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Design

Sofa Wars: We Sat On Every Sofa On The Market From CB2 to IKEA… Here’s Who Came Out On Top

Buying a stylish yet comfortable sofa online is like trying to hit a baseball with your eyes closed. There’s A LOT of information you need in order to make a successful sofa purchase that just isn’t possible to attain behind the barriers of a computer screen. I’m talking information like: 1. How soft is the fabric? 2. Is the cushion too hard or too soft? 3. Can somebody comfortably crash on this sofa and sleep the entire night through without getting irreversible back pain? You will never be able to know unless you know a guy who’s had your dream sofa & let’s you try it out, or if you go to the store to test it (which, what is this the 1800s?) We’re here to be your internet friends who actually did that thing people did before technology: we went to all our favorite sofa stores, sat in all the coolest sofas, and we’re dropping the full review, right here, right now, on this blog. It’s a bloggy blog world, so let’s get into it so you can online shop for sofas and have some fricken peace of mind.

Side note, we almost did this post about 1000 different times over the last 2, maybe even 3 years, but never got around to it until today. WE FINALLY DID IT. So, this post has been a long time coming and me, Jess, and Ajai are all very excited to share our findings with you guys!! Now let’s start out with those incredibly affordable sofas from that one Swedish furniture store enigma that every person wonders “is this cool or will it break in 2 days.” Time to investigate…

IKEA

Stockholm Velvet Sofa – $1,699

This pretty little lady caught our eye upon entrance into the sofa section. She’s a rich blue velvet that looks far more expensive than she is and she’s got some nubby little legs that make her very attractive. When we plopped onto this gal, we were immediately comfortable, but we had some debates on the depth of the seat:

As you can see from my and Jess’s demonstration above, as a guest coming into this house and sitting on this sofa, you might be a little unsure if you should sit at the front of the sofa –– feeling rather proper while having no back support (photo on the left) –– or if you should just full-on LOUNGE (photo on the right). We decided it’s a great couch for the “loungey people” or for the people who like to sit criss-cross-apple-sauce on their sofas rather than have their feet on the ground, or it would be great for extremely tall people like Ajai and her husband (she noted through our entire day that they MUST have a deep sofa in their family since everyone –– even extended family –– is very tall and will feel awkward on a narrower sofa cushion, more on that later).

I did the sleep test on this sofa though, and I give it a 10/10 for someone who’s down to crash on a couch and here’s why…The back of the sofa is filled with pillows that are super easy to remove, making your sofa/bed double the width so you probably won’t fall off. Also, I’m 5’7″ and noticed that there was plenty of clearance width-wise to sprawl my entire body across it, which is a major plus. Last thing I’ll say is that the velvet was VERY soft and the cushions were a great medium firmness: not too soft, not too hard, so it’s truly the ideal crash pad for a guest if that’s something you’re looking for in a sofa.

Price-wise, it’s a little more than we’d expect for something from IKEA (like at this point you might as well check out West Elm or CB2), but this sofa does LOOK a lot more expensive than $1,600 so we still think it’s a fair price for what it is. 8/10

Morabo – $1,499

This sofa is in a similar price range as the blue velvet beauty but instead has a more “mid-century” leather vibe. Good back support, depth is standard, sort of firm… if you’re older you’d probably like sitting on this because it’s not too soft where you sink into it and then it’s hard to get up. Ajai said her 6’4 husband would want a deeper sofa for sure. The leather isn’t the best quality (if you’re looking for the same style but better quality, try the Article sofa we are all very obsessed with…all their leather is REALLY good quality & very legit).

Lastly, the one thing we were a little unsure on was the leg-sleeves happening…kinda looks like the sofa legs were a little chilly & needed some extra warmth maybe? We were a little apprehensive about those but otherwise, the sofa was not bad, not great. Maybe a 7/10.

Söderhamn – $599+

This is THE sofa that made IKEA the woman she is today. Its wildly affordable price has been something people have loved for years, and if you don’t love the legs you can swap them out very easily through pretty pegs or various Etsy shops (also just realized you can do this with the Morabo sofa above if you’re also unsure about the leg sleeves).

Ajai loves this sofa and has used it multiple times for different clients. It’s very classic and iconic. People love it because it’s modular and it comes in a bunch of different fabrics and colors, so you can really personalize it and make it your own. Also, the depth is really good on this sofa. It’s a perfect lounger/ploppable sofa, so if you’re looking for a cozy/den/movie night sofa, this is probably the best bang for your buck. 9/10 (some of us thought it could be a little less firm, but if you like a medium cushion firmness level, and an affordable price, this is the one for you).

Slatorp Sofa – $999

This is a new sofa at IKEA and we were all wildly impressed with the design. Remember the first sofa we tried out at IKEA? The blue velvet lady?? Well, we felt awkward sitting down and having a drink because it was too deep for us, but if you’re a tall person, that might’ve been very comfy for you…this design lets you have BOTH…let me explain. The back cushions are modular so you can move them down and double stack them or you can stack them on top of each other: changing the depth & sitting position. It’s genius honestly. Now tall friends and short friends can enjoy a drink together on the same sofa!!

It’s kind of hard to tell what the heck I’m talking about from these photos so here’s another close up from the IKEA website to show you in further detail:

Pretty cool right? Again you could totally switch out these legs if you wanted to. The comfort level on this sofa was a 10/10 also…not too hard at all and was definitely more cozy/squishy than the Soderhamn. The only thing that was a downfall of this sofa was the fabric…it looked dirty on the showroom sofa, most likely because it’s that kind of fabric that gets little dirt particles stuck IN IT. So other than the fact that it looked not the most clean, it’s a great design and a good sofa, might just need to be cleaned more often or get it in another fabric.

Friheten Sleeper Sectional – $599

We had to include AT LEAST one sleeper sofa and what better sofa to review than the one all of my friends had in college. YOU GUYS. This sofa is so well designed: the chaise lifts up to a bunch of storage underneath, and then the main part of the sofa comes up to create an entire full-sized bed. The design is VERY smart for small space living, so it makes sense why everyone would have this in their college apartments. The only major con to this sofa is that it’s EXTREMELY firm. I’d kinda equate it to sitting on a rock but for $600 and for how smart the design is, I think that might just be part of the charm.

I mean check out this design and watch the video of how it all works on the IKEA website…it’s SMART.

West Elm

Harmony Modular Sofa – $3,597

Need a big, comfy, ploppable sofa that every single person would want to snuggle up on??? THIS IS FOR YOU. The Harmony modular sofa from West Elm is so classic and so comfortable you’d have to be a monster to hate it. It’s practically unoffendable other than the fact that it’s a white fabric that could get dirty (but then you could just get it in a different color guys, so it’s really unoffendable). This comfy sofa shape will pretty much never go out of style and it’s perfectly soft yet feels structured enough that it won’t wear too quickly. And even if it does wear a little I think it’s so forgiving that it will be that cool/casual look that instantly makes people feel comfortable in your home. We are big fans (especially Ajai who has a sofa that looks pretty much identical to this one).

