We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space

When you’re growing up, no one ever teaches you how to buy a couch. And when it’s time to make the purchase, the sheer number of products you have to choose from when shopping for sofas (or anything, for that matter) is both a blessing and a curse — especially at a retailer like Ashley, which has so many options. 

So, how do you save yourself from dealing with a disappointing big-ticket purchase and a difficult return process? By reading our Personal Shopper series, of course! In this series, we visit the physical showrooms of all your favorite furniture retailers and try products out firsthand. It’s been years since we visited an Ashley showroom to check out all of the Ashley furniture couches in person. This time we headed to the store’s Brooklyn location to check out its new releases and re-test old favorites from our last visit. 

Despite a rising number of online DTC competitors in the sofa marketplace, Ashley has held its own as a legacy retailer and continues to produce high-quality sofas at reasonable prices.

In addition to offering its signature homey, traditional silhouettes, Ashley also boasts a wide selection of modern sofas and sectionals that look right at home in both busy family households and young adults’ apartments. The brand recently introduced Ashley Luxe, its new line of furniture focused on elevated style, craftsmanship, and materials — and most of the sofas are modular, so you can create a totally custom configuration. When we say Ashley offers a wide selection, we mean it.

We judged these Ashley furniture couches in-store based on the following five criteria to help us determine who the sofa suits best, from the busy parent to the small-space apartment dweller.

• Seat firmness: How soft or firm are the seat cushions? How do they contribute to overall posture and comfort?
• Seat depth: How far do you have to scoot to meet the backrest? And when you do, are you in an upright or reclined position?
• Loungeability: Can you spend hours on this sofa or chair? And would you want to?
• Durability: Is the fabric easy to care for and able to withstand everyday use? Does it require frequent upkeep and spot-cleaning?
• Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., rounded lines, tufted cushions, classic silhouettes) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, bright hues, modern silhouettes)?

Every Ashley furniture couch was originally tested by former Shopping Writer, Nikol Slatinska. She tested and reviewed furniture for the Personal Shopper series to help readers find the best pieces for their homes, especially small spaces. From sofas and bed frames to dining tables and accent chairs, she’s covered it all — making her a furniture expert. 

As a shopping writer at Apartment Therapy, I recently visited Ashley’s Brooklyn location to re-test all the sofas on the showroom floor and evaluate the new models that the brand has released since Nikol’s visit. It’s essentially my job to test, review, and recommend products, whether it’s easy-to-assemble bed frames, modular sofas, coffee tables, or anything else you may be looking for. I’ve covered them all, so I know what separates a great piece of furniture from one that’s just good.

We looked at more than 40 sofas during our visit to help you find the perfect fit. Below, you’ll find our top 10 picks for every need — whether you’re looking for the pillowy, luxe model for lounging or an extra-durable option for families with kids and pets.

What impressed me: The Whitehaven sectional was practically begging me to sprawl out on it with its oversized shape and extra-wide, deep cushions. After lounging on it in the store, I can confirm that the cushions feel as sink-in soft as they look. The seat looks flatter when I stand up, but I can see the memory foam core bouncing back in real time to its pillowy shape. That’s not to say that they won’t require occasional fluffing, which is par for the course with such a relaxed, cloud-like couch. 

With its deep seat and medium-firm back, the Whitehaven invites you to lean back in a cushy recline, though it does come with a bunch of dense, foamy throw pillows for extra support if you need. The model I viewed in-store was a 5-piece L-shape sectional, but the Whitehaven is fully modular, so you could easily configure it as a cozy two-seater for a smaller apartment. 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as an oversized chair, two-seat sofa, accent ottoman, and more   
• Dimensions: 132 inches wide, 132 inches deep, 38 inches high 
• Upholstery: Oyster bouclé or Sable velvet

What impressed me: As I walked up to the Modero sectional, I was struck by how retro it looked compared to Ashley’s other pieces. With its curved corner silhouette and channel-tufted saddle leather, it looked straight out of a ’70s-era sunken living room in the best way. And it was styled in a more contemporary setup in the store, so it can go either way depending on your preference. I was so taken by its appearance that I had no idea it was a power recliner until I spotted the discreet controls on the arm of the sofa. I immediately plopped down and kicked up my feet — the recline was smooth and virtually silent (which is kind of unheard of for a power recliner!). 

