or $99 flat rate for all delivery items for room-of-choice delivery/assembly; same-day and next-day delivery available in certain areas
Cons: Short return window
Lead Time: 2-4 weeks
Returns: Within 7 days of delivery + 10% restocking fee for regular stock; no returns for custom furniture

Maiden Home
Minimalist, Scandi-inspired luxury.
Price: $$$-$$$$
Pros: Made in the USA, female-owned, generous sofa frame and spring warranty, unique customization options
Cons: Limited model selection, there are no sales (even during the holidays)
Lead Time: 5 weeks
Returns: Within 30 days, minus 10% fee and shipping fee

Pottery Barn
An American classic. Simple, traditional investment pieces that will last a long time.
Price: $$-$$$
Pros: Reputation for quality construction, strong customer service, regular sales
Cons: No customer reviews on website
Lead Time: Non-upholstered furniture: 7-10 business days within metro areas, 2-4 weeks outside of metro areas / quick-ship upholstered: 1-5 weeks / special order upholstery: 8-10 weeks
Returns: Within 30 days, unless flagged as final sale

Room & Board
Investment pieces that are costly upfront, but built to last.
Price: $$$-$$$$
Pros: High-quality, strong customer service, free returns, $159 full-service delivery, free swatches
Cons: No clear warranties, no sale events
Lead Time: Usually 2-3 weeks
Returns: No clear window, but website encourages a “timely” return or exchange. And no delivery fee (but initial $159 delivery fee is nonrefundable)

Serena & Lily
Top-notch quality with a coastal touch.
Price: $$$
Pros: Strong quality; made in America
Cons: Little design/aesthetic variety
Lead Time: Within 7 days for in-stock items; longer for custom pieces
Returns: 30 days, except for custom pieces that cannot be returned; 15% restocking fee

Target
Great for trendy buys at affordable prices, especially when shopping Target brands.
Price: $ - $$
Pros: Great customer service, 5% discount for credit card holders, collaborations with big-name designers
Cons: An overwhelming amount of SKUs, no large furniture available in-store, large quality disparity across offered brands
Lead Time: 1-2 weeks
Returns: Within 90 days of purchase date, unless flagged as final sale

Wayfair
Perfect for shopping on a budget, so long as you’re willing to put in the work to dig through lots of product.
Price: $-$$
Pros: Great at replicating popular designs, plenty of customer reviews, strong high-low product mix
Cons: Varying quality
Lead Time: 1-7 business days, but longer for other items
Returns: Within 30 days for most items in original packaging; cannot return open box items, clearance items, and made-to-order items

West Elm
A little bit of everything — contemporary, traditional, and mid-century — including celebrity and brand collaborations.
Price: $$-$$$
Pros: Strong style, lots of showrooms for in-person testing
Cons: At times, inconsistent quality and no standard warranty
Lead Time: 1 week for in-stock fabrics; 1-5 weeks for “quick-ship” custom upholstery; 5+ weeks for other custom upholstery
Returns: 30 days for most items, 7 days for quick-ship upholstery items; made-to-order not eligible

Shop Your Lifestyle

You can easily determine what to look for in a couch by analyzing how you live. For example, a black dog and a white sofa aren’t exactly a match made in heaven. “If you love hosting movie nights or gatherings, having a larger sectional will be ideal to fit more people,” suggests Anna Tatsioni, lead interior designer and architect at Decorilla Online Interior Design. “In my projects, I always keep in mind whether or not my clients have kids or pets, which will require a more durable and spacious sofa.” And “if you prefer a more minimalist and less cluttered space, having a sleek and compact sofa will be the right choice. Think about how you use your living room every day and choose a size that fits those needs.”

Here are a few other areas of consideration to explore:

Size of Household: Do you live alone? If so, you probably don’t need a sectional or a three- to four-seater. If you have or plan to have a large family, however, something bigger and more functional is likely preferred.

Pets: If you have pets, you should be on the lookout for (1) a darker fabric to hide marks and stains; (2) removable and washable cushion covers, to ensure longevity; and (3) performance upholstery, which is typically more stain-resistant than the alternative. Alternatively, and perhaps surprisingly, a cream or white sofa with covers that can be bleached might be right for you if you have time to wash and dry when they get mucky. I’d steer clear of velvet or bouclé regardless (the latter of which might snag on your pet’s claws) and opt for something like polyester or maybe even wool (typically easier to clean) instead.

