Get comfy and find the perfect couch for your home.
Last updated March 19th, 2021
By Ash Read
Every brand and product featured on Living Cozy is independently selected by our editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
Choosing your couch is one of the biggest decisions you need to make for your home. And we're here to help.
Not only does your couch need to look great, it needs to be super comfortable and be built to withstand countless hours of TV binges, reading, game nights and more.
Couches are the central hub of your living space, so you should put plenty of time, research and consideration into finding one that's perfect for you. Of course, you'll need to consider what sofa styles you like and the budget you'd like to spend. But whatever you desire, there's a couch out there for you.
In this guide, we'll give you everything you need to find the perfect modern couch for your home.
BenchMade Modern specializes in high-end, custom-made sofas. And with the Skinny Fat you can customize almost every aspect — from the size all the way to the style of the legs. Typically it can turn around a custom sofa in around one week or sometimes it can take up to 24-days.
The Skinny Fat is designed in a modern style, with clean lines and is available in a wide range of color and upholstery options. With deep 37" or 40" seats, this sofa is perfect for lounging.
"We want to provide a great quality product at a good price that is custom fit to your room."
BenchMade Modern is a relatively expensive brand, but its quality justifies the cost. Each sofa is hand crafted in the USA and its frames are made from 7-ply wood and come with a lifetime warranty. It also offers a 100-day trial so there's no risk if you don't love your new sofa.
Why this sofa is great:
Reviewers of the Skinny Fat Sofa love it due to its:
High-quality craftsmanship
Customization choices and wide ranges of color and fabric options
Flippable a rotatable seat cushions to always keep it looking fresh
Tip: Order fabric swatches from BenchMade Modern before you make a decision.
Consider before buying:
BenchMade Modern sofas can get expensive, so look at the end cost of your customized sofa rather than the listed starting price.
Burrow is all about simplifying the sofa buying experience. You can buy its modern sofas online, it ships direct to your door and arrives in easy-to-move boxes so you won't have to wrestle your new sofa through tight hallways or doors. It's sofas are also easy to assemble (you won't even need tools).
The Range Collection is Burrow's most adaptable modular system yet, there are countless possible configurations, thanks to standardized connections and sizing. Whether you start with a sprawling sectional or a 3-piece sofa, you can add and subtract modules at any time to ensure the perfect seating arrangement at all times.
It's also an incredibly modern couch and super stylish with a lower profile and clean, straight lines. The Range Collection is available in three colors with a choice of three leg finishes.
Why this sofa is great:
The modular system allows for new pieces to be added at any time, you can also add neat upgrades like integrated tables or an attachable ottoman
Fast, free delivery and easy to assemble
Many reviewers say Burrow's sofas are super comfortable
Consider before buying:
Some reviewers note Burrow's sofas might not be as sturdy as they'd hoped
The Seaton is a mid-century-inspired affordable couch that's undeniably eye-catching.
The Seaton's kiln-dried hardwood frame makes it nice and sturdy and its back and seat cushions are removeable, reversible and filled with foam to add some comfort.
"With a timeless look, this sofa from AllModern has an expensive feel, from the brass legs to the velvet upholstery," says Caitlyn Davidian, owner of Studio C Interiors and advisor to HomeLife Digest. "It has sturdy legs and a tight upholstery construction which is key to look for when trying to purchase a sofa under $1,000.
"It has sturdy legs and a tight upholstery construction which is key to look for when trying to purchase a sofa under $1,000."
A few things reviewers enjoy about the Seaton Sofa:
Beautiful Mid-Century design
Sturdy hardwood frame
Consider before buying:
Some reviews mention that it can take a while to break in the cushions so they settle to the right comfort level (but this isn't really a bad thing, is it?)
Data says millennials move once every two years, so easy-to-move furniture is becoming a must-have for many younger people.
Floyd is a furniture brand made specifically for modern living, and the Floyd Sofa is designed so that it's just as easy to disassemble as it is to assemble — they even call it 'the world's most take-apart-able sofa'. Its modular designs make building or taking apart the sofa intuitive and also allows for any part to be easily replaced if anything breaks.
