Living in a city means demanding more from my furniture. Every item is carefully considered and maximizing space is always top of mind. Sure, shelves and closet organization have their merits, but if you really want to up your game, couches with storage are the ultimate multitaskers.
Why? Well, a couch is a non-negotiable for most of us. Where else will you binge-watch TV, snack, entertain, and occasionally nap? The problem is, they’re large — possibly the biggest piece of furniture in your home apart from the bed. That's a lot of wasted space underneath. Why not put your seating to good use by finding the best sofa that includes additional storage?
There’s a notion that even the best storage couches are, well, ugly. I won’t lie — there are some truly dreadful options out there. But as a style editor whose job is to hunt for the chicest options, I wouldn’t let that deter me.
Below, you'll find a curated selection of six couches with storage, some of which I've sat on and some of which I haven't; you'll know which is which. Those I have tried were selected for their combination of comfort and style — the goal was to find products with the sleekest, most unassuming built-in storage solution. The pieces I haven't tried were selected for retailer reputation or thanks to industry knowledge. If I knew a certain model is best-selling without storage, I'd think it's a pretty great selection with storage, as well. Where possible, I also peppered in some outside feedback to bolster my case.
At this point, my sofa-buying credentials are pretty strong; I've sat on 50+ couches across three states, I've interviewed a total of 17 experts and designers over the last three months, and I continue to poll friends and family for their couch anecdotes, recommendations, and warnings. I promise all of that knowledge and learning is included here.
6 best couches with storage
Price: $2529 (Was: $4599)
Size: 121"W x 68"D x 34.5"H
Where is storage?: Underneath sectional
Size of storage: 31"W x 64"D x 6"H
I tried the Holt during a visit to the Joybird showroom in NYC. While I wasn't too crazy about the velvet upholstery on the floor model, I was a big fan of the rest of the product. It felt very sturdy, and the seat was extra deep — great for an afternoon of lounging and movie-watching. Given the comfort and style of the piece, I was also shocked to find out the chaise housed a storage element; you'd never know looking at it. I personally would tuck away the strap when not in use, but there was lots of room in there — more than enough for blankets, games, etc.
I will advise that the storage version of the Holt is quite big (there are additional sizes available in this collection, both with and without storage) so this is not a couch for the faint of heart. But, combine the size with Joybird's plentiful selection of performance fabric, and you have a great option for a family home. And for what it's worth, the Joybird salesperson said the Holt was one of the brand's most popular models.
Price: From $1799
Size: 86"W x 38"D x 33.5"H
Where is storage?: Under bench seat
Size of storage: 80"W x 26"D x 7"H
The Marin is a staple West Elm sofa — a best-seller, in fact. My colleague Dabee Kaye says, "We loved our couch and it lasted for a long time. ... The ordering and delivery process was very easy." The only downfall? "The cushions sunk in after sitting on it for so long." The good news, though, the cushions are removable and reversible, which should help a bit with any sinking because you can plump them and rotate them to avoid a sagging couch. Plus, that means you have some options for cleaning, too.
Most storage sofas are sectionals, so I quite love that this is a three-seater option. The storage space, like the seat, looks pretty deep, and you can further customize and style the frame with your choice of upholstery. A win for stylish storage sofas everywhere.
Price: $3138
Size: 88"W x 64" D x 26" H
Where is storage?: Chaise
Size of storage: Not available
Crate & Barrel's Lounge sofa, which it describes in-store as "the original 5-star favorite," is a 10/10 for anyone who wants a deep-seated, medium-firm place to relax after a long day. The promise is in the name; this is a spot where you can truly lounge. It's comfortable and chic, and it was one of my faves when I visited a C&B showroom recently. My coworker, Emily Stento, who has had a Lounge sofa for a few years, described the couch as her "pride and joy." Add the added benefit of under-chaise storage, and you've got a perfect product.