West Elm is really good at nailing the “corporate 30-year-old who lives in Brooklyn and loves MCM” kind of vibe, which is a good thing because their sofas are all really versatile in size and scale, meaning a lot of their sofas could fit into a Brooklyn apartment, but a lot of their sofas are also made to fit in a large house and go with different non-MCM (mid-century modern) styles….lots of modular options and different sizes which is great.

Andes Sofa – $1,399

This sofa is a little higher off the ground, which would bring a lot of airy-ness to a room if you have a lot of low, chunky furniture and want to mix this kinda thing in. She’s sleek, she’s sexy and she has some very nice legs (you can customize and choose which color legs you want which is fun). It’s definitely more of a cocktail sofa: your friends will be very comfortable sitting on this and chatting in like a living room, but it’s less snuggle/watch a movie than the giant modular sectional before (obviously). It’s definitely more firm than a lot of the sofas we sat on, but not uncomfortable (like the IKEA sleeper sofa uncomfortable). 6/10.

The Drake Sofa – $1,199

This is a great mid-century modern sofa that’s a little more sophisticated than the others. It’s a good amount of cushy and plush. Definitely great for small places. We’ve been talking a lot about the den/lounger sofa versus the cocktail/living room/formal sofa but what if you are in an apartment and can only have one sofa (like me, Ajai, and Jess?!) This one is a great in-between: comfy enough to lounge, not too deep to the point where guests feel uncomfortable, and stylish yet classic so you won’t have to rebuy a sofa because it was too “trendy”. 9/10

Dennes Leather Sofa – $2,399

SO classic. How could we not sit on this classic gal? She’s THE perfect apartment sofa when you’re low on space, investing in your first big piece, and want to make sure you’ll love it and other people will too. It’s that sofa that is a sure-fire buy. Pretty much unoffendable. A lot better quality than the IKEA version of this sofa, and all in all a really comfortable. 9/10

Newport Sectional – $3,400

A surprising turn of events, we really loved this sofa too. It’s very beautiful. The fabric is like a woven grey that’s VERY pretty. It’s got foam core, and is fair-trade certified (yay!), really good back support, and totally works for tall and short people because the cushions in the back are squishy and can be compressed easily. She’s not cheap: $1800 for the sofa version and $3400 for this sectional, but we all agreed if you’re going to invest in a nice sofa, this one is definitely worth it because it’s SO comfy and the legs are really pretty. REALLY PRETTY. 10/10.

CB2

KST Sofa – $1,999

If you love Eclectic English Grandma style but want to do it in a hip and sexy modern way, buy this sofa. The back has those nice lines and it’s VERY comfortable. Plus it’s velvet which we believe is the easiest to clean & live with on the day to day. You’ll notice with pretty much all of the CB2 sofas they’ve been doing really cool, interesting designs which makes their sofas super unique and fun. If you want more of the “trendy statement sofa” these next few are for you (and they’re my favorite for sure). Btw this sofa also comes in a more neutral “sand” color that’s very cute 🙂

Strato Sectional – $3,297

There are a bunch of sizes for this sofa/sectional (the 80″ sofa version is very cute) and the color options are cognac leather or this very cute boucle. This sofa is definitely on the firmer side, but with its shape and back support/cushion softness make it the perfect sofa for sitting and chatting for hours. Ajai and Jess literally said “wow this makes me just want to sit and talk to you” so if that’s the vibe you want, this bad boy is for you.

Brace Leather Sofa – $3,499

Jess found this one quick and LOVED it. It’s definitely on the firmer side, and the leather itself is coated, so if you’re more into the patina, weathered leather look then this one might take a while to get there. Ajai did the “scratch test” which made me incredibly nervous…basically she scratched the sofa and then rubbed it to see if it would come out. It did, thank god, but boy I was sweating. Good to know though, if you’re considering buying this sofa, your scuffs and scratches will rub out fairly easily. Also that cool chrome detail on the side makes the whole thing. We are in LOVE. Personally, I think all of these CB2 sofas have been worth their $3,000 (ish) price point…they’re unique, comfortable and make a big statement (which we always say “splurge on the statement/conversation pieces in a room” and these are all certainly statement pieces in the best way).

Perimeter Sofa – $1,999

Mohair is definitely back in again (what do we think about it??) so we were excited to sit on this cool, trendy, and well-designed sofa. She’s got great bones and is definitely a statement piece (which if you’re gonna spend $2,000 or more, it’s gotta either be VERY comfy or a cool statement) so this really fit the bill. I love it personally and think it would be awesome in a loungey, sexy living room or bar space. It also comes in a brown/grey color. Love!!!

Alesso Snow Sleeper Sofa – $2,199

When we found out this was a sleeper sofa we were shook, to say the least. The pretty little leather straps on the side unbuckle and the top seat cushion folds to the floor to create an entire floor mat and it’s DOPE. A genius design, a comfortable sitting experience (maybe a little firmer than a plop down watch a movie sofa) but who even cares because it’s SO PRETTY. This was one of our favorites. 10/10.

Turn 4-Piece Sofa – $4,196

For comfort AND style, this one gets high praise. We really weren’t unimpressed by any of the sofas at CB2 because they all clearly served a statement-y/awesome purpose, but in terms of ploppable comfort this one wins, for sure. We loved the curved sides and they added a level of comfort since it wasn’t just a right angle that’s awkward for your arm placement or a lean. It also comes with a chaise (not pictured here). Ajai though was worried about the shape of the cushions staying in place/keeping their shape since each seat and back cushion are actually one piece.

Interior Define

Okay, Interior Define has one very important thing down to a science: comfort. And as they say, comfort is key. If you’re not familiar with Interior Define, their sofas are what they do and they do it well. Jess actually had an Interior Define sofa in her last apartment that was VERY comfortable, so we love them and are excited to review this company. Basically here’s how it works: they have 3 levels of cushion fills: double down (softest), down alternative (medium/soft), and standard down blend (firmest, but still cushy). I liked the down alternative the best, Ajai and Jess were big fans of the double down. The double down they said needs to be fluffed the most, but was SO comfy to the point where you might not want to ever get up (which is a plus for some people). We sit on all of them…so we’ll show ya.

Oh and by the way you can customize any of the sofas to be any fabric you want, with any leg you want…here are just SOME of their options:

hi jess 🙂
these are their leg options…how cute are those little bobbley ones?? (that’s for sure the technical name btw)

Jasper Sectional In Down Alternative – $3,295

Here are the beautiful Ajai and Jess sitting on the Jasper Sectional in Down Alternative (my favorite). There’s a little give in the cushions, as you can see, so it’s comfy enough to lounge on but it’s also not awkward for guests to sit on if they don’t wanna get all up in your white sofa upon entrance into your place. It also is perfectly sized for an apartment that only has room for 1 sofa (aka most apartments) and is shaped to perfectly foster conversation if that’s what you’re looking for in a sofa (I know I would be!). I would 100% buy this exact sofa for my apartment if comfort and conversation making are both priorities. It’s truly the best of both worlds and because of its versatility, you’ll get lots of bang for your buck.