The Floyd Sofa is available in three configurations — two-seater, three-seater and three-seater with chaise.
Why this sofa is great:
Reviewers of the Floyd Sofa love it due to its:
Quality of construction: Despite its take-apart-able design, reviewers note the sofa is well-made and built to last. (Some reviewers note that Floyd is a nice step up from Ikea.)
Ease of build: As promised by the brand, many reviewers say how simple the Floyd Sofa is to construct.
Tip: Floyd offers swatches to try its materials before you buy. Some reviewers recommenced this as a way to check out the fabric quality and colors.
Consider before buying:
Some reviews mention that the sofa could do with a little more seat depth
The cushions are on the firm side (this might be a pro or a con depending on what you're looking for).
West Elm designed the Harmony Sofa to be super comfortable, it features deep seats, plush cushions and loose lumbar and arm pillows go wherever you need them, for comfort at any angle. It's the perfect sofa for curling up with your favorite book or movie.
The Harmony has a hardwood frame and super cushy, soft seating. It has some customizable elements including seat depth enabling you to choose depths ranging from 36" to 47". IT also has a need endless amount of fabric options.
Why this sofa is great:
A few things reviewers enjoy about the Harmony Sofa:
Super comfortable deep seats and versitile throw pillows
Customizable options to tailor the sofa to your needs
Consider before buying:
Some fabric options can take increase shipping times
Sometimes it's hard to find a sleeper sofa that is great at both being a quality sofa and a perfect bed for an overnight guest. Well, the Eliot from Joybird is just that.
First and foremost it's a top-of-the-line sofa with a Kiln dried hardwood frame and solid wood legs. It comes in a wide varity of colors and its cushions are made from high-density polyurethane foam combined with layers of fiber for superior seating comfort.
If you're looking for a smaller sofa bed, the Eliot is also available as a loveseat/twin sofa bed.
Why this sofa is great:
Reviewers of the Eliot love it due to its:
Customizable pet-friendly and safeguard fabric choices
Comfortable as both a sofa and sleeper
Consider before buying:
Some reviewers report delivery issues with Joybird
The Warren is a beautiful sofa from Maiden Home. Every Maiden Home piece is handmade in the North Carolina region (North Carolina and Virginia), home to the world’s most skilled furniture craftsmen. Each Warren sofa is made to order, using techniques that have been passed down through generations, cut-no-corners construction and premium materials.
Its frames are made using 1” thick plywood made of kiln-dried hardwood that is glued, double dowelled and corner blocked for extra support and its cushions are also custom made from high-resiliency Ultracel foam.
The Warren is super customizable with choices 8 width choices ranging from 60" to 100" and more than 55 fabric or leather options.
By eliminating all additional costs (showrooms, salesperson, catalogs, etc.) and shipping its furniture direct to consumers, Maiden Home says it will always be offering the best possible value to customers.
Why this sofa is great:
A few things reviewers enjoy about the Warren Sofa:
Beautiful design and super comfortable
Performance fabrics are easy to clean (as noted by pet owners and wine spillages)
Maiden Home offers great customer service
Consider before buying:
Some reviews mention that it can take a while to break in the cushions so they settle to the right comfort level (but this isn't really a bad thing, is it?)
A loveseat is smaller than a standard sofa, typically they measure between 50 and 72 inches (whereas a typical three-seat sofa will vary from around 72 inches to 96 inches).
The Allform Loveseat is a favorite of Living Cozy, with its simple lines, modern silhouette and contemporary design mean its a perfect fit for rooms of styles — and due to its modular design it can always be adapted to your environment.
The Allform Loveseat is available in seven fabrics and two high thickness leathers (about 20% thicker than typical furniture leather). Each frame is made from maple and poplar hardwood and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Allform also offers a 100-day free trial so you can test out your new sofa at home before deciding if its right for you.
This sofa was recommended to us by Luciana Fragali, owner of interior and architectural design firm, Design Solutions: “When it comes to affordable, functional, and fashionable sofas, we tend to look at AllModern as they offer a wide range of sofas from colors, fabrics, sizes, and styles,” she says.
