Yahoo Lifestyle Upgrade Any Living Room With the Best Couches of 2023
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Upgrade Any Living Room With the Best Couches of 2023
We updated this article in February 2023 to incorporate new data from a recent survey of more than 5,800 sofa owners. New models were added to this article, but the Pottery Barn Pearce remains our pick for the best overall couch.
Your couch is quite possibly the most-used piece of furniture in your home, so it's important to choose one that feels exceptionally comfy to lounge on, looks great in your living room and can hold up to extended use. And since the best sofas can be pricey, you want to make sure you're choosing one that's worth the investment. Whether you're looking for the best couch for watching TV or napping or a stylish and sophisticated sofa for entertaining guests, there are plenty of options for just about any preference and budget.
The fiber scientists and engineers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluate sofas of all kinds — from spacious, comfortable sectional sofas to sleeper sofas to affordable couches and beyond — to find the best models for every type of home. Our experts review the materials and features, then we survey thousands of sofa owners to get in-depth and long-term feedback on the couches they own. The sofas below are from brands that are highly rated by our consumer panel, and some are even used by our experts in their homes.
Our top picks:
You can learn more about how we evaluate sofas and what to look for while you shop at the end of this article. (And if you're on the hunt for even more quick-and-easy living room upgrades, browse our guides to the coziest throw blankets, the best coffee table books that double as decor and how to style a family-friendly living room.) But first, here's everything you need to know about the best sofas and couches.
Hearst Owned - 2/12
1) Pearce Upholstered Sofa
Pottery Barn
potterybarn.com
$2299.00
The options are seemingly endless with this sofa: Not only can you choose your fabric, your color and whether it’s a square or rolled arm model, but you also get to build your own couch or sectional layout so it can fit into your living space. Plus, there are variations like leather sofas and sleeper sofas, which come with a memory foam mattress.
Its high-quality construction includes a kiln-dried hardwood frame for long-lasting durability and steel springs to provide support for the cushions. It also stands out for having a just-right medium softness: It's not too plush and not too firm, and the seat is not too upright yet not too relaxed ("relaxed" means a sofa leans back slightly).
Although it's pricey, take it from one reviewer on our panel: "I have never paid so much for a sofa. Not even close. But I don't regret a penny. It is fantastic." Another respondent raved, "This is the nicest sofa I have owned!" Our panelists gave it high marks for comfort, support and appearance, saying it looks amazing in their homes. Just note that there were mixed reviews on the materials. Some loved theirs, but others wished it had held up better. You can get free swatches from Pottery Barn if you prefer to review your options before you buy.
Pottery Barn - 3/12
2) Calion Sofa
Ashley
ashleyfurniture.com
$599.99
It can be difficult to find a good sofa for less than $1,000, but this couch is just a fraction of the cost of other top-rated styles. And although most inexpensive couches are minimalist in design, this one looks comfy and inviting — plus, the four throw pillows are included with your purchase. There are also plenty of coordinating pieces to complete a whole room, including an accent chair, a love seat and a sleeper sofa.
It comes only in the gray color pictured, but the hue is neutral enough to complement most spaces. The fabric is a synthetic weave, and users on our panel find that Ashley's upholstery is easy to clean. They also love the comfort and value: The majority of panelists who bought sofas from Ashley gave them high ratings across the board. Beyond that, this model has hundreds of five-star ratings from online reviewers on the Ashley website.
Ashley - 4/12
3) Lounge II Sofa
Crate & Barrel
crateandbarrel.com
$1899.00
Ideal for anyone who plans to spend lots of time on their sofa, this model is extra comfy and built to be durable. As the name implies, it's perfect for lounging, thanks to its deep, plush seats. Whether you're watching TV or napping on the sofa, this relaxed model — which even has thin arms to maximize seating space — is a cozy place to sprawl out.
You can also customize the size with four different widths, two depths, various seat configurations for sectionals and coordinating pieces, such as an ottoman with built-in storage. Plus, there's a wide selection of fabrics that you can choose from based on color or performance features, like stain resistance. The frame is made of kiln-dried hardwood, and each seat has steel springs to prevent sagging.
