We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at Arhaus

The market for sofas is nothing if not busy, with buzzy direct-to-consumer brands and budget-friendly big-box retailers alike clamoring for attention. One way to cut through the noise is to invest in a custom-made sofa, which, although typically more expensive than a traditional sofa, might not be as expensive or as challenging as you might expect. 

One of our favorite places to shop for custom furniture is Arhaus, a tried-and-true retailer that’s known for its sustainable practices, high-quality materials, and artisan-made designs. To give you a leg up on the Arhaus shopping experience, we visited the brand’s store at the Short Hills Mall in New Jersey as part of our Personal Shopper series. There were six sofas total in the store, and we poked and prodded them all to see how they stacked up.

Arhaus stands out amongst other furniture retailers for its emphasis on durability, customization, and global-inspired style. Most of its sofas come in various configurations, with plenty of choices when it comes to fabrics and sizing. In fact, there are hundreds of upholstery choices available, although not all are shown on Arhaus’s website. To get the full custom experience, you’ll need to visit a store or take advantage of Arhaus’ online design services.

Another bonus? Arhaus sofas come with a lifetime warranty on their frames and spring support systems, so you can rest assured your custom piece is one you’ll have for life.

We judged every Arhaus sofa based on the following criteria:

• Overall sit: What posture does the sofa best support? How deep or shallow are the seats? Are the cushions soft or firm on the back and arms?
• Seat firmness: How soft or firm are the seat cushions? How do they contribute to overall posture and comfort?
• Customizability: Does it come in different varieties? How many colors, finishes, materials, or sizes is it available in? How granular can you get when customizing the sofa?
• Multifunctionality: Does it have storage capacity? What else can the sofa do or help with?
• Sturdiness: Is the frame made from durable, high-quality materials? Does the sofa wobble or creak when you’re on it?
• Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., deep hues, busy details, flanged edges) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, low profiles, mid-century modern design elements)?

Each Arhaus sofa in this article was tested by Charli Penn and Danielle Blundell. Charli is Apartment Therapy’s editor-in-chief, which means she oversees all of our editorial content, from organizing tips and cleaning tricks to House Tours and product reviews. She’s been with the company since 2022, and previously worked at Essence.

Danielle is the executive home director at Apartment Therapy, overseeing all of the home decor and design content and working on the award-winning Small/Cool NYC experiential event. She’s been working at Apartment Therapy since 2019.

Charli & Danielle’s thoughts: The Kipton is Arhaus’ top seller, thanks to its robust customization options, high-quality design, and comfort. We loved the spring-foam-down combination in the cushions, which resulted in fantastic support with a cozy, sink-in feel.

The cushions had excellent bounce-back when we sat up, so we’re confident that they won’t require regular fluffing to maintain their appearance. You can even customize the firmness by adjusting the foam-to-down ratio, which is something we haven’t seen before when sofa shopping. Plus, the cushions sit slightly higher than the back, adding to that supportive feel.

The design features a track arm that can be slim, wide, or curved — we saw the wide option, which has a somewhat cozier vibe. The whole thing is built with a kiln-dried 7-ply wood frame (which is more durable than the standard 5-ply), which is obvious from how sturdy it  feels. The short 2-inch legs are mostly hidden for a low-profile look that’s stylish as well as inviting, making this a great lounging couch.

With over 300 fabric options (including performance weaves, leather, and velvet), the Kipton is highly versatile. Like most of Arhaus’ furniture, it comes in mostly neutral tones, so it’s not a good option if you’re trying to make a color statement. Still, the customizations are hard to beat, and the lifetime warranty ensures that this is a forever sofa.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in leather and as a sofa, modular sofa, sleeper sofa, chaise sectional, corner sectional, chair, and swivel chair
• Overall Length: 140 inches
• Overall Depths: 40 and 44 inches
• Upholstery: Chenille, bouclé, velvet, classic weave, textured weave
• Frame: Hardwood laminate

Charli & Danielle’s thoughts: The Beale sofa is Arhaus’ second bestseller, standing out for its modular flexibility and comfortable feel. It’s available in two depths, although the Arhaus sales associate we talked to said that the vast majority of shoppers opt for the deep option. It also has a lower back that creates a more reclined, lounge-like feel compared to the Kipton.

Its modular design allows you to reconfigure pieces as needed (an advantage over fixed left- and right-arm chaises), as well as fit into smaller apartments and tight stairwells. Design details include arms that are similar in width to the Kipton’s but with slightly softer edges; the thinner arm feels more classic, while the wider version reads fresher and more contemporary.

The fully finished cushions give the Beale a polished look, while the removable 2-inch legs create a modern, low-profile aesthetic. The cushions have the same construction as the Kipton’s, although they feel slightly softer despite offering the same excellent bounce-back. The back pillows also felt great to lean against, and they seem like they’ll hold their shape well.

