The sofa is the central hub of your front room house. It turns into the place the place you’ll be able to sit back and chill out, learn to your little one, entertain your visitors, and even work at home. It’s an funding you’ll possible spend a lot of time on over time, so that you wish to be sure to’re making the proper alternative.
From sectionals and loveseats, to sleeper sofas and leather-based couches, there are numerous choices obtainable. Nevertheless, earlier than you start looking for a sofa, contemplate the options that matter to you most.
“Your private wants will information you in choosing the proper cushions, depth, and total design,” says Nancy Swanton, the CEO of Considerable Residence Design and creator of The Information to Residing in Abundance. You may wish to contemplate how you employ a sofa, whether or not it is for lounging, internet hosting visitors, or just including model to your house, she says.
Moreover, choosing the place you’ll purchase a sofa from, the obtainable stock, and the standard of that stock, is paramount. Couches can price wherever between a number of hundred {dollars} to a number of thousand {dollars} (particularly if you happen to plan to customise yours extensively), in order that they’re an funding properly well worth the analysis.
Wayfair
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Quick and free transport choices
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Useful search filters
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Quite a few designs obtainable, together with customized picks
You may discover a big assortment of couches at Wayfair. Whether or not you need a mid-century fashionable or up to date couch, bench seat, or sectional, they provide choices for nearly each aesthetic and kind of sofa.
When looking out the choice, you’ll be able to slender down your search by the upholstery, plushness of the seat, reclining sort, and arm model—simply to call a couple of filters.
Wayfair affords free white-glove supply service for quite a few couches, particularly best if you happen to do not like the concept of getting to set yours up at house. That stated, you’ll be able to slender down your search to a sofa that has no meeting required in any respect.
We additionally respect that, for a further worth, Wayfair affords a 3- or 5-year safety plan for couches that features quick repairs and protection on any malfunctions or accidents. Transport occasions will be longer for some picks, particularly if it is made-to-order or custom-made in some trend—however that’s fairly commonplace from one retailer to the following.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window; no returns on open-box objects | Supply Choices: Free quick supply, free white-glove supply, | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: 5 to six weeks
West Elm
If you happen to’re searching for a mid-century fashionable couch, West Elm specializes on this design model. We like that their couches are extremely customizable, permitting you to pick from quite a few totally different colours and materials. You may even attempt a free swatch if you wish to really feel it earlier than buying.
Nevertheless, West Elm’s transport time for bespoke choices is sort of prolonged, taking from weeks to even months. That stated, they do have quite a few couches which are able to ship with a extra versatile return coverage and quick-ship choices.
West Elm has quite a few shops across the nation that you would be able to go to in individual. This lets you expertise your high decisions firsthand—a perk not all the time discovered with on-line shops. We additionally like that they help you store from their pre-designed room, if you happen to’re not fairly positive of the kind of sofa you need, and even provide free in-person, at-store, or digital design providers.
This service is nice if you’re searching for one-on-one steering for incorporating your sofa into your current design, or remodeling your model fully.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window; 7-day return window for fast ship; no returns on open-box or made-to-order objects | Supply Choices: Normal transport, next-day supply, ship-to-store supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: 8 to 10 weeks
Article
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Stylish, cozy, and fashionable choices which are very high-quality
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Supply inside two weeks
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Free returns and exchanges inside 30-day window
Followers of recent furnishings design ought to take a look at Article. Recognized for his or her trendy and really high-quality furnishings items, this retailer affords a variety of stylish, cozy, and artsy choices that match a variety of design preferences.
Whereas Article would not permit for customized orders, they help you decide from a wide range of materials and colours. If any meeting is required, it’s often fairly simple and takes about 5 minutes or much less.
In contrast to a few of our different picks, Article’s transport occasions are fast, aiming to provide you your sofa inside two weeks. Article additionally affords free room-design providers; though, in contrast to West Elm, theirs is not a one-to-one possibility. Nevertheless, they do help you simply view your alternative in your room by scanning a QR code, so it is fast to see if a sofa will work in your house, or not.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window; free exchanges | Supply Choices: Entrance-door supply, in-room supply, in-room supply plus meeting | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: Not relevant
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn typically finally ends up on our lists, whether or not for couches or different furnishings items. They’re identified for his or her high quality and sturdiness, and we like that you would be able to store by a particular model, whether or not you need basic coastal or rustic fashionable. Plus, they’ve included sustainable supplies into their furnishings and actually prioritize Honest Commerce-certified factories.
