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If the idea of shopping for a sofa sounds intimidating and perhaps even downright scary, fear not: You’ve come to the right place. Here at Apartment Therapy we’ve been testing and writing about sofas of all shapes and sizes for years, so we get it. Choosing a sofa is a big deal, and there’s a lot of pressure to get it right — especially if you’re spending a good chunk of change on a high-quality model.
That’s why we’re here to guide you through the process. From big-box stores to boutique custom furniture brands, we’ve seen it all. Our editors and writers have tested sleeper sofas, modular sofas, big sectionals, cute loveseats, and everything in between, and we’ve compiled a list of our very favorite couches here. Whether you’re shopping for a busy pet-centric household or a cozy studio apartment, we have a sofa recommendation for you.
What to Consider When Shopping for Sofas
It’s important to consider your lifestyle and household needs when choosing upholstery. For example, people with pets and/or kids should choose a performance fabric that’s durable and easy to clean (bonus points if the cushion covers are removable and machine-washable). Nowadays, you can find performance versions of just about any fabric type, including velvet, chenille, and linen. Leather is always a good choice for a sofa but comes in different variations, with full-grain and top-grain leather being the most durable.
Although it’s not visible, a sofa’s frame is important to consider. The most durable sofas are made with a solid hardwood or engineered hardwood frame and come with reinforced joinery, while lesser-quality (but more affordable) sofas typically have plywood frames. You’ll also want to pay attention to the cushion fill materials. Foam cushions are firm and supportive, while down cushions are soft but tend to lose their shape quickly. For the best of both worlds, look for cushions filled with a combination of foam and feathers/down.
First things first: Decide which type of sofa you need. Apartments and other small spaces might only have enough space for an apartment-size sofa or loveseat, while big, airy rooms need a proportional extra-large piece. For a more casual lounging room, a sectional or deep-seat sofa gives you more room to spread out; a formal living space, on the other hand, should have an eye-catching statement couch that’s designed for conversation rather than relaxing.
For a small space, a modular sofa is a good call. While traditional sofas consist of one large piece, a modular sofa is made up of individual modules. Not only is this style easier to ship (just get ready to carry lots of boxes), it offers incredible versatility since you can add and remove pieces as needed. If you frequently host overnight guests and don’t have a dedicated guest room (or have a spare room that serves multiple purposes), then a sleeper sofa or sectional will give you an extra bed and extra seating.
What We Look For in a Sofa
We tested a wide range of sofas and judged them on the following criteria:
For an all-around great sofa that checks every box, we recommend Crate & Barrel’s Gather Sofa. The Gather line is one of Crate & Barrel’s most popular collections, and for good reason. Not only is this couch available in over 100 configurations to suit just about any space, but it can also be customized with over 250 fabric and color options, including leather, velvet, and linen. Plus, the regular sofa style comes in three different lengths and two depths, making it one of the most customizable options out there.
“Although it was on back order and took two months to arrive, I fell in love with my sofa the second I plopped down on it (read: 30 seconds later),” says Apartment Therapy Executive Editor Terri Pous, who opted for the two-piece deep sectional with chaise lounge. “It was delivered in two large pieces, so there was no assembly, and the material and cushions were perfectly soft and plush from the get-go. We went with the Monet fabric in Champagne because we liked it so much on the floor, and I’m so happy we did. It’s a warm but bright neutral, and the nubbly performance fabric means my spill-prone self can easily remove stains with just Dawn dish soap and water.”
The cushions are filled with innersprings wrapped in polyfoam and fiber, making them more durable than all-foam or all-down cushions. Indeed, Terri noted that the cushions bounce back immediately, even after hours spent lounging. In terms of style, the Gather has a transitional look that can work with just about any decor style — especially since there are so many colors and fabrics to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a petite apartment-friendly couch or a grand statement-making sofa, the Gather collection is an ideal place to shop.
Read our full Crate & Barrel Gather Deep Sofa review.
Who It’s Best For: People looking for a classic, durable sofa that’s easily customizable.
A modular sofa is a great option for small spaces, since you can customize the size and shape of your couch and add/remove sections as needed. One of our favorites is the Albany Park Kova Sofa, which comes in several different configurations to suit any size space, including compact apartments. Not only is it small-space-friendly in size, but it also comes with extra features to make it even more versatile, including an optional storage ottoman and washable covers. (Speaking from experience: Sometimes you don’t have room for both a couch and a dining table!)
“The Kova somehow manages to make our tiny den feel twice as big — even though it just fits,” says Charli Penn, Apartment Therapy’s editor-in-chief. “The deep, sink-right-in cushions are a dream, but the boxy silhouette keeps everything looking tailored and tidy, not sloppy. It’s the sweet spot between casual and polished, which is exactly what our home needed.” Charli opted for the 86-inch sofa plus ottoman, but there are quite a few other styles available, including a 122-inch couch for those who aren’t constricted by a smaller room size.