Young Kids: Children are tough on couches – and not just from a stain perspective. They’ll hang from the seats, climb over the back, and walk all over the cushions. You need a frame and seat construction that holds up. For starters, avoid nubby, textured fabrics that kids might find exciting to pick at or play with (bouclé, I’m looking at you).

Intended Use: As Anna mentioned, you don’t want to invest in a thousand-dollar sectional if hosting friends and family isn’t your speed. Consider why you want the couch and how you plan to use it, and let that inform your choice of shape, size, and style. Be honest with yourself about how you plan to sit on the sofa. Are you a big couch napper? If so, a single-cushion sofa might be preferred, as you won’t fall between the cracks between seats. Or, maybe you’d like a chaise sectional, where it feels much easier to stretch out.

“If you’re selecting a sofa for a media room, go deep so you can really lounge,” suggests Dan Campbell, president of BenchMade Modern, “but if it’s for more of a formal living room where you’ll be seated upright, a narrower piece is best to provide the right support.”

Climate: Mads Holm Rabjerg, Head of Product Development at Denmark’s Carl Hansen & Søn, brought up an excellent point during our conversation: when selecting upholstery, factor climate into your decision. If, like Mads, you live in a part of the world or country where it's cold nine months of the year, a wool sofa might be great for you. But if you reside in sunny SoCal or the deep South, you probably want something … not so warm. (Leather in the summer, in a house without AC? Pass!)

Moving Plans: Do you plan to move in the next 3-5 years? If the answer to that question is “yes,” you might prefer a couch that is (1) easy to disassemble and reassemble); (2) modular, so you can reconfigure the same couch to your new space; and (3) upholstered in an easy-to-clean fabric like leather or microfiber (because moving trucks are dirty).

Accessibility Accommodations: It’s worth considering whether you or those sitting on the sofa might need certain accommodations either currently or over time. Is your partner 6’3” or taller? They’ll likely prefer a seat depth of 25” or more. Does your mother, who frequently visits, have a bad back? She’ll probably like something firmer and with an upright back versus a cloud sofa or low-profile option.

Sofa Types

“Sofa “ and “couch” are sort of catch-all terms. If you’re looking for something specific, your language should follow suit. Here's a look at some different types of sofas:

Loveseat: Typically refers to a sofa meant for just two people. From a style perspective, the best loveseats often offer the best variety and appeal.
Great for: Smaller spaces, sitting rooms, and design-minded homes.

“The size and layout of the living space will influence which couch is right, says Meagan Endres, category manager of upholstery at Raymour & Flanigan. “Larger sectionals work well in rooms with extra space, whereas a compact loveseat is better suited for smaller spaces.”

Three-seater: A sofa meant for two to three people.
Great for: Families, in-between spaces.

“The most common sofa size in the US is typically around 84 inches (7 feet) in length, often referred to as a three-seater sofa,” advises Mackenzie Collier of Mackenzie Collier Interiors. “It usually has a depth of about 35-38 inches and a height of around 30-34 inches.” We’ll dig into this more in the sofa sizing section.

Sectional: There are three types of sectional sofas: (1) chaise sectionals, a loveseat joined on either the left or right side by a long chaise; (2) l-sectionals, a chaise and a loveseat joined at a right angle by a connecting corner seat; (3) and u-sectionals, a loveseat or a three-seater flanked on either side by two long chaises.
Great for: Families and hosts.

“A sectional is just how it sounds — sections of upholstery that are linked together to create a larger seating area typically in an L or U shape,” says Andrea Lackie of Andrea Lackie Design. “Sectionals are a great option for more casual spaces or in settings with a TV where a sofa and chairs would provide less ideal viewing. The downside is that there is less space for side tables and a sectional can also create a visual and physical barrier into a seating area.”

Sleeper sofas: There are three types of sleeper sofas: (1) futons, which involve a mattress and a bed frame stored underneath the couch cushions; (2) convertibles, where the back of the sofa folds down to form a larger sleeping area; and (3) trundles, where the extra sleeping space pulls up from underneath the sofa.
Great for: Hosts, small apartments, and homes.

“A sleeper sofa is a perfect addition to a living room, an office, or a guest room,” says Taylor Hoffman, director of merchandising and product designer for American Leather: “It really depends on the home’s needs! A sleeper can transform a room that might serve one purpose by day, creating a comfortable spot that guests actually want to sleep in by night.”

Slipcover sofas: A sofa that comes with a removable, washable cover to protect the fabric underneath from stains and marks.
Great for: Homes with kids and pets.

