Low-profile sofas are modern, sleek, and perfect for today's small spaces. Find out if this trendy style is right for you, and see the best sofas for 2023
As lower-profile sofas have become more popular, more options have come to market, making the right choice has become increasingly difficult. That’s why we put together this list to help you narrow down your search.
Our team has had first-hand experience reviewing a number of the sofas included on this list. Alongside our own experience with sofas, we look for:
Quality: The first thing we look for is how well-made a sofa is. We focus on the materials used for construction, how and where a couch is manufactured, and any warranty or guarantees the brands offer.
Comfort: This might just be the most critical factor for a sofa. But not everyone views “comfort” as the same thing. Some prefer a harder cushion, others want deeper seats, etc. We do our best to choose options that will work for most people, but make sure you know exactly what you want before deciding.
Sustainability: Sustainability is top of mind for many consumers these days, and at Living Cozy, we love brands that source materials locally, use sustainable and ethical practices, and actively work to reduce waste.
The Varick low-profile sofa from Maiden Home features oversized, track arms, a generous deep seat, and bold proportions. This low-slung sofa design stands out with comfort-driven curvature and a relaxed, casual appeal perfect for today's spaces.
"Maiden Home's craftsmanship is visible in the sofa's crisp lines and precise corners. The sofa sits low to the ground, which helps give it a slightly modern, casual feel," said Natalli Amato in her Varick review on Living Cozy. "Taken together, these features help the sofa strike the perfect balance between casual and chic."
With a kiln-dried hardwood frame and high-density foam wrapped in silky performance microfiber, The Varick comes in a range of upholstery and size options so that you can custom order the best fit for your living area. You can add a matching Varick Ottoman to your order to complete the look.
The Essential Sofa from Sabai has luxury-style proportions and pitch, and it's designed for maximum comfort. It boasts wide square arms, perfect for lounging and perching, and a convertible chaise sectional extension that you can move to either side.
"The Sabai Essential Sectional couch is comfortable to sit and lay on — great for spending a few hours watching the latest Netflix blockbuster. The sofa cushions have a light feel and conform nicely to the body," said Erica Reiner in her review on Living Cozy.
This three-seater sofa comes with recycled and upcycled fibers, no toxic off-gassing, and FSC-Certified solid wood construction. And you can choose from a range of fabrics and wood leg finishes when customizing your sofa. Plus, you can replace parts as needed or trade the whole couch in when you're ready for a new one with the Sabai Revive program. Sabai also makes its sofas in the USA.
The bestseller Field Sofa from Burrow is available in several sectional configurations, creating a contemporary modular sofa seating system. This low seat, high arm sofa features a minimalist silhouette and is designed to fit a wide spectrum of styles. You can choose between one and eight pieces with armless and chaise options, ottomans, and a sleep kit that turns any three consecutive seat cushions into a sleeper sofa bed. And with a seat height of 16," the Field fits the low-profile bill.
"From the first sit, the Field was incredibly comfortable and I feel that Burrow got the cushions just right. They’re not too soft and not too hard." reads Matthew Gattozzi Field sofa review on Living Cozy. "The Field isn’t the type of sofa to engulf you when you sit in it and that’s just what I like. Whether I’m working away on my laptop or laying back with a book, the Field accommodates my needs."
The Field sofa's backrest and foam cushions are soft, overstuffed, and durable. You'll be protected against spills, stains, and more, so you can skip the slipcovered look and enjoy your beautiful sofa the way it was meant to be.
The Form Sectional by Floyd is a versatile, low-profile sofa modular sectional with configuration options ranging from a 2-seat loveseat all the way up to a 5-seat L-shape with a chaise extension or U-shaped sectional. It combines durable materials with an infinitely modular design, bringing clean lines, deep seats, and high-performance fabric to your home.
"This is my favorite for young couples/families or recently solo living," said Karen Gutierrez. "It's perfect to adapt as you grow as a family and can be laid out in different ways. I love their concept, so you can start small and then add on and rearrange whenever life requires."
This upholstered sofa has comfy seat and back cushions made from a bottom layer of firm foam and a top layer of low-density foam, offering both support and comfort. You can customize the color and configuration at checkout and add on pillows, an ottoman, or Floyd’s modular coffee table to complete the look. And you can always reconfigure when you need something different.
The Todd Side Chaise Sofa from Castlery is an attractive three-seater with a curved back, rounded edges and a low profile — perfect for modern spaces. It's part of the modular Todd Collection, which features lightweight, comfortable sectionals to suit everyone's needs.
The Todd Side Chaise Sofa features a solid wood frame with pocket springs and foam filling. You can buy individual parts of the Todd collection to build your sofa if the side chaise configuration doesn't work for your space.
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The Abisko from Article features a Scandinavian design and an oversized aesthetic, but it's light and compact enough for apartment living. It boasts a stylish yet functional design and arrives in two pieces to make it easy to carry and assemble. This sofa also features a tight seat and backrest cushions, and it comes with two loose throw pillows.
"The Abisko brings a contemporary shape to small living spaces," said Karen Gutierrez. "It can be easily moved around whether you need to travel up tight stairways or through small doors, making it a perfect piece for apartments. The legs are discreet when viewed from a standing position, so it won't peek into your home or office space—it's an ideal option for those who want something more subtle and lightweight."
The Miranda Sofa from Kardiel is curvy, round, and sure to make a statement in your space. It boasts an original contemporary design with shapes and colors inspired by modern home decor, creating an effortlessly stylish appeal. In addition, it features super-soft indigenous boucle fabric with an FSC-Certified solid wood frame.
