We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Furniture The 16 Best Places to Buy a Couch in 2024 Our picks include made-to-order sellers, reasonably priced retailers, and everything in between. By Morgan Goldberg and Jen Woo Jen Woo Jen Woo is a freelance design, lifestyle, and culture writer and content strategist with over ten years of experience. She is a regular contributor to Dwell and contributing editor at 7x7. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 15, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Reviews Our Testing Process How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / David Hattan The couch is the heart of the home—it’s where all the action happens, whether you're binge-watching your favorite series or playing board games with your family. Having a comfortable, durable, and stylish couch to sit on will make all those experiences much more enjoyable. That said, not all couches are made equal. We surveyed our staff on couches they ordered from a range of retailers, including luxury made-to-order brands and reasonably priced big-box stores, and tested many sofas in our own homes. In doing so, we considered factors like product variety, price range, shipping options, and return policy. We also tapped interior designer Amy Vroom, who has sourced countless sofas for decoration projects in the Seattle area and beyond, and Noz Nozawa, founder of Noz Design, for expert tips on sofa shopping. West Elm View on West Elm What Stands Out West Elm has a great selection of mid-century modern pieces that stand up to years of wear. What Could Be Improved Delivery can take a while if you purchase a made-to-order couch. West Elm is known for its vast array of modern furniture at reasonable price points. The brand has a great assortment of sofas in different styles, sizes, and fabrics, but not so many that it's overwhelming when browsing online. Many of West Elm's couches are made to order, so it can take weeks to months before they are ready to be delivered. However, West Elm offers a white glove delivery service that is seamless and convenient. Nine of us have West Elm couches at home—the most out of any other retailer. Three of us can vouch for the brand's Harmony collection in particular, which includes a sofa and sectional option. We were amazed by the sectional's durability, which earned it the title of our Best Sectional Sleeper Sofa. The stain-resistant material withstood hot sauce, chocolate, coffee, and ice cream stains with no damage, maintaining its shape throughout a full year of use. Plus, it took us less than one minute to convert the sofa from a couch to a bed and back again. Some of us had mishaps while ordering from West Elm—one sofa arrived damaged, while a sectional arrived with mismatched upholstery. In both cases, West Elm's customer service was helpful and resolved the situation, though it did take several months for a replacement to arrive. Additionally, the brand won't honor a price cut if your couch goes on sale after you purchase it. Overall though, we like West Elm couches for their durable, comfortable, and stylish designs that offer plenty of room for lounging. West Elm Picks Harmony Modular 2-Piece Sleeper Sectional w/Storage Chaise (123") Shipping Cost: $159–$429 | Return Policy: 30 days; made-to-order items not returnable | Delivery Options: Full-service delivery Room & Board View on Roomandboard.com What Stands Out Our sofas were delivered in perfect condition earlier than we anticipated, and we were impressed by their quality. What Could Be Improved Styles skew more traditional and mid-century, so it's not a good place to find contemporary furniture. We don't have enough good things to say about our couch-shopping experience with Room & Board. The website lets you explore several sofa categories—like sectionals, sleepers, and chaises—and refine your search based on factors like width, cushion type, and fabric to help you find the ideal sofa for your space. We were also impressed at the quality of the product listings: They were thorough enough that we felt confident purchasing after reading them. The delivery process was smooth and flawless, with one of our couches even arriving ahead of schedule. Room & Board sofas also demonstrate impressive quality: The fabric is plush and substantial, and they are remarkably comfortable to sit on. After testing the brand's best-selling Metro Sofa ourselves, we can attest that it's the Goldilocks of couches—not too firm, not too soft, but just right. We found the fabric to be thick and durable and the cushions to be especially high quality. Even after a full year of use—and quite a bit of cat scratching—the couch still looked as good as new. We would even go as far as to say it's the best couch we've ever tested. We're also big fans of the André Sofa, which features a reversible chaise lounge and removable foot stool. In addition to its impressive durability, the brand's return policy is also amazing—it accepts returns with no time period, so long as your couch isn't damaged or worn. Nozawa says that she only ever returns client purchases for them occasionally but has noticed that Room & Board is understanding. Room & Board Picks: Metro Sofa André Sofa with Chaise Shipping Cost: $99 | Return Policy: No time period | Delivery