I Test Sofas for a Living — These Are the 8 Best Affordable Ones for Every Home

published Oct 29, 2024
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I’ve seen my fair share of luxe sofas. After all, I look at them in-store every month for AT’s Personal Shopper series. It’s fun to go into a store like Blu Dot or Design Within Reach and pretend like I have a $6,000 couch for a few minutes, but if I’m being honest, my living room seating budget is much lower. After becoming familiar with sofa prices at both low-end retailers, like Wayfair, and more high-end retailers, like West Elm, I’d say $1,500 is a relatively low price you can expect to pay for a sofa that’s still well-made.

I’ve sorted through every single sofa that I and my colleagues have tested and found a handful of stylish yet budget-friendly options. No matter how much space you’re working with or what kind of lifestyle you lead, you’re bound to find at least one model below that suits your home. Who knows — you might even grab a separate sleeper for the guest bedroom!

1 / 8
West Elm
$699.00

There's a reason why the Oliver sofa is a bestseller. It's clean, sophisticated, and modern with supportive, firm seat cushions, and its splayed legs add a stylish touch. This sofa is made to last and can fit nearly any room aesthetic. And with a compact profile, it's a great choice for a small space.

2 / 8
Burrow
$1119.00
was $1399.00

Burrow's modular Range Sofa is super eye-catching, thanks to its unique design, moss green upholstery, and customizable leg options that add a touch of elegance to any space. Another bonus: You can add pieces as you go for a sofa that grows with you and your space. Our favorite part about this sofa, however, is the support — so if you’re looking for a sofa that’ll really align (and support you throughout your entire 9-to-5 WFH shift), this is the one.

3 / 8
Wayfair
$409.99

Only $400 might sound too good to be true for a compact sleeper with hidden storage, but the Abby-Gayle sectional is certainly real. In addition to those features, the sectional also has an adjustable back and reversible chaise, making it one of the most versatile sofas we’ve viewed. “We found this couch to be pretty comfortable to sit on, but it is firmer than it looks, while the bed was easy to pull out,” Alicia noted. “Plus, the chaise had more storage than we were expecting.”

4 / 8
Ashley
$1299.98

This small-space-friendly sectional quickly earned my stamp of approval. When I visited Ashley’s brick-and-mortar store to test all of the sofas the retailer has to offer, I determined that the Carnaby is “surprisingly compact in person but still incredibly comfortable thanks to its plush back cushions and seats.” Plus, I love its cream-colored upholstery and traditional touches.

5 / 8
Pottery Barn
$899.00
was $1599.00

Pottery Barn’s Union sofa shocked me with how soft and fluffy its bench-style seat cushion is. It’s pretty customizable and comes in two sizes that are good for small spaces. Anyone after a coastal or laid-back living room aesthetic will love this pick’s unstructured silhouette and sink-in comfort.

6 / 8
Wayfair
$1380.00

Alicia, AT’s deputy commerce editor, recently looked at all of the sofas at Wayfair’s first-ever brick-and-mortar store in Illinois. She noted that the Anorea sofa, which is made of real leather, looks way more expensive than its $1,380 price tag. “With this iconic silhouette and tufted design, the three-seater Anorea sofa is a real statement piece,” Alicia’s review reads.

7 / 8
Ashley
$649.99

The Rannis packs a punch with its pull-out mattress and compact silhouette. Super plush with a chic, contemporary feel, this love seat turns into a twin bed, making it the perfect addition to living spaces or home offices that double as guest rooms. I also found its foam bifold mattress to be comfy and supportive, which makes sense when you consider the sleeper’s sturdy steel frame.

8 / 8
Raymour & Flanigan
$1259.95
was $1399.95

Raymour & Flanigan makes it a point to offer most of its sofas and chairs in easy-care fabrics, and that includes the Mirasol sofa. This mid-century stunner is available in 30 colors, so you can truly tailor it to your space. We also love this stylish model’s button tufted back cushions and padded arms, which practically double as pillows.

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