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We logged hours of reading, napping, and TV in service of finding the best sofas.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Regardless, choosing the right size, material, and style for your space can be difficult.
What We Tested
We evaluated 31 couches for theircomfort, ease of use, durability, andquality.
For more information on how we tested couches, check outour testing processbelow.
Credit:Room & Board
Keep in Mind:If you choose one of the custom upholstery options, delivery may be slower.
According to Stephan, this style offers the most posture support.
In fact, we loved this couch so much that we ordered the matching loveseat to complete the set.
Credit:IKEA
How It Performed After Six Months
Six months later, this couch still looked brand new.
Despite heavy daily use, we didnt notice any fading, pilling or staining.
The pillows and cushions remain fluffy and comfortable.
The IKEA Uppland Sofa is offered in over 200 fabric and color options.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens
For example, some are easier to care for and clean than others.
In testing, theIkea Uppland Sofareceived a perfect score in every single category.
Overall, we thought it was the couch to consider if youre furnishing a home on a budget.
Our favorite feature on this couch, though, was theremovable cover.
This couch fared well during the testing period, and we didnt observe any signs of wear and tear.
The frame felt sturdy and held up nicely with no bowing.
Despite its lower price tag, this couch looks and feels high-quality.
Weve washed the slipcover multiple times; doing so is easy and has helped to effectively remove stains.
Keep in Mind:Its on the firm side.
No question about it, theVarick from Maiden Homeis a statement piece.
This is a beautiful couch, and the materials feel as high-quality as they look.
Overall, we enjoyed sitting on this couch.
However, we loved that this couch has just one long cushion.
If you like your couch cushions squishy and deep, this probably isnt the best choice for you.
But the stiffer cushions offer lots of support and keep the couch from looking too relaxed.
They also hold their shape nicely over time.
This couch looks exactly the same as it did when we first had it delivered.
Keep in Mind:It doesnt have traditional armrests, just backrests.
Credit:Maiden Home
This sectional is a particularly great option for a media or theater room, Stephan says.
Its modular nature creates flexibility in functionality and configurations.
Because of its quality and value, it earned perfect scores in these categories during testing.
The velvet fabric on the Varick Couch from Maiden Home was soft and offered a sleek look.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Julia Warren
The ordering process was simple, as the only customization decision was picking one of the seven colors.
Other than this, the assembly process was fairly straightforward since the pieces connected by sliding into one another.
After assembly, we found that the sectional was comfortable to sit in and soft to the touch.
It felt sturdy and high quality, and we were impressed with the construction.
Each cushion was large enough for about a person and a half to sit on.
Due to the deep pit design, there arent traditional armrests, just the backs of the pieces.
However, adding a tray or side table can help provide a stable surface for drinks or snacks.
The fill of the cushions was comfortable, and they maintained their shape over the course of testing.
Overall, we were still impressed with the Albany Park Kova Pit a year later.
However, fluffing the cushions daily helps them regain their shape.
Now, their brand sells just sofas, ottomans, and armchairs in a limited selection of modern styles.
Mid-century modernis a great way to add timeless style, says Stephan.
We also love that the back pillows are reversible for a little bit of design versatility down the line.
In fact, the upholstery looked pretty much the same as when we first began testing it.
Assembly is a breeze, too (no flat packs here!)
every piece can be easily built without any tools.
Keep in Mind:Assembly is required, and there are only two colors available.
Choosing a bold color is always a fun way to add style to any room, says Stephan.
Credit:Albany Park
Mixing in pillows and accessories with textured neutrals will instantly elevate your space.
We also found that it was the perfect depth for napping.
During our testing, we found the couch to be durable and sturdy.
The couch has a low profile, so it may not be the best option for taller users.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Jennifer May
Even better, its sold at a reasonable price for its quality.
Six months later, the quality of the Article Abisko couch remained consistent.
It didnt develop any noticeable scratches, despite being in a home with two cats.
And the cushions maintained their firmer texture and shape nicely.
The company provided assembly for us, which took about five minutes.
