In an ideal world, we’d all have 1200+ square-foot apartments or sprawling five-bedroom family homes, with enough room to accommodate every treasure, trinket, and three-seat sofa we could dream of. But in reality, very few of us have that kind of room. In fact, most of us probably live in tiny city apartments or quaint starter homes, fabulous in their own right but certainly not generous on square footage. As a result, finding the best small sofa for your living room becomes even more paramount to crafting an ideal living arrangement.
Enter me, your friendly neighborhood shopping editor with a specific focus on sofas and sofa buying. Today, I'll be walking you through nine fabulous small-scale options for the space-conscious home. Generally speaking, I classify a couch as small if it is 72” wide or smaller. 72” stretches into normal loveseat territory, so we don’t want to go too far beyond that, but anything less than that should do well in a tiny room.
I crafted this list using a combination of first-person experience and internet research at some of the best sofa brands — you’ll see which as you shop — and leaned into my ever-growing expertise as Livingetc’s genuine couch expert (at this point, I’ve spent upwards of 50 hours writing about, reading about, and talking about sofas). It’s all to help you find the best sofa for you — and in this case, we know that’s a loveseat or sectional that packs a lot of function into a cozy little silhouette. You want something that takes up just enough room, but (1) looks good and (2) maybe even boasts some additional functionality (two-in-one pieces are huge in small spaces).
The edit below takes all of that into account. For nine of my favorite sofas for small spaces, chosen for their looks, practicality, construction, or a combination of all three, keep reading.
9 of the best sofas for small spaces
Livingetc knows design. We spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, bringing only our edit of the very best to you. Find out more about how we review.
Price: $899
Size: 73" W x 37" D x 33.5" H
Pros: 52 fabric options, removable legs, loose seat cushions
Cons: No reviews available
The Josie is the English Roll Arm sofa of your apartment dreams — and if you're nervous a 73" width will still be too big, don't worry: there's a 58" width available as well. The price is great, and the shape oozes traditional charm, especially with the rose-colored upholstery I've selected in Chenille. As will be the case with a few of these pieces, the legs are also removable, which could prove particularly helpful during move-in, while navigating tight corners. Per PB, the overall sit is mid-upright, while the seat plushness is a 4, on a scale where 5 is considered the most firm. What's more, there is nothing to worry about construction-wise, either. The Josie has an engineered wood frame (a great option), plus no-sag sinuous steel springs, a very common seat suspension. For additional options at this A+ retailer, check out nine Pottery Barn sofas I road-tested myself.
Price: $750.59
Size: 34.6"D x 56.3"W x 35.4"H
Pros: Durable; versatile mid-century modern aesthetic; doesn't show stains easily
Cons: Some pilling over time, per some reviews, and might not be best for those above 5'10", per some reviews
This Amazon sofa is a recommendation from one of my closest friends, Christine, who purchased the sectional version back in 2021. She was looking for a couch for her small living room and saw that this, from Amazon private label Rivet, was highly rated for compact spaces. She had no issues with delivery or assembly (the Amazon workers brought it inside and built it) and loves it to this day. It's definitely not her forever couch, "but for a temporary apartment situation, it's been perfect," she says. Diving into the specs, the frame is hardwood (thumbs up), the legs are solid beech wood (double thumbs up that the species was identified), and the upholstery is polyester (not the softest, of course, but it's quite durable and easy to clean). Customer ratings look great too: 4.4 stars out of 5.
Price: $1699
Size: 34"H x 72"W x 38"D
Pros: Great customer service, 30-day return policy
Cons: Full aniline leather, which is higher maintenance
The Sven is Article's best-selling sofa — and just looking at it, you can see why. The mid-century modern design goes with anything; it's available in fabric, leather, and velvet upholsteries; and it's fairly priced. The 72" width is the best of the small-space options, as I mentioned previously, and is upholstered in full aniline leather, considered the highest quality grade for leather sofas. Small sofa, big punch.
If you've read anything I've written for Livingetc, you know that I'm somewhat of an Article evangelist, eager to turn anyone I know onto the brand's well-made, well-priced pieces. Plus, as a former Article sofa owner, I truly believe you can't go wrong. But if you do, well, the 30-day return policy is quite generous, and the customer service team is responsible and able.
Price: $2098
Size: 85" L x 35" D x 33" H / 26" L x 26" W x 17" H
Pros: Endlessly configurable, customizable arm styles, customizable leg finish, built-in charger
Cons: Firmer than expected, per some reviews
Burrow makes sofas for the internet era — customization but not too much, built-in USB charging, simple assembly with flat-pack shipping, and perhaps most importantly, an element of modularity, which not only helps you separate each piece when it comes time to move but also means you can elongate and restructure your sofa over time. This could be great for someone living in an apartment now with plans to move to a larger house in a year or two. You don't need to be a completely new sofa; you can just buy another component to grow what you already have. It's a sustainable and also price-conscious decision, and the Burrow reviews are looking pretty good. Just note that lots of the negative reviews I'm seeing mention how the seat was much firmer than anticipated.
Price: $1730
Size: 71" W x 46.5" D x 34" H
Pros: Modular, replacement parts for every design
Cons: No arms
Similar to Burrow, Retroloop was founded with sustainability and an end to fast furniture in mind — trust me, I interviewed the founder, Amanda Beare. To combat furniture and couch waste in particular, she crafted a modular, flat-pack sofa crafted from FSC-certified wood and OEKO-TEX fabrics (for more on what these certifications mean, visit the "sustainability and wellness section of my best sofas guide) that's meant to grow as you grow. Yes, it's a larger investment upfront, but you will save down the line because you need only buy a modular component to create a three-seater (the loveseat was crafted with small spaces in mind, by the way). Not to mention you can feel great about your purchase knowing it had the Earth's longevity in mind. Eventually, Amanda hopes to offer a couch recycling program for her parts, so get in now on the ground floor.