Options: Full-service delivery Pottery Barn PHOTO: Pottery Barn View on Pottery Barn View on Pottery Barn What Stands Out The sofas are reliably comfortable, durable, and beautiful. What Could Be Improved The selection doesn’t cater to any styles outside of transitional or traditional decor. Pottery Barn doesn’t compromise on quality, even though its products are manufactured on a massive scale. And its style is definitively transitional, which can suit a wide range of decor preferences and spaces. Pottery Barn sofas have streamlined yet old-world details, like rolled arms and skirted bases for an updated version of traditional looks. No matter which model you choose, it’s likely available in multiple sizes and types of cushions, with over 95 fabrics and 30 kinds of leather to pick from. We love the Turner Roll Arm Leather Sofa Chaise Sectional, which aged like fine wine over one year of testing. The leather had a high-quality look and feel to it, developing a gorgeous patina over time. But Pottery Barn is no one hit wonder—in addition to the Turner Sofa, we've also had success with the PB Comfort Roll Arm Upholstered Sofa, Canyon Roll Arm Upholstered Sofa, and Buchanan Roll Arm Leather Sofa. While Pottery Barn is expensive, we think its couches are worth it. We found the upholstery luxurious, the deep seats incredibly comfortable, and the stain-resistant fabrics a breeze to keep clean. The white glove delivery went smoothly, as well, taking only took a few minutes for each couch to be set up. While it may be overwhelming to sift through the brand's range of fabrics, you can take advantage of free swatches and interior design services to help you land on a decision. Pottery Barn Picks: PB Comfort Roll Arm Upholstered Sofa Canyon Roll Arm Upholstered Sofa Turner Roll Arm Leather Sofa Chaise Sectional Buchanan Roll Arm Leather Sofa Shipping Cost: $279–$429 | Return Policy: 30 days; made-to-order items not eligible for return | Delivery Options: White glove or door step delivery Crate & Barrel View on Crate & Barrel What Stands Out Crate & Barrel couches have dozens of upholstery options. What Could Be Improved Starting prices are high. Crate & Barrel's furniture selection proves that modern decor doesn't have to be uninviting or dull. The brand offers plush, comfy couches that bring mid-century style and personality to your home. Options range from cozy bouclé couches to modern leather sectionals, and while the selection is pricier, you can also stop by one of Crate & Barrel's retail locations or outlet stores to ensure your couch is what you have in mind. Our experiences with Crate & Barrel were seamless. When shopping online, the product descriptions had all the information we needed, and we didn't experience any major hiccups or delays when using white glove delivery. In addition to their attractive designs, we found the couches to be very well made. The Axis 2-Seat Sofa and Axis 2-Piece Sectional Sofa are both upholstered with easy-to-clean fabric that still looks great after years of use. We're also big fans of the Lounge Couch, which is one of the comfiest we've ever tried. Available in three seat depths—36, 41, or 46 inches—the couch is ideal for entertaining multiple guests or relaxing. We found the cushions to be plump without being stiff, with just enough give to make them comfortable for napping. Crate & Barrel Picks: Axis 2-Seat Sofa Axis 2-Piece Sectional Sofa Lounge Couch Shipping Cost: 10% of total cost | Return Policy: 30 days | Delivery Options: In-home delivery Article PHOTO: Article View on Article.com What Stands Out There's a curated selection of stylish mid-century couches, which eliminates decision fatigue. What Could Be Improved The customization options aren’t as robust as other retailers'. Since 2013, Article has focused on creating long-lasting, fairly priced furniture. These couches are versatile and well made with a retro-inspired flair. While customization isn’t available, each design comes in a few different fabrics and configurations. For example, if you like the Timber sofa, you can get it in a three-seat sofa, a sofa with a chaise, or a corner sectional. Article has a smaller, curated selection of furniture, which simplifies the couch shopping experience and brings a cohesive look to your space, especially if you're purchasing multiple items. We also appreciate the reliable delivery service—of the six of us who have purchased couches from Article, none of us have encountered difficulty with the white glove delivery service. We've tried the Sven Sofa in both leather and velvet, the Timber Sofa in leather and fabric, and the Abisko Sofa in velvet. After using the couches for over year, we were amazed by their durability, comfort, and style. The Abisko stood out in particular, thanks to its firm and supportive cushions that maintained their shape throughout the testing period. If you're seeking a trendy yet reliable retailer, Article is an excellent choice. Article Picks: Sven Sofa Timber Sofa Abisko Sofa Shipping Cost: Flat rate shipping in standard service areas starts at $49 | Return Policy: 30 days | Delivery Options: Contactless or in-room delivery Albany Park View on Albanypark.com What Stands Out While the couch collection is smaller, each sofa has a thoughtful design. What Could Be Improved There