Pottery Barn couches are usually dearer in comparison with different retailers’; nevertheless, the fee comes with an assurance of a higher-grade of supplies and longevity. Additionally they provide free in-person and digital design providers, just like West Elm.
Pottery Barn additionally provides you entry to a room planner, the place you’ll be able to add your dimensions and discover how sure couches match into your particular person room’s design.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window; 7-day return window for quick-ship; no returns on open-box or made-to-order objects | Supply Choices: Normal transport, next-day supply, ship-to-store supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: 8 to 10 weeks
Burrow
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No white-glove or in-room supply
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No bespoke choices, however can decide from a number of set choices
Burrow affords couches in mid-century fashionable and Scandinavian designs. We like their modular design probably the most and that, in some instances, you’ll be able to increase your sofa—though, that is not obtainable for all choices. We additionally like that their sofas include a USB-charging station, slicing down on what number of retailers are taken up in your house and maximizing your lazy Saturday afternoon.
When trying to find your sofa, you will discover that Burrow would not have as many filtering choices so that you can slender down your decide. Though Burrow would not have customized choices both, they do help you choose some design options, similar to variety of seats, cloth, leg end, arm block model, and even flip-cushions in some instances.
You can too choose matching add-ons, similar to ottomans, pillows, and moveable chaises.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window | Supply Choices: Normal transport | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: Not relevant
Joybird
Joybird is one other retailer with mid-century fashionable designs. We like that they help you customise your sofa cloth primarily based in your way of life and preferences, making it a bit extra pet-friendly to withstand stains, sustainable, and extra. Nevertheless, in addition they have ready-to-ship choices if you happen to do not wish to wait.
Along with their free design providers, they do have showrooms in numerous cities round america; though, their bodily areas will not be as in depth as different picks on our record.
You can too view precise buyer images on their web site to see how somebody labored their sofa right into a small house, versus staged images. As well as, some choices include white-glove supply, though this service is proscribed and never obtainable for each sofa. You can too lock in your worth and customise your sofa later if you happen to’d like, and even probably delay transport if wanted.
Return Coverage: 90-day return window | Supply Choices: Normal transport, curbside supply, in-home supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: 4 to six weeks
Crate & Barrel
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Can go to bodily areas
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Very large choice that’s high-quality and sturdy
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Can choose 5 free swatches
Crate&Barrel is one other place to purchase a sofa that provides fashionable designs. We like this model for its high-quality supplies and excessive sturdiness. A lot of their couches have ended up in our lists of our favourite couches and sustained their high quality for years.
We like that you would be able to customise your choice primarily based on dimension, depth, cushion sort, and likewise cloth. They’ve numerous kinds, whether or not you need a sectional, loveseat, condominium couch, or bench-seat couch. You even have your decide of numerous materials; if you’re unsure in regards to the sort you need, you’ll be able to choose as much as 5 swatches without cost.
When contemplating sure couches, if you happen to aren’t notably selective, Crate&Barrel will record out a ready-to-ship possibility. This may prevent supply time. Nevertheless, their supply charges are dearer than another choices. Plus, like different picks on our record, their return coverage would not apply to made-to-order or customized items.
Design providers can be found, although, together with in-home or digital choices. You can too go to their shops in individual, which is particularly best if you happen to’d slightly attempt before you purchase.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window | Supply Choices: Normal transport, in-home supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: Varies
Sixpenny
Sixpenny could not have the in depth collection of different picks on our record, however their sofas and sectionals provide a one-of-a-kind craftsmanship and design that blends the up to date with the basic.
Sixpenny makes use of eco-friendly and ethically-sourced supplies, and you’ll decide your alternative of material and colour. You can too work with their design group to customise your sofa from high to backside.
Until you are selecting one ready-to-ship, couches are made-to-order and may take as much as 12 weeks to be delivered. However in contrast to our different alternatives, your made-to-order sofa will be returned inside their 30-day return window. They do provide front-door supply choices, however any white-glove supply comes with a further charge.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window | Supply Choices: Entrance-door supply, white-glove supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: 10 to 12 weeks, or longer
Ashley Furnishings
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Can go to a bodily location
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Many choices beneath $1,000
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Big selection of kinds obtainable
Like Wayfair, Ashley Furnishings would not prohibit itself to at least one explicit model, however slightly affords a wide range of kinds, from conventional to fashionable to French nation.