Price: $485
Size: 32.5'' H X 51'' W X 33'' D
Pros: Reversible storage chaise, back panels fold down into bed
Cons: Not the most comfortable
I'll tell you what — what the Liberty lacks in pure style, it makes up for in function, convenience, and practicality. My three roommates and I purchased this sofa for our first Hell's Kitchen apartment, where it stayed, in great condition, for two years. And when we moved, we only sold it because we needed something different for our new space. It's a great starter sectional and is quite compact — perfect for all city dwellers. I also loved the back folded down into a sleeper sofa, so we could accommodate guests with ease. Is it the most comfortable couch I've ever sat on? No, it is not. But it survived four female best friends in their early twenties and lived to tell the tale. It fit in our small space perfectly and got the job done. Starter apartments, this could be ideal for you.
Price: $649
Size: 72"w x 32"d x 30"h
Pros: Luxurious fabric
Cons: Firm sit
Forbes recently ranked the Oliver sofa as one of the best affordable sofas around, and despite having never sat on it, I'm inclined to agree, at least from an aesthetic standpoint (not to mention it's a West Elm bestseller). I mean, just look at the lovely dark olive-colored chenille fabric — it belies the sub-$700 piece. The seat is on the deeper side, which probably makes up for some of the room you don't have width-wise. And note that on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the firmest, West Elm describes the seat plushness as a 5.
If you still want something compact but slightly larger, this West Elm sofa is also available in an 82" width (as well as dove and pewter-colored upholsteries, if the dark olive isn't for you). I find that thin, tapered legs like this work well for small spaces because you can more easily squeeze them into small, hard-to-fit corners. Moreover, because this beauty sits firmly at the 72" width mark, you could maybe even squeeze an extra butt on the cushions if needed (and we all know that, when you're hosting, that kind of flexibility is key).
Price: $378.39
Size: 55" W x 38" D x 30.5" H
Sleeper Size: 55" W x 70" D x 24" H
Pros: Incredible value for price
Cons: Less design-forward, unsteady side arm
Anyone who lives in New York knows that, in most apartments, a sofa should be (1) small, and (2) multifunctional. Is there additional storage, like the Liberty sectional? Is there an ottoman that can function as an extra seat? Or maybe the couch pulls out into a sofa bed, one you can use to accommodate last-minute house guests or overnight visitors?
This velvet sleeper included in the round-up of the best Walmart sofas falls into that latter category — the back panel reclines a full 180 degrees and a trundle extends from underneath. It was recommended passionately by my friend Laurie Beth, who described the sofa as "the most ideal couch for a small apartment." She carried it with her to two different Manhattan apartments and said that her sister, who visited frequently, preferred to sleep on the trundle than in Laurie Beth's bed. Whoever actually prefers to sleep on the pull-out bed? As it is a Walmart product, I'm not totally sold on the construction or make ... for instance, Laurie Beth said the side arm panel was a bit unsteady at times. But for the price, that is to be expected. All in all, a great value for small starter apartments or dorm rooms!
Price: $1499
Was: $1599
Dimensions: 79" W x 39" D x 37" H
Pros: Elegant style, removable slipcovers
Cons: The cover looks like it can get wrinkly, per customer photos
Mackenzie Collier of Mackenzie Collier Interiors recommended PB as a great place to shop for sofa slipcovers, so I figured this was in line with her expert thoughts. It's a stately and shapely sofa, curved in all the right places, plus its compact frame works great for small spaces, as Pottery Barn notes in the product description. As is the case with many PB pieces, you can customize the upholstery — I opted for this rosewood chenille.
You'll notice that this product is actually larger than the 72" width threshold I set at the beginning of this piece — but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to feature it anyway. This is still a compact sofa, albeit just a bit larger, so this could be a great option if you're buying for maybe a home office or guest bedroom (or anywhere space might be a bit more plentiful). Moreover, the fact that it's a slipcover sofa adds another layer of practicality that plenty of others don't. Small and easy to clean? Sign us up.
How do I choose a sofa for a small space?
Firstly, take a look at the dimensions of the sofa. Then, measure the room (including door widths) accordingly, taking into account the other furniture you might need, like chairs, tables, or shelving.
Measure the space where you'd like the couch to go and map it out with tape on the floor, so you can better visualize the couch's footprint. This offers a feel for how the room will flow and ensures you're not over or underestimating how much space the couch will take up.
For narrow door widths or flights of stairs, consider sofas with removable legs, as this can make installation easier.
"Finding the best couch blends your specific seating needs, how much space you have, and your design style," says Madison Adam, interior design services manager at Article.
"For clients in small spaces, I typically recommend loveseats," she continues. "Their size makes them proportional to the room. Mid-century modern or Scandinavian-designed loveseats are also typically on legs, raised off the ground, creating space beneath and the illusion of a larger room."
-
I'm an Interior Stylist Who Knows How to Make Your Christmas Lights Work a Million Times HarderThere’s no one better than Livingetc’s long time contributor, the stylist Hannah Franklin, to advise on how best to use Christmas lights to make spaces feel like magic
-
"I'm a Professional Christmas Tree Designer — These Are My 7 Secrets for a Better-Dressed Tree This Year"When it comes to the designing the best-looking Christmas tree, you can take it from designer David Lawson on how to make an impression