Winslow Sofa – $1,495

Okay here’s something important we haven’t discussed much in the sofa department: 1 long seat cushion versus multiple. There are benefits to both in my opinion. The single-seat cushion gives you less opportunities to lose things in your sofa, but more opportunity for wear in the cushion fill (especially if you go for double down like this one below). But lots of people prefer one or the other –– and we’re down to debate favorites in the comments below. Jess said this sofa was a big win for her and we all agreed it was SO comfortable, but I personally thought it was a wee bit too deep, but the associates at Interior Define told me you can customize the depth which is SOOO SMART and why we love this company (oh btw I believe their sofas are 15% off right now bc of Labor Day, so run don’t walk).

Lukas Sofa – $2,195

My immediate reaction to this sofa was that it was too deep (42″) and a little too firm (standard down), then I remembered you can literally customize the depth and the firmness to what you like so there’s pretty much no way to hate any of these sofas. Again, you can also change the color/fabric and the length so you can truly have anything you want here which makes it hard to say anything bad about these sofas. If you like this style (Lukas sofa), you might also like the Tatum sofa (that green one in the back) because they’re very similar.

Sloan Sleeper Storage Sectional – $3,845

Okay let’s talk more about sleeper sofas, shall we? This sofa is created exactly like the IKEA one, except it’s made more for adults and less for college apartments (probably also because of the MASSIVE price difference). This was the standard down we were sitting on (so the firmest one that takes a second to break in) and it was still very comfortable. We were really just huge fans of the fact that it pulls out into a full-sized bed and then also has a storage component so you can store your extra bedding for said bed under the chaise (genius).

The very kind employee working there showed us how it looked pulled out (and he did it in his 6 inch very cute Jeffrey Campbell boots…that was probably more impressive than the couch itself). The mattress was compressed in plastic for the store model purposes, so it will expand more than this, btw. If you’re in the market for a high-quality, awesome sleeper sofa that will last and doesn’t feel like a rock (like the IKEA one) this is a very good purchase. Also, I’m not sure if this was intentional, but it’s named the Sloan Sleeper Sofa which is the cool girlfriend in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which I’d be lying if I said that didn’t make me like this sofa more.

Crate and Barrel

Lotus 5-Piece Sectional – $6,795

Okay if you’re looking at a big sectional like the Harmony sofa from West Elm that we really liked or BIGGER, this one is definitely similar, but a little bigger and a little pricier. They have this sectional in a bunch of different sizes (extra-long, 4 piece all the way up to 7 pieces) and it’s VERY comfortable. Like this is the movie sofa of our DREAMS. It’s large, in charge, and is basically begging you to snuggle on it. The detail that I especially loved but might be a turn off for some is the fabric (it was for Jess): it has a little tiny gold shimmer to it which is VERY subtle and definitely not tacky AT ALL, that I thought gave it a really nice touch without making it fussy. 10 out of fricken 10.

Ever Sofa – $2,299

We couldn’t come all the way to Crate and Barrel and not sit on a Leanne Ford sofa…I mean DUH. Also, this one was named after her daughter which is very sweet 🙂 This sofa looks VERY ploppable and comfy, but was a little firmer than we wanted. It comes in lots of different colors and it’s a slipcover that you can throw in the wash (huge plus), good depth and we love the single cushion. All in all, we just wish it was a liiiiiiitle more plush for how comfy it looks but we think this sofa would also wear really nicely since it’s that casual look anyway.

Sonoran Block Leg Sofa – $2,499

The legs on this guy were VERY pretty. It’s a simple but nice shape (trendy touch, but won’t go out of style probably), nice depth and the texture of the fabric felt like it was really good quality & sturdy (also comes in a bunch of different colors if that’s of interest to ya). It was a tiny bit more firm than we really liked, but again is a better “living room/conversation sofa” than a comfy cuddle sofa, so it just depends on what ya like.

Pottery Barn

Big Sur Square Arm Double Wide Sectional – $3,398

Ajai’s sweet sweet baby, Jack met us at Pottery Barn to test out this sofa with us and he was a big fan (his schedule was booked up earlier in day so he had to catch up with us later). As a bestseller from PB, it’s very comfy and we LOVE the double-wide (feels like you can just drown in this sofa in a good way).

PB Comfort Square Arm Sectional – $2,437+

This sofa is also a bestseller according to PB, which makes a lot of sense because it’s super classic, very comfortable, and you can choose from a bunch of different configurations and even decide if you want roll arms or square arms. This collection pretty much comes in anything you could possibly want (we love customizable sofas/sectionals!!) The sofa/roll arm version’s coming up next…

PB Comfort Roll Arm Slipcover Sofa – $1,299

This is the same sofa collection as the sofa above, just with a slipcover and roll arms. Again it’s got a SUPER classic shape and is VERY comfy (I mean come on, it’s in the name). You really can’t go wrong with this, and we love a slipcover SO MUCH.

PHEW! Now THAT’S what we call a review!!! Thanks everyone for sticking with us and reading this monster of a blog post. We hope that it was helpful and would love to know your thoughts on these sofas/your favorite sofas in general in the comments below! Thanks for staying with us through this whole thing, WE FINALLY DID IT! Love ya lots xx

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Emma
3 years ago

This was really helpful! We’ve kind of been talking about a new couch some time in the future, so now I know a bit more about which ones to keep in mind and which ones to not consider further. Great work, y’all!

Sabrina
3 years ago

Help! I’ve been looking at the CB2 Perimeter sofa online for months but the reviews are abysmal. How comfortable is it actually? I don’t need it to be plush and loungey but I do want something where I can have my morning coffee and not feel like I’m sitting on cardboard 😂

Allison
3 years ago

Thank you so much for this in-depth review! I can’t imagine how much time it took to create this post. I’ve literally had my eye on Interior Define’s Jasper for years (in the Sage velvet), so I’m so glad to know it gets y’all’s seal of approval. I’ll most likely be moving in a little less than a year and am now for sure putting the Jasper at the top of my “things to buy for the new home” list. Yay!

Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Allison

My kids are named Jasper and Sage! Ha ha.

Rusty
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

🤗

Traci
3 years ago
Reply to  Allison

I have the Jasper and I really dislike it. The back cushions turn into bolsters and there is no comfortable way to sit on it. If it had a narrow seat you could sit upright. If it had higher cozy back cushions you could lounge. It is between and it is so uncomfortable no matter how often I plump and reverse the cushions. I am actively shopping to replace it

Terryn
3 years ago
Reply to  Traci

If it’s in the sage velvet, maybe you can make Allison a deal and sell it to her…😄

wally
3 years ago

Do the same for anthropologie couches! I’m desperate for a yellow velvet Chesterfield and anthro is one of the few places that sells one. Joybird used to, but they only have a leather Chesterfield now.