Slipcover sofas also work well in homes where you want a “cozy, relaxed vibe, like beach houses or mountain cabins,” adds Carolyn Cerminara, founder and principal designer at Cerminara Design. “Plus, you can easily change up the look by swapping out different slipcovers.”

Outdoor sofas: Sofas for back patios and garden vignettes. Teak, wicker, and even aluminum are great materials here — stylish, versatile, and great with the elements.
Great for: Homes with a backyard or patio, residents of warmer climates.

Other strong material choices include “powder-coated aluminum, acacia, and cement,” notes Traci Reeves, Senior Director of Merchandising of Grandin Road. “Powder-coated aluminum is incredibly durable but also remarkably lightweight. Acacia wood is also well-suited for outdoor furniture, as it’s not just eye-catching, it also is resistant to weather and low maintenance. And, cement is a great choice as well, as it’s truly outdoor-ready.”

Sofa Styles

Tuxedo
A tuxedo sofa is easily identifiable by arms that are the same height as the back. It gets its name from Tuxedo Park, a wealthy New York village once home to famous notables like banker J.P. Morgan and interior designer Dorothy Draper. From an aesthetic point of view, a tuxedo sofa signals elegance.

Chesterfield
Add button tufting and rolled arms to a tuxedo sofa and you have the Chesterfield, an elegant and stately option that allegedly dates back to the mid-1700s. Symbolically, Chesterfields signify wealth, luxury, and comfort, and their shape makes them great for “formal living rooms,” per Aaron Masterson, President at Local Furniture Outlet

Camelback
Popularized by 18th-century furniture maker Thomas Chippendale, the Camelback is known for an arched back with one or two humps (similar to the animal it's named after).

Settee
Smaller than a loveseat but similar in capacity, a settee is a tiny sofa meant for no more than two people … but ideally just one. You wouldn’t use a settee for lounging; rather, you might place one in your bedroom or sitting room for reading, chatting, or getting dressed. For example, Joyce Huston, lead interior designer and co-founder at Decorilla, choose a settee for a client who wanted a cozy bedroom reading nook. “It provided a comfortable spot to curl up with a book and relax,” she says.

Daybed
Daybeds are a cross between a sofa, a chaise lounge, and a bed. They typically boast a three-sided frame, with two sides acting as a headboard and a footrest, and larger, third side acting as a backrest/back panel (there are, however, plenty of stylish variations with just the headboard and the footboard). Like a chaise lounge, a daybed is great for dividing up a large room, and might even be used as a makeshift bed.

Chaise
A chaise lounge is quite similar to a daybed, but with a few key differences. For one thing, the back might not run the full length of the sofa and the arms may or may not be attached. The name comes from the French phrase chaise longue, which means “long chair.” Like daybeds, you can easily float a chaise in the center of your living room to break up vignettes. It’s a “great way to add a touch of indulgence and relaxation” to a space, Joyce tells me.

English Roll Arm
If you’re a fan of British sensibilities, an English Roll Arm could be the sofa for you. Characterized by recessed and rounded elbow-height armrests, wooden casters, and a sloping outline, the English Roll Arm gets its name from the British country manors in which it once resided. Its shape oozes with tradition; you’ve seen this style before and you’ll see it for years to come.

Mid-Century Modern
A sofa is mid-century modern not because it was made in the 1950s and 60s, but because its look is in keeping with the presiding style of that time: clean lines; wooden, often tapered legs; a rectangular frame; and seat tufting … sometimes.

Lawson
Luxury interiors brand One Kings Lane describes the Lawson as the chameleon of sofas — upholstered in the right fabric, it looks at home in any and every space. Lawsons are often skirted, with well-padded and frame-separated cushions, and are great for a nap; the sofa’s namesake, Massachusetts business Thomas W. Lawson, asked his designer to make him something extra comfortable.

Togo
The Togo began as a singular sofa designed for Ligne Roset, but its frameless body and crimped folded look have inspired thousands of copycats over the years. So while there is only one Togo, this relaxed, low-profile aesthetic is available at plenty of popular retailers, like Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, and more.

Modular
If, like me, you can’t make a decision to save your life, perhaps a modular sofa is the best choice for you. Modular sofas don’t have a set shape; that’s part of their appeal. Rather, they’re comprised of various modules that can be easily rearranged from one shape to another (great for open-plan living rooms, Aaron says). To keep things cohesive, however, each module is typically the same height.

Cabriole
Combine s-curved legs, an exposed wooden frame, and a curved, camel-like back and you have the Cabriole sofa, the perfect curvaceous counter to a straight-edged room. You might recognize this style of seating from 18th-century England, where it dominated in the court of Louis XV, in particular, per One Kings Lane.