Crate & Barrel offers three different seat depths here: 36", 41", and 46". In my opinion, 41" is the Goldilocks number, though 36" was still nice; 46" felt a bit too deep. I'd assume that the deeper the seat, the larger the storage space, so keep that in mind.
Price: $1499 (Was: $1599)
Size: 79.5" W x 59" D x 40" D x 33.5" H
Where is storage?: Ottoman
Size of storage: 39" W x 19" D x 10.5" H
Generally speaking, the Pacifica line is a popular Pottery Barn sofa line, one with plenty of configurations and shapes, like this reversible chaise sectional with storage. While you can definitely find something bigger, I love how perfect this loveseat would be for small spaces, especially as you can switch the "chaise" between one side of the sofa and the other. Simply move the storage ottoman to the other side of the couch, then switch the cushions so that the long cushion is on the side of the ottoman. Moreover, you can customize the upholstery for an additional layer of style and aesthetics.
However, the ottoman does not look all that big. It should do the job if you just need a place to store a blanket and the odd trinket. But if you want some heavier-duty storage space, I'd skip it.
Price: $485
Size: 32.5'' H X 51'' W X 33'' D
Where is storage?: Chaise
Size of storage: 5" H x 23.5 W" X 58" D
Consider the Liberty your affordable sofa pick for this guide. I owned this sofa in my first apartment in New York, and while it wasn't the most comfortable couch I ever sat on (it's very firm), it worked surprisingly well for an apartment of four 20-something girls. The storage was the real life-saver, though. You wouldn't believe how many blankets, puzzles, and board games we shoved in there. And not for nothing, the back panels also fold down into a bed. It was not a couch I would keep forever, but it never once broke, despite three years of constant use and weekly sleepovers, and we somehow squeezed it through a relatively tiny door frame, too.
If you need something quick and easy, a short-term seating arrangement that won't break the bank, I would recommend this, hand on heart. Don't expect a luxury couch, but you'll get a solid seating option, for sure.
Price: From $3920 with 1 storage seat (Was: $4900)
Size: 117" W x 28.5" H x 64" D
Where is storage?: Under individual seats
Size of storage: 35" W x 29" D
First, Lovesac made bean bags cool again. Now, they're working their magic on modular couches. The Sactional is Lovesac's entirely customizable and modular sectional seating system, shown here in a "four-seat, five-side" bundle. If you not only love the idea of sofa storage but also want an uber-comfortable and customizable couch that grows as you grow, this is for you. This was one of the few modular storage sectionals/sofas I found, and I believe that's because the storage is actually underneath each of the seat components rather than spread along the entire base. You have to select the storage add-on when you buy the couch, meaning you can choose which, if any, of the seats come with the extra feature. It's a great way to get some extra space, and you have the added benefit of knowing you can live with this couch for a long time.
Where should I place a couch with storage?
Before you dive into couch placement, interior designer Evelina Juzėnaitė recommends getting your facts straight. Yes, this means doing the boring stuff like measuring your room and selecting your sofa dimensions. Once you’ve got that down, you can start envisioning possible placements.
Out of those options, narrow down your choices room by room. For example, in the living room, the sofa will be a high-traffic spot. “It’s important that it is conveniently accessible, can be approached from three sides, and that the storage spots can be easily accessed,” Evelina explains.
In smaller spaces like home offices or studios, snugly situate your sofa in a corner against two walls. As for the bedroom, “a sofa with storage can be placed at the foot of the bed or against a wall where you will store extra linens, clothes, etc.,” adds the designer.
What should I look for when shopping for a couch with storage?
Storage is obviously a big factor, but so is comfort (you have to sit on your sofa, after all!). “A comfortable sofa with storage space can be hard to find, but this doesn't mean that comfort is less important,” explains Evelina. You can gauge comfort without a test sit by reading reviews and checking materials.
Finally, as with any investment piece, your couch with storage should last for the long haul. Reviews are your best friend — people are pretty candid, especially when they've spent a substantial amount of money. Reading enough of them (plus the product description, of course) will give you a sense of whether the sofa is worth buying.
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