This sofa collection is popular among our panelists, who say it's not only spacious and cozy for family time, but it also holds up well to having kids and pets in the home. In fact, one owner who's had it for four years said, "This sofa still looks as good as the day I bought it." Crate & Barrel's Axis sofas also received high scores for families because of their durability (especially for dog owners), but the Lounge's seats are deeper and plusher.
Crate & Barrel - 5/12
4) Harmony Sofa
West Elm
westelm.com
$1599.00
If your priority is a soft, cloudlike sofa, this is the one for you. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the firmest), West Elm rates its Harmony collection as a 1. Good Housekeeping home editors even chose it as the best RH Cloud couch dupe for its ultraplush feel.
Beyond its softness, it also boasts quality construction: There's a kiln-dried hardwood frame and springs for cushion support. You can customize the configuration, choosing among four widths and three depths. Plus, there are plenty of coordinating pieces in the collection, including a build-your-own sectional.
Our panelists describe this sofa as "extremely comfortable" and "like sitting on a cloud!" Some shared that it didn't hold up as well over time as they had hoped, but most West Elm couch owners gave the sofas high praise for durability.
West Elm - 6/12
5) Revolve Modern Upholstered Sofa
Rivet
amazon.com
$879.99
This Amazon brand gives you the convenience of buying from the most popular online retailer with a simple yet modern couch. It also comes in coordinating pieces, like a sectional, love seat and chair. It's relaxed, not too firm and deeper than average.
Its outer material is available in eight different color and fabric combinations, all of which are ready to ship — a huge perk, considering some sofa brands can take months just to schedule a delivery. The frame is solid wood, and the cushions contain foam padding.
Our reviewers of Rivet sofas say the ordering process was simple and easy and that the couches were comfortable and absolutely worth the price. This particular model is popular on Amazon, with more than 2,000 reviews and an average 4.4-star rating (out of 5) — and over 1,500 of those reviews gave it a perfect five stars. Though most users say it's comfortable, one of our panelists said the cushions felt stiff at first, and some reviewers noted it's not an ideal sofa to lounge on for hours at a time.
Rivet - 7/12
6) Uppland Sofa
IKEA
ikea.com
$849.00
If you just know there’s going to be a mess, this washable sofa from IKEA is made with a cotton slipcover that can be removed and machine laundered. Plus, the back cushions are reversible, so you can switch them around if you’re desperate. Beyond that, you can purchase extra slipcovers in seven colors if you want to have a backup or even change up the sofa's color every now and then.
Its frame is made of particleboard, which helps keep the cost low but isn't as durable, and the cushions have a soft feel that our panelists found comfy. Another bonus: The couch comes in other sizes and configurations, with options for matching chairs, love seats and sectionals. You can order it online for shipping, but you can also select in-store pickup from a local IKEA.
The sofa's affordability and its easy-to-clean features helped make owning (and using) the couch stress-free for our reviewers. One told us, "I don't mind that the dog loves to sleep on it." Another said the cover can withstand repeated laundering: "We've probably washed it 100 times, and it's held up beautifully."
IKEA - 8/12
7) Timber Sofa
Article
article.com
$22.00
For a classic couch that'll probably never go out of style, this popular model from Article looks more sophisticated than relaxed sofas, yet still uses soft cushions for comfort. Though it may not be the best family sofa for lounging, it's ideal for adults, homes that often entertain guests or living rooms where appearance is most important.
The frame is a kiln-dried hardwood with a honey oak stain, and you can choose between a polyester-linen-blend fabric in three colors or leather in black, brown or tan. Coordinating pieces include a chair, ottoman and various sectionals. And even though there's a full-service setup option, the brand says it takes only five minutes to assemble.
Our reviewers highlight this brand's easy ordering process. They also love the sofa's quality and gave feedback like, "The legs are beautiful!" and "The construction seems solid." Some noted that the fabric pills over time, but our textile experts note that it's not surprising, given the blend of synthetic and natural fibers. That said, one of our analysts has had this sofa for years and says the fabric still looks great.