Tess
3 years ago
Reply to  wally

My dear daughter and I sat on all the sofas at anthropologie and found them all very firm so we were sitting on top of the cushions instead of sinking into the cushions they looked beautiful but didn’t have that cushy plushh factor at all!:(

Sarah
3 years ago

just a note: Our designer steered us away from Interior Define because of issues with quality/longevity. (She recommended crate and barrel, but we actually ended up going with Maiden Home.)

I’ve also heard about similar issues with West Elm couches (like enough issues that there was an article written on vox about it.)

Lisa
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

I have a very lived on interior define sofa that is 4 years old with no sign of wear yet.

Lisa
3 years ago
Reply to  Lisa

Another Lisa chiming in to say my Interior Define chaise is awesome and feels very high quality.

JEM
3 years ago
Reply to  Lisa

Same – 4 year old Interior define that looks amazing and lives with a 5 year old and dog.

Liz
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

We have the West Elm Drake reversable sectional and would not recommend. Use it a ton, but upholstery pilled almost immediately and there is a noticeable dip in the corner seat. Wish the quality were highter, but no.

Kersten
3 years ago
Reply to  Liz

Agree, stay far, far away from West Elm sofas. They look good, at least at first. I’ve had two (one leather and one linen-y fabric, bought around the same time) and neither of them held up at all! Fabric pilled, legs wobbly, not comfortable at all. After a year or two the fabric one looked so bad we gave it away and started using our older (but seemingly much better made) IKEA sofa.

deb
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

We’ve had the West Elm Henry sofa for about a year and a half and must say that I’m disappointed in how the cushion structure has held up. The spot that my husband sits in exclusively is already “smooshed/sunk.” He’s a pretty average sized guy & I do trade the cushions around, but still the one spot, ugh! Yet, our 20+ year old IKEA leather Karlanda (that they no longer make) is in near perfect shape. That one spot is slightly sunk, but not dramatically.

Laura
3 years ago
Reply to  deb

We have had the Henry for many years…the back cushions broke down and the seats got smooshy after a few years, so I took them all out of the covers, wrapped the backs in batting and added an extra layer of foam to the seats—it worked like a charm! Probably need to do it again now that I have toddlers who like to climb on the back but really these fixes have held up for years!!

Amy Anderson
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

I bought the Savile sofa from CB2 and the seam between the bottom cushions busted from light/normal use in four months. CB2 replaced it but then the same thing happened again 3 months after that. Ultimately they gave me a full refund so 10/10 for customer service but 1/10 for quality at CB2 in my book.

Liz
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

We have a 7+ year old Andes sofa from West Elm in Navy velvet and it’s held up absolutely beautifully! Like I’m talking, one couch in the apartment, eat dinner on it every night kind of sofa. We got the 50/50 down/foam fill. I’ve been super happy with ours. The only slightly worn down areas are the arms, but it’s not very noticeable (and I’m picky).

Tricia
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

I have the exact Drake sofa pictured from West Elm and I couldn’t be happier. Have had it for about 2 years. It doesn’t take up a lot of space but has enough room for everyone to sit. The performance velvet has held up really well to my daughter and two large dogs.

Jen
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

I HATED my interior define Sloan. It was uncomfortable and looked heavily worn after 6 months. They told me I should be fluffing my cushions and using a de-pilling device daily – who has time to Fluff cushions EVERY day?! I donated it after 4 years but honestly wish I had done years ago.

Sara
3 years ago
Reply to  Jen

So, I think the Interior Define Sloan is VERY dependent on the fill you choose and the fabric. My first one I got the down fill with the mod velvet and I was pretty unhappy with the wear/look approaching a year in as was my neighbor. They do allow you a free exchange within a year, which is what I opted to do, and I went with the one my neighbor chose for her exchange. My other friend got the down alternative to start and never had issues. I have been much, much happier with the down alternative and a different fabric. Now two years in, it is still super comfy, my kids abuse it and I get tons of compliments. I do have to fluff the back pillows once or twice a week (like where my husband insists on sitting to work all day), but overall quite happy. The customer service was great. And I discovered after my 2-year-old took a pen to the couch cushion you can wash them in the washing machine and they clean up great!

Sarah
3 years ago
Reply to  Sara

Very curious about which fabric you ended up going with for the replacement. Considering a new couch but definitely need something that will hold up well to 2 small children!

Jen A
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

Ooohh that is so disappointing to hear about Interior Define! I have been eyeing the Maxwell sofa for a long time but we don’t have a showroom where I live to test it out in person. It’s always such a gamble to know which things will last! That’s interesting it was significant enough for a designer to steer clear of them.

Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Jen A

for what it’s worth, i *LOVE* arlyn’s maxwell sofa – surprised to hear this feedback!!

Jen A
3 years ago

Thanks for this vote of confidence! Ahh and that is great to know because I think Aryln’s LR makeover was where I got the idea for it in the first place. :+) I loved her post/reveal and it gave me the idea to maybe use a similar furniture layout in my space, if I can make it work. I had previously been thinking I needed to have the chaise on the window side of my room but seeing how she put the chairs along the windows made me rethink my space layout and was so helpful! I have the extra challenge of some pocket doors in play, so I need to tape everything off on the floor first but am hopeful.

Love hearing about this real life experience of not only Arlyn, but you-as-guest giving it a thumb’s up! Thanks Caitlin.

Megan
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

How do you like your Maiden Home sofa? We ordered one but haven’t received it yet, and I’m anxious about it since we didn’t get to do a sit test before buying it!

Angela Gaston
3 years ago
Reply to  Megan

Maidenform is amazing. Best couch I have ever had.

3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

We also got a Maiden Home sectional after hearing bad things about the quality of Interior Define. We got The Dune sectional in performance chenille. It was the BEST purchase we made for our living room. It’s chic, comfortable and durable.

Megan
3 years ago
Reply to  Erin

Thank you, Angela and Erin! Can’t wait to get ours!

Linhhth
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

We have had our Interior Define sectional 4 years now and it’s holding up amazing.

Sea
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

I need to chime in on the comments about some of these chain stores and the quality, etc. for example Crate, their sofa collections are made and sourced from various manufacturers. So it’s not apple to apples when comparing a sofas from Crate or say West Elm. It’s a small pool of manufacturers and they all buy pretty much from the same sources.

Sarah
3 years ago
Reply to  Sea

Sea, that’s helpful! One thing we were told is to look for furniture that was made in North Carolina (so including some anthropologie pieces) instead of going just by brand.

Kate
3 years ago

This is so helpful! We did a similar sofa hunt last spring with lots of research. Our living room is narrow so we had very specific tight dimensions for a sectional (it needed a chamfer corner). We went with Crate and Barrel’s Axis sectional over the PB Comfort sectional and have NO REGRETS. After a year of heavy tv-watching and home lounging in the pandemic, it’s held up beautifully. We went with the base fabric as we have a dog. Pupper has come in with muddy feet and played on the couch…and it all wiped right off! I am team CB for sectionals now!

