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Made-to-order sellers, reasonably priced retailers, and everything in between.

West Elm Harmony Modular 2-piece Sleeper Sectional with Storage

Photo:Real Simple

That said, not all couches are made equal.

Delivery can take a while if you purchase a made-to-order couch.

West Elm is known for its modern furniture at reasonable price points.

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PHOTO: Real Simple

However, West Elm has a white glove delivery service that is seamless and convenient.

Nine of us have West Elm couches at homethe most out of any other retailer.

We were amazed by thesectional’sdurability, which earned it the title of ourBest Sectional Sleeper Sofa.

West Elm Drake 2-Piece Reversible Sectional displayed in a living room

PHOTO: Real Simple

Styles skew more traditional and mid-century, so it’s not a good place to find contemporary furniture.

We don’t have enough good things to say about our couch-shopping experience with Room & Board.

The delivery process was smooth and flawless, with one of our couches even arriving ahead of schedule.

Person lounging on the West Elm Marin 2-Piece Bumper Chaise Sectional

We found the fabric to be thick and durable and the cushions to be especially high quality.

We would even go as far as to say it’s thebest couch we’ve ever tested.

We’re also big fans of theAndre Sofa, which features a reversible chaise lounge and removable foot stool.

A brown leather couch in a living room that was purchased from West Elm.

The selection doesnt cater to any styles outside of transitional or traditional decor.

Pottery Barn doesnt compromise on quality, even though its products are manufactured on a massive scale.

And its style is definitively transitional, which can suit a wide range of decor preferences and spaces.

West Elm Drake 2-Piece Reversible Sectional displayed in a living room

The leather had a high-quality look and feel to it, developing a gorgeous patina over time.

While Pottery Barn is expensive, we think its couches are worth it.

Starting prices are high.

Person lounging on the West Elm Marin 2-Piece Bumper Chaise Sectional

Crate & Barrel’s furniture selection proves that modern decor doesn’t have to be uninviting or dull.

The brand has plush, comfy couches that bring mid-century style andpersonality to your home.

Our experiences with Crate & Barrel were seamless.

A brown leather couch in a living room that was purchased from West Elm.

In addition to their attractive designs, we found the couches to be very well made.

TheAxis 2-Piece Sectional Sofais upholstered with easy-to-clean fabric that still looks great after years of use.

We’re also big fans of theLounge Couch, which is one of the comfiest we’ve ever tried.

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The customization options arent as robust as other retailers'.

Since 2013, Article has focused on creating long-lasting, fairly priced furniture.

These couches are versatile and well made with a retro-inspired flair.

Webster Leather Sofa with Nailheads

PHOTO: Pottery Barn

While customization isnt available, each design comes in a few different fabrics and configurations.

After using the couches for over year, we were amazed by their durability, comfort, and style.

If you’re seeking a trendy yet reliable retailer, Article is an excellent choice.

Pottery Barn PB Comfort Roll Arm Upholstered Sofa displayed in a living room

PHOTO: Real Simple

There is no white glove delivery service and no store, so you might’t test the couch in person.

As such, Albany Park does a few things differently from other furniture retailers.

The couches also arrive in compact, apartment-friendly boxes, and delivery is free.

Pottery Barn Buchanan Roll Arm Leather Sofa displayed in a living room

Additionally, it doesn’t offer a white glove service, but the extra assembly effort was worth it.

Once assembled, we got many compliments on theKova L-Shape + Ottoman.

TheLido Sofawas a timeless addition to our space, comfortable enough for napping, knitting, and reading.

Pottery Barn PB Comfort Roll Arm Upholstered Sofa displayed in a living room

We were especially fond of the boucle fabric, which proved versatile enough to fit any aesthetic.

Some shoppers may get overwhelmed by the number of options available.

We tried out theDarcy Sofa, which proved to to incredibly comfortable and durable.

Pottery Barn Buchanan Roll Arm Leather Sofa displayed in a living room

The return window is very short.

Castlery specializes in sofas that are both simple and chic.

Castlery also has free swatches to give you a sense of what your sofa will look like before purchasing.

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PHOTO: Real Simple

Additionally, Castlery’s return window is 14 days, which is smaller than some other retailers.

The selection is limited compared to other retailers, and there aren’t many traditional or contemporary design styles.

If you want to go all out on mid-century decor, Joybird is the retro-inspired furniture retailer for you.

person sitting on Crate & Barrel’s Axis Sectional Sofa

PHOTO: Real Simple

Its designs are informed by iconic designers from that era, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Eero Saarinen.

These deco styles are evident throughout its sofa collection with geometric lines, angled legs, and tufted upholstery.

Joybird couches are also fully customizable, with multiple sizes and up to 74 fabric choices for most models.

Crate & Barrel’s Axis Sectional Sofa set up inside with throw pillows

Olive green velvet, turquoise chenille, and rust mohair are among the covetable vintage-style options.

We had a great experience ordering with Joybird.