is no white glove delivery service and no store, so you can't test the couch in person. Sofa shopping can be an overwhelming experience, so much so that Darryl and Jessica Sharpton founded Albany Park to address their couch-purchasing woes. As such, Albany Park does a few things differently from other furniture retailers. Firstly, it doesn't offer as many options—the collection includes just five sofas in standard, sectional, loveseat, and sleeper styles, which is ideal for indecisive buyers. The couches also arrive in compact, apartment-friendly boxes, and delivery is free. Albany Park is online only, so you can't shop in person, but we felt that the listing descriptions were thorough and informative. Additionally, it doesn't offer a white glove service, but the extra assembly effort was worth it—once assembled, we got many compliments on the Kova L-Shape + Ottoman. Plus, the convenience of it arriving in multiple boxes would especially benefit those in smaller apartments with tight doorways and hallways. The Lido Sofa was a timeless addition to our space, comfortable enough for napping, knitting, and reading. We were especially fond of the bouclé fabric, which proved versatile enough to fit any aesthetic. And if the Lido Sofa isn't big enough for your needs, we recommend the Kova Pit, which exceeded our expectations with its deep seats and fluffy cushions. Albany Park Picks: Kova L-Shape + Ottoman Lido Sofa Kova Pit Shipping Cost: Free | Return Policy: 30 days | Delivery Options: Ground shipping Ashley Furniture View on Amazon View on Ashleyfurniture.com What Stands Out Ashley Furniture has over 600 retail locations, making it convenient to browse its sofa selection in person before purchasing online. What Could Be Improved Some shoppers may get overwhelmed by the number of options available. Ashley Furniture favors traditional design styles, and it has an assortment of over 200 couches to peruse, including sectionals, recliners, and sleepers. While the selection may be a little overwhelming while shopping online, Ashley Furniture also has over 600 stores around the country, so you can visit your nearest store to view the offerings in person. Most couches are eligible for white glove delivery, but if you opt to have your sofa ground shipped, you need to bring it in and assemble it. We opted for white glove delivery, and the process was impressively efficient, taking less than half an hour. We tried out the Darcy Sofa, which proved to to incredibly comfortable and durable. We think you'll love the comfort and quality of Ashley Furniture sofas, especially given their reasonable price points. Ashley Furniture Picks: Darcy Sofa Shipping Cost: Varies depending on size and weight | Return Policy: 30 days | Delivery Options: Doorstep or no-hassle delivery Castlery View on Castlery.com What Stands Out Castlery’s sofa selection is on the minimal side, making it easy to shop without getting overwhelmed. What Could Be Improved The return window is very short. Castlery specializes in sofas that are both simple and chic. Its selection caters to a modern design style, and it carries a range of sofa types ranging from two-seaters to sectionals. The brand doesn't have any retail locations, but the website is easy to shop based on your ideal couch dimensions, material, and cushiness. Castlery also offers free swatches to give you a sense of what your sofa will look like before purchasing. The brand has several delivery options, including a white glove service, though some of us did run into some issues with scheduling a delivery. We were pleased with the appearance of the style and color of the Owen Chaise Sectional Sofa and the Pebble Sofa, but we agreed that the cushions could be more plush, as they lost some shape within six months of use. Additionally, Castlery's return window is 14 days, which is smaller than some other retailers. Still, if you're seeking a website that's easy to navigate and filter through, Castlery is a great option. Castlery Picks: Owen Chaise Sectional Sofa Pebble Sofa Shipping Cost: Free in select cities; otherwise starts at $149 | Return Policy: 14 days | Delivery Options: Standard service, room of choice, or white glove Walmart View on Walmart What Stands Out The Walmart website is easy to search and offers a great selection of sofas at a reasonable price point. What Could Be Improved Shipping varies by retailer, so be sure to read the fine print. It should be no surprise that this mega retailer has a vast assortment of couches at unbeatable prices. While only select Walmart locations carry furniture, the online store has thousands of sofas to look through. If that seems overwhelming, you can refine your selection based on sofa style, material, seating capacity, type, and other characteristics to hone in on your search. Walmart couches are made from cheaper materials, so they may not be as long lasting as furniture from a higher-quality retailer. However, we were pleasantly surprised with how luxe and comfy the DHP Cooper Modern Sectional Sofa looked upon arrival, and how high quality it still looks after several years of wear. While Walmart doesn't offer white glove delivery, we found it easy to assemble, and its comfort and style stood out, especially considering the reasonable price tag. Walmart Picks: DHP