Once again, the Beale comes in a wide range of fabric options, including performance weaves that are easy to clean and maintain. It also comes with two side pillows for even better lounging. Although it’s similar in style to the Kipton, the modularity makes it extra convenient, and we think this is a great choice for apartment dwellers.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a sofa, modular sofa, bumper sectional, corner sectional, ottoman sectional, curved sectional, and chair
• Overall Length: 129 inches
• Overall Depths: 39 and 43 inches
• Upholstery: Chenille, bouclé, classic weave
• Frame: Hardwood laminate

Charli & Danielle’s thoughts: The Remington is a longtime Arhaus bestseller, which makes sense considering its distinguished yet versatile design. The sales associate we talked to called it a great transitional sofa, since it can easily fit with existing furniture and decor and works with pretty much any design style. We agree, and especially like that it can be dressed up or down depending on the room — it’s equally suitable as both an everyday lounging spot and a polished anchor piece. 

It has a spring-foam-down blend like the Kipton and Beale, but with a firmer feel thanks to the higher ratio of foam versus down. Therefore, it offers excellent support and feels more like a “proper seat.”

Unlike other Arhaus models, there aren’t any firmness adjustments you can make, but there are three different widths, two depths, and plenty of fabrics. According to the sales associate, most people go for the shorter depth since the deeper version is too deep for a more formal couch.

We really love the wide arms and exposed chunky legs, which give it a bit of an edge over more classic sofa silhouettes. It’s a great combination of function and style, and we could see it being a good choice for large and small spaces alike. Its timeless design and broad appeal make it obvious why it’s an enduring bestseller!

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in leather and as a chaise sectional, 2-piece corner sectional, 3-piece corner sectional, loveseat, daybed, swivel chair, outdoor sofa, and outdoor swivel chair
• Overall Lengths: 84, 96, and 108 inches
• Overall Depths: 40 and 46 inches
• Upholstery: Chenille, bouclé, classic weave, textured weave
• Frame: Hardwood laminate

Charli & Danielle’s thoughts: The Owen is a more design-forward option, thanks to the French pleat cushions and subtle wedge arms, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in comfort. It has a taller back and higher cushions compared to the other Arhaus sofas, making it especially supportive for resting your head and neck — its biggest selling point, in our opinion.

The arms are also ideal for relaxing, since they have a wedge shape that makes it easier to lean back (plus it comes with two side pillows for even more comfort). The Owen has the deepest seat depth of the six we tested, so we think it would be great in a stylish yet cozy family room.

The seat cushions lack springs, so they’re thicker and firmer than the sofas that do. The cushions instead rely on extra foam to give them structure, although they still offer excellent bounce back and a proper, upright sit. However, the absence of springs means that you’ll have to rotate the cushions regularly to preserve their shape.

Still, they give off a very inviting vibe because the French pleats make them look more like pillows than traditional cushions. Overall, this modular sofa is versatile, stylish, and supportive, and would work well with lots of different design styles.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a modular sofa, corner sectional, and ottoman sectional
• Overall Length: 126 inches
• Overall Depth: 42 inches
• Upholstery: Chenille, bouclé, classic weave, textured weave
• Frame: Hardwood laminate

Charli & Danielle’s thoughts: The Amira is a newer addition to the Arhaus sofa collection, and it’s appropriately stylish and contemporary. The curved design and channel tufting are elegant and eye-catching, and we think this would be a great statement piece for a more formal living area.

It’s not the best option for a laid-back family room though, since it has a fairly shallow seat and no back pillows for lounging. It’s definitely a design-forward sofa, however, with a tailored bench cushion and a spring-free construction that allows for a smoother sit.

The Amira doesn’t have as many customization options as the other Arhaus sofas, and is only available as a sofa, daybed, or chair — not a sectional. Only one color is available to order online, but it’s a gorgeous cinnamon shade that looks and feels luxurious.

While this sofa isn’t designed for more casual spaces, its modern aesthetic and rich coloring would look fabulous in a more formal setting. Alternatively, you could add some throw pillows to make it cozier — this is a great couch to play around with different fabrics and patterns! 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a daybed and swivel chair
• Overall Lengths: 78, 93, and 107 inches
• Overall Depth: 41 inches
• Upholstery: Classic weave
• Frame: Hardwood laminate

Charli & Danielle’s thoughts: A good-looking reclining sofa is hard to find, but it’s not impossible — just check out the Coburn for proof. We saw the sectional version of this sofa, and loved its high-back design, cozy aesthetic, and easy motion functionality (and the fact that you don’t have to sacrifice style to get these features).

There is a lot about the Coburn that you won’t find elsewhere, including headrests that pop up when you recline and stay hidden when you’re not, creating a low-profile look that’s not an eyesore. Plus, it can sit flush against the wall with no clearance needed (although it’s best if you have an inch or two to spare).

The tall back makes this a super supportive option, especially if you like to work from your couch, while still offering full lounging comfort when extended. The cushions are on the firm side (they’re filled with a foam-down-feather combo without springs), and they have tailored piping that looks especially sharp on the leather model. One of the best parts of this sofa, though, is the fact that you can opt for a battery pack over a cord, so you can remove visual clutter and not worry about reaching a far-away outlet.

The Coburn offers an excellent compromise between the support of a recliner and the style of a modern sofa. Truly, we don’t think we’ve seen a recliner quite like this before — we just wish it came in an armchair version!

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in leather and as a 2-piece motion sofa, 3-piece motion sofa, and 6-piece motion sectional
• Overall Length: 127 inches
• Overall Depth: 44 inches
• Upholstery: Chenille, bouclé, classic weave
• Frame: Solid hardwood