During testing, we found the couch easy to convert from sofa to bed and comfortable in both forms.

person sitting on Crate & Barrel’s Axis Sectional Sofa

Even after three years of use, the couch still looks great.

The sofa cushions arent the most comfortable.

Burrow makes modular furniture that can move and grow with you.

Crate & Barrel’s Axis Sectional Sofa set up inside with throw pillows

Burrow focuses on the basic principles of American mid-century modernism and contemporary Scandinavian minimalism.

Given its structured style, we’d say this pick is better suited for sitting rather than lounging.

We found the website incredibly easy to navigate, offering a wide array of customization options without overwhelming us.

Sven Briar Gray Sofa

PHOTO: Article

With over 60 fabrics and tons of styles to choose from, the customization options are endless.

Messes from kids and pets cleaned up easily, and the couches still looked like new after several months.

While the price tags are relatively high, those inkid- and pet-friendly householdswill appreciate the investment.

Closeup of a green couch in a studio purchased from Article

PHOTO: Real Simple

Members save a lot on couchesso even high-end styles quickly become less expensive.

Out of the 46 responses we received, we got in-depth insights on 16 different retailers.

We also tested many of the couches ourselves, evaluating their comfort and durability over one year of use.

Closeup of a person sleeping on a green couch in a studio purchased from Article

Before jumping on the latest trend bandwagon, ask yourself if youll still like the style in 10 years.

The design doesnt have to be boring, but it should be timeless.

If you have a very specific vision for your couch, consider shopping at a retailer that offers customization.

A gold couch purchased from Article in a living room

Vroom says a higher price tag does not necessarily indicate better quality.

Look at how the couch is made to see if it warrants the price, she says.

Sometimes you also pay for the brands prestige.

Closeup of a green couch in a studio purchased from Article

In general, Vroom says you should expect to pay $2,000 to $4,000 from a big-box retailer.

If the price falls below that, she would question the construction and where corners have been cut.

For example, polyester and nylon are two sturdy fabrics that are budget friendly andeasy to clean.

Closeup of a green couch in a studio purchased from Article

These materials are resistant to pilling, albeit harder to clean.

If you want aleather couch, it’s worth it to splurge on the real thing.

By doing this, you’ll know if it will feel the same way on your legs.

Closeup of a person sleeping on a green couch in a studio purchased from Article

you could even opt for a performance fabric or fabric treatment with coatings that help resist stains and spills.

The fabric component of your couch isnt the only material to consider.

Metal is a sleek, modern option that is both reasonably priced and durable.

A gold couch purchased from Article in a living room

Many inexpensive couches use lightweight, low-density foam, which could feel firm and uncomfortable to sit on.

Free shipping is preferable, especially if youre working with a tight budget.

Vroom always springs for white glove delivery.

Closeup of a green couch in a studio purchased from Article

Unfortunately, shipping delays for furniture are pretty common.

If youre working on a tight timeframe, check how long it will take for your sofa to arrive.

Backorders can cause months-long delays, potentially leaving you without a place to sit.

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On the other hand, you may not want to settle for a ready-to-ship design.

Retailers usually set a finite window after delivery during which they will accept returns.

Outside this window, they may not accept your return or will tack on additional fees.

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PHOTO: Real Simple

Warranty is also another important factor to consider.

Ashley Furniture couch in a living room

PHOTO: Real Simple

Ashley Furniture couch in a living room

Ashley Furniture couch in a living room

Ashley Furniture couch in a living room

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Joybird Briar Sectional with Storage

PHOTO: Joybird

The Joybird Miller Sofa in a showroom

PHOTO: Real Simple

The Joybird Holt Sectional with Storage in a showroom

The Joybird Chelsea Loveseat in a showroom

A person sits on the Joybird Eliot Apartment Sofa

The Joybird Anton Sofa in a showroom

The Joybird Miller Sofa in a showroom

The Joybird Holt Sectional with Storage in a showroom

The Joybird Chelsea Loveseat in a showroom

A person sits on the Joybird Eliot Apartment Sofa

The Joybird Anton Sofa in a showroom

Burrow Arch Nomad Loveseat

PHOTO: Burrow

Brentwood 2pc Sectional Sofa

PHOTO: Apt2B

A person sits on the gray loveseat from Apt2B in front of a window

PHOTO: Real Simple

A gray loveseat from Apt2B next to house plants and a rug

A gray loveseat from Apt2B in a room with a coffee table.

A cat lays on a gray loveseat from Apt2B with white blanket

A gray loveseat from Apt2B

A person sits on the gray loveseat from Apt2B in front of a window

A gray loveseat from Apt2B next to house plants and a rug

A gray loveseat from Apt2B in a room with a coffee table.

A cat lays on a gray loveseat from Apt2B with white blanket

A gray loveseat from Apt2B

Diane Sofa

PHOTO: Rove Concepts

A dark blue velvet couch from Rove Concepts

Real Simple

A person sits on a Joybird Chelsea Loveseat

Real Simple