The Best Editor-Tested Sofas for Small Spaces You Can Buy Right Now

Furnishing a small space that doesn’t skimp on style is no easy feat, but that’s what Apartment Therapy excels at. So when it comes to searching for the perfect sofa that can actually fit in tight spaces and winding hallways, we know a thing or two. Our editors and writers have tested couches of all shapes and sizes through the years, and many of them get our stamp of approval for being small space-friendly.

If you’re not sure where to begin in your sofa search, fear not: Here you’ll find a list of our favorite sofas for small spaces. Our top picks feature modular designs, durable pet-friendly fabrics, and smart features (including hidden storage) so you can agonize less about choosing a couch and focus more on the fun stuff, like decorating. All of the sofas we recommend have been tested by Apartment Therapy editors in their own homes, and are able to be customized to fit your requirements — a must if you need to make the most of limited square footage.

If you live in a small space, you need to measure everything before committing to a sofa. Not only does it need to fit in the room it’s going in (with space around it for walking), but it also has to fit in tight doorways, stairwells, and elevators. Modular sofas are a great option for apartment dwellers, as they are delivered in boxes that are easier to navigate than a single large piece of furniture. If you have really limited space, you might want to consider a loveseat rather than a traditional couch.

Performance fabrics are designed to hold up to stains, spills, and general wear and tear, making them especially suited to homes with kids or pets. Genuine leather is another durable option that’s easy to clean, although it does require more care to prevent scuffing or scratching. When it comes to color, lighter neutrals can actually help make your space look larger than it is.

Again, sofas that are modular in design are great for small spaces because they’re more adaptable, allowing you to remove or add pieces as needed. Other extra customizations to look for if you have a small space include built-in storage and sleeper sofa functionality, which will help you take advantage of every inch of space you have available. If you have an odd layout, look for a made-to-order sofa that allows you to choose a specific length and width. 

We tested a wide range of modular sofas and judged them 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)?

Our favorite modular sofa that also happens to be great for small spaces is Albany Park’s Kova Sofa, which is a favorite of editor-in-chief Charli Penn’s. Charli’s sofa is a two-seater plus ottoman, and fits perfectly in the compact den it’s placed in.

“The 1930s colonial my husband and I own has plenty of charm, but not much square footage,” Charli says. “The den, where we and our two dogs love to unwind after a long day, is especially tricky: It’s only 88 inches wide. Every ‘small-space sofa’ we tried before fit the room, but not our lifestyle.” The Kova fit the bill: “It’s well-made, unbelievably comfortable, and fits beautifully in small spaces without sacrificing a drop of style.”

Charli opted to add on a storage ottoman, which helps her maximize her small space’s square footage even more. She describes it as “deceptively deep,” with plenty of room to hold extra blankets and throw pillows. Plus, the performance fabric looks luxe but manages to be low-maintenance — not only is it stain-resistant, but the cushions are all removable and washable for even easier care. While you can’t customize the seat depth, you can choose from 12 configurations that work for just about any space. 

Read our full Albany Park Kova Sofa review.

Who It’s Best For: Families and pet owners looking for a couch that’s functional but still stylish; people looking to maximize square footage with hidden storage.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available with pillow cushions 
• Features: Washable covers, optional storage ottoman
• Dimensions: 85.5 x 79 x 39 inches
• Upholstery: Linen, chenille, brushed canvas, bouclé, velvet, twill, basketweave (all performance)
• Colors: 32
• Frame: Wood

If you have a small space or tricky room layout, a completely customizable couch might be necessary to ensure the right fit. BenchMade Modern’s OG Sofa is the only sofa we’ve tested that allows you to choose every aspect of its design, including length, depth, cushion fill, and upholstery. While it’s one of the most expensive couches we’ve tried (and the priciest on this list), it’s well worth it for the quality and personalization. 

“In my experience, BenchMade Modern made it a very simple and fun process that made me look forward to receiving my sofa with every step,” says senior shopping editor Britt Franklin. “It feels more special because I got to choose what it looked and felt like, and didn’t have to settle for what I could find via search engine.” 

No matter what size space you have, you’ll appreciate the total control you have over your couch’s sizing. BenchMade Modern lets you pick any length between 65-100 inches, as well as two different seat depths. You also get to pick between two cushion fills: foam and fiber or down alternative. Britt opted for the down alternative option (which is also more popular): “I’m glad that I did because the seats have just the right amount of give to sink lightly and comfortably into them without worrying that the sofa will fall apart in a few months.”

Read our full BenchMade Modern OG Sofa review.

Who It’s Best For: People with tricky layouts or those who just want complete control over their sofa’s design; people who are willing to splurge on a truly made-to-order couch.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available with bumper and as a loveseat, chaise sectional, corner sectional, bumper sectional, U-shaped sectional, and double chaise sectional
• Features: Customizable seat depth and cushion fill
• Dimensions: Customizable
• Upholstery: Bouclé, chenille, leather, velvet, woven
• Colors: 130
• Frame: Engineered wood

Cozey’s popular Ciello Sofa is another modular option that works very well in small spaces — even if you opt for a sectional. There are 11 sectional configurations for every room size, plus options for two-seaters, three-seaters, and four-seaters, so you absolutely have options even if you’re not working with much square footage. 

