My Family Loves This Retro-Style West Elm Sofa So Much, We Got Two (It’s On Sale!)

published Aug 30, 2024
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One of my favorite takeaways from being an Apartment Therapy editor is the knowledge I’ve gained about furniture over the years. I’ve discovered so much about my style from upholstery and dual-purpose features to cushion plushness and leg styles. In addition to learning more about myself, covering home finds so often has increased my awareness of the furniture picks made by the people I love as well. My dad swears by well-made leather furniture that’s easy to keep clean, my mom swapped her chaise sectional for one with cupholders and power recliners, and my youngest brother, who moved into his first apartment less than a year ago, got a compact sofa that perfectly fit his tiny studio.

However, a member of my family who never fails to impress me with his home aesthetic is my other little brother, who is constantly looking for the best of the best for his family’s space. And for good reason: His busy household requires furniture that can keep up with the hustle and bustle without suddenly falling apart. For that reason, he frequently turns to West Elm as a first stop for long-lasting furniture. His latest pick for living room seating was the brand’s classically chic Drake Sofa.

Quick Overview

A Quick Look at the Drake Sofa

  • Medium-firm feel
  • Available in 76”, 86”, and 91” widths
  • Solid oak and engineered hardwood frame
  • Features solid wood legs, reversible cushions, and high-gauge springs for support
  • Available in 7 color varieties and 7 fabrics, including velvet, linen, and basketweave
  • Leg finish options: Black or Pecan
  • Offers stain-resistant, contract grade, and Greenguard options

Design Features That Stand Out

The sleek and sophisticated Drake Sofa from West Elm is anything but stuffy. Its elegant mid-century modern silhouette features clean lines and tapered solid wood legs that can be removed to make moving easier. Like other West Elm sofas, you have your choice of fabric, color, and leg finish, which allows you to pick the right combination to suit your home — including kid- and pet-friendly options. Further adding to the durability of the sofa are its medium-firm reversible seat cushions that are equipped with high-gauge sinuous springs and fiber-wrapped foam cores that quickly “bounce back” after use. The result is a stylish sofa that doesn’t sag and offers optimal support. The tufted back cushions are filled with foam and fiber, and occasional vacuuming is recommended in the crevices to keep the sofa in top shape. West Elm also has a video guide on foam cushion maintenance to keep them looking their best.

Credit: Britt Franklin

How It Performed

I’ll start by saying that my brother and sister-in-law have four children, so when they swapped from a sturdy modular sectional to the 91-inch Drake Sofa and matching 76-inch love seat, I had a few concerns about upkeep. However, after spending more than enough time at their home to see how well the sofa handled a full house, all the worries I had slipped away. Not only does the furniture look amazing in their spacious living room, it’s also seen its fair share of crumbs, spills, splatters, and markers. Since their sofas are upholstered in performance linen, they’re harder to snag and easy to spot clean at a moment’s notice. I also loved how comfortable the sofas are: They have just the right balance of firmness and coziness, which makes them great for naps, lounging, and the many movie nights we’ve had as a family. As for longevity, I can say from experience that they’ve had their Drake sofa and loveseat for roughly two years now, and both pieces are still picture-perfect.

Credit: Britt Franklin

What I Loved

  • Lightweight Build: Though the Drake Sofa comes with white glove delivery, if you ever need to move it around on your own, it won’t be a hassle.
  • Supportive Cushions: Thanks to the high-resiliency foam and high-gauge springs, the sofa maintains support with enough give for cozy lounging.
  • Easy-to-Clean Performance Fabric: If you want to ensure that your Drake Sofa is kid- and pet-friendly, opt for one of the durable performance fabrics that include canvas, linen, and velvet.

Good to Know

The Drake Sofa is made with FSC-certified wood, which means it came from “responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.”

Should You Buy the Drake Sofa?

I’d recommend the Drake Sofa to anyone who’d like to add a chic touch to their home space, and especially those who are looking for:

  • Mid-century modern furniture
  • A stylish and small space-friendly sofa
  • Matching sofa and loveseat options

Where to Buy the Drake Sofa

The Drake Sofa is available exclusively at West Elm in three sizes (priced in Sand Performance Canvas):

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