Sofa Buying Guide for 2024

Shop here if : You have a small budget and want a good variety of style and fabric , from sleek , mid – century modern look to classic leather sofa .

average standard sofa price : $ 1,500 for a three – seater

What we liked: Article offers a range of sofa types—including loveseats, sectionals, and sleeper sofas—in modern and trendy styles. We’ve tested Article’s Ceni Sofa and the Sven Lounge Chair (an armchair version of the Sven Sofa). And we’ve found both to be comfortable and well constructed, with high-density foam cushions, webbing suspensions (which we discuss in this section), and solid walnut or oak bases. We found these sofas generous to sit in, and our testers thought they had a decent, albeit firm, “ride.” We’ve been testing the Sven Lounge Chair in velvet for a few years of daily use (it has quickly become a living room favorite). The green velvet has a sumptuous, mossy richness to it and is soft to the touch, and the seat cushion feels medium-firm. With a seat depth of 2 feet, the Sven can comfortably accommodate cross-legged and side-lounging positions. However, when our 5-foot-4 tester was seated “normally,” facing forward, it felt almost too deep; taller folks may find it to be just right.

The company’s seating comes in a range of sizes, including armchairs, loveseats, three-seaters, and sectionals, and it can usually be dispatched in a few days (Article clearly lists the shipping windows on each product page). The Ceni three-seater, with woven polyester fabric upholstery, normally sells for around $1,000. And the Sven three – seater sofa is ranges ( 88 inch wide ) range from $ 1,300 to $ 1,900 , depend on your choice of velvet , weave , or leather upholstery .

In our experience, Article’s email communications with orders and shipping are clear and accurate, and its customer service is responsive. We were impressed by the efficiency with which the Sven Lounge Chair was packed: The legs, which you screw on yourself (no tools required), came zipped into the underside of the chair. And the cushions all fit inside the seat volume, creating a 70-pound compact cube—23 (H) by 43 (W) by 48 (L) inches. Assembly for the Sven was minimal—you simply attach the screw-on legs and position the cushions. But check Article’s instructions for each item (available as a PDF on the product page) before you order.

Things we didn’t love: Among the many glowing Article reviews we saw, there were a fair number of negative ones, most of them pertaining to durability. Some users (including one Wirecutter staffer) report the cushioning in the Ceni Sofa sinking over the years and the fabric upholstery being prone to pilling.

Though the Sven Lounge Chair’s seat is medium-firm, we found that the soft back cushion sinks in, for a pillow-like feel, and requires frequent plumping. The seat cushion is tufted on one side, so you won’t be able to flip it or remove the cover to wear each side evenly, but you can flip the back cushion.

Though most of our staffers who own the Sven like it, one hated it: She reports that her velvet cushions have faded where the sun reaches them, and the cushions now sag.

The arm on Article ’s Ceni Sofa . photo : Jeremy Pavia

The solid wood legs on Article’s Ceni Sofa. photo : Jeremy Pavia

The volcanic gray cushion on Article’s Ceni Sofa. photo : Jeremy Pavia

The arm on Article ’s Ceni Sofa . photo : Jeremy Pavia

Swatches: You can get up to 10 free swatches through an online form; not every couch style comes in all fabrics or leathers, so check before ordering your swatches. Placing the order is slightly cumbersome, since you have to manually enter the upholstery information you’re interested in.

Return policy: Returns are accepted within 30 days for any reason (this incurs a $49 shipping fee, as long as you’re in the continental US), plus $50 if you don’t save the packaging. Exchanges are free with the original packaging.

warranty : one year

Shipping & delivery: Article offers a flat rate $49 shipping fee for front door delivery to most locations within the contiguous US (some remote areas may be more expensive, but you can check by entering your zip code in your cart). You can also have the sofa delivered to a designated room for $119 and assembled for an additional $80. Article lists box dimensions and weights on each product page.