Cooper Modern Sectional Sofa Shipping Cost: Varies by location and seller | Return Policy: 90 days; marketplace sellers vary | Delivery Options: Varies Joybird PHOTO: Joybird View on Amazon View on Joybird.com What Stands Out Joybird’s fully customizable couches have lots of personality and are built to last. What Could Be Improved The selection is limited compared to other retailers, and there aren't many traditional or contemporary design styles. If you want to go all out on mid-century decor, Joybird is the retro-inspired furniture retailer for you. Its designs are informed by iconic designers from that era, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Eero Saarinen. These deco styles are evident throughout its sofa collection with geometric lines, angled legs, and tufted upholstery. Joybird couches are also fully customizable, with multiple sizes and up to 74 fabric choices for most models. Olive green velvet, turquoise chenille, and rust mohair are among the covetable vintage-style options. We had a great experience ordering with Joybird. The white glove delivery service carried our Briar Sleeper Sectional up three flights of narrow stairs and assembled it without damaging the building or the furniture. During testing, we found the couch easy to convert from sofa to bed and comfortable in both forms. Plus, it was extremely durable—the pet-proof fabric withstood our dog jumping on it with muddy paws, and we noticed no changes in buoyancy or permanent stains. Even after three years of use, the couch still looks great. Joybird Picks: Briar Sleeper Sectional Shipping Cost: $49 for curbside delivery; in-home delivery cost dependent on location | Return Policy: 90 days | Delivery Options: Curbside or in-home delivery Burrow PHOTO: Burrow View on Burrow What Stands Out Burrow’s couches can be assembled and disassembled without tools, and their compact style makes them great for apartment living. What Could Be Improved The sofa cushions aren’t the most comfortable. Burrow makes modular furniture that can move and grow with you. Its couches are easily assembled and disassembled without tools, and you can add seats and switch configurations when your needs (or space) change. Each sofa is designed with convenience and longevity in mind, ideal for apartment dwellers who are frequently on the move. Burrow focuses on the basic principles of American mid-century modernism and contemporary Scandinavian minimalism. We tested the Block Nomad Sofa, which we found to be lightweight yet comfortable, making it perfect for an apartment, playroom, or guest room. Given its structured style, we'd say this pick is better suited for sitting rather than lounging. That said, the firmness of the cushions contributes to the couch's durability, as it endured one year of use with no changes in quality. We found the website incredibly easy to navigate, offering a wide array of customization options without overwhelming us. Each piece of the sofa arrived in a labeled box, making it easy to identify and open them in the correct order. We appreciated being able to choose our favorite fabric, leg material, and arm shape, ensuring the couch suited our preferences. Burrow Picks: Nomad Fabric Sofa Shipping Cost: Free | Return Policy: 30 days | Delivery Options: Ground shipping Apt2B PHOTO: Apt2B View on Apt2b.com What Stands Out Apt2B offers impressive customization options, including fabric, leg finish, and seating configuration. What Could Be Improved Prices start high. Apt2B was established in 2010 and has made a name for itself by producing reasonably priced, made-to-order sofas, sectionals, and sleepers. With over 60 fabrics and tons of styles to choose from, the customization options are endless. While these made-to-order sofas are crafted relatively quickly (typically between two and seven weeks), Apt2B also offers ready-to-ship seating for shoppers who are in more of a rush. In our testing, we found all of the Apt2B couches to be durable and remarkably comfortable, including the Brentwood Sectional and Tuxedo 2-Piece Sleeper Sectional (though the Brentwood Sectional did lose some firmness over time). Messes from kids and pets cleaned up easily, and the couches still looked like new after several months. The Tuxedo Sleeper Sectional proved to be especially high quality, enduring much use and abuse with no signs of wear. While the price tags are relatively high, those in kid- and pet-friendly households will appreciate the investment. Plus, the online ordering and customization process was a piece of cake, and we think it's worth the splurge to have a sofa that’s made exactly for your home. Apt 2B Picks: Brentwood Sectional Tuxedo 2-Piece Sleeper Sectional Shipping Cost: Free; $149 for white glove delivery | Return Policy: 100 days | Delivery Options: Standard or white glove delivery Arhaus PHOTO: Arhaus View on Arhaus.com What Stands Out Its couches are made with sustainability in mind and are easy to keep clean. What Could Be Improved There aren't as many fabric types and colors compared to other retailers. Founded with the mission to craft long-lasting, heirloom-quality furniture, Arhaus is a leader in its sustainability-minded practices. The brand uses reclaimed, sustainably sourced, and recycled materials as much as possible. When it comes to style, Arhaus