The 13 Best Couches of 2023

Best Overall

Crate & Barrel Lounge Deep Bench Sofa

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Our best overall pick suits most spaces and interior styles with its sleek, simple design, deep seating, and ample customization options. Crate & Barrel’s Lounge Deep Bench Sofa comes in two depths and four sizes with 199 fabric choices. At less than $2,000 for a standard 83- or 93-inch bench, it’s relatively affordable, too.

Choose between a bench cushion or individual seat cushions, and select from chenille, microfiber, canvas, linen, twill, boucle, textured weave, velvet, or shearling fabrics. (Note that this couch is not available in leather.) We like that most fabric options are stain-resistant and family-friendly.

Made from kiln-dried hardwood, the sturdy frame supports up to three foam seat cushions that are wrapped in a down blend for ultimate comfort. Keep in mind that the low-profile frame only comes up mid-way, and the back cushions alone may not offer enough head support for all family members. The deep-set seats allow enough space for everyone to sink in comfortably and snuggle up for a game night, movie night, or girls’ night.

With four sizes and almost 200 fabrics to choose from, we think this streamlined, customizable couch has broad appeal. While there is no sleeper feature or option for leather, for the price, this versatile couch will meet the needs of most renters and homeowners. 

Price at time of publish: $1,999

Product Details: Dimensions: 93 x 46 x 37 inches | Number of Seats: One | Material: Polypropylene/polyester textured weave | Care: Vacuum and spot-cleaning

Best Budget

Mellow Hana 73.50-Inch Upholstered Sofa

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At less than $600, this three-seat couch offers timeless style, built-in storage, and supportive foam cushions for a bargain. Its small footprint makes it one of the best couches for apartment dwellers but not ideal for large families or those who frequently host gatherings. Discreet side pockets offer convenient storage for small loose items like remotes, cords, or magazines. Square arms and exposed wood legs hint at mid-century modern design. Four neutral colors in a forgiving basket-weave linen fabric give this petite sofa broad appeal but may be a downside for those interested in more customization options. Certified CertiPur-US foam cushions give this couch a firmer feel, so if support is a priority, then the Hana may be a better pick than a couch with down-fill cushions.

Ultimately, if you’re on a tight budget and place a high value on aesthetics, the Hana sofa is a solid pick. With its simple design and timeless color options, this couch will play well with other colors and furniture in your living space. 

Price at time of publish: $440

Product Details: Dimensions: 73.50 x 29 x 31.89 inches | Number of Seats: Three | Material: Linen blend | Care: Spot-clean with a mild detergent and damp cloth

Best Splurge

Arhaus Bergen Three Piece Modular Sofa

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If you’ve heard the statistic that we spend about one-third of our life sleeping, then a reasonable follow-up question might be, “Well, then how much of our time do we spend on the couch?” Second, only to your bed, the couch is likely where we spend the most time resting, so it follows that investing in a high-quality couch is equally as important as investing in a supportive mattress. For those who are looking for the ultimate splurge, Arhaus’ three-piece modular sofa is our luxury pick for the best couch.

With adjustable arms and deep, pillowy cushions, this modular sofa is well-suited for lounging, napping, or binge-watching sessions. Its low-profile and tightly woven textured fabric imparts a casual look and feel, despite the high price tag. The backrests and cushions are made from foam surrounded by down and feathers, providing plush but supportive seating. Available in two sizes—43-inch or 38-inch—and six earthy tones, this splurge pick doesn’t have as many customization options as others on our list, but it is compatible with the rest of the Bergen collection if you want to expand on this three-piece model in the future.

If you have the space and the budget to splurge on this modular sofa, we think it's a smart investment.

Price at the time of publish: $7,600

Product Details: Dimensions: 161 x 43 x 32 inches | Number of Seats: Three | Material: Textured weave fabric | Care: Spot-clean using water-free cleaning solvents only

Best Leather

COCOCO Home Classic Chesterfield Leather Sofa

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For a high-end look and supreme durability, leather can’t be beat. Stains, spills, and scratches just add to the natural patina. If you’re ready to invest in a leather couch, then don’t settle for top-grain or bonded leather; go all the way with full-grain for the highest quality, most resilience, and best look. Cococo Home’s Classic Chesterfield Leather Sofa delivers on all of these features and more.

Cococo Home is picky about the leather they use on their sofas, and that’s a good thing. Their leather is thoughtfully selected from suppliers around the world (mostly European) with the highest attention paid to details like dyeing and natural hide variations. The helpful leather selector provides more information about each type of leather they use so you can find the perfect fit for your customized couch.

Choose from several different lengths starting at a standard 85 inches up to an oversized 145 inches. The seat depth, number of cushions, leg style, nailhead trim, and profile can all be customized as well so you can truly make this investment piece yours. While I’m partial to the stately, classic Chesterfield style, the Everly is just as beautiful if you prefer something more modern and clean.

As an owner of a Cococo Home leather couch, I may be biased, but my Chesterfield has stood up incredibly well to wear and tear over the last eight years. The leather has only deepened in color and softened in feel, aging gracefully with each scuff and scratch my family has thrown its way. I can confidently say that it’s one of the best purchases we’ve made for our home.

