Castlery Sofas Are Finally in Stores — I Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa on Display

I had the hardest time picking out a sofa when I moved into my first apartment, and that was back when big-box furniture stores were some of the main options. But these days, with a growing selection of online-only, direct-to-consumer brands to consider, it’s a whole new kind of complicated. It’s hard to know where to start — and even harder to gauge what a sofa will truly look and feel like through a laptop screen. That used to be the case with Castlery, the modern furniture and home decor brand based out of Singapore, that, until now, didn’t have a showroom in the United States. So when the brand opened up its very first stateside storefront in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, I couldn’t get in fast enough to finally test all the sofas for our Personal Shopper series. 

Here’s how it works: I help you find the best pieces for your space by visiting stores to test furniture in person and reporting back with my findings. We’ve visited retailers like West Elm, Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and Ashley, but Personal Shopper stories are especially helpful when I get to review brands like Castlery that primarily sell online.

This is Castlery’s first U.S flagship store, which means that until now, you could only find its elevated, modern furnishings online. Not to be dramatic, but this is a huge deal for anyone who’s ever been tempted to buy a Castlery piece — especially if you live within commuting distance of the Chelsea store. And if you don’t, I have you covered! I visited the 3,000-square-foot store to test every Castlery sofa on your behalf and give you the scoop on what they’re like in person. 

Castlery has a massive selection of sofas, loveseats, and sectionals that appeal to a range of design aesthetics and needs, whether you want a minimalist apartment sofa or a cushy contemporary sectional for the whole family. Everything is made to last, and most models are fairly customizable to ensure you end up with a sofa that works for your unique lifestyle long-term. It’s all pretty impressive, considering Castlery’s affordable luxury price tag. 

Castlery’s shipping fees will depend on your location and order subtotal, but once you reach the $1,399 threshold, you can choose from three delivery options: Standard delivery means your order will be left at your doorstep or lobby at no extra charge (once you cross the minimum threshold), room-of-choice delivery means the delivery person will bring your order to whatever room you choose (without assembly) for an additional $50 to $70, and finally, white-glove delivery costs $100 to $150 and includes the complete unpacking and assembly of your items and disposal of packaging. 

I evaluated every sofa on display based on the following five criteria to find the best Castlery sofa for every need, whether you’re looking for a sleek studio-friendly sofa or a sprawling sectional.

• 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?
• Loungability: 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 Castlery sofa was tested by me, Alexa Casanova. As Apartment Therapy’s shopping writer, it’s essentially my job to test, review, and recommend products, whether it’s easy-to-assemble bed frames, modular sofas, coffee tables, and anything else you may be looking for. I’ve covered them all, so I know what makes a piece of furniture worth buying. I was previously the commerce editor at Design Milk and Well+Good. 

I spent the day at Castlery’s new New York flagship store to evaluate the brand’s sofas for their design, durability, and loungeability. Here are the best Castlery sofas for every need.

What impressed me: As someone who lives in a small apartment, I wish I had found the Mori 2-Seaterback when I was on the hunt for a sofa. Its 72-inch-wide silhouette is tight and compact, with clean Japandi lines that wouldn’t overwhelm a tiny space. And it’s modular, so you can add other pieces as your needs and space evolve (the model I looked at in-store had an ingenious little side table attachment) or you can choose an armless model to really conserve space. The Mori also features super-deep, pillowy feather-filled seats that are comfy and wide enough to sleep on — perfect for folks who don’t have a guest room. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in a chaise sectional, L-shaped sectional, and an armchair 
• Dimensions: 72.4″ wide, 45.7″ deep, 32.1” high
• Upholstery: Alpine performance linen, Sand performance linen
• Finishes: Natural, Walnut

What impressed me: At just under $2,000, the Auburn sofa is the most affordable Castlery sofa I tested. And I genuinely think it looks twice the price, with its enveloping curved silhouette and plush bouclé upholstery. It’s also the firmest sofa I sat on that day, which makes me think it’s best suited to a formal living space or a conversation area. The seat is quite shallow, so it has a more upright sit that’s perfect for working from home or chatting with guests. And the bounce-back is unmatched; there wasn’t so much as a divot when I stood up from the sofa. It looked completely untouched! 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in a curve sofa, sofa with ottoman, extended sofa, armless curve sofa, extended sofa with ottoman, curved L-shaped sectional, and more 
• Dimensions: 90.9″ wide, 36″ deep, 30.1″ high
• Upholstery: Chalk bouclé, Performance Basalt, and 20 custom fabrics

What impressed me: The Dawson Extended Sofa was tailor-made for family movie nights and gatherings. It’s fluffy and relaxed, with a sprawling 126-inch-wide silhouette that offers plenty of room for everyone to pile on. The model I saw had a storage ottoman, too, which is perfect for stashing cozy blankets. Plus, in the event of a spill, it has removable covers that can be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleaning.

In terms of the sit, the Dawson feels soft and supportive, with feather-filled cushions that have surprisingly decent bounce-back (even though that “lived-in” look is part of its charm!). And in the creamy slub linen-weave upholstery I saw in-store, it had a laid-back coastal feel. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in a 2-seat sofa, wide chaise sectional, chaise sectional, L-shaped sectional, pit sectional sofa, and a swivel armchair 
• Dimensions: 126.4″ wide, 44.9″ deep, 31.9″ high
• Upholstery: Cream slub linen, Medium gray slub linen, Cocoa leather

What impressed me: Compared to the fabric version of the Dawson sofa, the Dawson Leather Sofa takes on a more luxurious, tailored appearance in its buttery-soft leather upholstery. It only comes in one leather option, Cocoa, a beautiful warm tone that accentuates the sofa’s clean lines and subtle curves. It almost has a retro, mid-century modern look look to it, while the fabric options lean more coastal. 