In addition to customizing the sofa’s configuration, you can also choose from 32 colors, all of which are made with performance fabrics that are great for busy households. “As someone whose two miniature schnauzers think every piece of furniture belongs to them, I can confirm it holds up. Paw prints and snack smudges wipe right off, leaving the sofa looking as rich and glamorous as the day we unboxed it,” Charli says.
Read our full Albany Park Kova Sofa review.
Who It’s Best For: People who want a modular sofa that’s flexible enough to work in small spaces; pet owners who want a couch with washable, durable covers.
While many of the sofas on this list come with a range of customizations, none beat the OG Sofa from BenchMade Modern. In addition to choosing the upholstery and color, you also have complete control over the dimensions (as long as the length is between 65-100 inches), which is something rarely offered by furniture brands. You also get to pick between two sofa depths and cushion fills to round out the process and create a truly personalized piece of furniture.
Even better: BenchMade Modern’s customer service is phenomenal. The brand sends you a true-to-size printout of the couch so you can see exactly how it will fit in your space, as well as a swatch kit so you can touch and see the fabrics firsthand. In our experience, the delivery process was smooth and easy, and included guidance from BenchMade Modern to ensure there was enough clearance to fit it in the door.
If you’d rather skip the customization process altogether, there are ready-to-ship couches to shop from, too. This is a good option for people who don’t want to wait weeks for their couch to arrive (an annoying but unavoidable part of choosing a made-to-order sofa). Still, we think the customization is worth it: “In my experience, BenchMade Modern made it a very simple and fun process that made me look forward to receiving my sofa with every step,” Senior Shopping Editor Britt Franklin says. “It feels more special because I got to choose what it looked and felt like, and didn’t have to settle for what I could find via search engine.”
Read our full BenchMade Modern OG Sofa review.
Who It’s Best For: People who want a couch that is designed exactly to their specifications.
We’ve tested quite a few pet-friendly couches, but we’re most impressed by the Joybird Lewis Sectional, which Lifestyle Editor Lizzy Francis has had in her home for over four years. “It’s so comfortable without being too soft, but it’s also very, very soft. We’ve had many guests sleep on it without a single complaint, and it’s broken in really beautifully. It’s easy to keep clean. It’s the best couch for movies, naps, and cuddles, while also giving all of us the room to not touch each other at all if we don’t want to.”
Joybird is great for pet owners because its sofas are made with high-quality frames and performance fabrics, which are easy to find since there is a specific pet-friendly filter. Plus, you can opt for Joybird’s Pet Protection Plan for an extra fee, which covers damages and spills caused by your furry family members. “We did get the extra pet insurance for the sofa, which did pay off last year when Blueberry ripped one tiny hole into a throw pillow,” Lizzy says. “But besides that, in the four years we’ve had the sofa, it’s held up wonderfully to our family of three’s constant use of it.”
The Lewis Sofa has an airy, contemporary look thanks to its deep seat, low arms, and tall legs. While Lizzy opted for the chaise sectional configuration, the collection also includes a regular sofa and corner sectional. No matter which model you choose, it’s a great option for lounging but has a classic look that works in casual and formal rooms alike. And with 85 colors and fabrics to choose from, you can go as bold or as traditional as you like.
Read our full Joybird Lewis Sectional review.
Who It’s Best For: Busy households that require a durable couch and performance fabrics; people who don’t want to sacrifice style for function.
A modular sofa, which is made up of individual sections instead of one large piece, offers much more convenience than a traditional sofa. If you’re a renter or live in a small space, we think a modular sofa is the way to go — and our favorite is the Cozey Ciello. Available in 14 configurations, this sofa impressed us with its comfort, functionality, and stylish appearance.
“This sofa isn’t your typical cheaply made apartment piece that barely lasts two years,” says former Apartment Therapy shopping writer Haley Lyndes. “It’s the real deal. Crafted with a high-quality solid wood frame, it’s built to last. The performance fabric is resistant to stains and can be easily unzipped and washed in the washing machine. When it arrives, it’s delivered in manageable boxes, not too heavy, and can be assembled without any tools.”
The foam cushion is soft and comfy, making this cloudlike sofa perfect for lounging. While it doesn’t come in as many colors and fabrics as other sofas on this list, it has some extra features that make it stand out, including optional storage and even an optional sleep kit to turn it into a sleeper sofa. Those who are furnishing a large space can opt for the XL version, while those who want comfier arms can choose the angled arm style over the traditional box arms.