Additionally they have extra reasonably priced sofa alternatives that begin at a number of hundred {dollars}, versus different high-end retailers on our record that may are inclined to price a pair thousand {dollars} or extra. This makes them an affordable alternative if you’re searching for one of the best place to purchase a sofa on a price range.
You may benefit from their price-match assure, too. Whereas there’s some standards it’s worthwhile to meet, this does help you get one of the best worth attainable. You may go to their shops in individual if you would like to expertise your sofa firsthand. Nevertheless, Ashley Furnishings would not have as many customization choices as different shops. With their wide selection of choices, this is probably not a problem for you, although.
Return Coverage: 30-day return window | Supply Choices: Normal transport, front-door supply, white-glove supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: Not listed
Room & Board
We like Room and Board couches for his or her fashionable however trend-proof designs that may endure model modifications over time. You may store at their quite a few bodily shops round america, and so they work primarily with American crafters.
When you choose your sofa, you usually can select the depth, leg end, cloth, and dimension. Nevertheless, Room and Board additionally permits for fully custom-made sectionals and couches constructed scratch, making this retailer the most effective locations to purchase a sectional sofa.
Their return coverage is versatile. It’s not restricted to solely quick-ship objects and so they simply strongly encourage you to allow them to know as quickly as attainable if you happen to do not like your choice. Like many picks on our record, totally custom-made alternatives can take a number of weeks to ship and full-service supply, which incorporates setup, is a further price.
Return Coverage: Versatile | Supply Choices: Normal transport, full-service supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: 8 to 10 weeks
Raymour & Flanigan
We like Raymour & Flanigan as a result of it affords a variety of fashion choices and quite a few customization choices. It is a family-owned enterprise that has a number of shops you’ll be able to go to in individual; though its areas will not be as quite a few as different choices like Pottery Barn and Ashley Furnishings, for instance.
When trying to find your sofa, you’ll be able to slender down your decide by not solely sofa design or model, but additionally facilities like built-in heating, USB charging capabilities, and extra.
That stated, their return coverage is considerably restricted. They’re unable to just accept returns if you happen to’ve accepted the sofa in your house. You may have to examine your sofa carefully upon buy and guarantee you make the proper alternative on your house. They do provide design providers and even room planning that can assist you make your alternative.
Return Coverage: Restricted; don’t settle for returns if you happen to settle for the sofa in your house | Supply Choices: Normal transport, white-glove supply | Common Wait Time for Bespoke Gadgets: 10 to 14 weeks
How We Picked the Retailers
We made our alternatives for one of the best locations to purchase a sofa primarily based on a wide range of elements. A lot of our alternatives have ended up in our sofa roundups, whether or not total (our greatest sleeper couch roundup) or primarily based on a sure model (our greatest leather-based sofas roundup).
The retailers we chosen additionally met a wide range of wants for these searching for a sofa on-line, together with good search filters, supply choices, and design providers.
It was vital to us to pick choices that met a variety of kinds and budgets. When vetting retailers, we moreover checked out their return insurance policies, financing choices, and warranties, and whether or not they had bodily areas so you possibly can go and see your buy firsthand.
What to Search for When Shopping for a Sofa
The Sofa’s Type and Design
Couches are available in a variety of kinds and designs to align together with your very particular wants. Nancy Swanton, the CEO of Considerable Residence Design, recommends you contemplate how your sofa will look alongside different furnishings when serious about model and design.
“For instance, if your whole furnishings is leggy, take into consideration contrasting that with a sofa that isn’t,” she says. Sure retailers provide choices that work with a wide range of house aesthetics, so whether or not you’re searching for minimalist designs or fashionable ones, you could have an appropriate possibility. For instance, Wayfair, Ashley Furnishings, and Raymour & Flanigan have a wide range of kinds, whereas choices like West Elm and Crate & Barrel concentrate on extra fashionable designs.
As you contemplate which sofa you need on your house, you’ll additionally run into totally different shapes. “Sectional, L-shaped, or conventional sofas all have totally different visible impacts and capabilities,” Swanton provides.
To choose the proper form for you, you wish to contemplate the kind of seating you will want; whether or not you need a single bench cushion, two cushions, or three,” Swanton says. “A bench cushion affords a smooth, fashionable look and is nice for lounging, however remember, it may be tougher to take care of over time as a result of its development, because it tends to indicate put on extra simply,” she provides.
