The 12 best affordable sofas which go big on style, just not on price tag

The Livingetc team has sniffed out the 12 best affordable sofas which still have maximum style points

white rounded sofa and grey mid century sofa
(Image credit: Urban Outfitters, Article)

A good sofa can last two decades or more and the cost can run into thousands of dollars. This is especially true with pieces that are well designed and well crafted. However, there are affordable sofas on offer, with designer looks minus the high price tag.

Many of these affordable sofas are available online only and some have limited upholstery options. This cuts out considerable costs, which are passed on to the customer. Most of the best couches we've seen in this bracket are under $1,000 too. 

We've scoured the best home decor stores for our favorite models and those we think you'll like. 

Best affordable two-seater sofas

Best affordable three-seat sofas

Best affordable curved sofas

Best affordable sectional sofas

What is the average price of a nice couch?

Sofas can vary in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands. If you can afford it, it's usually worth paying a little extra for good quality materials. A sofa gets a lot of use over the years. So look at it like you might with an outfit and the cost per wear. 

'We’d say between $1,000 and $2,500 is an average price for a nice couch, depending on the size and configuration,' says Heather Goerzen, lead interior designer at Havenly. 'At this price point, you’ll still get a well-made, high-quality sofa without breaking the bank. 

'Anything cheaper than that, and you may be compromising on quality. When going below that price point, be wary of poor quality upholstery that snags, pills, stains, etc., cushion fill that will quickly dent or become uneven with use, and frames made of unstable, poor quality wood.'

Jacky Parker is a London-based freelance journalist and content creator, specialising in interiors, travel and food. From buying guides and real home case studies to shopping and news pages, she produces a wide range of features for national magazines and SEO content for websites

A long-time contributor to Livingetc, as a member of the team, she regularly reports on the latest trends, speaking to experts and discovering the latest tips. Jacky has also written  for other publications such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, Red, Grand Designs, Sunday Times Style and AD, Country Homes and Interiors and ELLE Decoration.