The Modero is also modular, so not only can you configure the sofa to work in spaces of any size (just make sure you have the front clearance for the pop-out footrest!), you can decide how many reclining seats you have. In terms of the seat, I found the Modero to have medium-firm seats that were quite bouncy and supportive. I didn’t sink into it at all, and considering the wide, square arms, I could easily see myself answering emails from it. 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a 2-piece power-reclining sofa, 3-piece power-reclining sofa, 4-piece power reclining sectional, 5-piece corner power-reclining sectional, and more 
• Dimensions: 133 inches wide, 133 inches deep, 38 inches high

What impressed me: For only $600, the Storrow sofa is a complete steal. The three-seat silhouette sports thick, firm cushions that have just the right amount of bounce, so you can settle in comfortably without sinking in too deep. I also loved its wide, square arms, which are lightly padded, yet flat enough to place a drink or laptop if you want to answer emails from the couch. I know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all couch, but I’d say the Storrow comes pretty close, especially for the price. 

Aesthetically, the Storrow is all about simplicity. Its neutral upholstery, and polished details like tufting and piping details give it a classic, goes-with-anything look. I saw the Storrow in the Stone upholstery, a taupe-y beige polyester material that feels durable, and velvety soft.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Available as a manual recliner, loveseat, and a queen sleeper sofa   
• Dimensions: 88 inches wide, 40 inches deep, 38 inches high
• Colors: Stone, Iron

What impressed me: With its tight, 57-inch-wide frame and narrow arms, the Bixler is a shoo-in for small spaces or studio apartments. It’s also fairly lightweight compared to the other sofas I looked at, so it’s easy to move with another person. Even still, it felt sturdy and solid when I plopped down on it. The cushions had a bouncy, medium-firm feel and softer back cushions that let me lean back to relax if I want. Plus, the seat is shallow at 22 inches, so it’s easy to sit upright without getting lost in its cushions. 

If you’re partial to the MCM aesthetic, the Bixler delivers. Its tapered legs, tufted back seat, and deep olive green upholstery (that has beautiful thread variations up close!) look considerably more retro and design-forward than anything else Ashley had on display. And if you like the look but want something larger to accommodate more people, it’s also available as a sofa and chaise, too. 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Available as a sofa, corner chaise, and an accent chair   
• Dimensions: 57 inches wide, 38 inches deep, 37 inches high
• Colors: Olive, Navy

What impressed me: The Calden sectional boasts a sophisticated, clean-lined silhouette and blocky square legs that would be right at home in a more formal living space. Except the cushions are exceptionally plush — I’m talking sink-in soft — so you can curl up on its wide chaise or across the deep seats for a cheeky midday nap. That being said, it may be too soft for folks who want that extra support. 

Even though the Calden is on the longer side at 126 inches, the chaise is quite short. I’m 5’5″, for reference, and when I lay back on it, my feet are right at the edge, so you may hang off of it if you’re taller. So you could make it work in an apartment if you have a long enough wall. 

Specifications:

• Styles: two-seat sofa, corner sectional, three-seat sofa, loveseat, leather accent chair, ottoman, super chaise, and more   
• Dimensions: 126 inches wide, 67 inches deep, 39 inches high
• Upholstery: Oyster bouclé, Sable velvet, Caramel leather

What impressed me: Of all the sofas on the showroom floor, the Ashley sales associates say the Elissa Court is a customer favorite — and I totally get why. It has a classic look that complements any room, and it’s modular, so it can be configured in spaces of any size. The 5-piece sectional I saw in-store is roomy enough for the whole family, complete with removable, machine-washable covers — all in Ashley’s ultra-durable performance fabric, Next-Gen Nuvella. Stains, snacks, and pet hair don’t stand a chance! 

The sectional has deep seats that are great for lounging, while the backs have more of a medium-firm feel, so you can sit upright if you need to send a work email or take a quick meeting. It’s a solid everything-couch; its only flaw is that it’s only available in one off-white shade. 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a loveseat, storage ottoman, 6-piece sectional, 3-piece sofa, 3-piece sectional, and more     
• Dimensions: 111 inches wide, 111 inches deep, 36 inches high
• Upholstery: Next-Gen Nuvella™ polyester fabric in Vanilla

What impressed me: Even though it’s technically 101 inches wide, the Larce is surprisingly compact in person. Factor in the short-but-wide chaise, and it’s more apartment-friendly than the other sectionals I tested. The deep seats give you plenty of room to sprawl out for a cozy night in, and the medium-firm cushion keeps you from sinking too far back. 

