Sofas are one of the most used items in your home and can make or break a room. When it comes to choosing a sofa, you have to think both practically about the space you have, and emotionally about the space you want. That’s to say — in addition to physically fitting in your living room, does your sofa fit in with your tastes and decor?
What to Consider Before Buying a Sofa
Sofas vary widely by size and shape, and all of these styles have names that can help you narrow down the sofa that you’re looking for. For smaller spaces, a loveseat can be the perfect option. So named for snugly seating two, a loveseat is great for apartments or as a second sofa. Then, there’s the traditional three-seater sofa. At the larger end, sectionals have an L-shape and typically fit in best against the wall — the L-shape can sometimes be flipped for added versatility. Another style worth looking at is the sleeper sofa, which has a pull-out bed that’s ideal for guests or very small studios where a bed won’t fit.
In addition to size and shape, there are also a wide variety of sofa styles. There’s the classic and versatile mid-century modern sofa, for example, or the luxurious and decadent Chesterfield. For something with a traditional touch, an English roll-arm is worth considering. There’s endless variety, which can be overwhelming, but it means you can find something that’s exactly to your taste.
How We Chose the Best Sofas
When looking at the best sofas, we picked options in a variety of styles. Our top pick is a simple, mid-century modern three-seater, but we’ve also got sectionals and loveseats to fit different spaces. These are some of the best sofas to buy online.
1. Rivet Revolve Sofa
We love the Revolve option from Rivet because of its simplicity. While premium leather is nice, the polyester make of Revolve’s upholstery allows it to be less high maintenance. However, it still boasts quality, good-looking wooden finishes and comes in a range of colors that will do wonders to your apartment or home. Our personal favorite is the Heritage Green. Let’s face it, walls come in grays and whites, and most floors are a shade of brown. With everything else in your home likely sporting a neutral hue, a strong green like that of this sofa will make your couch the centerpiece of your living room.
Pros: Assembly could not be simpler and doesn’t take much more than attaching the legs and situating the pillows.
Cons: At just under 80 inches wide, this is a large couch and may be too big depending on the size of your room or apartment.
2. Zinus Ricardo Contemporary Upholstered Living Room Couch
Best known for their surprisingly comfortable and outrageously affordable memory foam mattresses, Zinus has wandered into the realm of sofas and love seats and we can’t say we’re upset about it. Their Ricardo Contemporary Sofa is a fresh take on classic couch silhouette, and at 78.4 inches long, it will fit well in nearly any room. For those who are living the single studio life, this Zinus packs everything you need in a couch and then some. It’s not so big that it will dominate your small floor plan, but it’s also not too small so you and a few friends can’t pile on to watch the game. What’s more, setup is a breeze. All of the necessary tools come included when your couch arrives and you can even handle setup solo (though we’d recommend having a friend for moral support).
Pros: The Ricardo Contemporary is a handsome-looking couch that will sit well in any living room but is ideal for those working with a budget. Setup is easy.
Cons: The Ricardo doesn’t give the most space and if you have a big family, another option would be best.
3. HONBAY Convertible Sectional Sofa Couch
For a truly versatile option, we recommend the HONBAY Convertible Sectional Sofa Couch. The comfortable sofa is available in neutrals like beige, light grey and dark grey (shown here) that will easily blend in with most decors. Easy to clean, the Honbay can be wiped clean with a soft, dry cloth. The HONBAY is easy to assemble and doesn’t require any tools. Pocket coils, a solid wood frame and serpentine springs create a durable and long-lasting couch. Great for a small living room or condo, the couch is 78.5 inches long and has a max weight capacity of 660 pounds, making it appropriate for use by three adults.
Pros: The HONBAY provides users with the ability to customize their sofa based on their preferences and layout. The chaise section can be placed on the left of the right side of the couch or turned sideways to create two of the three seats, leaving a single seat to be used as a free-standing ottoman.
Cons: The Honbay arrives with the cushions feeling extremely firm, but they will soften and become more comfortable after some use.
4. Harper and Bright Designs Adjustable Floor Couch
For a couch and bed in one, try the affordable Harper and Bright Designs Adjustable Floor Couch. Made with thick and cushiony suede, the Harper and Bright has a strong metal frame that easily allows users to adjust the angle of the couch to one of the five positions. The bottom of the couch folds out to create a small mattress that is ideal for children to use for sleeping. The freestanding couch is perfect for small areas, including a playroom or gaming area, and can be folded for a compact storage option. Users can choose the blue Harper and Bright couch shown here, or opt for beige, brown or light brown. The couch comes with two pillows and is just under 71 inches long.
Pros: The Harper and Bright couch is ideal for a child’s playroom or for use as a bed when guests are visiting.
Cons: The Harper and Bright does not provide the same support and comfortable sitting experience as a more traditional couch.