A Guide to Buying Extra-Long Sofas, Including Our 14 Favorite Styles
When it comes to shopping for a sofa, I usually have my eye out for a cushy, deep sofa that’s easy to curl up into while I watch my favorite show and is comfortable enough to lounge on with my laptop. But space planning and sofa size are also at the very top of the list when deciding on seating, so I’m constantly falling into the cushions, sitting up straight in an unnaturally rigid position, and, most importantly, taking all the measurements — especially if it’s an extra-long sofa.
Whether you live alone but entertain often or share your home with other humans or cute little furry BFFs, you probably want to ensure that everyone can comfortably be accommodated in your living space — and that’s where a longer couch comes in. So, what exactly is an extra-long sofa? How long is considered extra-long? And why do you even need one? We put together a how-to guide on how to buy extra-long sofas, plus our 14 favorites that go the extra mile in style.
What Is an Extra-Long Sofa?
An extra-long sofa is essentially a longer couch and takes the typical three-seat sofa to new lengths, whether through wider seats, an additional seat, or a modular chaise piece that can be added or removed so that your sofa can grow with you as your needs and spaces change.
Who Should Buy an Extra-Long Sofa?
A lot of people, it turns out! Maybe you have a gaggle of kids. (Yes, I said gaggle.) Or maybe yours is the house where all your kids’ friends hang out. Or maybe you’re the one who hosts game night or TV-watch parties or holidays. Or maybe you have not one but several pets who want to lounge on the sofa with you. Or … maybe you’re just really, really tall. If you’re someone who wants extra seating, but not the configuration of an L-shaped or U-shaped sectional sofa, an extra-long couch might be for you.
How Long Is an Extra-Long Sofa?
There’s some debate online about what makes a couch considered extra-long. (Then again, what can’t you find a debate about somewhere online?) But the consensus is that an extra-long couch is anything over 100 inches wide. For reference, most standard-size sofas are 80 or 90 inches wide, and more compact, apartment-size or small-space sofas fall in the 70-inch range before being considered a loveseat.
The Best Places to Buy an Extra-Long Sofa
I like doing my online research, but prefer to shop for a sofa in person, as I like to test the comfort and depth firsthand, so brick-and-mortar shops with online sites are a welcome choice. But there are a number of online stores that make virtual purchasing fairly risk-free. Burrow, for example, has a few showrooms in major cities around the nation, but for everyone who doesn’t live near one, it offers free shipping and allows a one-time, no-charge exchange within a 30-day window of delivery as long as you have the original packaging.
Check out a few solid extra-long sofa candidates below from our favorite online and in-person stores that would make entertaining, lounging or napping-en-masse a breeze.