Sofa Colors

“When picking a sofa color, think of it as choosing the lead actor for your living room's blockbuster movie,” says interior designer Amanda Foster. “Consider the wall color as the backdrop, the purpose of the room as the plot, and your existing decor as the supporting cast.” For homes with neutral walls, “go bold with the sofa!” she continues. But “if the room is already a riot of color, maybe a more subdued hue will keep the peace. And remember, your home is your canvas — paint it with memories and personality!”

Generally speaking, lighter sofa colors are more difficult to maintain and clean, unless you can bleach the covers; if you have kids or pets, a darker couch — or maybe even a genuine leather one — is probably better for you. Try a shade like slate or chocolate brown, which “hides pet hair and crayon marks like a pro,” Amanda says. Patterned fabric is also a great choice for chaotic households, as mishaps and spills might blend right in with the busy print. Otherwise, “charcoal gray, navy blue, and earthy tones like taupe” are timeless, practical options.

Optically, lighter sofas like grays or creams are great for brightening and opening up a space. Darker sofas have the opposite effect but are therefore great at warming up a large room.

• Red: A bold color that makes a bold statement. “We love a red sofa when it isn’t the lone color in the room,” says Lauren Sweet-Schuler of Studio Sweet-Schuler. Off-white, gray, blue, and mustard yellow are other colors that go with red.
• Yellow: “Ideal for a sunroom or a playful family space in a contemporary home,” Amanda continues. “It brings cheer and optimism.”
• Green: Grounding and easy to style. “Olive green is hot right now and a beautiful sofa color for all style living rooms in a bouclé, velvet, or [a] blend. You can’t go wrong with a deep green,” Lauren muses.
• Blue: Pale blue/gray and navy are often treated as neutrals, but some designers, like NYC’s Ghislaine Viñas, are using pastel and sky blue to the same effect. Very calming (always) and very coastal (but only when styled as such).
• Purple: Purple is quite auspicious, so be sure the piece in question has “personality and can handle this bold choice,” Lauren warns. If so, it can add a touch of luxury or glam to a room, adds Amanda.
• Brown: Versatile, practical, warm, and looks great in a library or a den.
• White: Clean and crisp in look and feel. Great for minimalist rooms, beach houses, or all-around contemporary homes.
• Gray: “The ultimate neutral for modern, transitional, or industrial spaces,” per Amanda. “It's sophisticated and adaptable, fitting well in both traditional and contemporary designs." Gray is probably one of the most versatile options on this list; jazz it up with some colorful blankets and pillows that pull in other shades of the room.
• Cream: Offers a traditional versatility that’s great for rustic and farmhouse settings.
• Beige: Warm, versatile, timeless, and “suitable for both modern and eclectic spaces,” Amanda says.
• Pink: A blushy pink sofa looks playful and elegant; a bolder pink sofa is best in a shabby chic setting.

Sofa Sizing

The look and feel of your sofa is only half the battle – the other half has to do with sofa dimensions. If you pick a couch that’s too big, it might overwhelm the room. But if you pick a couch that’s too small, it will look out of place.

For starters, it’s helpful to understand the average sofa size from both a sofa depth and length perspective; you need a solid benchmark from which to begin your search. “In general, 85” long is a great size for a sofa,” says BenchMade Modern’s Dan Campbell, “as it comfortably fits three seated people and can also fit into most spaces.” In terms of depth, “a 23” depth sofa is a good average size, but 24” or 25” is ideal for a more lounge-y, curl-up feel or for people who are a bit taller.”

Here’s what else to consider:

Room size: You don’t want your sofa to dwarf your room, and you don’t want your room to dwarf your sofa. “As a general rule of thumb, your sofa should be about two-thirds the size of your room, although that depends on a variety of factors, including how you use the room and what other furniture is in it,” Dan says. “Leave about a foot and a half as a walkway around your sofa so people can still move in between pieces of furniture.”

Your height: If you’re on the taller side, you should try for a deeper sofa seat — Dan suggests something that’s at least 24” or 25” deep. And in that case, you might like a taller back panel, as well. Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn have plenty of deep-seat options, as does Room & Board.