The Sofa’s Materials
The kind of cloth you decide on your sofa cannot solely play an element in your consolation degree, but additionally your own home’s total design.
Leather-based, microfiber, and different efficiency materials are sturdy choices; in the meantime, cotton and linen will be extra liable to stains, Swanton says. Nearly all the retailers on our record provide a wide range of materials. Joybird is exclusive in that you simply inform them your best sort of material, and so they make suggestions primarily based on that desire.
Nevertheless, it’s possible you’ll wish to change up your go-to choices so as to add extra selection to your house. “Including a little bit of distinction, like mixing totally different design kinds, could make your house extra attention-grabbing and preserve it from feeling too matchy-matchy,” Swanton advises.
The General Price
The value of your new sofa can vary vastly. Couches begin at a number of hundred {dollars} and value as much as a number of thousand {dollars}, particularly for bespoke choices. Wayfair and Ashley Furnishings provide you with extra budget-friendly choices, whereas different retailers—similar to Pottery Barn or Room and Board—are usually greater in price.
The dimensions of your sofa, extent of customizations, and added options, similar to any heating or USB charging, can improve the worth. In case you have a specific sofa in thoughts, search for a retailer with a price-match assure to assist decrease the general price, like what you will discover with Ashley Furnishings and Raymour & Flanigan.
Obtainable Supply and Meeting Choices
Not everyone seems to be snug with assembling furnishings. If that is the case for you, you will wish to search for furnishings shops which have white-glove service, which implies they’ll totally assemble and place the sofa for you. Even some locations to purchase price range furnishings provide this service.
Bear in mind, although, this will likely include further prices. It would be best to issue this into your price range when looking for a sofa.
You additionally wish to take note of supply timelines and prices. Most furnishings shops provide free transport, particularly for merchandise of such a excessive price like couches. Timelines can range although. All of it is dependent upon the customization of your sofa and its availability.
All the retailers on our record that supply customized or bespoke couches will take a number of weeks, or longer, to ship your buy.
Versatile Return Insurance policies and Lengthy Warranties
A retailer with a versatile return coverage is important, particularly if there is not a storefront that means that you can check out your sofa in individual earlier than shopping for. Most retailers will restrict returns to couches that haven’t been custom-made and inside a 30-day time interval. Nevertheless, Room and Board has a extra versatile coverage and Joybird provides you no less than 90 days.
You additionally wish to take note of the guarantee choices obtainable to you. Most picks on our record provide restricted, one-year warranties in your buy; though some, like Wayfair, West Elm, Raymour & Flanigan, Crate & Barrel, and Pottery Barn, allow you to buy a further safety plan that may final for a number of years.
Different retailers, like Joybird, have a lifetime restricted guarantee, which can provide you higher peace-of-mind when making your buy.
Any Financing Choices
All the retailers on our record provide financing choices if you do not need to pay on your sofa upfront. A number of, similar to Wayfair, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel, provide an in-house bank card so that you can pay down your buy whereas reaping rewards like factors.
Others work with third-party financing choices, similar to Affirm, Klarna, or Shoppay, to interrupt your buy into affordable installments. Notably, Ashley Furnishings has a lease-to-own possibility if you need even higher flexibility.
Bodily Areas The place You Can See the Sofa in Actual Life
You might decide a sofa retailer primarily based on whether or not or not you’ll be able to go to their bodily location. With the ability to see your sofa in individual, sit on it for a second, and really feel the material can make the distinction in figuring out whether or not it is best for you or not.
Shops like Ashley Furnishings, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Room and Board, Crate & Barrel, and Raymour & Flanigan have areas you’ll be able to go to in individual. Others, similar to Joybird, have showrooms that help you preview a few of their best-sellers.
Why Belief The Spruce?
Nicole Pyles is a author for The Spruce, specializing in house decor like under-sink organizers and bigger house necessities like kitchen taps—and couches!
For this roundup, she researched and vetted quite a few locations the place you should buy a sofa. She frolicked wanting over transport and return insurance policies, stock availability, the standard of things, and different elements which are vital to think about when buying on your sofa. She additionally learn by our sofa evaluations on The Spruce to make sure all of our favorites made the record.
Our Specialists:
- Nancy Swanton, the CEO of Considerable Residence Design and creator of The Information to Residing in Abundance