Price at time of publish: From $3,600

Product Details: Dimensions: Varies | Number of seats: One, two, or three | Material: Wood legs and frame; leather cushions | Care: Buff lightly as needed 

Best Velvet

Anthropologie Lyre Chesterfield Two-Cushion Sofa

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For ultimate luxury, it doesn’t get cushier than a velvet Chesterfield sofa. If you want your couch to be the center of attention, then splurge for this elegant Lyre sofa from Anthropologie. We just love when two classics come together—in this case, plush velvet in a rich emerald hue and traditional button-tufting.

Crafted from kiln-dried hardwood, this sofa’s durable frame holds two foam cushions wrapped in a down-feather blend. The soft pile cotton velvet is fairly durable—it will show bruising and marks over time, but consider them charming enhancements rather than blemishes. Professional cleaning is recommended, although occasional vacuuming and spot cleaning are acceptable. Nailhead trim and English rolled arms give this classic sofa its famed stately appearance.

This couch doesn’t have as many options for customization, but you can select the emerald green velvet in one of two lengths—82-inches or 90-inches—and one of two caster leg finishes—honey brown or hickory. Two other fabric colors are available as well in pink or turquoise linen.

Price at the time of publish: $2,198

Product Details: Dimensions: 82 x 41 x 36 inches | Number of Seats: Two | Material: Velvet | Care: Professional cleaning is recommended, vacuum occasionally, and blot or spot-clean stains

Best Sectional

Crate & Barrel Axis Bench 2-Seat Sectional Sofa

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Sectionals are great for many reasons. We like them in particular because they comfortably seat a few adults and provide separation between living spaces in open-concept floor plans. Most sectionals are also configurable so that you can create the perfect arrangement for your space, which is why we love the Axis sofa from Crate & Barrel. With 18 different pre-configured layouts, and ample fabric and leg color options, plus the option to design your own sofa, this sectional couch offers something for everyone, even the pickiest buyer.

Whether you need to furnish a family room or a laid-back living space, the Axis is almost infinitely customizable so that you can create the best couch for your style. With deep seats and mid-height back cushions, this sectional is made for lounging. Foam seat cushions wrapped in a fiber-down blend provide supple seating that you’ll sink into and never want to leave. The fabric shown here is a textured chenille that is family-friendly, durable, and stain-resistant. If you want something different, though, you can choose from 198 other sturdy fabrics in various textures and tones. Even the legs are customizable, coming in 14 shades. 

Depending on your design choices, the Axis comes in at more than $3,000 for most styles. While it’s certainly an investment, we don’t think the price is unreasonable for the quality and size of this sofa. After all, you can’t put a price on family couch cuddles, can you?

Price at the time of publish: $3,498

Product Details: Dimensions: 106 x 67 x 32 inches | Number of Seats: Three | Material: Performance slub chenille | Care: Spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent

Best Kid-Friendly

IKEA Uppland Sofa

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Families with young children may be hesitant to splurge on a couch that requires attentive upkeep. The Uppland sofa from Ikea offers a classic look for less and, with a washable cotton cover, isn’t so precious that parents will have to worry about sticky handprints, which is why it’s our top pick for the best couch for kids.

Foam and polyester-filled cushions give this couch its plush look and feel. Traditional-style rolled arms elevate this couch’s casualness while also being a kid-friendly feature, as hard edges aren’t ideal for homes with curious, active toddlers. At 88-inches long and 36-inches deep, the Uppland sofa’s size is suitable for families who like to pile in together for movie or game nights.

Should you need to treat the inevitable stain, just toss the removable couch cover in the wash, and air dry. Finish with a hot iron for the crispest, like-new appearance. While there aren’t nearly as many customization options as other couches on our list, for families who just want something simple, affordable, and durable, we think the Uppland couch fits the bill.

Price at time of publish: $799

Product Details: Dimensions: 88 x 36 x 36 inches | Number of Seats: Three | Material: Cotton and polyester | Care: Machine wash cover; don’t tumble dry

Best Sleeper

West Elm Shelter Queen Sleeper Sofa

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Treat your guests to an above-average stay when they spend the night on this thoughtfully designed sleeper sofa. With a cooling and supportive gel foam mattress, you won’t hear complaints about neck or back pain or overheating. The Shelter sleeper sofa discreetly holds a queen-size mattress underneath a cushy bench seat. Plush bolster pillows and polyester-filled back cushions surround the mattress, creating a cozy sleep environment.

It’s not all about the guests, though; a wide range of fabric and color options allow you to design a sofa that perfectly fits your style. Note that this sofa only comes in one length and takes up considerably more floor space when the mattress is extended. Make sure to measure your space, and account for the extra room you’ll need when the sleeper is in use.

Although this gray sofa is soft and padded, it feels firmer than other styles due to the built-in mattress sitting under the cushions; if you don’t plan on using it as your primary couch, though, then that might not be a concern. Overall, we think the Shelter sleeper sofa is a great value with its streamlined, modern silhouette, moderate price, and versatility.  