Susan
3 years ago

I have a 1940s very small bungalow. The unicorn I cannot find in a new sofa is one that has seating area but small proportions all the way around so that it visually doesn’t swallow up the space. Where I CAN find the right sized couches is vintage on fb marketplace- they knew back then how to make couches that actually fit in real people’s homes (there are literally millions of post war bungalows and they all needed a couch) however the vintage ones are nearly all covered in hideous fabric and there is only one guy in town who can recover then and he’s backed up 9 months. Nearly none of the couches reviewed here would work for my space and I can’t find a store I can visit in person that makes properly proportioned ones for me to try out. I could cry. We are on our 3rd shitty couch because nothing works

KM
3 years ago
Reply to  Susan

Maybe start now the process of sourcing a vintage sofa/wait-time for reupholstery, and then you don’t need to buy crappy couch #4?

Susan
3 years ago
Reply to  KM

I find vintage sofas all the time, but have no place to store them while I wait for an opening for upholstery. The last one I passed on was screaming orange flowers in a large scale which we couldn’t live with. I already did the ” throw a cover over the vintage sectional while I save up for upholstery” gig, but with 3 kids and a dog it was a daily hourly battle to ever keep the cover from being a wrinkled sloppy mess. I can tolerate some mess but it’s our only lounge space and it was awful. I will look into the suggestions

Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  Susan

Have you looking into getting a loveseat instead of a sofa if your space is limited?

Grace
3 years ago
Reply to  Susan

I ended up with West Elm’s Hamilton sofa after trying to solve a similar problem. I needed something long enough for my 6’+ partner to stretch out on, but the room is overall quite small, as was the doorway. This was one of the only full size sofas I could find that was not too deep and had slim arms & back that didn’t unnecessarily bulk up the sofa.

Jean Henderson
3 years ago
Reply to  Grace

My smallish Hamilton leather has been a “no”. Leather stunk for more than a year. Cushion quality is bad even w rotating monthly. I’d say when it comes to less expensive quality go for performance upholstery. And u can replace the foam. My old PB white slip covered sofa and loveseat and chair wore really well Mitchell and Gold.

BW
3 years ago
Reply to  Susan

This was awhiiiile ago, but we got a great, affordable sofa from Macy’s back in the day for our small space. I want to say it was around 76″, very comfortable, and held up really well over the 6ish years we had it. We would have kept it if we hadn’t moved cross country!

Paula Carr
3 years ago
Reply to  BW

Yeah, we got a leather sofa from The Broadway when it was still around, so if you know L.A. you know how old this sofa is! It’s held up to all the dogs we’ve had over the years as well. I love it because it was around 80″ or less, the arms weren’t too high, and it had a fixed back cushion. Wearing like iron. I’m only looking at new sofas because I’m starting to get that “new sofa itch.” What? It’s not only for cars!

aforss
3 years ago
Reply to  Susan

Room and Board makes some sofas in petite proportions. Their sofas also last really well as long as you pick a fabric that’s designed to be durable — my parents’ 20-year-old sofa and my 12-year old sofa from them still look and feel basically like they did when they were new. Here is their guide to seating for a “small living room” that might be helpful: https://www.roomandboard.com/ideas-advice/design-your-space/living/seating-ideas-small-living-room.ftl
If you live close enough to go to a store, their sales staff are often very knowledgable and helpful too.

Sheila
3 years ago
Reply to  aforss

I second @aforss recommendation of Room and Board. I have their Reese sectional and a friend has a Jasper sofa, both for over 10 years and in good shape. Both are modestly proportioned, not over-stuffed pillow-y sink holes but still comfy. If you aren’t close to a store, you can set up a design consult online or by phone, too.

3 years ago
Reply to  Susan

We’re in a similar small home. I found a local furniture store had great options (Bilt Rite if you happen to be near Milwaukee). The more trendy “fashion” sources in this article had literally nothing that fit the dimensions we needed.

StephanieZ
3 years ago
Reply to  Susan

Check out CladHome… they could make one custom for you. Their prices are pretty comparable to these as well.

Rae
3 years ago

We’ve had 3 sofas in our life so far. A a white slipcovered sofa from West Elm, a turquoise movie sofa from CB2 (purchased during their colorful days) and a green velvet Stockholm sofa from IKEA. The leg on the West Elm sofa broke, the CB2 sofa did not have a welt edge so it started unraveling at the seams, and the IKEA sofa has held up like a champ. It has walnut legs, and it’s beautifully made. I’ve had it for about 5 years now. When it comes down to it, the quality of IKEA items is often on par or (in my case) better than their counterparts. Unfortunately IKEA often gets a bad rap in the design community because it offers high, medium and low cost items, making home furnishings accessible to virtually everyone on the planet. Long story short, I would definitely recommend their sofas.

Terryn
3 years ago
Reply to  Rae

I had an Ikea sofa that lasted through 20 years, 6 moves, and 2 very active boys and all their friends… If I had it my way, I would still be on an Ikea sofa.

Mary Hodges
3 years ago

I am in love with your designs and have been forever. But none of these beautiful sofa’s have back support for a tall person. (Husband is 6’5″ and we love modern design but can’t find any that actually fit a 6’5″ person) Could you add an addendum for at least ONE MODERN SOFA in the entire retail world that will comfortably support a 6’5″ man – PLEASE… we need you SO Bad to please help us with this dilemma. Thank You!!!

Kj
3 years ago
Reply to  Mary Hodges

Ethan Allen has a few sofas that are 38”H and a few 36”H ones.

Mary Hodges
3 years ago
Reply to  Kj

Thank you so much!

Mary Hodges
3 years ago
Reply to  Mary Hodges

Thank you so much!

Kj
3 years ago
Reply to  Mary Hodges

This Bassett sofa is 39” H. https://www.bassettfurniture.com/DZC000-62SF

Mary Hodges
3 years ago
Reply to  Kj

Awesome, thanks!

Alanna
3 years ago
Reply to  Mary Hodges

Crate and Barrel Axis is 37” and Room and Board Morrison is 36”!

Mary Hodges
3 years ago
Reply to  Alanna

Thank You!

Tess
3 years ago
Reply to  Mary Hodges

Restoration Hardware has some large scale furniture

Mary Hodges
3 years ago
Reply to  Tess

Thank You!

Susan G
3 years ago

I want to buy a couch this weekend (sales baby!). Has anyone tried the West Elm Harris Sofa? This would be the tv/ den couch so I was thinking blue velvet with the super deep (46″) cushions.

Amy
3 years ago
Reply to  Susan G

I have had two sofas from West Elm and they were both horrible. They start out comfortable but the cushion material is very poor and does not keep its shape. Not only are they then uncomfortable but the covers do not stay in position. Customer service is horrible. They finally replaced my first sofa after Apartment Therapy got involved because so many readers had problems with them. The sofa we got as a replacement is worse. I would never buy anything from West Elm again.