Doorway size: Even if a larger sofa is best for your lifestyle or preferred for your space, it’s a nonstarter if you can’t get it through your doorway. To ensure your couch will make it from the delivery truck to your living room, first measure the size of your door frame and hallway — vertically, diagonally, and horizontally (Room & Board has a great guide for this) — as well as the size of the box, if possible (Article always includes this metric among its product specifications). If you live in an apartment, you should also measure the width of your elevator and stairwell. “Measure from the top back of the sofa to the bottom front to ensure it can fit through doorways or tight corners during delivery,” advises Mackenzie Collier of Mackenzie Collier Interiors. “This is crucial!”

Other furniture: Picture this — you’ve found your dream sofa … but it sticks out like a sore thumb next to your other furniture. And a new couch is no good if it doesn’t work with what you already own. “Ensure all furniture in a space is of a similar scale and style,” Mackenzie adds. “Mixing patterns is encouraged but should be done thoughtfully. Measure accurately before adding new furniture to ensure it will work well in the space.”

How to Measure

Reading product dimensions correctly is especially important when shopping online. And friends don’t let friends confuse overall depth with seat depth. Here’s the lowdown:

Overall Width: Measure from one arm of the sofa to the other. Take these measurements at the widest point. Note: length and width are often used interchangeably here.

Overall Depth: Measure from the outside edge of a seat and all the way to the back.

Diagonal Depth: Measure from the top back of the sofa to the bottom front. As Mackenzie mentions above, this is “crucial” for ensuring your couch will fit through doorways or tight corners.

Overall Height: Measure from the floor to the highest point of the sofa back.

Seat Depth: Measure from the front of the seat cushion to the back of the seat cushion. This will dictate how much actual seating space the sofa provides.

Seat Height: Measure from the floor to the top of the seat cushion.

“Measure how much seating space you want (or need!) vs. the overall size of the sofa, as the width of the arm or the side pillows can minimize the actual seating area,” suggests Benchmade’s Dan Campbell. “Focus on the size of the interior seating area first, then figure out how that works with the size of sofa that fits into your room.”

Some designers suggest mapping the size of the sofa out on the floor with duct tape so you can better visualize the size; BenchMade Modern even “offers life-sized paper printouts of your custom sofa or sectional, so you can unroll that into your space prior to finalizing your order,” Dan continues. “Have your family and friends sit right on the printout,” then test if you have “enough clearance around the sofa to move in the room. This visual really helps determine if you’re selecting the proper size for both your lifestyle needs and your room’s sizing.”

General design guidelines suggest 30” to 36” between seating where possible; otherwise, try and leave about 18” to 24” on either side of the sofa for end tables, lamps, etc. “Make sure you measure your room – distance between sofa and coffee table, sofa and walls, sofa and chairs, and so on. Your furniture needs to breathe, so give it that room!” Dan says.

Most importantly: you must, must, must measure the height and width of your doorway, as well as your stairwell and elevator for apartment dwellers. Map out your path into the living room. Factor in ceiling height, banisters, and corners, too — if you suspect an obstacle, measure.

Upholstery

Especially at retailers like Crate and Barrel and Interior Define, you’re quite spoiled for choice on the upholstery front. Below, we’ll dive into the common fabrics, plus a few pros and cons of each, courtesy of Meagan Endres, category manager of upholstery at Raymour & Flanigan.

One important note — as you read product descriptions, you’ll see plenty of brands touting something called “rubs,” which is the unit of measurement for a textile durability/abrasion analysis known as the Martindale. This test determines how long a fabric can last before it shows signs of distress; things like thinning or pulling. The higher the Martindale, or “rub count” listed, the stronger the fabric.

“The Martindale test is done on upholstery fabrics to measure [their] durability and check suitability for various uses (e.g. indoor, domestic use vs. commercial use),” explains Rebecca Andrews, vice president of Category Management at Article. “The test is also known as the 'rub test', and tests for abrasion resistance. The industry standard rating is 20,000 rubs so you’ll want the upholstery you choose to exceed that.” Article subjects its fabrics to up to 50,000 rubs.

Sofa Joinery

As its name suggests, joinery connects and reinforces the joints of your sofa, providing structural support that contributes to the longevity of the frame. There are a few different processes here, but Meagan recommends sticking to mortise-and-tenon or dowel joints for “optimal sofa durability.” Joints secured with staples or nails “should be avoided” as they “weaken over time.” This information should be available on a retailer’s website or in the product specifications/tear sheet.

In our conversation, Mads at Carl Hansen & Søn spoke highly of dovetail joints, as well. These joints are “more difficult to do,” he tells me, as they require “very sharp tolerances, and you have to assemble it a certain way.” If the manufacturer or craftsman took the time to do this, “they generally know what they’re doing,” he continues. “It’s a quality stamp, in my opinion [...].”