Initially, we found it to be stiff and firm, but it became softer with continued use.
Its also quite durable and easy to clean.
It stood up to a dog jumping all over it, and any muddy paw prints came off easily.
This couch held up well to six months of testing at home.
Although we broke in the cushions a bit, they still remained firm and in good shape.
We tested out a performance fabric and were pleased that all stains could be easily removed.
The mattress remained comfortable and nobody developed any pain from sitting or sleeping on this couch.
you could count on frequent sales, too.
The Kiawah couch is well-suited for small spaces.
This also gives the sofa a bit of character and style to a room.
Overall, the quality of this couch is amazing.
One year later, this sofa continues to impress.
There hasnt been any fabric thinning or color fading, which is notable since its sitting next to windows.
Credit:Burrow
Two-seater sofas can sometimes feel small, so its a bonus that this one has an extra deep seat.
As a result, you have more comfort without taking up more linear space, explains Stephan.
We were especially impressed by how durable this couch was.
The Burrow Block Nomad Sofa felt firm and supportive, making it an ideal place to lounge.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens
The spaghetti sauce miraculously came out of the upholstery after we dabbed it with water and a multipurpose cleaner.
Crumbs and pet hair also brush off easily.
The real star of this couch, though, is the cushions.
And all of the cushions feel plump, full, and billowy without being stiff.
The delivery process was easy, too.
In fact, wed be willing to pay a little more given how well-made and durable it is.
Plus, it has a high-end look.
Keep in Mind:The cushions needed to be fluffed up from time to time.
The one downside about slipcover sofas is that they can sometimes age more quickly, Stephan notes.
TheSixpenny Devyn L Shape Sectionalmay be the perfect lounging couch.
Multiple people can fit on this couch at one time, some sitting and some reclining.
And you’ve got the option to tell its high quality from the second you sit down.
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Filled with plush feather down, it looks and feels beautifully elevated.
And despite how low and wide this couch is, the centers never sagged during the testing period.
Delivery was quick and easy.
The center of the Article Abisko Couch didn’t sink or box, even after six month of testing.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens
It was unboxed in three sections and set up without any major assembly.
This couch is quite an investment in comparison to other options.
Overall, weve been very happy with the durability of this couch.
Despite not being exactly easy on the couch, theres no visible wear.
If you havekidsorpets, check out their guides on buying the right upholstery fabric for your needs.
Keep in Mind:It arrived in nine boxes and took us six hours to assemble it.
If yourefurnishing a small space, the7th Avenue 2-Seat Modular Loveseatis a great option to consider.
The loveseat arrived in nine boxes that we had to carry up 4-5 stairs.
It took us about six hours to assemble it, mainly because there were no instructions included.
Once assembled, however, it was fairly easy to move the couch around to where we wanted it.
During testing, the loveseat was quite comfortable and we found ourselves taking naps on it.
Three people used the couch frequently during testing but it was never stained.
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The couch looked good as new and overall seemed fairly durable.
Six months later, this couch is in amazing condition and looks like new.
Keep in Mind:Delivery is only available to your driveway, not inside.
The Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa was easy to use and the bed was very comfortable.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
you’ve got the option to fit five to seven people comfortably on it, plus pets.
Were hoping this means the cushions wont become too sunken-in over the years.
This couch has loose-back cushions, which some people love and others dislike.
Credit:Universal Furniture
This makes the couch easier to clean and gives it a casual, lived-in appearance.
We found the unboxing process very easy, however.
The instructions were simple to understand and it took about 25 minutes total to build the entire couch.
The Coastal Living Kiawah Sofa is offered in numerous color and fabric options.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Holly Raibikis
For steep discounts, its also worth checking the brandsAshley Outlet.
Keep in Mind:Its on the smaller sidetwo people is the sweet spot for comfort.
Its a great way to add texture to an otherwise catalog aesthetic, says Stephan.
With its tufted bench, semi-aniline leather upholstery, and rounded bolsters,Articles Sven Sofais ultra stylish.