Like the other Dawson models, this one’s fully modular, so it’s easier to maneuver into a small space or reconfigure as your needs change. And it has the same sink-in softness, so you get the loungeable sit you want with elegant vintage charm. Chef’s kiss.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in a 3-seat extended sofa, extended sofa with ottoman, L-shaped sectional, and a pit sectional 
• Dimensions: 89.8″ wide, 44.9″ deep, 31.9″ high
• Upholstery: Cocoa leather

What impressed me: The Castlery rep told me the Agnes Sofa has been a customer favorite since the showroom opened, and I totally understand why. There’s a massive storage compartment hidden under the sofa’s bench seat — perfect for small New York apartments. It’s also incredibly sophisticated and classic-looking, with a tall, supportive back and removable slipcovers that make it easy to switch up your look and keep the sofa looking fresh. I was genuinely impressed with how plush the seat felt, considering all the storage underneath, yet it still gives you a supportive upright seated position thanks to the high back and overstuffed cushions. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in a chaise sectional, L-shaped sectional, chaise sectional sleeper, chaise sectional with ottoman, L-shaped sectional with ottoman, and a loveseat 
• Dimensions: 88.6″ wide, 39.8″ deep, 37.8″ high
• Upholstery: Four fabric options

What impressed me: If you’re looking for a sleek, ultra-modern sofa, the Lena sectional is for you. It looks like a luxe designer piece with its sculptural silhouette and angular metal legs. But it’s not as high-maintenance as it looks: It’s upholstered in a performance twill fabric that has a stylish knotted-knit effect and resists spills. I could see this sofa being the centerpiece of a formal living space, and the hub of your next get-together. It has a balanced, medium-firm sit that’s comfortable enough for entertaining and looks pristine even after you’ve been sitting on it for a while. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in a loveseat, 2-seat sofa, sofa with an ottoman, chaise sectional, L-shaped sectional, an ottoman, and an armchair       
• Dimensions: 103.1″ wide, 37.4″/66.1″ deep, 33.1″ high
• Upholstery: Light gray performance twill, Cream performance twill, Cocoa Marche leather, and 20 custom fabric options 
• Leg finishes: Brass and matte black

What impressed me: For anyone who wants the functionality of a sleeper but doesn’t want to sacrifice style to get it, consider the Hamilton. It’s the ultimate all-in-one, with a cooling, memory foam mattress that pulls out with minimal effort and a roomy storage compartment in the chaise, so all your guest bedding has a designated place to live. Plus, it features a chic, polished chrome base for a hint of modern glam. Everyone wins! 

It has a solid, firm seat and overstuffed back cushions that prop you up in a comfortable upright position. I found I could type on my laptop comfortably while sitting on it, so it’s a great option for folks who like to take calls or send emails from their sofa. And if you do want to kick back, the wide chaise gives you plenty of room to do it. It is on the shorter side, though (I’m 5’5” and my feet were just grazing the edge), so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re taller. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in a standard sleeper, round swivel chair and a half, round swivel armchair, chaise sectional, round chaise sectional, chaise sectional with a storage ottoman, sofa, and a loveseat
• Dimensions: 116.5″ wide, 67.3″ deep, 33.9” high
• Upholstery: Marcel performance fabric

What impressed me: As soon as I laid eyes on the Jaron Recliner Sofa, it became abundantly clear that recliners have come a long way since the clunky, cumbersome models I remember from my youth. It’s so sculptural and stylish, with a curved, bubbly shape and supple leather upholstery. You’d never know it’s a power recliner at all until you feel the discreet reclining controls tucked between the armrests and seat cushion. It has a soft seat with a medium-firm back that offers the ideal level of support in the upright position, and when it’s fully reclined it’s beyond dreamy (I could’ve dozed off for a nap right then and there). Plus, the reclining mechanism is smooth and virtually silent; it doesn’t sound or feel like you’re operating a piece of machinery at all. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in an extended recliner sofa, recliner L-shaped sectional, recliner chaise sectional sofa, and recliner armchair 
• Dimensions: 86.6″ wide, 45.3″ deep, 30.3” high
• Upholstery: Cocoa Marche leather, Ivory Marche leather

What impressed me: With its low-profile silhouette and long side chaise, the Jonathan sofa has a laid-back feel that instantly made me want to plop down and kick back. Despite its structured, blocky shape, it has a cushiony, loungeable sit, with an angled trapezoidal back that puts you in a slight recline. What’s more, the wide arms are low and padded enough to double as a headrest if you’re lying on it lengthwise. And when you’re seated, they double as side tables or an extra place to perch. 

The Jonathan also features stylish flange edges that give it a more tailored look. Ultimately, it’s a sofa that can suit a range of spaces and aesthetics — whether it’s in a hip, modern loft or a casual family basement. 

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available in an extended side chaise sectional, L-shaped sectional, side chaise sectional, 2-seat sofa, extended sofa, and more 
• Dimensions: 99.6″ wide, 39.4″ deep, 27.6” high
• Upholstery: Three stocked fabrics, seven custom fabrics, and 2 leather options