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Mar 25, 2024

Where to Buy Couch Online 2023: Tips for Sofa Shopping Online

Getty/KCM Share --> Find your next couch from the (dis)comfort of your current one. Goodbyes are hard, but when you find yourself sitting on the same tattered couch you’ve had since moving into your

Getty/KCM

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Find your next couch from the (dis)comfort of your current one.

Goodbyes are hard, but when you find yourself sitting on the same tattered couch you’ve had since moving into your first apartment, it might be time to let go. At least that’s what my boyfriend and I finally admitted to ourselves when we ditched our outdated sectional last year.

Look, there’s nothing wrong with getting as much as you can out of a piece of furniture, especially when it’s a big-ticket item like a couch. We found creative ways to extend our couch’s life, like duct-taping holes created by teething puppies and replacing the ill-fitting couch cover multiple times before attempting to make a custom one. (Yeah, we were that determined.) Eventually, after almost 10 years, we decided it was time for an upgrade — the lumpy duct-taped areas and stained couch cover just became an uncomfortable eyesore.

Supply chain issues are no stranger to anyone these days, and if you live in a small town, it’s hard to get to a furniture store to put your butt to couch (not only because of the distance but because so many brick-and-mortar stores are shutting down). Our problem was compounded by the fact that we don’t have a car big enough to fit a couch, and renting a van for one purchase felt excessive. So, as we have with many recent furniture purchases (like our mattress) — which we’ve been pretty lucky with, so our success rate gave us some security — we made the daunting decision to pick a couch based solely on what we found online.

Investing in a couch without ever touching it was terrifying. Both of us work from home full-time, so there’s a lot of sitting going on during a normal day, both on and off the couch. When evening comes around, the couch becomes our dinner seating, movie destination, and the occasional nap spot. After hours and hours (and hours) of scrolling, measuring, and calling customer service reps, we finally landed on our Goldilocks couch, but it was a journey.

Finding the best of the best is my literal job, so I didn’t take the hunt for a new sofa lightly. I scrolled through no fewer than 20 furniture websites (ranging from bespoke custom pieces to Costco deals), bookmarking styles I liked before presenting them to my partner. Many an evening was spent hunched over my phone or laptop saving photos, noting measurements, and gasping at astronomical prices.

While my partner cooked meals or played with the dogs, I was in the living room wielding measuring and masking tape, marking off potential couch dimensions. I would call him in for his opinion when I had taped out the area the new couch would fill. I called it flexing my interior design skills, he called it half-mad. Thankfully, he still loves me despite my unique techniques.

To help get you started on your own path, here’s what I learned about buying a couch online.

When shopping for seating online, we operate according to the following mantra: If it fits, it sits.

It’s hard to imagine how big furniture is without physically seeing it, so measuring is key. To know what we were working with, my partner and I measured the old couch and the space around it to ensure we had a general idea of what we could fit. We knew we wanted something that filled a corner, eliminating U-shaped sectionals, loveseats, and three-seat couches, which narrowed it down to L-shaped sofas.

If you don’t already have a couch in the space, place masking tape on the floor to “frame out” where you’re considering it would fit. This way you can visualize how much space your future sofa will take up in the room.

By the time you’ve decided on a size, you can consider the other important factors in your purchase. Aesthetics (like whether you prefer a modern or traditional design) and style (a loveseat versus a sectional versus a modular sofa, for example) depend on your preferences.

Aside from size, you’ll want to consider fabric and material options for your new piece, too. My best advice? Order tons of fabric swatches from furniture websites. They’re usually pretty cheap or free and will save you the massive headache you’d experience if you had to return the couch because the fabric wasn’t as soft as you anticipated. This will give you a true idea of what the fabric will look like in your space, and it’s a great way to test durability. Consider the following when sampling swatches:

I personally rubbed fabric samples on our dogs to see what would collect the most fur. I also scratched incessantly at the tiny squares of material to see if they could hold up to rough treatment. Ultimately, I chose velvet for our sectional.

Perhaps the most important thing about buying a couch — and the most difficult aspect to ascertain when shopping online — is figuring out how you want it to feel in terms of the cushioning. Some people love sinking into a deep, fluffy couch, while others fear that they’ll never be able to get up.

Most websites list what materials cushions are made of in the product description, which can help gauge plushness. Generally speaking, down, faux down, and polyester fill (think pillow stuffing) will give soft, cloud-like seating. Alternatively, foam cushions often appear more angular and provide firmer support. Foam cushioning also tends to not need fluffing to keep them looking plump. Think of the difference between bed pillows: Memory foam has a firmer feel and shape, while down or polyfill can be fluffed and molded more easily. It’s all about the support you need. Do you want something on the firmer side, or do you prefer really sinking into something soft?