Liz M
3 years ago

We did a sit test at a ton of places back in 2018 and we decided upon the Pottery Barn York sofa with bench cushion. In my opinion a bench cushion is the only way to go when trying to snuggle up to watch a movie! Whenever people come over they always say our couch is the most comfortable sofa ever. We also recently got the C&B Loung II sofa and its amazing. A little more firm but its great for kids – it gets softer as it wears in and it super washable!

Roberta Davis
3 years ago

While I’ve seen most of these online, it’s helpful to see you ladies sitting on them to give me an idea of how comfortable they would be! Thanks for the reviews!

Abby
3 years ago

This is really helpful! I’m also looking for super honest reviews on MaidenHome furniture – I know that it’s not in stores so that makes it difficult – but I would love to know thoughts on comfort, style-ability, etc.! If anyone has experience with their pieces please share! good bad and ugly 🙂

Sarah
3 years ago
Reply to  Abby

When ours arrives in about a month I can report back!

Lindsey Hill
3 years ago

Sooo….I have had the Ikea Kivik three seater sofa with a chaise for six? years now and I looooove it. My husband also loves it which is really saying something. The cushions are firm but are still very comfortable and loungey without looking like crap after a few episodes on Netflix or an entire season of whatever, let’s be honest. We have the borred green gray cover, which they do not make anymore 🙁 But it’s a lovely sagey gray color that goes with everything. I have washed it so many times and always looks brand new when I put it back on the couch. I have said to myself so many times that I’m in my thirties and I need to get some real furniture, but with as good as this thing has held up I don’t really see the point…especially when you can order gorgeous covers from companies like Bemz.

Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Lindsey Hill

We have had an Ikea Kivik for 10 years and it’s still just as comfortable as the day we bought it and the cushions are still just as structured! And that is with daily use including our 2 kids. Everytime I think about spending $$$$ on a new couch I just can’t bring myself to do it!

Rusty
3 years ago

I’ve wanted a new sofa for my difficult living room for years (Only one wall. Two walls have leadlight swing doors and another is the fireplace).
Now I’m free…I’m seriously looking.

I’ve been reading so much about how great velvet is re: durability and care, but it seems too good to be true.
Is it reallllly true???

I have a hairy dog and messy friends who spill stuff regularly.
People who have lived with velvet sofas….is it true???? 🤔

Kristi B
3 years ago
Reply to  Rusty

Rusty- I adore my velvet sofa. So much so I don’t let people eat or drink on it🤪…well at least not my kids and company has been spill proof so far. It just feels so good to sit on. Dog does not sit on sofa but her hair does not stick to it as it wafts around between vacuums..I really love it.

Lynn
3 years ago
Reply to  Rusty

We had a velvet couch years ago and so regret getting rid of it. We had a kid 3 dogs and 4 cats and it looked amazing after 3 years. Cats mostly don’t like how it feels so thry don’t acratch it. We had it in hunter green amd it his all sins. My kiddo was 3 and used to say soft soft when he would lie down.

Kelly
3 years ago
Reply to  Rusty

Yes! Mohair velvet really stands up well to large monthly parties with wine and snacks, 2 dogs and grandkids! Ours is sage green. Still looks so beautiful after 8+ years.

KT
3 years ago

I’ve had the Morabo from Ikea in black leather for about five years now, and it’s held up great! It’s certainly not the most comfy or cozy, but it is very durable. The leather has not scratched or stained (despite messes: spilled yogurt, soup, etc.) and is starting to get a very nice patina. Also, the seats are not saggy…they look as great as the day we bought it! We similarly didn’t like the legs it came with, so we just swapped them out (nobody ever suspects it’s Ikea!). In retrospect, I wish we had bought the Article sofa instead (I think it’s maybe more comfy and a little less MCM “office”) … but at the time the Morabo was half the price (~$750).

Kristi B
3 years ago

Very helpful. Thank you!
The ecelectic grandma sofa (KST) is so beautiful. Had not seen this one…
One more: I have dreamed of owning Ginny McDonald’s Belmont sofa in Goldenrod since you featured it here.. So good!

michaela
3 years ago

Ahhh, I’m literally waiting on my custom Interior Define sofa to arrive within the next month or so, and I’ve been so excited and anxious about it! I’m glad they get a thumbs-up from you in terms of comfort and quality (I’m pretty sure I read on a previous post that y’all liked them, because I had to have gotten the confidence to order from somewhere.) But now that I see the Sloan sofa above, I’m nervous it’s going to be more boxy/square than I envisioned! The sleeper sofa is definitely different than the sectional w/chaise we ordered, but like, compare the styling of the cushions on the website to your photo—doesn’t it seem like the back cushions are more plush and boxy in your photos than they are online?? Maybe it has to do with the fill they’re showing? Fingers crossed over here! D:

Jean Henderson
3 years ago

The comments in this post are beyond amazing!! What a great community!!

Abby
3 years ago

Love this post, thank you! I’m looking for a comfortable and beautiful sectional that has clean lines but doesn’t lean MCM — I’ve done the MCM thing and in my new house (just bought, yay!) I’m wanting a vibe that feels more welcoming and comforting. Two I have my eye on are the Ever sofa from C&B and the Neva sofa from Sixpenny. If anyone has either of these I’d love to hear your thoughts! My top concerns with both are whether it’s actually easy to clean them (two kids, a husband and a dog) and if they just look totally worn out after a short time, and not in a good, lived in way. Also when I saw the Ever in person at a store, it was dirty, so I’m wondering how often it has to be cleaned. Finally, is it just nuts to think you can have a white sofa with kids and dogs?? My kids are 10 & 14 so no toddler messes, but they are still kids/don’t care about keeping things clean.

Julie
3 years ago

I’m reading this sitting on my FRIHETEN SLEEPER SECTIONAL. 🙂 It’s a really great small apartment sofa. A little firm, but not hard, and nothing a few pretty pillows can’t fix! If you don’t want to spend too much and/or have limited space, it’s a good purchase. I’ve had mine for over 5 years, it’s a little less firm, but it still looks nice, even though I eat on my couch and have spilled so. many. things. on it.

HKW
3 years ago

Thank you for these very helpful reviews! Especially great for those of us who aren’t near some of these shops to try ourselves. Was so hoping you’d have feedback on the Crate and Barrel Pershing Sofa, which I’ve been eyeing. Or maybe some readers do? Also, has anyone tried sofas from EQ3? It’s a Canadian company but seems to ship to the U.S. Thanks! https://www.crateandbarrel.com/pershing-curved-arm-90-sofa/s330797

Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  HKW

EQ3 is great quality! It’s been a few years since I was last in one of their showrooms but I wouldn’t hesitate about buying a sofa from them.

HKW
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Thank you! Their pieces look great and the price point is excellent.

Kimberly
3 years ago
Reply to  HKW

I had my EQ3 sofa for 12 years & it really held up, stayed comfy, looked great, did not wear throughout the years. I would definitely purchase from them again. Their wait time was long when I need a sofa right away in early pandemic or I would’ve ordered from them.