The Larce is also upholstered in Ashley’s stain-resistant Nuvella performance fabric, which, combined with its stellar bounce-back, explains why the floor model still looked pristine despite being on display for months. I saw it in the Stone colorway, which has a light heathered gray appearance with beautiful thread variations and a subtle texture. 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a 3-piece sectional, accent ottoman, and more 
• Dimensions: 101 inches wide, 68 inches deep, 38 inches high
• Colors: Stone and Dune

What impressed me: The Emilia sofa was named the best leather option during our last Ashley visit, and after re-testing it in-store, I can say that it’s still deserving of the title. This time we saw it in a 2-piece sofa configuration that had a worn-in, vintage appearance, with a low-profile silhouette and chunky square arms (that double as extra seating). It’s upholstered in a buttery-soft, top-grain leather (and finished with an indistinguishable faux leather on the exterior areas), and features deep, wide seats that make lounging a pleasure. 

The seat cushions are so soft that I felt myself hitting the sofa’s platform base when I plopped down onto it. So this may be one to skip if you prefer sofas with lots of support. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as an ottoman, 3-piece sofa, 4-piece sectional, 5-piece sectional, 6-piece sectional, and 7-piece sectional
• Dimensions: 98 inches wide, 41 inches deep, 36 inches high
• Upholstery: Caramel and Black leather

What impressed us: The Modmax sectional has a cool and modern look that’s completely modular. You can even add side table modules with built-in Bluetooth speakers, sleek glass tops, and a USB charging port, giving this modular system all the bells and whistles. The five pieces are free-floating without connectors, which means there are endless configuration options. Keep them all together to create a sectional, a long sofa, or separate them to create individual seats, almost like a home movie theater. The associates literally have tiny building blocks available in the store that allow you to build a totally custom configuration. 

It’s also upholstered in Next-Gen Nuvella fabric that’s not only soft, but also durable and easy to clean. The cushion covers are removable and washable, and the fabric is stain-resistant. That makes this sectional perfect for families and busy households, whether there are kids or pets running around.

Specifications:

• Styles: Available as a 2-piece sofa, 3-piece sectional, 3-piece sofa, 4-piece double chaise sectional, swivel glider recliner, ottoman, and more
• Dimensions: 107 inches long, 107 inches wide, 36 inches high
• Colors: Ink, Spice, Oyster, Granite

What impressed me: We’ve tested the Rannis in the queen and twin-sized versions, but I think the full-size sleeper is a solid mid-sized option at 76 inches wide — perfect for small apartments. It has the typical pull-out, bi-folding mattress, which was very easy to unfold and put away. I was dubious about the thinner mattress at first, but it’s all memory foam, so it feels squishy and supportive — and its thinness makes it lighter and therefore easier to pull out, anyway. 

In sofa form, the Rannis feels surprisingly comfortable for a sleeper sofa (most are on the firmer side because of the sleeper mechanism underneath). It has a medium-firm feel, but the back cushions are soft enough that I can lean back if I want to. The cushions are also super lightweight, so removing them to pull out the sleeper mattress isn’t a huge ordeal. 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a twin sleeper sofa, queen sleeper sofa, and a recliner
• Dimensions: 76 inches wide, 40 inches deep, 39 inches high
• Upholstery: Pewter and Snow

• Ashley Luxe Whitehaven 5-Piece Modular L-Shaped Sectional 
• Ashley Luxe Modero Corner Power Reclining Modular Sectional
• Ashley Luxe Calden 3-Piece Modular Sectional with Chaise
• Elissa Court 5-Piece Sectional
• Larce 2-Piece Sectional with Chaise
• Emilia 2-Piece Leather Loveseat
• Emilia Leather Modular Sectional
• Mod Max 5-Piece Modular Sectional 
• Rannis Full Sleeper Sofa
• Rannis Twin Sleeper Sofa
• Storrow Sofa
• Bixler Loveseat 
• Soletren Queen Sleeper Sofa
• Creswell 2-Piece Sectional with Chaise
• Lindyn 3-Piece Modular Sectional with Chaise
• Stoneland Power-Reclining Loveseat