Apartment Therapy Tested & Approved: The Most Comfortable Sofas at Room & Board
With well over 48 sofas (not counting custom pieces, sectionals and all size options) in their catalog of products, Room & Board has a dizzying assortment of furniture. When we visited their Manhattan showroom in Chelsea, we were honestly taken aback by the vastness of the store, not even knowing where to start our tests. So we can understand how anyone considering a R&B sofa might have a similar plight. How do you narrow down what you’re looking for? Many have similar aesthetic qualities, but how do they feel different? Well, we’ve done the leg work for you and given each couch we sat on an overall rating to help you in your search for the most comfortable sofa.
How did each sofa get said overall rating? Five Apartment Therapy editors went seat to seat, ticking away at specific criteria with their personal thoughts (purely based on comfort, as opposed to style). They evaluated sit (how upright or reclined a back was), depth, firmness, napability, seat height and overall comfort on a scale of 1 to 5; each of those scores was tallied and averaged, revealing a comprehensive rating for every sofa.
A little info about Room & Board:
R&B prides itself on the fact that more than 90 percent of their products are manufactured in the U.S. from local and imported materials. They work with family-owned companies around the country to ensure the best craftsmanship (and also fast delivery!). As founding members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council—a non-profit industry organization focused on promoting sustainable practices amongst manufacturers, retailers and consumers—you know you’re getting a sofa you can feel good about.
The Sofas
The Specs
- Price(s): $1,699-$1,899
- Available size(s): 76″w x 35″d x 31″h / 89″w x 35″d x 31″h / 101″w x 35″d x 31″h
- Available colors: 2 quick-ship upholstery options, 10 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in sofa with reversible chaise, armchair and custom sectional
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “This feels classic Room & Board to me in terms of style, but it just was not comfortable to me.” – Tara Bellucci
→ “Yeah, it just was a little lacking in some key areas for me: too shallow, too firm and too upright.” – Arlyn Hernandez
The Specs
- Price(s): $1,399-$1,599
- Available size(s): 71″w x 37″d x 28″h /81″w x 37″d x 28″h / 91″w x 37″d x 28″h
- Available colors: 2 quick-ship upholstery options, 13 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in a sleeper, corner sectional, sectional with chaise, armchair and ottoman
The Rating
Tester’s Thoughts
→ “Far and away the best sofa I tested. I’d buy it in a heartbeat, except that I’d likely turn into a shut in and never leave.” – Tara Bellucci
→ “Super cushy…almost mushy, but I’m okay with it. A little low to the ground, but I hear they’re coming out with a version on legs that’ll raise it up a bit.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “Low and inviting, and something I’d consider purchasing.” – Katie Holdefehr
The Specs
- Price(s): $1,199-$3,299
- Available size(s): 70″w x 42″d x 26″h / 80″w x 42″d x 26″h / 92″w x 42″d x 26″h
- Available colors: 1 quick-ship leather option, 6 special order leather options / 2 quick-ship upholstery options, 10 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in a corner sectional, sectional with chaise, armchair, ottoman, and build-your-own sectional
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “Based purely on comfort, I like this sofa, but it’s a little bland in terms of design. – Brittney Morgan
→ “Not bad; not great. Kind of run of the mill for me.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “This one made me so relaxed, it was hard for me to get up.” – Katie Holdefehr
The Specs
- Price(s): $1,399-$1,599
- Available size(s): 70″w x 38″d x 31″h / 80″w x 38″d x 31″h / 90″w x 38″d x 31″h
- Available colors: 1 quick-ship upholstery option, 5 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in a corner sectional, sectional with chaise, armchair, and build-your-own sectional
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “This (and the Metro) were my personal picks from Room & Board. This felt like I could lounge on it for hours.” – Brittney Morgan
→ “Super sofa and plush, but too shallow for me, though I could see it being a good overall option if you don’t like something too deep.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “So, so comfy! You sink into it without getting lost in it.” – Nora Taylor
The Specs
- Price(s): $2,399-$3,999
- Available size(s): 79″w x 40″d x 27″h / 89″w x 40″d x 27″h / 102″w x 40″d x 27″h
- Available colors: 2 quick-ship leather options, 11 special order leather options / 1 quick-ship upholstery option, 5 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in a corner sectional, sectional with chaise, round sectional, armchair, ottoman, and daybed
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “I tested this in the leather option, which was supple, but too slippery. Regardless, it’s a nice contender and a just soft enough.” – Tara Bellucci