Price at time of publish: From $2,499

Product Details: Dimensions: 84.5 x 38 x 30 inches | Number of Seats: One cushion comfortably seats three | Material: Linen weave | Care: Vacuum occasionally, blot spills, and spot-clean

Best for Outdoors

Serena & Lily Edgewater Sofa

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Durability is the most important feature of an outdoor couch. Outdoor furniture must be able to withstand all of the elements while still maintaining its appearance. It’s a tall order! The Edgewater sofa from Serena & Lily is up to the challenge, though, with its laid-back bohemian look and gentle curving shape constructed from ultra-strong rattan. The included bench cushion is made from a thick weave performance fabric that resists fading, staining, and mold. There are even 16 different fabric choices in beautiful coastal patterns for indoor or outdoor use.

While we love the natural look of rattan, it’s not very comfortable to sit on for long periods of time. This sofa comes with a bench cushion but no back cushions. For the ultimate outdoor lounge setup, we recommend adding a couple of throw pillows to rest against. Serena & Lily’s outdoor cushions use all-weather foam so you don’t have to worry about mildew. Cushion covers don’t need to be machine-washed but can be spot-cleaned as needed.

Price at e time of publish: $3,298

Product Details: Dimensions: 76.5 x 35 x 32 inches | Number of Seats: One cushion seats two or three people | Material: Rattan and waterproof acrylic fabric | Care: Blot with mild soapy water; moisten rattan with a soft rag every month to prevent cracking

Best Mid-Century Modern

CB2 Bowtie Black Wool Sofa

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If you love mid-century modern design but want something more unexpected, consider this playful ‘50s style sofa from CB2. A replica of talented American designer Paul McCobb, the Bowtie sofa is a little bit rock ‘n roll, a little bit polished, and a major statement-making piece.

In the standard monochromatic black wool, this angular sofa will stand out against neutral decor or serve as a neutral anchor piece in a colorful, eclectic room. For a less severe look, choose from 26 other neutral fabric colors in various weaves.

More of an art piece than a snuggle-up-and-binge-watch-your-favorite-show piece, this streamlined, angular sofa has minimal padding and a low back. However, if the design is most important, then this throwback style offers character in spades.

Price at the time of publish: $3,299

Product Details: Dimensions: 86 x 33.25 x 32 inches | Number of Seats: Two | Material: Wool and acrylic | Care: Spot-clean and blot spills immediately with water-free stain remover; vacuum as needed

Best Customizable

Pottery Barn Build Your Own Pearce Sofa

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With a dizzying amount of customizations, Pearce square arm upholstered components allow you to design the exact seating arrangement you envision for your space. Whether you need a sleeper sectional for additional guest accommodations or want to create the ultimate movie night viewing space, there are options for every lifestyle with this build-your-own sofa collection. Each piece is sold individually, allowing you to have full control over the design and configuration of your couch. But choosing the elements of your couch is only the beginning, as you’ll also have to narrow down a fabric selection from more than 100 options. If having choices overwhelms you, then the customization path is not for you.

No matter what you settle on, though, the Pearce collection features deep seats for comfort and steel springs for support. The back cushions contain a polyester fill while the seat cushions are filled with a down blend. Caring for your fully customized couch only requires regular vacuuming and cushion rotation.

For a truly versatile style that can grow and change as you and your family do, this buildable collection is a smart choice.

Price at the time of publish: From $764

Product Details: Dimensions: Vary by component | Number of Seats: Vary by component | Material: Basketweave, boucle, suede, linen, velvet, twill, chenille, plain weave | Care: Blot spills and vacuum regularly

Best Loveseat

Apt2B Sutton Loveseat

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Loveseats are ideal companions for smaller couches or a pair of chairs when you need extra seating but don’t want to overwhelm your space with a large piece of furniture. These mini sofas work well in apartments or small living rooms where you need to allow for flow so as not to make the room feel crammed. This option from Apt2B won us over as one of the best couches in a loveseat size for its small footprint yet adequate seating opportunities.

A little bit midcentury modern, a little bit classic, this gently curved loveseat is just right for providing more seating without adding bulk. Exposed wood legs and sloping arms keep the piece looking light and slim. Reversible cushions can be flipped to preserve the fabric and fluff. The cushion covers are also removable and washable for easy upkeep. High-density foam and a wood frame round out the impressive features on this perfectly sized loveseat. 

We love that this piece is made in the U.S., comes in 39 fabrics, and three leg finishes all for less than $2,000. Apt2B also offers a lifetime warranty and 100-day guarantee so commitment-phobes can rest easy with this purchase. Because Apt2B furniture is made-to-order, there is a two to three week wait time between ordering and shipping. But we think the wait is worth it for a timeless, high-quality sofa.

Price at time of publish: $1,475

Product Details: Dimensions: 56.5 x 36 x 32 inches | Number of seats: Two | Material: Wood legs and frame; velvet, polyester, acrylic, or microfiber fabric | Care: Washable cushion covers