The Noami has a solid wood frame and removable seat cushions and back cushions. Its cushions are foam-filled and upholstered in a soft polyester blend. The Noami is also available in four color choices.
"When it comes to functional, and fashionable sofas, we tend to look at AllModern as they offer a wide range of sofas from colors, fabrics, sizes, and styles"
Founded in the Pacific Northwest in 2011, Rove Concepts set out to deliver handcrafted mid-century furniture to the masses. And the Luca is a statement sofa with sleek tapered legs and contrasting lines.
It's made with high-quality materials and built to last with a Kiln-dried hardwood frame with doweled joints and reinforced corner blocks and 8 gauge sinuous spring construction. The legs are made from solid ash wood legs and available in natural, brown or black finish.
If you're looking for a mid-century modern sofa, you can't go far wrong with the Luca (or anything from Rove Concepts).
Why this sofa is great:
Reviewers of the Rove Concepts love its sofas due to its:
Mid-century vibe and the variety of options for fabric and legs
Helpful customer service
Consider before buying:
Some reviews note the Luca Sofa is pretty firm and not idea for long naps
Designed by Maxwell Ryan the founder of Apartment Therapy, the Maxwell Slipcovered Section is crafted with a low profile and luxuriously deep seat that invites your whole family to sit back and relax — this is a sofa you want to lie down and take a nap on.
The slipcover design means you remove the covers easily to give them a freshen up wash or have them cleaned professionally. With Interior Define you can also customize almost every aspect of your sofa to make sure it fits with your family needs. Customization options include:
Legs (3 choices of finish)
Fabric (with swatches available)
Size (ranging from 98" to 118")
Chaise lenth (63" or 73")
Cushions (one or two seat cushions)
Cushion filling (down or down alternative)
Why this sofa is great:
Aspects of the Maxwell that reviewers love include:
Its stunning design and customization options
Support from the Interior Define team during the buying process
Consider before buying:
It may sit a bit hard to begin with (speak with an Interior Define Design Specialist to discuss any concerns before your buy)
The Chesterfield is a classic, but popular style of couch and the Lyre from Anthropologie is our favorite Chesterfield for 2021.
Its oversized shape, beautiful button-tufted upholstery and rolled English arms make it a perfect fit for contemporary living spaces. And if you're looking for a little extra space for lounging, the Lyre is also available as a chaise lounge.
The Lyre is available in three sizes (82", 90" and 100") and features high-resiliency foam core cushions that are wrapped in soft fiber padding and a hypo-allergenic blend of down and feathers. Its frame is made from Kiln-dried, laminated hardwood and each sofa is handmade in the United States.
Why this sofa is great:
Reviewers of the Lyre recommenced it due to its:
Luxe fabric and stunning design, the Lyre is a true statement piece for your home
High-quality build and materials
Tip: Velvet colors can be hard to judge online so order a swatch to view it it real life before making a decision.
Consider before buying:
Seat depth is mentioned a couple of times in reviews, check the depth matches what you're looking for before hitting purchase.
Chesterfield sofas have high arms, so think about how you enjoy sitting before committing to this sofa style
With a mission to make beautifully designed, affordable furniture, Sabai uses sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing to create every piece in its collection.
The brand was founded to offer a sustainable solution for people who wanted to buy new furniture with a focus on sustainability. "We were shopping for furniture for our first apartment, we couldn't find a first-hand option that felt sustainable in our price range. So we decided to make it ourselves," Sabai co-founder Phantila Phataraprasit told us.
The Essential Sofa is designed for maximum comfort with wide arms that invite lounging and perching alike. It's available with a single base cushion or three, has two leg finish options and a range of eight color and fabric options including velvet.
"We understand that life can be unpredictable, and have built a product that speaks to it. Though it has been tested (and approved) for 10 years of use, our flat pack assembly allows for parts to be switched out with ease as they have regular wear and tear."
The Coddle Couch is one of the most flexibla epieces of furniture on the market today — it enables you to make the most of any space with 16 unique positions perfect for sitting and binging your favorite shows or laying flat for ultimate sleep-ability. You can also add a reversible topper to improve its comfort as a sofa bed.
