Where to Buy a Sofa: Shop Our Editor-Backed List of Faves, Plus Recommendations From Each

Where is the best place to buy a couch? As with anything, the answer to that depends. But there are a handful of retailers I'd recommend no matter what; good for different things, yes, but all solid places at which to start your search. We all know that where you buy your new sofa can be just as important as the exact model you buy.

Well, as Livingetc's resident sofa expert, with 45+ hours of sofa researching, testing, and expert interviewing (including those at brands like Article, Carl Hansen & Søn, and Raymour & Flanigan), I've compiled insights on those trusted and beloved brands into one handy article, so you can find the best sofa for you without the headache you've come to expect. The list is alphabetical and each retailer includes a blurb detailing what I like about it and what makes it unique. You'll find a product recommendation below, as well. These pieces were selected because I tried them myself or because a trusted friend, family member, or expert recommended them. In instances where I wasn't able to try a piece or get a recommendation, I made that clear in the copy.

The TLDR? Buying a couch has never been easier.

The Best Places to Buy a Couch

To help you navigate the list, I've summarized each of the brands featured in this article in a handy, purpose-based list below. Simply click on what it is you're looking for to jump to an expanded write-up of my recommended retailer.

I'm looking for ...

• ... An Actually Comfortable Sleeper Sofa — American Leather. Known for its sleeper sofas, but has plenty of charm and style to offer. Sold through third-party retailers. Pricier, but built to last (trust me, I toured their factory).
• ... Furniture for the Vintage-Inspired Home — Anthropologie. Sofas for the bohemian or whimsical home. Vintage charm, but accessible.
• ... Something Mid-Century Modern — Article. Fairly-priced mid-century modern sofas. Excellent middle-of-the-road option.
• ... A Couch That Will Actually Fit My Room — Benchmade Modern. Custom-sized, configured, and upholstered sofas in as little as two weeks.
• ... A Piece That Every Customer Loves — Castlery. Durable, simple furniture that's easy to clean, versatile, and boasts some of the most consistently positive reviews I've ever seen.
• ... All My Seating — Crate & Barrel. Legacy retailer with a strong customer base and reputation. You can furnish your entire living room, no question.
• ... Something Instantly Recognizable — Design Within Reach. High-design classics for the interior design junkie.
• ... Simple, Sub-$1200 Sofas — IKEA. Scandinavian feel with an emphasis on practicality. Affordable pieces, just be sure to read all the reviews.
• ... Lots, and I mean lots, of modern options — Living Spaces. Lots and lots of SKUs with contemporary style and mid-tier pricing.
• ... Scandi-inspired luxury — Maiden Home. Minimalism meets high-brow.
• ... Traditional Designs — Pottery Barn. A true American classic.
• ... An Investment Piece — Room & Board. Extra money upfront for a really durable piece.
• ... Coastal-inspired Pieces — Serena & Lily. For fans of coastal interior design.
• ... A Recommendation From Joanna Gaines — Target. Big-box retailer with affordable collabs with big-name designers.
• ... Something on Sale — Wayfair. Budget marketplace with an impossible amount of SKUs, but some great gems and even better sales.
• ... A Little Bit of Everything — West Elm. Modern, traditional, mid-century, plus plenty of celebrity collaborations ... they've got it all.
• ... Luxury Elegance — RH. Instantly covetable, industrial chic. Legacy manufacturer known for its Cloud sofa (and other gorgeous, iconic designs).

American Leather

American Leather might be one of the best sofa brands you've never heard of. And I only say that because they don't sell directly to consumers; rather, you need to visit your local furniture showroom (something like a Raymour & Flanigan or a PerLora) to snag one. But if my visit to the company's Dallas, Texas, factory was any indication (spoiler alert: it was), this is a brand with pieces that are built to last and are beloved by those who buy them. Their biggest draw and reputation maker is their sleeper sofa, but they offer plenty of other options as well, like the Athlea, a stunning round chaise sofa, and the Blake, one of the more stylish and genuinely relaxing recliners I've ever sat in.

Best for: Sleeper sofas that are actually comfortable

Anthropologie

Despite its humble beginnings, Anthropologie has since taken over the world of home design. It's instantly-recognizable pieces, curated by an in-house team, are exactly what you'd want for a Boho living room — or at least one that looks right out of a catalog. Look out for collaborations with some of your favorite designers too — Matilda Goad and Mark D. Sikes are just two big names who have helped the brand establish its style. All Anthropologie sofas are designed in-house, and have a vintage, one-off feel to them. Still, you're likely to find just about every style, from couches to loveseats, daybeds to sectionals.

Best for: The Bohemian and vintage lover's home

Article

If you haven't yet heard of Article, I'm happy and even honored to lead you down this path of enlightenment. The Canadian furniture brand is one of my all-time favorites; I lived with one of their gorgeous green velvet sofas for 3+ years and it's still going strong to this day (I moved out of the apartment, but my old roommates still have it). Price-wise, you'll be spending more than you would at, say, IKEA, but you're getting a thoughtfully designed, thoughtfully made sofa that ticks all my quality boxes. Most pieces boast a distinctly mid-century modern bent; great for matching with what you already have.

Best for: Mid-century modern-loving homeowners looking for a fairly priced but well-made sofa

Benchmade Modern

The premise behind Benchmade Modern is pretty, if not entirely, unique: custom-made sofas delivered to your home in two weeks. Indeed, every piece can be reconfigured or adjusted in 5" width increments to better fit your space. After that, you choose your upholstery and wait for delivery. If you don't like the final piece, the return policy is quite generous, too: a full refund less the shipping fee if the return is initiated within 14 days. Or, a full refund less the shipping fee, and a 10% return fee if the return is initiated after 14 days but before 100 days.