leans contemporary but still offers lots of traditional designs. Each design has at least one customizable feature, like fabric, width, and depth. If you want to tailor your couch to existing decor, you can opt for one of many neutral upholsteries, including white bouclé and camel leather. We've tried two Arhaus sofas from the brand's Kipton collection, both of which were extremely comfortable and easy to clean. The stain-resistant fabrics lived up to their promise, and we expect the couches to last for a long time thanks to the craftsman-built solid wood frames. While expensive, Arhaus has many retail locations across the country so you can ensure your purchase is right for your space—just keep in mind that custom orders are non refundable. Arhaus Picks: Kipton 2-Piece Sectional Shipping Cost: $299-$599 | Return Policy: 14 days for stock orders; custom orders are not refundable | Delivery Options: White glove, package carrier Rooms To Go View on Roomstogo.com What Stands Out There is a huge number of quality couches at reasonable price points. What Could Be Improved The return policy is only two days. If you want high-quality furniture at budget-friendly prices, you can't go wrong with Rooms To Go. As one of the largest furniture retailers in the U.S., it has a great selection of sofa styles, though it only has retail stores in the South. Keep in mind though that the design style is more traditional, which may not be for everyone. Despite its reasonable price and expansive selection, Rooms To Go does have a few drawbacks. Firstly, the return policy is two days after delivery, which doesn't give you much time to decide if your purchase suits your space. It's also worth noting that our order had a mix up, and it was difficult to reschedule another delivery. Still, we found our couch to be quite comfortable and still recommend Rooms To Go for its price point. Rooms To Go Picks: Drew & Jonathan Parkside Heights Leather Dual Power Reclining Sofa Claremont Heights Sofa Shipping Cost: Varies based on location | Return Policy: 48 hours | Delivery Options: Rove Concepts PHOTO: Rove Concepts View on Roveconcepts.com What Stands Out It has a wide range of unique, contemporary styles. What Could Be Improved The selection is expensive, and while its membership program offers a lot of savings, it may not be worth it if you’re looking for just one piece of furniture. Rove Concepts runs a perks-filled membership program that can be worth it if you want to furnish an entire room or house. For $200 per year, members receive 30% off sitewide, 10% back in a voucher, a dedicated concierge service to manage orders, and early access to sales and new product releases. Members save a lot on couches—so even high-end styles quickly become less expensive. But even if you don’t opt into a membership (remember, it might only make sense if you’re shopping for multiple items), the contemporary, customizable sofas are worth the splurge. Based on our experience, the delivery process is first rate: Rove Concepts texted us to set up delivery, arrived on time, and placed our sofa exactly where we wanted it. The couches we've tried—the Finley Sectional and the Arya Loveseat—strike the right balance between comfort and firmness, so you don’t feel like you’re sinking into the cushion. Rove Concepts Picks: Finley Sectional Arya Loveseat Shipping Cost: $329–$719; orders over $5,000 are charged $170 plus 11% of order value | Return Policy: 30 days; custom orders are not refundable | Delivery Options: Standard or white glove delivery Macy’s View on Macy's What Stands Out Macy’s has great customer service to help guide your purchasing decision and answer questions about your order. What Could Be Improved There aren't as many stylish options. This famed department store has a selection of over 500 pieces to browse online and in person, covering different price ranges, design styles, and sofa types. Among other retailers, Macy's really stands out for its customer service. After purchasing the Jollene 2-Piece Fabric Sectional at one of the stores, we appreciated how helpful and knowledgeable the sales associates were. The white glove delivery was also smooth; we especially liked how Macy's provided real-time updates of our delivery status, and that our couch arrived in flawless condition. However, Macy's doesn't give you a lot of time to initiate a return, so make sure you're confident in your purchase before ordering. Macy's Picks: Jollene 2-Piece Fabric Sectional Shipping Cost: $75-$299 | Return Policy: 30 days | Delivery Options: White glove, room of choice, or inside door delivery Our Testing Process To come up with these recommendations, we surveyed our staff about couches they’ve used from various retailers. Out of the 46 responses we received, we got in-depth insights on 16 different retailers. We also tested many of the couches ourselves, evaluating their comfort and durability over one year of use. After researching and testing several options, we took note of things like selection of styles, product information, shopping assistance, delivery window, delivery services, customization, and return policy. Overall, we evaluated each retailer on our list on attributes such as quality, value, and ease of use. How to Shop for Couches Like a Pro Product Variety Product