Filling Choices

“Different fills cater to different needs, affecting how much a person sinks into the sofa or how firm the support feels,” per Lemieux et Cie’s Christiane. Here’s a quick look at the common varieties:

High-resiliency / high-density foam: High-resiliency and high-density foam are two common foam options. High resiliency is the best, per Ameer at SOOT. “It generally applies to foam that weighs 2.5 points per square foot or more. And that’s foam that’s going to last a while.” Broadly speaking, foam is quite durable and supportive without too much sink; it also requires less maintenance than something like down and feather (good for families!). If you’re craving a super plush feel, though, foam isn’t the move for you.

Down fill/Feather fill: Down/feather fill is great for “deeper couches,” Christiane says, “as it allows for a luxurious, plush feel, letting users sink into deep comfort.” Down or feather-filled cushions are also “softer and more malleable, enhancing the lounging experience typical in deeper sofas.” That said, such seating is usually more expensive and requires a bit more maintenance (re: frequent fluffing and plumping) so it doesn’t lose shape.

Hybrid: Hybrid fillings offer a mix of foam, fibers, and feathers for a balanced and well-rounded seating experience. For instance, something like a foam core covered in a down wrap boasts the “resilience and support of foam alongside the soft, enveloping comfort of down,” Christiane explains

Fiber: A fiber filling is a synthetic filling made from materials like polyester or polypropylene. It’s typically less expensive and meant to imitate the comfort and feel of more natural materials, but it’s not as plush as the real thing.

Memory foam: A memory foam fill contours to your body and provides “excellent pressure relief,” per Christiane, a great choice for long periods of sitting or lying down.

The foam is almost always chosen for you, so make sure to read the product specs before buying — you will be able to determine what type of foam or filling the product is using. As another helpful resource, I’d recommend this guide from furniture brand Castlery.

Frame Durability

Think of the frame as the bones of your sofa. If the bones are strong, so is your purchase. Where possible, look for solid hardwood (ash, oak, beech, and walnut are good options) or engineered wood/plywood; this information should be readily available in the product description. Some experts or articles will tell you that the wood should be kiln-dried, but Carl Hansen & Son’s Mads Holm Rabjerg says that’s not necessarily a make-or-break mark of quality. All that matters, he says, is that the wood reaches the correct humidity before construction begins, whether that’s via kiln or air.

A metal or steel frame is not a bad choice, per se — they are typically strong and durable, adds Meagan from Raymour & Flanigan — but they “can be heavy and may not offer the same level of comfort as wooden frames.”

Avoid particleboard where you can; it’s a common material, but “the density is low and can easily break when pressure is applied,” per Rebecca Andrews. Ameer Radwan, owner of LA-based upholstery studio SOOT Design Studio, also suggests you avoid a pine frame, if you see it. “[Pine frames] aren't necessarily going to break, but it's going to be a situation where you can sort of just grab the arm and shake it multiple inches,” he tells me. “It's going to feel lighter and it's going to feel jankier every time you experience it.”

How to Place the Sofa

Wondering how to get the best living room seating plan? For starters, Benchmade’s Dan Campbell recommends “centering your sofa on elements in the room — such as a fireplace, TV, or a window — and then build from there. This will give the room symmetry.” Consider how you use the space; if you’re a big Netflix fan, place your sofa in front of the TV. But if you’re more of an eat-and-drink-on-the-couch-while-you-read kind of girl, setting up shop where there’s room for an end table and a lamp might be more prudent.

Generally and if your room allows, you should avoid pushing your sofa against the wall. But if you must, float it out ever so slightly for a room-largening optical illusion. You should also avoid placing your sofa in front of a window — you don’t want to block any natural light! — but you could get away with it if you (1) use a sofa with a shorter back panel and (2) pull it out from the wall. Be mindful of heating or air vents, as well. You wouldn't want your sofa so close it presents a fire hazard or blocks airflow.

Sustainability and Wellness

Broadly speaking, the most sustainable sofa you can buy is one you will keep. If you’re looking for a rule of thumb to follow without getting into the nitty gritty of natural fabrics and delivery options, that is it: invest in a well-made, high-quality piece of furniture you can use for years. This might mean you look for cushions or cushion covers that are reversible or replaceable; it might mean you try a modular sectional that you can easily reconfigure no matter the room; or it might mean you opt for a performance fabric with a higher Martindale so it will last longer against kids and guests.