Julie
3 years ago

Thank you for this! Very helpful! Ditto some of the comments above on Maiden Home sofas and has anyone tried the West Elm shelter sleeper sofa? We’ve also owned one of the smaller West Elm love seats, and no problems for at least 8 years (discontinued now, but looks a little like Hamilton with a single cushion). It was always in our bedroom though (not as used as living room, but still doing well.

Mary B.
3 years ago

I was so hoping somehow you had ventured to the CladHome showroom and could give some reviews. Any feedback on the ones that have been owned by the EHD team? (I know Emily had one for a little while) – I love the idea of supporting a woman-owned business, but it’s so hard to pull the trigger! Though the fabric samples arrived and the reagent amberjack is the golden velvet of my dreams!

Lisa P
3 years ago

We recently converted our guest bed into a full time office. Thanks covid. We have guests twice a year so we are looking for a sleeper sofa for our loft. But do people prefer a sleeper sofa or to just sleep on the sofa itself? For me, sofa all the way. I know I’m overthinking it but has anyone really ever slept on a comfortable pull out bed as an adult…

Mary B.
3 years ago
Reply to  Lisa P

I have! My friends have a sofa from Crate & Barrel that folds down to be a sleeper sofa (kind of like 2 twins side by side) but it’s far better than any other sofa bed I’ve slept on, and we owned a sleeper sofa for a few years – even with a great mattress it still was just so-so. But my trick was to keep an egg crate topper in the closet and add that on top of the mattress below the mattress pad for guests, and it definitely helped, but took up a decent amount of closet space. I don’t see their exact looking sofa on the site but the sleeper part looks similar to the trundle bed models.

Lisa P
3 years ago
Reply to  Mary B.

I’ll check that out, thank you!

Stacy
3 years ago

I’m so confused as to why some of these reviews have ratings and others don’t…? And curious why there wasn’t a formal ranking, worst to best or vice versa? This sort of research post is AMAZING, but would be so helpful if the ratings were clear and the picture of the sofa wasn’t at the bottom, and often separated from the review of it by adverts. Maybe the picture underneath the name/price link next time? Just a thought for ease of reading because this gave me such a headache having to scroll down to the bottom of the review to see the sofa so I could know what was being reviewed, then scrolling back up to read.
All that said: I love these sorts of investigative posts and would be thrilled to see more!

AM72
3 years ago
Reply to  Stacy

Omg thank you for saying that, I thought for sure it was just me! Between the advertising pics mixed with the couch pics my eyes were going crazy and I kept looking for the /10 ratings and not seeing them! Overall these roundups are SO helpful and I’m grateful for the effort but these tweaks would DEF make them more easily read and helpful!

Kaitlyn
3 years ago

Saw some comments asking about Maiden Home – I purchased the Ludlow sectional in velvet a year ago, so while it’s too early to see true longevity it’s perfect! It seems really excellently made, and it fits the bill for serving as our 1 couch that we use for both TV lounging & entertaining. The website gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of firmness and pitch/depth. We also have our bed from there and it’s excellent, too.

Kate
3 years ago
Reply to  Kaitlyn

I am about to pull the trigger buying a Ludlow in performance velvet! My one concern is the arms seem very short— just two inches above the seat height. Has that been an issue for you? I would love to hear

Cici Haus
3 years ago

Oh my goodness Jack is adorable! I mean, that’s definitely not my entire takeaway from this thoroughly researched article…ha! This was very helpful! We’re moving into a new house with like 500 living spaces (actually four but it seems like a billion) so we’re in the market for a new loungey sofa(s). I know this is a controversial statement, but I just do not like sectionals! Corner ones without a chaise are okay, but I much prefer two single couches.

Carrie
3 years ago

One comment about mohair – not sure how current mohair compares to vintage but I have a vintage (1940s) mohair lounge chair (it was my grandparents) and my cat decided it was a GREAT scratching post. She’s never scratched on any other furniture, just that chair.

Cheryl
3 years ago

Epic round up! These posts are like the backbone of why this blog is so useful, just seeing butts in seats that we’ve all scrolled past online is exciting. However my criteria is simple: durable as hell. If I’m spending $3-5,000 on a sofa I want that bad boy for years. But who can say if the cushions will still be holding their shape, if the material will be pilled or faded by then? I’ve been through too many good looking sofas that don’t stand the rest of time at all. I contacted Pottery Barn when after two years our cushions were totally misshapen and they offered to sell me replacement cushions. I’m wondering why they don’t just improve them so I don’t need to replace them? When I was fresh out of college and poor, I never thought about anything but price point and I get that most people can’t throw down on a piece of furniture. But I still wish more care were devoted to these pieces of furniture. So frustrating. Last month I decided I’m taking a risk and trying a Mitchell Gold sofa with a good warranty. I saved up for that bad boy and it… Read more »

Kj
3 years ago
Reply to  Cheryl

I loved the MG+BW sofas I sat in and was considering ordering one, but I was put off buy some very negative reviews I found online when I got home. We have an 18 year old Thomasville sleeper sofa that has stood the test of time … but of course Thomasville went out of business (their name was sold but it’s not the same company).

Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  Cheryl

We have an MG+BW sofa (Hunter sofa) and love it. We got it 2 years ago and it’s held up very well, even with very high use during stay-at-home pandemic times. It’s so comfortable too – can’t say enough good things about it.

Hana
3 years ago

I am a huge fan of slip covered sofas so I bought two Pottery Barn square arm sofas for my living room. They are very comfy but the back pillows are waaay to slouchy and look messy all the time. I am going to have a upholsterer redo them as Pottery Barn’s customer service was terrible and told me that’s part of the design. I won’t buy anything from them again!

Jen
3 years ago

We have two sofas from Interior Define. We have a custom length Asher sectional for our basement that we’ve had since 2016..it’s 10 feet long but they worked with us to customize in 3 pieces instead of the standard 2 so we could fit it down our basement stairs. It’s great for lounging on movie nights because our whole family can sprawl out and it has held up super well…not a pill in sight. As a side note the fabric on the chaise part was punctured in transit and they sent someone to repair right away and you can’t even tell it was there. We purchases a Jasper sofa and ottoman last summer and it is so beautiful and comfortable. The one caveat I would say with the Jasper is that the back cushion smooshes down pretty easy and so I am constantly refloofing it. Maybe part of this is due to my son who thinks the couch is an obstacle course but something to consider. The Asher has more structure so everything stays put better.

3 years ago

This is such a helpful article! I’ll definitely bookmark it! Do you have any advice on online-only furniture, like Apt2B? Their styles are so cute, but clearly you can’t sit on any online-only furniture until you get it. Is the best advice there just make sure they have a generous return policy? Thank you!

C
3 years ago

More Jack photos please! Best part of the post, and it was a really good one!