But dont let its sleek looks deceive you: Its also gloriously comfortable to sit on.
The upholstery and frame feel well-designed and are clearly made of quality materials.
However, its not ideal for larger gatherings or for a bigger family to sit on all at once.
Overall, this couch is easy to care for and clean.
You do definitely want to act on spills quicklywe had more difficulty removing stains that had set in.
At $1,900, this couch falls somewhere middle of the pack in terms of price.
We felt that this represented a good value.
Plus, the entire delivery process was painless.
Other than that, this couch has held up very well.
Consider adding colorful pillows with interesting texture to this affordable, stylish pillow.
It will instantly elevate this sofa and your home, says Stephan.
Plus, this couch just looks good.
We opted for the boucle and were impressed by the materials soft, textured look and feel.
While you might think of boucle as a fragile fabric, its proven to be surprisingly durable.
Credit:Crate & Barrel
As a bonus, the delivery process from Albany Park was incredibly smooth.
There are no notable differences in the look or feel of this couch after six months of use.
The cushions remain full and have no sagging.
The Crate & Barrel Lounge Deep Sofa was durable in a house with small kids and pets.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Jamie Weissman
We also appreciate how easy it is to care for.
All in all, this is a gorgeous, timeless piece of furniture.
Another reason to feel good about your purchase here?
All Albany Park products have a lifetime warranty.
It earned perfect scores for its durability, comfort, value, and quality.
We also appreciated that assembly was included, so we didnt have to put anything together.
Then, we timed how long it took to unbox and assemble the couches once delivered.
In the sleeper sofa test, we also timed unboxing and assembly.
We sat on the couch at least one hour a day for four weeks.
Any stains were cleaned based on manufacturer instructions, and we noted how easy they were to remove.
But the material easily wrinkled and dirtied (we started noticing scuffs within a few days).
The design is undeniably stylish and its a real statement piece.
We also found it fairly easy to clean and appreciated its less expensive price point.
Remember that you may also need room to walk around the couch as well.
Removing legs can help if the area is tight, says Stephan.
I have some clients that want something a little bit more upright because it’s in a living room.
They want people to sit upright and drink a glass of wine, she says.
It depends on what you want to do.
Credit:Sixpenny
Its also helpful to think about how you want the couch to feel when you sit down.
Do you want to be slouchy and relaxed, or prefer more back support?
For this, back height and seat depth are important to keep in mind.
We found the couch comfortable for lounging, though the deep cushions might make it harder for some people to get up.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens
Mackie suggests Sunbrella for a super cleanable sofa, which you might opt for with theJoybird Briar.
Performance velvet is a good option, Stephan says.
For daily use, chenille is another great choice, experts say.
I personally love a chenille for its durability, says Figueroa.
Chenille is especially nice for dogs because the material holds up so well under their claws.
Polyester is easier to clean and potentially more durable but may not be as soft to the touch.
When considering how many you need, youll want to consider your space and your ideal furniture configuration.
For conversation, I like the look of two sofas facing each other, says Stephan.
Another option is a bench cushion, which means one longer cushion.
This style delivers a modern look that simultaneously allows for more seating.
Consider the shape of your cushions, too.
Shorter cushions are generally firmer and may hold up against wrinkles over time, Figueroa says.
Credit:7th Avenue
Your Questions, Answered
How much should you expect to spend on a couch?
Is it expensive to reupholster a couch?
What is the average life expectancy of a couch?
Credit:Ashley Furniture
Not all couches are created equal.
A sofa’s life expectancy varies greatly depending on its quality and material, Carroll says.
So it depends on what you’re investing in.
The Ashley Furniture Emilia 5-Piece Leather Modular Sectional made cleaning up dog hair so easy—we only needed to spot clean.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Austin Reyhons
To make this list, she analyzed insights from our extensive at-home testing.
She also consulted with interior designersMargaret Carroll,Emily Mackie,Jennifer Stephan, andLauren Figueroa.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit:Article
Credit:Albany Park
The Albany Park Lido Sofa is offered in over 20 fabric options.PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
