We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa and Chair at Urban Outfitters — Here Are the Best for Every Space and Need
In our opinion, shopping for sofas and chairs online is one of the hardest things you can do (and we do this for a living). No matter how much measuring you do, how many customer reviews you’ve read, or how many hours you’ve spent researching what kind of upholstery you need, it’s daunting to make such a big purchase without getting to see your new couch or armchair in person. This is where Apartment Therapy comes in. We test all kinds of products, from mattresses to small-space-friendly finds, so we took it one step further and declared ourselves your Personal Shopper. We visit showrooms and stores and test the in-stock sofas and chairs for you.
We’ve already gone to West Elm and Pottery Barn to put their sofas to the test, now it’s Urban Outfitters’ turn. We visited one of Urban Outfitters’ New York City locations and sat on every couch and chair (multiple) in the store — no matter how awkward it got. We took notes about each one while we were there and determined who each chair and sofa suited best.
Why Urban Outfitters?
Urban Outfitters is a reader and editor favorite for all things furniture and home decor. Urban boasts a big selection, with something for just about everyone, whether you favor classic or modern style. We particularly love Urban’s vibrant eclectic and boho-inspired pieces. Although it is a large retailer, the pieces feel unique and like something you would stumble upon in a small vintage boutique. And the prices of couches and sofas aren’t that steep compared to their competitors. Urban Outfitters offers $149 flat-rate shipping for furniture and ships in-stock items within 2-4 weeks. The retailer does note when a product is made to order and when it might be available (sometimes as much as two months out). There is a 15 percent restocking fee if the furniture is returned. Below are the exact models of the sofas and chairs that we tested in-person. We noted when sofas and chairs are available in other styles (i.e., a sectional) or different colors.
The Sofas and Chairs
- Best Sofa for Lounging: Yoji Sofa
- Best Sofa for Napping: Maia Sofa
- Best Classic-Style Sofa: Chamberlin Recycled Leather Sofa
- Best Sofa for Small Spaces: Aria Sofa
- Best Chair for Small Spaces: Castella Chair
- Best Armchair: Floria Patterned Velvet Chair
- Best Desk Chair: Edith Velvet Arm Chair
- Best Accent Chair: Marte Lounge Chair
- Best Outdoor Chair: Acapulco Indoor/Outdoor Woven Chair
The range of sofas and chairs carried by Urban Outfitters is not limited to this list. Visit the website for more options
The Criteria
We judged every Urban Outfitters sofa and chair in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped us determine who the sofa or chair suits best, from the movie marathoner to the boho obsessive.
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?
Loungability: Can you spend hours on this sofa or chair? And would you want to?
Multifunctionality: Can it serve multiple purposes within the home?
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, bright hues, modern silhouettes)?
Every Editor-Tested Sofa and Chair at Urban Outfitters
Best Sofa for Lounging: Yoji Sofa
What Impressed Us: The overall sit and high-performance fabric.
The Yoji sofa is a chic compromise of modern and classic style. A surprisingly comfortable three-seater, this sofa provides the perfect amount of back support — rigid enough that you don’t sink back into it yet soft enough that you could sit there for hours. It was in a high-traffic area of Urban’s store, and despite that fact, it did not have any small rips or tears in the fabric. This sofa would be a great pick for dog parents who know that Fido will be joining them for Netflix marathons on the couch. And if you love throw pillows, this couch is an ideal canvas — Urban Outfitters had styled it with this flower pillow in the store.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 89.68″ long, 38.2″ wide, 29.13″ high
- Also available in an armchair style
- The in-store couch was Lime Green, but the only color currently available on Urban Outfitters’ website is Ivory
Best Sofa for Napping: Maia Sofa
What Impressed Us: The napability.
Out of all of the sofas at the Urban Outfitters store, the Maia was the best to take a snooze on. It is not technically a sleeper sofa, but when sitting on it, you can imagine stretching out on it during a lazy Sunday. The bottom cushions were mattress-like, and the sofa’s low profile provides you with enough room to curl up. The removable top back cushions are meant for lumbar support and might not be enough for some, but extra pillows could be added to supplement. This couch was right in front of the dressing rooms, and a shopper was sitting on it for the entire duration of our visit, so it’s definitely comfy enough to camp out on. Just a note for shoppers: There was a small amount of pilling on this sofa, which can be taken care of with the help of a fabric shaver.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 85.6″ long, 35.8″ wide, 30.9″ high
- Cream, Green (in store), Mustard, and Terra Cotta color options
Best Classic-Style Sofa: Chamberlin Recycled Leather Sofa
What Impressed Us: The overall sit and appearance.