Read our full Cozey Ciello Corner Sectional review.
Who It’s Best For: Apartment dwellers and renters who need a piece that can easily move with them; people looking for a cloudlike sofa that doesn’t come with luxury prices.
Is there any piece of furniture that feels more classic than a leather sofa? Durable, stylish, and versatile, a true leather sofa will only get better with age, making it a smart investment for any home. Our favorite is the popular Article Sven Sofa, which has a tufted seat, overstuffed back cushions, and matching bolster pillows for a design-forward yet super comfy seat. In fact, it’s so good that Apartment Therapy’s executive home director, Danielle Blundell, bought it in two different sizes for her own home.
“The leather truly patinas so nicely, and the overstuffed back cushions and tufted single seat cushion are super-comfy, high-end touches you don’t always see at this price point,” she says. The Sven’s affordability compared with other leather sofas definitely makes it stand out, especially since it’s made from real, not faux, leather. Article sells this sofa in both full-aniline and semi-aniline leather variations — full-aniline is softer because it lacks a protective coating, while semi-aniline is more durable and resistant to scratches.
Either way, this sofa delivers. It’s available in six finishes, including three brown hues to really get that natural, organic aesthetic. Even better: In 2024 Article added a sleeper sofa to the Sven collection, which is great for small spaces and those who regularly host overnight guests. And if you don’t like leather, you’ll be glad to know that the Sven is available in both fabric and velvet upholstery as well.
Read our full Article Sven Leather Sofa review.
Who It’s Best For: People looking for a real leather sofa that won’t break the bank.
Sleeper sofas are a true workhorse, providing a place to sit and sleep. They can have a bad reputation for being a bit of an eyesore, though, which is why this model from Sabai is such a great buy. Not only is it functional, but it’s also supercute thanks to the wide range of colors and patterns in which it can be upholstered. It’s a good option for small spaces, too, since it’s not a traditional pull-out bed; instead, the seat cushion folds out to create a queen-size sleeping space.
“With other sofa beds, it can be a bit wonky getting just the right angle on the mattress frame to pull it out of the sofa and extend it,” says Lizzy Francis, Apartment Therapy’s lifestyle editor. “All you have to do to set up the Sabai Eclipse Sleeper Sofa is pull the pillows off, unfold the cushions and, voilà! You have a bed.” It’s comfortable, too: “It’s so comfortable when it’s set in the sofa position, and the mattress, for a sleeper sofa, is top-tier. I love that it’s not a spring mattress — I’ve never had a good experience sleeping on a sofa-bed with a spring base.”
Again, the design of this sofa really makes it stand out. Lizzy opted for the hemp blend upholstery in a striped green color, a maximalist, vintage-inspired option that adds some extra flair to her space. There are over 30 other options, including both bold patterns and more traditional neutrals. You can also add on a storage ottoman to create a designated space for those extra linens, as well as a matching lumbar pillow for even more comfort.
Read our full Sabai Eclipse Sleeper Sofa review.
Who It’s Best For: People looking for a stylish, comfy sofa that requires zero effort to convert into a bed.
If you really want to spread out, a sleeper sectional is the way to go. Joybird’s Wilder Sleeper Sectional checks all the boxes whether you use it as a bed or a couch thanks to its quality materials, comfy feel, and durable upholstery. Unlike other sleeper sofas, you have the option of choosing between two mattress types: a standard foam or a luxe Tempur-Pedic memory foam. Our tester took home the standard version and found it to be surprisingly comfortable, with enough cushioning to prevent any bars or springs from poking through.
“After sleeping on it and napping on it, I would give it an enthusiastic thumbs-up,” says Jamie Birdwell-Branson, Apartment Therapy’s shopping strategist. “The main complaint about sofa beds is the metal bar that can feel like it’s digging into your spine in the middle of the night. I felt no such thing and woke up feeling refreshed.” Jamie also loves the design of the sofa itself: “It’s hard to imagine the space without it now, and the friends we’ve had over have oohed and aahed over how gorgeous it is. (It is really pretty.)”
One of the best parts about shopping at Joybird is the range of fabrics to choose from, including bouclé, chenille, and even ultra durable Sunbrella. Jamie opted for the Royale, a pet-friendly velvet with a supersoft, almost silklike feel. “The fabric is still looking fresh, and has already survived an accidental ink pen stain from my husband, who was able to clean it up immediately with soap and water,” Jamie says. If you love the look but don’t need a large sectional, the Wilder is also available as a sleeper chair and sleeper sofa.
Read our full Joybird Wilder Sleeper Sectional review.
Who It’s Best For: People looking for an extra roomy, pet-friendly sleeper sofa that’s great for lounging.