variety is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a couch retailer. “A couch is a big investment in your home, so make sure the style you select will stand the test of time,” Vroom says. “Before jumping on the latest trend bandwagon, ask yourself if you’ll still like the style in 10 years. The design doesn’t have to be boring, but it should be timeless.” Big-box retailers tend to have the widest variety, but if you know your style, a curated selection at a smaller direct-to-consumer retailer might provide an easier shopping experience, since you can quickly find what you’re looking for. If you have a very specific vision for your couch, consider shopping at a retailer that offers customization. Price Range Some luxurious, made-to-order couches can be expensive, but considering the long-term value, use, and quality, they may be worth the investment. If you are shopping on a tight budget, there are still plenty of places to buy sofas—we recommend starting your search with reasonably priced retailers to avoid getting your heart set on a couch that is above your price range. Vroom says a higher price tag does not necessarily indicate better quality. “Look at how the couch is made to see if it warrants the price,” she says. “Sometimes you also pay for the brand’s prestige. Do a little research to see if [its] construction is on par with other manufacturers or if you’re just paying for a name." In general, Vroom says you should expect to pay $2,000 to $4,000 from a big-box retailer. If the price falls below that, she would question the construction and where corners have been cut. Materials Across retailers, you can find couches made in various durable and easy-to-care-for materials. For example, polyester and nylon are two sturdy fabrics that are budget friendly and easy to clean. However, if your couch is made with cheaper materials, it won't look as luxe as a high-end piece. Higher-quality couch retailers often use natural fabrics with a high thread count, like cotton or linen, in their upholstery. These materials are resistant to pilling, albeit harder to clean. Some manufacturers use a fabric blend of natural and man-made fabrics to make your sofa easier to care for while increasing durability. If you want a leather couch, it's worth it to splurge on the real thing. Genuine leather can last for decades and stand up to years of use, while faux leather doesn't hold up for nearly as long. While shopping for couches, Nozawa recommends rubbing upholstery material against the back of your wrist or lower arm to make sure it doesn't feel too scratchy on your skin, rather than just feeling it with your fingers. By doing this, you'll know if it will feel the same way on your legs. Another thing to consider when looking at couch upholstery options is whether or not you have pets—Nozawa has observed that velvet fabrics are least popular with cats while woven materials have often tempted even the best-behaved cats to scratch. She also notes that patterned fabrics are better at hiding pet hair and stains, though leathers are easier to clean up if you catch a spill quickly. You can even opt for a performance fabric or fabric treatment with coatings that help resist stains and spills. The fabric component of your couch isn’t the only material to consider. It’s also important to look at what each retailer uses in the sofa frame, as that informs how long your sofa will last and hold its shape. Kiln-dried and solid wood are the best options for lasting furniture, though stores that use this material will be on the more expensive side. When shopping at cheaper vendors, frames made from Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and plastic are common, which aren't very strong. Metal is a sleek, modern option that is both reasonably priced and durable. Fill Fill is just as important as upholstery, as this is often the first part of the couch that will get damaged or need replacing. Many inexpensive couches use lightweight, low-density foam, which could feel firm and uncomfortable to sit on. More comfortable and supportive fill materials designed to hold up better over time include memory foam, high-density foam, latex, down, and synthetic fibers. Thankfully, if your cushions dip over time, you can refill them and, in turn, extend the lifetime of your couch. If you sit down on your couch and it sags, that's a good sign it may not last as long as you'd like it to. Shipping and Delivery Shipping and delivery costs vary widely among retailers, so read the fine print before deciding where you want to shop. Free shipping is preferable, especially if you’re working with a tight budget. For those willing to spend a bit more, white glove delivery and included assembly are sometimes available and take the stress out of setting up your couch. Vroom always springs for white glove delivery. “If you don’t, it’s such a hassle getting rid of all the packing materials, especially if you live in an apartment or condo," she says. Unfortunately, shipping delays for furniture are pretty common. If you’re working on a tight timeframe, check how long it will take for your sofa to arrive. Backorders can cause months-long delays, potentially leaving you without a place to sit. On the other hand, you may not want to settle for a ready-to-ship design. Return