“I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this sofa is, and its design doesn’t look cheap at all,” former Apartment Therapy shopping writer Haley Lyndes says. “The performance fabric feels incredibly high quality, and the cushions are a dream to sink into. What’s more, it’s perfectly sized for small living room layouts, which is a rarity with sectional couches. It fits mine splendidly.”

The Ciello comes with a few other bonus features that make it truly special, like washable cushion covers, an optional storage ottoman, and even an optional sleep kit if you plan to use it for hosting. Even better? Its modularity means that it’s delivered in boxes rather than in one large piece, so apartment dwellers don’t have to stress about navigating it through tight hallways.  

Read our full Cozey Ciello Corner Sectional review.

Who It’s Best For: People who want a versatile, lounge-worthy sectional that can actually fit in small rooms; people who want a couch for guests to sleep on that’s not a heavy sleeper sofa.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in XL or with angled arms
• Features: Modular, washable covers, optional storage ottoman, optional sleep kit
• Dimensions: 106x106x33.5 inches
• Upholstery: Performance fabric, chenille, Aquaforte, corduroy
• Colors: 11
• Frame: Solid pine

Love the look of leather? Our favorite leather couch is the Article Sven Sofa, which comes in both sofa and loveseat sizes to accommodate different space needs. Even if you opt for the regular sofa size, it has an airy feel thanks to the spindled legs, so it won’t create any visual clutter in a cramped space. It’s also incredibly stylish and versatile, with two included bolster pillows, a tufted seat, and a comfortable feel.

Apartment Therapy home director Danielle Blundell has had this sofa in both the 88-inch and 72-inch sizes, and loves the mid-century modern silhouette high-quality construction. “The leather truly patinas so nicely, and the overstuffed back cushions and tufted single seat cushion are super-comfy, high-end touches you don’t always see at this price point,” she says. 

It’s upholstered in either full-aniline or semi-aniline leather in six different colors. Full-aniline leather doesn’t have any protective coating but semi-aniline does; while full-aniline leather is soft and luxurious, semi-aniline leather is more durable and resistant to scratches and stains. If you have a busy household with kids or pets, semi-aniline leather is your best bet.

Read our full Article Sven Leather Sofa review.

Who It’s Best For: People looking for a quality leather sofa at an excellent price who don’t want a deep seat.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in fabric and velvet and as a loveseat, grounded sofa, sectional, and sleeper sofa
• Features: 2 bolster pillows
• Dimensions: 88x38x34 inches
• Upholstery: Full-aniline leather, semi-aniline leather
• Colors: 6
• Frame: Solid and composite wood

Whether you have pets, kids, or just a penchant for eating on your couch, a sofa upholstered in a performance fabric is always a good idea. The Form Sectional from Floyd is our choice if you’re looking for a durable sofa that’s also suitable for small-space living, as the modular design gives you flexibility over the sizing. Former Apartment Therapy shopping writer Kendall Cornish has the two-seater option in her own home and loves how it’s held up.

“Multiple red wine spills, acrylic paint splatters, and mysterious stains haven’t been any match for the coated and stain-resistant Floyd upholstery,” Kendall says. Even her cat’s constant scratching hasn’t done damage to the sofa: After a month “of unregulated scratching and claw-assisted stretching, only a single thread on the Sectional’s upholstery has managed to come loose.”

Despite its chunky, oversized appearance, the Form Sectional’s size is just right for smaller spaces. “It’s designed to be wider than your average sofa, and since those few extra inches don’t feel like they actually take up much more room, the difference in terms of comfort is drastic,” Kendall says. And although its dense foam fill doesn’t allow for much sinking in, it does offer excellent support for long-term lounging. 

Read our full Floyd Two-Piece Form Sectional review.

Who It’s Best For: People with busy households looking for a durable sofa that’s modern and stylish.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a 3-seater, 4-seater, and 5-seater
• Features: Modular
• Dimensions: 90×36.5×27.4 inches
• Upholstery: Performance fabric, bouclé, Kvadrat Sisu, Kvadrat Tonus
• Colors: 19
• Frame: Plywood and wood

Although sleeper sofas are most needed in smaller homes without a dedicated guest room, their extra bulk makes them less suited to tighter spaces. Despite this conundrum, there are small space-friendly sleeper sofas out there — like the Burrow Shift Sleeper Sofa, which folds out futon-style to ensure a compact footprint. 

Burrow is already one of our favorite places to shop for seating, and the Shift is one of its latest offerings. Editor-in-Chief Charli Penn has it in her own home, and appreciates its functionality and cute design. At 84 inches long, it’s the smallest sofa on our list (but still about average for a couch), and requires very little square footage to use as a bed. Unlike standard pull-out sleeper sofas, the Shift doesn’t have a mattress; instead, the seat cushion can be folded out to make a queen-size bed.

The cushion/mattress is made up of foam, including a top layer of cooling memory foam for extra comfort. Plus, the included side pillows can be used as bed pillows, meaning you don’t have to store extra pillows just for guests. That convenience makes the Shift one of the most functional sleeper sofas we’ve tested, no matter what size your space is.

Who It’s Best For: People with no space for a traditional pull-out couch who need a place for guests to sleep.

Specifications: 

• Features: Queen mattress, 2 throw pillows
• Dimensions: 84×32.5×33.5 inches
• Upholstery: Performance basket weave
• Colors: 5
• Frame: Wood