Jenn
3 years ago

William Sonoma Laguna sofa / sectional super comfortable, and i’ve tried tons too!

Kristyn
3 years ago

Does anyone have feedback about Sixpenny sofas? I’ve been eyeing the Devyn sofa. It would be great to have a slipcovered sofa.

Will K
3 years ago

Looking to buy my first couch and didn’t realize how pricey they were. 😮

Alicia
3 years ago

Respectfully as this post obviously took a lot of work, people need standard comparison information that can actually inform their decisions rather than just anecdotal impressions: frame construction, key dimensions including seat depth and height, cushion construction, et al. And if impressions are all there is to offer, a comparison chart with key impressions listed in common categories would be really helpful.

Tess
3 years ago
Reply to  Alicia

Maybe a publication like Consumer Reports would have alternate gritty details But I have to say I do like the personal observations

Lauren
3 years ago

I will never buy furniture from West Elm again. My love seat started pilling within months and their customer service refused to stand behind their product. I replaced it with a sofa from CB2 that hasn’t pilled at all in years. My sister has a sofa from Crate and Barrel that’s in perfect condition after 12 years with 2 cats and heavy use. I also appreciate how Crate and Barrel and cb2 have reviews, including negative ones, on their websites, plus their customer service is really good. I haven’t been as happy with my Joybird sofa. The fabric was supposed to be good for pets, but it snags easily and looks much more worn than my Cb2 sofa despite being a few years newer. They sent me a replacement cushion, but the issue just happened again, so at this point I’m resigned to it.

3 years ago

Uh oh you forgot Clad Home! With an LA showroom and free shipping nationwide we have thousands of very happy customers who found us after less than stellar experiences with all of the box stores you reviewed. Our sofas are all made in LA and highly customizable! For the most custom options, the highest quality, and the fairest prices, it’s always Clad Home.

Dena
3 years ago
Reply to  Rosa

I am going with a Clad home sofa. I have talked to your team a couple of times and they are really helpful and nice! Just got my samples which are beautiful and it’s the decision on fabric that is taking me so long!!

Carolyn
3 years ago

Really appreciated this review as we are in sofa deliberations this week! You mention the Article sofa but I couldn’t find the actual review of it in the blog post. We have been considering a few from Article as we love the chairs we got from there almost 2 years ago. Which model do like at Article and is there a blog post on it that I missed??

Emily
3 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn

I have the Timber sofa from Article and I LOVE IT. Love it. Super comfy, price is right, looks beautiful.

3 years ago

Amazing read, thanks for all the insight!

Hazel
3 years ago

All these sofas look so deep and uncomfortable! I am unsure why they make sofas so deep except to sleep on!

Traci
3 years ago

Please review Room and Board!

Chrissy
3 years ago

Wow. Talk about timing! I just spent hooooours today researching durable sofas. According to my research, features that should be taken into consideration are: framing (solid, kiln-dried hardwood is best), joinery, and suspension. I have a spreadsheet tracking all the details!

My top contenders so far are Interior Define and Maiden Home. I am planning to check out ID in person in the next few weeks (and they have a discount for certain professions!). Would love to hear more comments on these 2 brands. I found these articles to super informative:
https://www.remodelista.com/posts/how-to-buy-a-sofa-expert-advice/
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/sofa-buying-advice/

Chrissy
3 years ago
Reply to  Chrissy

I forgot to mention fill (High density foam, down, blends, etc.)

WindyWanda
3 years ago

Well, one thing you forgot to mention, or didn’t know about, is the supply chain problem…we ordered a sofa and chair from Pottery Barn on approximately 1/2/20, were told “8-12 weeks”, which was prior to the whole pandemic shutdown, so we thought we might be okay. Not. After 4 weeks and NOTHING online indicating our order was being processed, we became nervous. After 8 weeks and still nothing online, we cancelled the sofa, which we didn’t need as much, but kept chair order. After 12 weeks and no info available, we cancelled the chair order.

WindyWanda
3 years ago
Reply to  WindyWanda

But, thanks for all the info! I will also add that we have the IKEA Friheten in our guest room/den and it is very firm. For a room that gets little use it’s great (we got it in the “pleather”). We wanted cheap for that room and for the money it is worth it. We do keep a memory foam topper and feather topper when we are making it into a bed, so that chaise storage is great. We are WELL beyond college age and it’s fine for what we needed, occasional overnight guests, once a year or so.
I am actually thinking about a new sofa for our living room, so thanks again for this info!

Beth
3 years ago
Reply to  WindyWanda

Agreed! I ordered a sectional from Interior Define last fall, and it took over FIVE MONTHS to arrive. This would have been fine if I was replacing a sofa, but I was moving into my first home and therefore didn’t have anything to sit on for months. If I had known it would be that long, I probably wouldn’t have ordered through Interior Define (I like my sectional, but for the cost, I’m not absolutely in love).

3 years ago

I have the friheten sofa from IKEA and you said it’s hard. Yes it is. As a sofa might be ok, maybe 8 of 10. But as a bed is the best ever. I have never slept in such a comfortable bed and believe me that I invest in my beds, but that sofa is so good as bed than in some point I considered to replace my main bed with that sofa. I understand you check many sofas in a row and is difficult to do a proper review, but with this one from IKEA you need to spend a night or even better, a week sleeping on it and tell. You back goes strong, any kind of pain goes totally and when you wake up you still have a nice sofa to watch tv. I will buy it over and over again

Meg
3 years ago

Thanks for this big review! I did a massive search for a new sofa a few years ago and it was no small effort. I’ve got to share for others that while a lot of the West Elm sofas looked nice, nearly all but the most expensive ones felt like low IKEA quality at twice (three times?) the price. If you’re looking for something that will maintain shape and look good for more than a few years I’d knock nearly all of the West Elm sofas off your list. We ended up also looking at Macy’s. They’ve also got a lot of not great stuff, but many of their high end pieces are made by the same company that makes many of the Room and Board sofas, but are a little less expensive. I loved the look of some of the ID and Article sofas, but not being able to try them out in person was a deal breaker for us.

Hannah Gokie
3 years ago

We have the Asher from Interior Define and I could 100% recommend it if you’re not a loungy person — like in a living room without a TV, or where TV watching isn’t the main focus, it’s perfect. It’s beautiful, cleans like a dream (we have the green velvet), and looks almost identical to when we got it in 2019 and we have 3 kids who use it a ton. I only wish we would have gotten one with a higher back rest for lounging and watching movies, because it works for that but isn’t exactly *built* for that, and you can tell when you sit on it for long periods of time. And that’s actually the only thing you CAN’T customize with Interior Define, so we would have had to pick a different model. All that to say I love it and want to move it to our more formal living room eventually which I’m sure I’ll love for years to come!

Paula Carr
3 years ago

I hate the Leeann Ford sofa. It looks like a (messy) bed chopped in half. I can only imagine this in some corner where no one sees it.
Love the look of the Ross Cassidy one! Wish it came in more fabrics and the arms were a bit lower.