Policy and Warranty Read the return policy before you select a retailer, as the time frame, shipping costs, and restocking fees can vary widely. Retailers usually set a finite window after delivery during which they will accept returns. Outside this window, they may not accept your return or will tack on additional fees. Warranty is also another important factor to consider. If the couch doesn’t arrive damaged or defective but breaks easily or doesn’t live up to its promises, a warranty can provide you with return or refund options. Questions You Might Ask What’s the best time of year to buy a couch? If you come across your dream couch, don’t feel the pressure to wait for it to go on sale—you never know if it will sell out or be discontinued before then. But if you’re looking to save, the summer and winter often have the best deals around holidays like Labor Day, the 4th of July, and Christmas. Memorial Day is an ideal time to shop, according to Nozawa, especially if you’re shopping for outdoor furniture: “Retailers will have sales and are already starting to liquidate their summer merchandise, so you have a chance to secure your outdoor seating with all of the summer to enjoy it." Additionally, pay attention to when retailers launch new products—this typically occurs in early spring and fall, so they often have sales in late summer and winter to make room for more inventory. How long should a couch last? “In a perfect world, I'd love any sofa to last at least 10 years,” Nozawa says. “But the longevity of a sofa, at any price, really depends on how frequently it's used and how well it's cared for.” If you have pets or rambunctious kids, chances are that your sofa will wear down faster. The quality of materials can also impact your couch’s longevity—if its frame is made from MDF for example, it’s more prone to warping and damage. On the flip side, even a luxury sofa will wear down quickly if it’s used frequently enough. Nozawa says she has seen client sofas that were still in great condition at 15 years old and has also been shocked at the condition of a client's sofa after only two years, even though it was a very nice Italian sofa. How can you tell if a sofa is good quality? The materials and construction of your couch can tell you all you need to know about its quality. “Don’t just look at the pretty pictures,” says Vroom. “Look for high-resiliency foam in the cushions and frames made from kiln-dried hardwood over particle board, both of which increase the lifespan of your sofa and ultimately protect your investment for years to come.” Top-tier couches typically use natural fibers, like cotton, linen, for upholstery, or sometimes blend them with man-made fabrics like polyester or nylon, which are easier to keep clean. Additionally, pay attention to the frame of your couch: kiln-dried wood is the best option, but solid hardwoods or metal are also solid picks. Next, examine how the sofa is assembled. Quality pieces will have joints that are glued, screwed, or stapled with corner blocking for extra stability. For seating support, eight-way hand-tied spring systems offer the best quality and durability. While labor intensive and pricy, this design provides years of support when done by a skilled craftsman. Sinuous springs are also a solid option that’s less expensive, albeit not as long lasting. Avoid web suspension, which is the least durable option. Lastly, consider the filling type used in your couch cushions. High-quality sofas usually have high-resiliency foam for a firmer seat that won’t deflate over time. If you prefer a softer seat, you may want to consider down cushions. However, down isn’t hypoallergenic and is more challenging to keep clean. Beyond furniture construction, Nozawa has some great tips to help you choose a quality couch when shopping online. “You can identify lower quality in the details of a company's product photography," she says. "For example, there's an affordable online furniture brand whose sofas were photographed with crooked sewing and wonky welting! To me, that is a signal: If even the model unit has sewing issues, I can only imagine what the shipped units look like.” She adds that sofas made in the 1970s and earlier are better made on the whole than pieces mass-manufactured today. "Lower quality sofas are also often very lightweight, owing to the type of framing being used,” she says. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Morgan Goldberg, a contributing writer for Real Simple with seven years of editorial experience in interior design, food, and travel spaces. It was updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple, and Jen Woo, a freelance design, lifestyle, and culture writer and content strategist with over 10 years of experience. To write this article, we spent hours scouring the internet for the best places to buy a couch and had our testers rate their online and in-person shopping experience. They shared detailed insights as to the pros and cons of each retailer's couch selection, delivery process, and furniture quality, which we compiled to create this list. We also consulted interior designers Amy Vroom of The Residency Bureau and Noz Nozawa of Noz Design for their expert recommendations and shopping tips. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.