"The Miranda is the perfect sofa for when you want something small and cozy to chill out and read a book. It's perfect for a small sitting area or to split up large open spaces," said Barqawi.
This boucle fabric sofa comes fully assembled with two round orb pillows. If you'd like to use this sofa in a small sitting area, try creating a reading nook in a spacious bedroom beside your dresser.
The Chiltern offers a more relaxed take on the classic Chesterfield sofa. Its low-profile, and square rather than traditional diamond tufted back speak to a more modern design, and its plush, deep seats offer a perfect spot to sit back and relax.
The tufting on the Chiltern’s back cushions continues onto the armrests, to make for a unique, visually appealing sofa. It’s also available in two velvet upholstery choices: Olive and Camel.
The Chiltern is an FSC ®-certified piece of furniture, which showcases Crate & Barrel’s commitment to the environment and responsible management of the world's forests.
The Forte Channeled Saddle Leather Sofa from CB2 is a gorgeous creation by Mermelada Estudio. It boasts cushy channels of saddle-colored top-grain leather, with firm seat cushions that are comfortable enough to curl up on for the night.
"I'm obsessed with this one! I love the masculine look and modern approach inspired by Italian vibes with leather to bring timeless details into any space," said Karen Gutierrez. "The deep cushions also make this sofa perfectly comfy enough to stretch out."
This three-seater sofa features a wood frame with 100% buffalo aniline-dyed leather that will age and soften over time. You can choose between widths of 80" and 101" to ensure the perfect fit in your home.
Brand: Valyou Price: $1,199.95 (usually $2,400, currently on sale)
The Feathers Sofa from Valyou is a soft, stylish, and durable option that you'll be glad to have in your home. It's comfortable and is more than twice as soft as standard sofas, thanks to acclaimed Italian designer Mario Capasa. And it features durable fabric that's water-resistant, stain-proof, and super cozy.
This sofa comes with performance fabric and removable covers that you can machine wash to make cleaning a breeze. It's available with three to six seats and comes in grey and beige fabric, allowing you to customize your sofa to fit your living area perfectly.
Brand: Rove Concepts Price: $3,870 for members; $4,837 for non-members (usually $5,374 for non-members, currently on sale)
The Belia Sectional sofa from Rove Concepts features a sophisticated design and an alluring low profile. It boasts sumptuously button-tufted cushioning, and it stands out with marshmallow-like curves. In addition, the Belia comes in a wide range of fabric options, with everything from boucle to faux leather. You can even opt for a velvet sofa for the ultimate luxe look. For those that like glam living room decor, this low-profile tufted sofa is the perfect statement piece.
"If you're going to do something out of the box like low profile, you might go super out of the box and try something that will get people talking anytime they walk into the room," said Tiffany Barqawi. "This retro style is super on-trend right now, and the Belia Sectional is a perfect example of what happens when art and function meet. It's super funky and will certainly give your guests something to talk about."
The Capri Sofa from Poly & Bark is simple and elegant, with durable neutral upholstery and a bench-style seat cushion. This three-seat sofa has a crisp, clean silhouette with low, subtle legs and a solid wood frame to provide superior support. In addition, the frame features resilient rubber webbing, and the cushions have a layer of feathers for extra softness.
You can choose between three neutral fabric options at checkout to customize the Capri Sofa. It arrives fully assembled and comes with two down-filled throw pillows.
"Low-profile sofas are the same as traditional sofas but have a lower back," explained Karen Gutierrez. "This feature makes them a perfect piece for small spaces. They're also a great choice if you want to create the illusion of more space in your home, especially for spaces with low ceilings. Plus, they're often more affordable than traditional sofas."
It's hard to say no to a sleek-looking sofa that takes up less room than a traditional sofa, with twice the style. This is especially true since low-profile sofas often come at a lower price point while helping to make your home feel larger. In addition, they're available in a wide range of styles and colors, so there's an option for every home.
"A low profile sofa is a perfect way to add a little extra dash of uniqueness and sophistication to your space," Tiffany Barqawi told Living Cozy. "These fun and stylish sofas are becoming more and more popular as their low backs give a clean, modern look while also serving as a practical design element in your space."
One important consideration with low-profile sofas is accessibility. While the standard seat heigh for sofas is 15-20” many of the low-slung sofas featured here are under 15”. Those with mobility issues may have a hard time getting on and off the couch.
What are the Benefits of a Low Profile Sofa?
Low-profile sofas are popular for more than their looks — they can give you an edge with your interior design. We asked the experts about the benefits of one of these modern sofas, and here's what they had to say:
Grounded and Comfortable: "Low Profile Sofas are a more grounded variety of your regular couch," said Stacy Lewis. "The lower height and often wider seating give it a comfortable appearance, perfect for lounging. They're an excellent option for anyone looking for something that will provide comfort and style."
Excellent for Small Spaces: "These sofas are designed to be thin and compact, making them ideal for small spaces," added Lewis. "They take up less room than traditional-style couches. In addition, these kinds of sofas have the potential to make your room appear bigger with their short stature, subtle design, and simple structure."
Creates a Taller, More Cohesive Look: "If your ceilings are lower, a low profile sofa can make your space feel taller and airier," commented Barqawi. "With less back height, the space also won't feel so divided. For example, placing your sofa towards the center of the room or using it to divide two spaces will allow your eye to gaze past the sofa and create cohesion. Sometimes less really is more."
You don't need a small space to enjoy the benefits of a low-profile sofa, either. The low back also makes it easy to give your home a contemporary touch that will feel modern and stylish.
Shelby Golding is a Colorado-based writer/editor with over a decade of experience. She has a college education in interior design and enjoys woodworking in her free time.
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