Available in 10 color options, the Toggle Converitble Couch is made from four layers of memory foam for ultimate comfort and fabrics made to stand up to real life. It is also built with modern life in mind and has two USB chargers to help keep your devices full of juice.
Why this sofa is great:
Reviewers of the Toggle Convertible Couch reccomened it due to its:
Comfort and flexibility
Ease of switching positions and converting from sitting to sleeping positions
Consider before buying:
Some reviews note the upright position isn't as comfortable as they'd have wished for
A new couch is one of the most exciting pieces of furniture to buy, but it can also be a stressful experience. So stressful that trying to buy a new couch led to Darryl Sharpton and his wife, Jessica, to found their own sofa brand, Albany Park.
Now you don't have to go as far as the Sharpton's and build your own brand to find the perfect couch. But as a starting point, it can really help to narrow down your search and decide on the type of couch you'd like to buy.
Here's a quick breakdown of some of the most popular couch types:
"They are extremely popular right now mostly because of their versatility and configuration options," Allison Thibault, principal designer at Kaleidoscope Design Studio told Living Cozy. "They also come in a wide variety of upholstery and price ranges, making them appealing to most buyers."
Sometimes you just want a bit more space to put your feet up and relax, and that's exactly what deep seated couches were designed for. The average seat depth is around 28-32" and anything over 34" is considered deep-seated.
“Sofas with shallow seats are best for those that prefer to sit upright. Deeper seated sofas are better for when you want to lounge out or curl up,” says Andra DelMonico, a home design expert from Next Luxury. “Since most of us prefer to lounge while binging our favorite show, deep-seated sofas are growing in popularity.”
A loveseat is simply a small sofa designed to seat two people, and it's the perfect type of sofa for small spaces and couples. Many loveseats will also come with neat features from reclining options to pull out beds and even built in end tables.
"We love to place loveseats in small living spaces," says Kendall Severson owner of Interior Design Partnership. "Velvet loveseats and settees look incredibly sophisticated in a rich velvet fabric or a bold pattern," she adds.
Sleepers are couches that double up as beds. Sometimes they will include a fold out mattress whereas other times the sofa back can lay flat to make a bed.
"Practical comes to mind especially for that extra guest room, hobby room, or home office," says Vera Jaye. "This multi-use piece of furniture is easy to open and close for those tight-fitted rooms and now come in a variety of styles from traditional to modern."
Convertible
One of the most versatile types of couch, a convertible can be transformed into a number of configurations and can often be converted into a bed.
"I love selecting these for my clients homes because they are so versatile," says interior designer Keri Feeney. You can utilize it as a traditional sofa, as a trundle, a queen bed or just to lounge watching a movie with your feet up."
Popular Couch Styles
Here's a quick breakdown of some of the most popular couch styles:
Mid-Century Modern is one of the most popular sofa styles around right now. Defined by clean, curved lines, and tapered legs, the Mid-Century style has been popular since the middle of the 20th century (roughly 1933 to 1965).
Chesterfield couches are designed with rolled arms that are the same height as the back, deep button tufted upholstery, and nailhead trim.
Lawson
Lawson couches feature back cushions that are separate from the frame. Lawson's can recognized by their straight lines and will often have seat depth that’s equal to the height of the sofa back above the seat. The arms also tend to be lower than the back.
Tuxedo sofas are defined by high arms that sit level with the sofa back, and a clean-lined and geometric style. The Tuxedo style is perfect for a more formal style of room and was Tuxedo Park, New York.
Defined by rounded arms that are lower than more traditional roll arm sofas. "English Roll Arm sofas are a quintessential classic statement in any home. Their style is timeless," says Anne R. Kokoskie, owner and designer at Styled by ARK. "This sofa can read formal or relaxed depending on the fabric you choose and the adjacency to the other elements in the room."
The best time to buy furniture is during the late winter months of January and February just before the launch of new furniture and summer months like July and August as many retailers will offer end-of-summer sales.
“To be honest there's always a sale of some sort in the furniture and furnishings industry,” says Sherri Monte, founder of Seattle based interior design firm Elegant Simplicity. “But when it comes to the interior of your home steepest sales often exist just before the launch of new furniture.”