Mads suggests prospective buyers also consider how their sofa could be repaired if it breaks. Are replacement parts available? Or is a busted frame a one-way ticket to the dumpster? If you can fix the piece, that’s probably the more sustainable option.

At Retroloop, an eco-conscious and longevity-minded brand from entrepreneur Amanda Beare, modularity is the secret sauce … and the principle around which the rest of the project revolves. “We really were focused on creating a modular sofa, because we know that life happens, and in the event that some piece of your sofa gets damaged, we don't want the whole thing just to be thrown out,” she tells me in an interview. “So that was kind of the first piece of thinking about manufacturing — how do you design something that is timeless in its design, it'll withstand the test of time, and it's designed so that if something happens to it, the whole thing doesn't need to be disposed of?” The answer: modular components.

Even better (and something you yourself can look out for when shopping), Retroloop uses what’s called “flat-pack shipping,” where the different components are packaged and shipped in separate, relatively flat boxes. Such an arrangement, which is “a lot less bulky and cumbersome than just delivering furniture on pallets,” is much easier to deliver, as you can fit more orders on one truck, and has a “lower carbon footprint than shipping on pallets.”

From an upholstery standpoint, Amanda recommends looking for OEKO-TEX® and UL GREENGUARD-certified fabrics if both wellness and sustainability are on your mind. Both offer various certifications re: product safety and sustainability as they pertain to textile manufacturing. For example, an OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 fabric is certified harmless to human health, and every "thread, button, and accessory have been tested against a list of over 1,000 harmful substances," per the website. The GREENGUARD certification from product testing company UL Solutions is similar, although the label goes beyond just textiles and instead speaks to the product as a whole.

“We look at performance, not just from what you can see, [but] we also look at it from what is off-gassed from that product in your home,” Brayden West, Global Senior Product/Service Specialist at UL Solutions, tells me. Specifically, the company is looking at VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. “We're screening for over 12,000 different volatile organic compounds and chemicals,” he continues. “And then we have a strict limitation on the total off-gassing that comes from a product, as well as individual levels.”

If you’re looking for more information or to check a specific product against the GREENGUARD criteria, try UL Solutions’ extensive public sustainability database known as SPOT. “It’s essentially a point of truth for consumers,” Brayden says. Of course, it includes products and brands with that GREENGUARD certification, but “we have everything from recycled content programs, recyclability, [and] zero waste to landfill,” too.

An important disclaimer: While OEKO-TEX and GREENGUARD certifications can offer peace of mind from a sustainability and health standpoint (and you’ll likely encounter others in your search, like “FSC-Certified” wood and “CertiPUR-US” foams), it’s important to remember that these are voluntary certifications; they only apply because the company or manufacturer behind the product could pay for it and found it valuable. It doesn’t necessarily mean that one couch is better than the other; rather, it just means that a third party was involved in vetting the manufacturer/company’s sustainability and health claims.

Flame Retardants

Now, you’ve probably also seen or heard all the hullabaloo about couches containing potentially harmful flame retardants. But the good news is that most couches no longer use them, thanks to a labeling law passed in California. So while OEKO-TEX and GREENGUARD certifications are helpful benchmarks from both a health and sustainability perspective, you can otherwise check a sofa for flame retardants by reading the label, on which manufacturers are required to denote whether the product contains such chemicals. (Since California is such a large market, the majority of manufacturers and brands comply with the state’s regulations.) If your product does contain flame retardants, well, it’s not cause for panic. Honor your comfort and use your discretion, of course, but such chemicals “are usually present in your couch at such low levels that they’re not going to turn you into a mutant ninja turtle,” writes Alex Back, CEO and founder of Couch.com + founder of Apt2B.

For more on chemicals, off-gassing, and sofa-related frame retardants, I highly recommend the aforementioned write-up from Couch.com.

Accesibility

If you have leg, knee, or back problems and want to get up and down from your sofa comfortably, look for a couch with a firm sit and a seat depth around 20”. You’ll also want something with an upright back and armrests, both of which provide added support getting up and down.

For lounging, a reclining sofa might work great from an accessibility standpoint; just be sure you choose one with a power recline (easier on your body and requires less muscle to maneuver). Moreover, you might want something with built-in USB charging (so you don’t have to get up and down to plug in your phone), a fold-down table for food and drinks, and/or side storage for your reading material.

