Room and Board Couch Round-up Part 3: Rating the Good, the Bad and the Un-Comfy

dean couch .jpg These are the couches that make us blue. Mostly because they gave us a false sense of hope. They looked like they would be just perfect, but it seems that so many R&B couches suffer from short seats and straight backs. Here, sadly are the losers.

The Dean - (Seen above) This one forces you into an uncomfortable slouch when you sit, which for us is not a good thing. (86"-$1,400)

The Metro - This is the sink in in a bad way. Not too comfy. (75"-$1,350)

The Flanagen - Forces you to sit upright- like taking tea with the queen. Not great. (79"-$1000)

The Pennington - We wrote down the word "fine" for this. If someone said we looked "fine", we'd change.(72"-$950)

The Candice - Another upright/not cozy. Why are these all so short-backed?! (71"-$1,200)

The Dublin - Straight up- forces you to sit upright. Not great. (73"-$950)

The Porter - Oy. Sinks way down. Feels like an old couch with bad springs. (71"-$1,300) Alec H.

Comments (14)

Hey, Alec, purely for scientific control purposes, how tall is/how much did the sofa-tester weigh? :)

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2005-09-09 14:26:29

Being short I'd prefer something with a shorter seat.

posted by jimkk on 2005-09-09 14:45:13

These reviews have made me relieved I didn't wait to go to R&B before ordering my sofa...they were all so enticing online...

posted by Christine on 2005-09-09 15:26:16

I actually think all the sofas pretty much *look* like the testers said they feel... for example, it doesn't surprise me, based on the pics, that the Candace is more formal than comfy. But not every couch is intended for marathon TV sessions... upright and formal soetimes is what you're after.

Um, jimkk, we still talking about sofas? :)

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2005-09-09 15:54:03

We purchased the Jackson leather couch - 86". We love it. So comfortable. I fall asleep if I lay down on it. Love the fact that the back 3 pillows zip off. I have a 4 yr old. He loves it to & somehow knows not to take it apart or jump on it. Durable leather for kids is best. Can replace parts of couch in case of a unrepairable puncture. Need new back pillow, reorder new one. Bottom cushions are on w/ industrial strength velcor for easy cleaning. Doesn't seem that they will wear as easy as the dean so far.

Also have the felix cahir - love that to, guests say it's very comfy.

Also have Dean chair & ottoman. You do need to slouch a bit to sit in it, But w/ the ottoman it is like a chaise anyway.

Looked into buying Dean couch, just decided it was too blocky. Liked the padless back. Also noticed from our dean chair. The cushions will wear a bit faster than we would like. Firmer would be better. Don't want it to look shabby chic soon.

posted by Jennifer Heinrich on 2005-09-11 09:35:18

I really appreciate this info as I'm currently looking for a sofa. Good stuff! Next, how about comfy dining chairs -- for lingering with tea and the paper, for marathon sewing sessions...

posted by Krista on 2005-09-12 12:24:38

This roundup is so timely. I'm about to make purchase from R&B. The couch I fell in love with won't fit into my apartment (damnit!), so I have find a second choice...I've searched other furniture companies, and don't see anything I like as much as the products at R&B. My second choice is the Desmond...does anyone on this board have any experience with it? Or any suggestions about armless sofas from other retailers?

Thank you!

posted by MC on 2005-09-26 23:47:03

We are looking to (finally!) by a decent couch after scrounging thrift shops for years. Can anyone recommend a decent place to buy modern - yet comfortable furniture in San Francisco?

posted by Nicky on 2005-10-06 19:18:19

I bought the dean sofa and two matching
chairs from R&B, they look awesome and
are the best sofas ever, maybe your sitter
should try a pillow.

posted by U2 on 2005-10-14 05:59:16

I am considering ordering a Frederick sectional from Room and Board. Has anyone out there ever sat on one or know anyone who has one? We are quite far from a Room and Board store and I'd like to know th sectional is comfortable before we buy it.
Thanks.

posted by Jacki on 2005-11-26 23:05:41

I think the sitter/reviewer is under 5ft tall or has a deformed Tuchus. I really disagree with the reviewer. I live near a Room and Board store and have had the opportunity to try out most of the sofas. Most of the upholstered pieces do sit like they look. A tight straight back is going to force the sitter more upright for settings that are more formal. The cushion backed sofas sit more relaxed and create a more "loungey" feel.
I just purchased the Frederick sectional from Room and Board in Doss Dijon. It is extremely comfortable ( I'm 6'tall ) It's a great in-between size. Still great for casual hanging out and lounging, but offers a comfortable sit when entertaining guests who may want a more upright conversational sit. It also doesn't take up a huge amount of space in the room. Rounded arms make great headrests when laying down and watching movies. It looks great in my victorian home but also ties in with my more contemporary pieces. The Doss fabric is great; nice and soft to the hand, and spills clean up great! The first week I had it I managed to spill pomegranate juice on it, and it wiped right off. Ya gotta love that!

posted by JLo on 2005-11-28 12:44:51

Having looked for a couch for quite sometime, I agree with the sentiments of the Dean after seeing it in person, but I chose the Metro which is by far the most comfortable couch Ive ever sat in (I'm 6'3" at 210lbs). Im in Chicago. It delivers in another 3 weeks, I cant wait!

posted by Kevin King on 2006-02-17 13:57:49

Big thank

posted by lasix toronto on 2006-09-01 05:37:56

Does anyone have the Frederick? I'm thinking of getting that in the microfiber. Looking for advice on that vs. the York.

posted by Jane on 2007-01-11 13:29:17