And what's the best holiday sale of the year?
Early in the year, many retailers offer discounts on furniture when new styles are coming in. So sales offer a great way to move older stock as the new styles come in. This means that Presidents Day (in February) is often one of the best holiday weekends to shop the sales and buy discounted furniture.
“With over a decade as an interior designer, we are big believers in the President's Day sales,” says Monte.
What's the Best Place to Buy a Sofa? 10 Sofa Brands to Check Out
The sofas listed above are just a selection of thousands available online and a big part of deciding which sofa is perfect for your home is deciding where to buy your coach from. To help, here's a list of some of the best sofa brands that sell online:
Inside Weather’s furniture is made-to-order from its workshop in California using carefully selected materials. Almost every aspect of Inside Weather’s furniture can be customized and it offers free shipping and a unique 365-day home trial, meaning you can return products at any time in the first year.
Burrow
Simple, adaptable furniture for modern life at home
Burrow offers a wide range of fully customizable sofas and loveseats, sectionals, armchairs and ottomans. Its modular design means that each piece can adapt to your environment as you rearrange rooms or move home.
To eliminate decision fatigue, Albany Park offers just three models — Albany, Park and Kova — and its furniture comes packaged in apartment-friendly, space-conscious boxes that can easily be manoeuvred in stairwells, tight hallways and throughout any home.
Maiden Home crafts designer quality pieces, made by American craftsmen, without the retail markup. Each of Maiden Home’s pieces is handmade to order in North Carolina, using techniques that have been passed down through generations.
The Inside
Furniture in fabrics you'll love, sustainably made on demand
Founded by Christiane Lemieux and Britt Bunn, the company offers unprecedented access to inspired design at the most compelling prices. The Inside offers customers the ability to personalize their pieces with more than 100 iconic fabric choices.
Benchmade Modern’s furniture is handcrafted in Dallas, TX and Los Angeles, CA. The brand was founded in 2015 by Edgar Blazona, a modernist American furniture designer with over 25 years of experience in the furniture industry.
Allform is obsessed with providing high-quality modular sofas designed for real life. It uses performance fabrics that are heavy-duty scratch, and stain-resistant without sacrificing a comfortable feel
Medley Home
Handcrafted furniture in the US using eco materials
Medley Home builds furniture made from premium and eco-friendly materials that will make your home cozy for years to come. It aims to make furniture in the best way possible and that means local manufacturing and an emphasis on quality and comfort.
Allmodern
The best of modern furniture, priced for real life
AllModern believes that great home decor and furnishings shouldn’t come at high prices. It also understands that you want things delivered quickly and easily. That’s why it aims to get you the best prices, with the fastest shipping possible.
Couch Buying Tips from the Pros
It's a big commitment to buy a new couch, so we asked some professional interior designers for some tips on what you should look out for:
1. Look for a quality frame
"Solid Kiln Dried Hardwood or High Quality Plywood for a structurally sound piece that will stand the test of time. Kiln drying hardwood removes 90-95% of the moisture in the wood. This helps prevent warping and bowing over time."
"Firmer seats will feature high-density foam cushions, often wrapped in Dacron or batting that adds extra padding. The higher the density, the firmer the feel of the foam. Low-density foam is regarded by manufacturers as foam with a density of 1.8 and below. Softer seats will feature a blend of foam, fiber and down feathers. Down is exceptionally plush."
"A sofa made from good construction will automatically come with a warranty without having to purchase one, manufacturer who provide warranties are confident in their product and you can be too."
"Be sure to note not just the overall height, width and depth of the sofa but also note the arm height. If you have a tight squeeze and you have a tuxedo style sofa, where the arms and the back are the same height, it adds to the challenge of turning a corner. Find out whether or not the feet are removable. Those few inches can make all the difference in the world."
"The room's function is a major deciding factor when deciding on a sofa. If it's going to be used as a theatre or media room, relaxed soft cushion backs would be the route to go, whereas in a formal living room you’ll want a more fitted and tighter look which feels more put together and polished."