Warranties and Customer Service

If you’re buying from a reputable brand with a strong reputation — think legacy manufacturers, not third-party sellers shipping through Walmart or Target — you should generally have a positive customer experience. That is certainly one benefit of spending a bit more money; you should feel taken care of by the retailer. In my opinion, the negative product reviews will tell you a lot here. Has a representative of the company responded to the customer’s comment in a meaningful way? Has anyone mentioned poor customer service in their review? Use this information to your advantage. You’ll learn a lot about the product, but also the company you’re buying from.

From a warranty perspective, Article’s Rebecca Andrews suggests looking for manufacturer warranties that cover “defects in materials and workmanship on the sofa for at least one year,” she tells me. “That will protect you from any defects that appear — and shouldn’t – from normal use.” In other words, if you stain or rip the sofa yourself, the manufacturer’s warranty won’t apply … but it will if the problem arises from a defect on the manufacturer’s side. The majority of retailers offer at least a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

An extended warranty, which typically provides coverage for 3 to 5 years and is usually available for purchase, can save your couch in the event of accidental spills, tears, or other damage. If you do go this route, Couch.com’s Alex Back suggests choosing a warranty that includes, at a minimum, frame, cushion, and upholstery coverage, as well as repairs or replacements if needed.

For an extensive comparison of warranties across major couch brands and retailers, I would once again recommend the list compiled by Couch.com.

Delivery and Assembly

Many retailers offer a sliding scale of delivery and sometimes assembly options. Here is a quick look at what the most common options entail:

Curbside Delivery: Your couch is delivered outside your home, very likely on your driveway or curb.

Front Door Delivery: Your couch is delivered right to your front door, but typically not brought inside or assembled.

Threshold Delivery: The delivery team will bring your couch through your front door and set it down. They will not move it past that point.

Room of Choice Delivery: The delivery team will bring the couch to your chosen room; this may include stairs, depending on the price of the service. Assembly is not included.

White Glove: The Ritz-Carlton of delivery services. The delivery team will bring the couch inside, set it down in your room of choice, assemble it, and then remove and dispose of the packaging.

For a relatively up-to-date list of the delivery options at each major retailer, this chart is extremely helpful.

FAQs

Expert Sources

In addition to standard conversations with interior designers, I also conducted interviews with multiple sofa experts to better understand the couch buying and manufacturing process. I also visited my local Pottery Barn, Anthropologie outlet, West Elm, Macy's Furniture Outlet, Burrow, Joybird, Ashley Home, Crate & Barrel, and IKEA, and flew to Dallas, Texas, to spend a day touring the American Leather sofa factory.

See a full list of sources below:

• Ameer Radwan, owner of SOOT Design Studio
• Rebecca Andrews, vice president of category management at Article
• Taylar Hoffman, product director at American Leather
• Dan Campbell, president of Benchmade Modern
• Meagan Endres, category manager of upholstery at Raymour & Flanigan
• Mads Holm Rabjerg, head of product development at Carl Hansen & Søn
• Amanda Beare, founder and owner of Retroloop, a sustainable furniture company
• Christiane Lemieux, furniture designer and owner of luxury furniture brand Lemieux et Cie
• Brayden West, global senior product/service specialist at UL Solutions Retail & Consumer Product
• Aaron Masterson, president at Local Furniture Outlet
• Traci Reeves, senior director of merchandising of Grandin Road
• Anna Tatsioni, lead interior designer and architect at Decorilla Online Interior Design
• Amanda Foster, interior designer and founder of Foster Decor Consulting
• Lauren Sweet-Schuler, interior designer and founder of Studio Sweet-Schuler
• Mackenzie Collier, founder of Mackenzie Collier Interiors
• Andrea Lackie, founder of Andrea Lackie Design
• Carolyn Cerminara, founder and principal designer at Cerminara Design

How This Guide Has Changed

If you’re an avid Livingetc reader, you might have noticed that this specific page looks quite different than before. What used to be a list of our favorite sofas, selected for aesthetics and from some of our most trusted couch brands, is now a much deeper consumer report, one I hope improves the already-stressful process of online sofa buying. Indeed, instead of reading 15-20 different articles about sofa height and cushion fill, among other dry topics, everything you need to find your perfect couch is right here — and served to you through an omnipresent lens of aesthetics (because this wouldn’t be Livingetc if it weren’t).

This piece was first updated at the start of October. It was then I added in information regarding the best sofa brands, upholstery, frame durability, and more. In this update, I've expounded upon the previously provided retailer information, and shared my top product recommendations for the curious shopper, among other additions. For my next update, I'll be continuing my in-store testing to add to the selections already here, as well as trying and sitting on additional sofas to bolster my authority.