Article - 9/12
8) Hughes Sofa with Storage
Joybird
joybird.com
$2713.00
A great choice for apartments and other homes tight on space, Joybird's best-selling sofa has built-in storage, so you can easily hide your clutter inside — and it's still spacious enough to seat multiple people. If you need an option that takes up even less space, the brand offers an Apartment Sofa in the same collection that measures only 66 inches wide. Both Hughes options have mid-century modern style and a low profile for a combination of convenience, sophistication and comfort.
There are also plenty of other pieces in the collection, including a sleeper sofa and an ottoman with hidden storage. Plus, there are plenty of fabrics to choose from (you can order free swatches to check them out) and a wood frame with three color options for the legs. On top of that, the brand offers a generous 90-day return period.
Our reviewers found their Hughes sofas to be comfortable, though some said they wish it was a bit plusher. However, they raved about the sofa's convenient features — like hidden storage — and noted they had great experiences with the brand's customer service. "We received updates as production moved into each new phase," one reviewer said. Another reviewer highlighted the customization, saying, "There were so many options for fabric and legs. I got exactly what I wanted."
JoyBird - 10/12
9) Sactional
Lovesac
lovesac.com
$3353.25
Whether you want to create a traditional sofa for a tricky layout or set up a unique couch with more lounging space, Lovesac's innovative system lets you rearrange the furniture at home with endless configuration options. Each seat and side is a separate piece; you pick how many pieces you want in your set to create your perfect layout (pictured here is a three-seat, five-side setup).
You also get to choose the arm style, fill material and cover for even more personalization, and you can even buy add-on pieces (like new covers or extra seats) if your needs change over time. Another perk: The covers are removable and machine washable, making them ideal for homes with kids and pets.
Most reviewers of the Lovesac Sactionals told us they love the flexibility of changing the layout. One user who has had it for five years said, "It's easy to clean. I can rearrange it. I can move different parts to different rooms as needed. There are so many positives about this furniture." Some said it was difficult to put together, but the majority of respondents didn't have any complaints.
Lovesac - 11/12
10) Cloud Sofa
RH
rh.com
$6295.00
RH declares this is "the world's most comfortable sofa," and many users agree: It's one of the most popular styles on the market. Though it's pricey (but worth it!), the brand says it's designed to be super spacious and feel like you're sinking into a cloud. It's also customizable: You choose the frame style, the configuration and the upholstery. And while pricey furniture brands often have weeks- or monthslong lead times, this one can be delivered in a matter of days if you choose one of the in-stock fabrics.
It's modular, with each piece costing several thousand dollars on its own, so the price goes up as you add more pieces (a sectional could cost upwards of $10,000). The frame is a handcrafted, kiln-dried hardwood and it uses a proprietary spring suspension to provide seat support without feeling rigid.
Despite its high cost, owners of the Cloud Sofa told us it was still worth the price. One said, "It's very comfortable and has a deep seat" and highlighted its "good customer service." In general, owners of RH sofas give them high scores for comfort, support, appearance and the feel of the fabric.
RH - 12/12
11) Nomad Sofa
Burrow
burrow.com
$1595.00
This sofa is all about a convenient shopping experience. You buy it online, and each piece gets delivered in a box to your home so you can set it up yourself. The ordering process gives you choices but still feels simple: Pick from five fabric colors, six leg colors, three arm styles, two cushion styles and the option to add a chaise (as pictured) or an ottoman. Plus, it ships in one to three weeks, and there's a 30-day return period.
The boxed delivery is also ideal for apartment buildings with tighter hallways or small doorframes to fit through (along with anyone who plans to move with it). And because it's modular, the optional chaise can move to the left, right or middle seat, depending on what works best in your space.
Burrow sofa owners told us the DIY setup was easy. They also liked the fact that it has unique features (such as a built-in USB port) and a small footprint for apartments. Some noted it looked too small in houses that have more space to fill, and a few said it wasn't as comfortable as other sofas they've owned. On the plus side, one Nomad owner said, "I love the design and the fabric," with others agreeing that they enjoyed the minimalist aesthetic.
Burrow