→ “Talk about buttery soft leather! The sofa I tested was super long and great for napping, but I’d need blankets to warm up the material.” – Katie Holdefehr
The Specs
- Price(s): $1,899-$2,499
- Available size(s): 75″w x 40″d x 31″h / 98″wx 40″d x 31″h
- Available colors: 2 quick-ship upholstery options, 20 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in a chaise and armchair
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “If I was purchasing a sofa just for looks, this is gorgeous in person, but based on comfort (which is most important), it’s too stiff and upright.” – Katie Holdefehr
→ “So it’s not the most comfortable sofa, but man is it pretty.” – Brittney Morgan
→ “This would be pretty as a statement piece if I had a second living space that I needed a sofa I didn’t use all the time.” – Arlyn Hernandez
The Specs
- Price(s): Starting at $4,198
- Available size(s): Varied depending on custom configuration
- Available colors: 284 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in customizable sofa
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “The Lamour was pretty solid, but the skinny arms made it feel more like IKEA.” – Tara Bellucci
→ “I really liked the seat on this sofa. It was soft and plush but with resistance. I can image this in a stylish couple’s home; it’s sexy.” – Arlyn Hernandez
The Specs
- Price(s): $2,399-$4,999
- Available size(s): 80″w x 35″d x 29″h / 90″w x 35″d x 29″h / 100″w x 35″d x 29″h
- Available colors: 1 quick-ship leather option, 6 special order leather options / 1 quick-ship upholstery option, 14 special order upholstery options
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “It’s like a modern Chesterfield; really pretty in person but pretty firm. It’d make a nice sofa for a den or library/office.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “This beautiful tufted leather sofa is up on style, but not very cozy.” – Katie Holdefehr
The Specs
- Price(s): $2,099-$5,096
- Available size(s): Varied depending on configuration (15 options available)
- Available colors: 3 quick-ship upholstery options, 27 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in sofa, sleeper sofa, sofa with chaise, armchair, ottoman and custom sectional
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “All five testers lounged on this at the same time…and had space to move around.” – Brittney Morgan
→ “I love the feel of down cushions (though they take maintenance), so to me this was perfect in softness. Very mushy. Would make an excellent family sofa.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “Based on design, my heart belongs to the Hutton, but for comfort, the super-soft Metro wins by a long shot.” – Katie Holdefehr
The Specs
- Price(s): $1,599-$1,799
- Available size(s): 76″w x 42″d x 32″h / 86″w x 42″d x 32″h / 96″w x 42″d x 32″h
- Available colors: 2 quick-ship upholstery options, 9 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Also available in sofa with chaise, custom sectional, sleeper sofa, armchair and ottoman
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “Super high marks on comfort, but it looks so boring though.” – Tara Bellucci
→ “At 42 inches in depth, it’s crazy for me to say I wish it were just a tad deeper, but I’m extreme.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “I’m with Arlyn…this could stand to be a little deeper, but the cushion size was nice and could be good for a family.” – Nora Taylor
The Specs
- Price(s): $1,299-$1,699
- Available size(s): 75″w x 34″d x 32″h / 85″w x 34″d x 32″h
- Available colors: 2 quick-ship upholstery options, 17 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Available with two or three seat cushions; in armless sofa, sofa with chaise, curved sectional, custom sectional, daybed, armchair, armless chair and chaise
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “Ohmahgod this was firm. The cushion had zero give, but it was easy to spring off the seat.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “Cute for the mid-century lover, but just lacking in comfort.” – Brittney Morgan
The Specs
- Price(s): $2,399-$2,599
- Available size(s): 80″w x 36″d x 27″h / 90″w x 36″d x 27″h / 101″w x 36″d x 27″h
- Available colors: 1 quick-ship upholstery option, 14 special order upholstery options
- Additional notes: Matching armchair and ottoman available
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “I’m a sucker for navy sofas with tufting, but it was too firm and high for me. I couldn’t see myself wanting to veg out on this.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “Nothing really stands out about this sofa to me. Just a little stiff overall.” – Brittney Morgan
The Specs
- Price(s): $3,899-$4,099
- Available size(s): 78″w x 35″d x 30″h / 89″w x 35″d x 30″h / 101″w x 35″d x 30″h
- Available colors: 2 quick-ship leather options, 4 special order leather options
- Additional notes: Also available in sofa with chaise, custom upholstered sofa, custom sofa with chaise, daybed, armchair and ottoman
The Rating
Testers’ Thoughts
→ “I could imagine this being a nice secondary sofa, but a little to shallow for me for everyday.” – Arlyn Hernandez
→ “This is a nice formal sofa, but not for relaxing on on the weekend or anything.” – Katie Holdefehr