Buttery soft and eye catching, the Chamberlin Sofa is a classic mid-century modern choice that makes a luxurious-looking addition to any space. Crafted from recycled leather, this sofa feels supple and smooth. It comfortably seats three people upon structural metal feet, which gives this retro sofa a modern touch. In the store, there were signs of mild wear and tear, though the sofa does seem difficult to scratch or stain. Out of the sofas we tested, this one was the most affordable. If you’re shopping for a slightly more eco-friendly leather seating but this isn’t the size you’re looking for, don’t fret — the Chamberlin comes in three other configurations.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Best Sofa for Small Spaces: Aria Sofa
What Impressed Us: The appearance and size.
Boasting the most modern silhouette out of all of Urban Outfitters’ in-store sofas, the Aria is sure to garner many compliments on its 1960s-inspired curves. No matter if you’re viewing this sofa from the front or back, it is a bold, well-designed piece of furniture. This statement-making sofa is sleek yet surprisingly soft and comfy. When tested, it’s more of a loveseat than a three-seater (it’s 10 or more inches shorter than the other sofas on this list), which makes it a good pick for shoppers short on space. Three people could probably squeeze together, but it would not be enjoyable. The Aria is made with performance fabric, which is designed to be easy to clean and long-lasting.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 75.2″ long, 35.4″ wide, and 30.7″ high
- Rust Faux Suede (in store) or White Boucle color options
Best Chair for Small Spaces: Castella Chair
What Impressed Us: The overall sit and size.
Perfect for those who live in studios or don’t have room for three-seater couches, this single-seat Castella Chair is a cozy, low-to-the-ground chair with a wide-waled corduroy fabric that feels like sitting on a sofa without the added bulk. The lack of arms on this chair makes it appear modern and trendy, while the fabric’s ruching makes it look more inviting. Shoppers over 5’9″ might find it a bit uncomfortable to sit on without propping their legs up on an ottoman or stool.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 36″ long, 33.5″ wide, 27″ high
- A matching Castella ottoman is available
- Dark Green (in store) or Rust color options
Best Armchair: Floria Patterned Velvet Chair
What Impressed Us: The appearance.
This soft, velvet Floria Patterned Velvet Chair is designed to become the focal point and standout piece of whatever room you put it in. A modern take on the armchair, it only has three legs instead of four, giving it an unexpected silhouette. The chair is extremely comfy and it’s easy to imagine sitting in it for hours with your favorite book. The cowprint-patterned velvet is the boldest out of all of fabrics on this list, and if you want this chair in something a little more understated, there are other options below.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 31.5″ long, 29.1″ wide, 31.5″ high
- Choose from a Mauve Marble pattern or solid Lime, Pink, Dark Green, Gold, or Terra Cotta color options
Best Desk Chair: Edith Velvet Armchair
What Impressed Us: The durability and appearance.
This minimalist velvet armchair looks like it could survive multiple moves with ease. Made out of oak wood and cotton with velvet upholstery, this chair seems like it would last the longest out of all of the options on this list. Sturdy yet comfortable, the Edith would make a great accent chair or desk chair. It’s inviting with its low-back design, and the deep rust (nearly brown) color warms up a space, while blending in with nearly any decor style.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 25.5″ long, 26.5″ wide, 27″ high
- 24″ arm height
Best Accent Chair: Marte Lounge Chair
What Impressed Us: The overall sit and appearance.
Rattan lovers rejoice, because not only does this Marte Lounge Chair look aesthetically pleasing, but it is also a great seat to relax in. It adds a touch of Urban’s signature boho vibes to any room and is a bona fide conversation piece. Made out of matte rubberwood with rattan accents, this chair was surprisingly comfortable. Though it was in a high-traffic area of the store, there were no signs of wear or tear. It also only weighs 15 lbs. — the lightest chair on this list, so it’s easy to shift around your space.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 32″ long, 28.25″ wide, 34.25″ high
- There’s also a matching Display Wall Shelf and Storage Cabinet
- Brown (in store) or Black color options
Best Outdoor Chair: Acapulco Indoor/Outdoor Woven
What Impressed Us: The versatility.
It’s rare to find a chair that looks like it belongs both indoors and outdoors, but the Acapulco Indoor/Outdoor Woven Chair pulls it off. The woven chair features a hammock seat that keeps the sitter comfortably upright for shorter periods of time. It’s made with a powder-coated steel frame and weather-resistant elastic roping — all of which seem easy to clean. Urban Outfitters recommends that this chair is either covered or brought inside during inclement weather. It’s perfect for those with patios, roof access, and backyards, or for those looking for a space-saving accent chair.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 28.5″ long, 31″ wide, 34.75″ high
- Black (in store) or White color options