Best for: Quick-ship custom furniture

Castlery

Castlery is online furniture done right — strong reviews, strong construction, and excellent customer service (I just ordered a dining table from them — the Seb Extendable — and have zero qualms about the process). Every piece boasts a calming, simplistic feel. No crazy designs or weird shapes; just well-made furniture and some of the best customer reviews I've ever read, consistently, on every piece. I haven't tried a sofa from their line, but my colleague, Nicole Abbondandolo, has, and you'll hear a bit more from her in a second.

Best for: Simple pieces and wooden accents

Crate & Barrel

It's not just sofas you can find at Crate & Barrel — realistically you could furnish your entire home with homeware from the brand — but their couches really are the talking point. Founded by Gordon and Carole Segal in the 1960s, the brand has been going strong for a while, with simple, beautiful, and practical furnishings. Probably one of the best mid-price tier, mass-market options out there. And better yet, there are stores everywhere, so you can visit a showroom, or even speak to a complimentary design consultant, before buying.

Best for: Modern and timeless homes, or those of us who want to sit on a couch before buying

Design Within Reach

The concept behind the much-loved company, Design Within Reach is simple: Elegant design made accessible. If you want a sofa other design junkies will covet or one featured in the pages of the best interior magazines (Livingetc included, of course), this is the place for you.

Best for: Design classics

IKEA

Who among us hasn't sat on an IKEA sofa? At this point, you couldn't avoid the Swedish house and home behemoth if you tried. Although, why would you? If budget-friendly, Scandi-inspired and quick-delivery sofas are what you're after, IKEA is the place to go. This is a retailer that is definitely more elevated than some of its budget counterparts, but I would still be sure to read the reviews as you shop.

Best for: Simple, quick-delivery sofas at a budget price

Living Spaces

If you don't have a store nearby, you might never know the magic of Living Spaces. But allow me — this is a fairly priced, simplistic retailer with lots of options. Almost too many; if you saw the stores you'd know what I mean. This is a retailer that offers West Elm-like quality at a Walmart-like scale. Sort of the best of both worlds if you're tired of exorbitant shipping fees or out-of-stock pieces. You could shop for everything here!

Best for: When you want lots of options for the whole home

Maiden Home

There is definitely a very clear look when it comes to Maiden Home. It is all about delivering handcrafted, minimalist luxury for modern interiors, with a strong color palette, too. Think, a bevy of browns, creams, warm greys, mushroom tones, and earthy hues. It's warming and calming all at once, and each of its couches is designed to never go out of style.

Best for: Scandi-inspired luxury

Pottery Barn

Simply put, Pottery Barn is a classic. You really cannot go wrong. Its sofas are well-made (hardwood or engineered wood frames; performance, Martindale-tested upholstery; no-sag steel springs; and mortise-and-tenon joinery are all quality benchmarks that grab my attention — for more on this, my best sofas guide should prove quite informative), its prices are fair, and its legacy truly precedes it.

Best for: Traditional homes

Room & Board

In the same way that Chappell Roan is your favorite artist's favorite artist, I've discovered that Room & Board is your favorite designer's favorite sofa brand. I have learned more about Room & Board sofas in the last few months than I had known my whole life, and what I've gathered is that this is a top-of-the-line furniture brand that does sofas particularly well. Plenty of room for customization, and enough options that you won't get bored. See what I did there?

Best for: Long-lasting, clean-cut investment pieces

Serena & Lily

If you're ready to transport yourself to a coastal New England home, you are ready to shop at Serena & Lily. Known for its traditionally American colors, shapes, and patterns, plus a strong emphasis on quality, this is the premiere destination for Cape Cod chic. Yes, you can shop Amalficore at Serena & Lily, as well — but in my opinion, the gingham and seashell motifs are more Provincetown than Procida.

Best for: A coastal, classic feel

Target

Believe it or not, Target is one of my favorite places to shop for bedding, home decor, and even furniture, thanks in no small part to its collaborations with beloved designers like Shea McGee and Joanna Gaines. Joanna's Hearth & Hand offers a lovely rustic, cottage-core look, while McGee contributes her down-home edginess to Target's in-house Threshold line (my personal fave). Couches for each might not have the best construction, but they'll probably look good at a great price. And buyers are typically pleased.

Best for: Big-box convenience, but make it stylish

Wayfair

Wayfair does a pretty good job taking high-end couch designs and sofa trends and replicating them on a budget. And while there are thousands of SKUS, you can absolutely find an affordable and well-made sofa among the listings; it just takes some digging. I find that customer ratings are very helpful here, so be sure to check those out as you shop.

Best for: Sofa shopping on a budget

West Elm

If you've never been inside a West Elm store, you have to go. It's pure magic; almost like Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel, and Pottery Barn had a really cool kid. You could shop for your whole house there, but we'll focus on the sofa selection now, which is particularly strong. It's a great spot to find modern pieces with a traditional spin, and vice-versa. It's also a great spot if you love a celebrity home line; past partners include Christina Ricci, Marcus Samuelsson, and Billy Cotton. My only note? Try to sit on your sofa before buying, or find a trusted review. I've had a few people tell me they thought their sofa cushions were a bit too firm for their liking.

Best for: Modern design at a Pottery Barn price point

RH

Restoration Hardware is recognized as a high-end luxury brand that specializes in minimalist and elegant pieces of furniture. The brand's founder, Stephan Gordon, began RH when he discovered a fascination for revitalizing antiques during a home renovation of his own. Buyers can also sign up for a membership, adding to the exclusivity of the brand.

Best for: High-end industrial chic