Something you realize pretty quickly when jumping into the overwhelming world of furniture shopping: Sofas start at upwards of $1,500. Yes, finding affordable sofas is hard. Not to mention, they often come with weeks-long lead times and exorbitant shipping fees because, well, sofas are big and usually have to be hand-delivered. But, thankfully, these days you've got options. With a slew of direct-to-consumer companies offering sofas at a fair price and big-box retailers fighting to compete with IKEA's notoriously affordable designs, there are lots of budget-friendly sofas out there from retailers big and small. Still better, some arrive flat-packed with low shipping costs, and there are even companies offering quick customization services so you don't have to sacrifice your unique style.
Basically, the sofa world is your oyster—which has its downsides when it comes to the sheer number of options out there. That's where we come in, because rounding up great design is part of our job descriptions. (Someone's got to do it!) Plus, playing around with all of the online customization tools is super fun–mixing and matching leg styles, fabric swatches, and cushion types can keep us entertained for hours. (Yes, we're design nerds.) From tailored and midcentury to undone and cozy, we found a wide range of affordable sofas to upgrade your home. So, save yourself some sanity and hours of fruitless browsing, and shop our edit in search of the perfect affordable sofa!
Direct-to-consumer start-ups
The biggest downside of an online-only start-up is that, much of the time, you can’t sit on on one of their sofas before you buy it—a potential deal breaker for anyone who cares about the comfiness of their couch (everyone?) or the hand feel (read: softness) of the fabrics (again, everyone?). If you're game to test the free trials offered widely, you're bound to find lots of customization options, a break from traditionally wasteful manufacturing models that harm the environment, and competitive pricing.
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Burrard Seasalt Gray Loveseat
An early adopter in the direct-to-consumer game, Article specialized in midcentury-inspired design—notice a trend here?—and the Burrard comes in four colorways with walnut legs, as well as three leathers.
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Arch Nomad Sofa
Burrow aims to cut out unnecessary markups, and manufactures with upcycled fabrics and sustainable wood. With several seat options, multiple colorways, three arm styles and leg types, as well as flipback cushions, Burrow has all the makings of a user-friendly go-to.
The Essential Sofa
Not only is the Essential Sofa from
Sabai very well-priced, it also has serious sustainability cred: The frame is made of FSC certified wood, the foam filling is CertiPUR certified, and the pillows are made of recycled fiber fill. This new brand is definitely one to watch.
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3-seat Sofa
A newcomer to the direct-to-consumer sofa-in-a-box game, Allform (from the people at
Helix) also follows sustainable manufacturing practices and aims to remove the burdens of traditional furniture buying with free delivery and a lifetime frame warranty.
Modern Sofa
8 silhouettes. 130 fabrics. 3 leg types. 30 day returns. Handmade in the US. The Inside may be a startup, but they've adopted the best parts of the traditional furniture industry.
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The Sofa
The Sofa from Floyd comes in three configurations–the loveseat is priced at $1,095 and the three seater with chaise starts at $1,695. Each configuration can also be customized in multiple ways: choose one of five different fabric shades, as well as a base that's offered in upholstery or wood.
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Abisko Sofa
We love all things overstuffed, and this Article sofa arrives in two separate pieces for easy moving and assembly.
Sloan Sofa
A startup that now has locations in six US cities to test their sofas, Interior Define offers several models in the under $2,000 price range. The Sloan is customizable when it comes to color, fabric, leg type, cushion type, depth, fill and size.
Modern Sofa
The beauty of Campaign is that they keep it simple and offer one sofa model. If you don't want to be overwhelmed by choice and you like their style, just choose a color and a leg and get shopping.
Big-Box Stores
Big-box stores like West Elm and CB2 seem ubiquitous, mostly because they are—countless accessible storefronts stock a wide array of solutions for all kinds of spaces. Easy access makes options from the big-box design stores very tempting, as well as what seems like an endless supply of very cool couches. That said, you'll be harder pressed to find brands focused on sustainability, and will likely encounter longer lead times and prices that climb with every customization.
Anderson Sectional in Blush by Kure
The ash legs and generous cushions on this muted 3-seater give it a distinctly Scandinavian vibe. The sectional design provides more room for stretching out while the down filling supports.
Camila Velvet Sofa
The burnt orange hue and tapered legs give this sleek sofa a vintage touch, but at a very contemporary price point.
Gwyneth Boucle Loveseat
The pleasing, rounded edges of this creamy CB2 sofa looks expensive but spares the sticker shock.
Neva Sofa
We can definitely see ourselves sinking into this feather-stuffed couch for a long, long time. A word to the wise: Only six of the available neutral shades come in at under $2,000.
Denver Sofa
This super plush velvet specimen looks like a warm hug in couch form. Also available in linen and wool, it's made to order and arrives with white glove delivery for an additional $149.
Hoxton Stone Sofa
Midcentury with a twist, this CB2 sofa appears to balance delicately on its brass frame. If you'd like to upgrade from the stock gray to a velvet or boucle look, expect a 4-5 month wait.
Grammercy Sofa
The dark grey on black color palette and exposed seams give the Grammercy a sophisticated edge.
Harmony Sofa
The Harmony Sofa from West Elm comes in dozens of shades and fabrics types (they offer five varieties of velvet alone!) and you can choose one of two depths, depending on your lounging style. Depending on stock levels, several versions of the soda ship immediately while others are made to order.
Harlyn 3-Piece Modular Sofa
A modular sofa is a smart investment for any home and can be arranged to your liking. This AllModern option ships free and fully assembled.
Benson Sofa
Available in light gray or black upholstery, in addition to the pictured green, the Benson ships (for free!) in 7-10 days.
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Osaka Sofa
The Osaka's shape lends itself well to a range of styles, from nostalgic midcentury decor to more contemporary Danish-inflected digs. The two-seat version has been one of the brand’s most popular models since it was introduced two years ago and its compact size makes it covetable for small spaces
Heatherfield Two-Cushion Sofa
Craving a cane moment? Look no further than the Heatherfield from Anthropologie. It's available in five linen shades and 12 in velvet, though the latter fabric choice can set you above the $2,000 tag.
Under $1,000
Faraday Down-Filled Casual Loveseat by Stone & Beam
While we wouldn't recommend a black sofa to anyone with a light haired pet, this deep-seated loveseat is perfect for humans who love to snuggle in.
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Velvet Track Arm Sofa by Drew Barrymore Flower Home
A stylish, price-conscious option with removable cushions? We'll take it! Also available in a millennial pink.
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Matilda Floor Sofa
Corduroy couches call to mind all sorts of coziness. This bean bag construction comes in three neutral colors.
Calais Sofa by Project 62
The scalloped tufting and punchy colors make this two-seater stand out. The $550 price tag seals the deal.
VIMLE 3-seat sofa
For those with a little more space to spare, Ikea's family friendly Vimle has machine washable fabric as well as built-in storage space under the ottoman.
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Lita Sofa
While it may not scream “jump on me!,” the Lita from Urban Outfitters has a smart look and the cushion over the rubberwood arms is a nice touch.
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Ronan Grey Sofa
The sofa equivalent of a good pair of boots–it's chic, it's sturdy, it's sensible.
Moby Sofa
This cheerful three-seater is available in 10 colors and will brighten the room and was clearly designed for comfort.
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Harris Sofa
At 66 inches, the Harris is petite (the 76 inch option starts at $999) but definitely gets major comfort points for its foam cushions and clean design.