You’ll also want to consider if you want your cushions to be attached to the base of your couch or not. Attached cushions mean they won’t move around while you sit, but you’ll never be able to remove cushion covers, easily fluff them, or rotate them to keep them looking new. If you’re willing to shuffle pieces back into place every once in a while, detached cushions are the way to go to ensure you get even wear on every single cushion — think of it as rotating your mattress every year or so.

Before hitting that “complete purchase” button, you’ll want to know the exact details of your retailer’s delivery services. Places like Wayfair may offer free delivery, but remember that can mean they’re just going to drop it at your front door. That’s great if you have friends or family to help you pivot, but horrible if you’re lugging in a 500-pound piece of furniture alone. White Glove delivery (which often includes bringing furniture into your apartment or house and assembly) is more expensive but can be worth it if the couch is going up the stairs. (I did, however, once order a washing machine and drag it up to my second-floor apartment by myself. I also spent the next three days in bed with a thrown-out back. Please learn from my mistakes.)

Make sure you’re aware of how the couch is shipped before you decide to take up the task solo. Some couches come all in one piece, while others can arrive in separate boxes, making it easy to divide labor.

If you live alone or aren’t handy, look to see what kind of assembly is required before you order your sofa. The last thing you want is to be stuck putting something complicated together on your own.

Albany Park

After months of searching, measuring, and scratching my boyfriend and I landed on the Albany Corner Sectional by Albany Park. Not only were the dimensions perfect, but it is so beautiful to look at. We opted for pet-friendly velvet upholstery, which has the added commitment of regular vacuuming, but thankfully dog fur comes off in a flash. The cushion covers are removable and washable (and, in a worst-case scenario, replaceable), and the velvet is extremely soft to the touch. It arrived in three separate boxes but was simple to build without injury (the brand’s handy-dandy instructional video proved indispensable).

Who knew that finding a couch that fits perfectly into our lives and our living room would be such a journey? After completing our hunt, I’m proud to say that I’ve become the family sofa expert — which means I’m now on the hunt for couches and loveseats that will fit in everyone else’s living rooms.

If you’re still shopping, I’ve compiled some of the contenders from my search for others below. Happy sitting!

Walmart

Yes, Gap makes furniture, but as is the case with many retailers these days, they don’t stock this line in stores. But if you’re looking for a couch that’s as durable and comfortable as that old Gap hoodie you’ve had since the 90s, you might want to consider buying one of their sofa designs online. Woven fabrics, similar to this one, resist regular wear and tear, unless you have a pet who likes to paw before they plop. The cushions and covers on this couch are removable and washable, which makes cleanup easy. In terms of assembly, reviewers say all it takes is screwing in the legs and zipping up the cushions, which is great if you don’t have a set of helping hands.

Wayfair

Sleeper sectionals have improved in technology, design, and style over the years. This version also has built-in storage under the chaise. The seat cushions are made from a high-density foam that’s supportive, which is part of why it makes a great bed when fully extended — no more sinking into the middle of a thin pull-out mattress. This one from Wayfair has hundreds of five-star reviews, and most of them have customer photos attached so you can get an idea of what it looks like in real life.

Article

Article is known for creating beautiful, long-lasting furniture, and this sofa is no exception. While leather is an expensive upholstery choice, it’ll last for years. In fact, we love the way a leather couch ages — it evolves from supple and firm to soft and enveloping, but whatever stage it’s in, it’s guaranteed to be comfortable. The key to maintaining its appearance is moisturizing it every few months, which can help hide scratches or fading. Simply give the sofa a quick wipe down with a leather conditioner and microfiber rag and it can look nearly new. Reviewers say it’s comfortable and that Article’s customer service is amazing if you run into any issues.

Albany Park

If you prefer to sprawl out on the couch over curling up in a corner, this is the one for you. The cushions are made from a feather-fiber blend, which will allow you to really sink in when you sit down. The best part of this particular sofa? It’s completely modular, so you can add on or reconfigure the piece if you end up moving or want something different. This particular sofa is called the Pit, mainly because it has a huge surface area for sitting and lounging.

Amazon

We’ve all lived in tiny apartments or had awkwardly laid out living spaces. If you don’t have the space for a full-sized couch, opt for something like this stylish loveseat. It provides the same amount of comfort as a regular sofa, but in a fun-sized package. This one comes with free delivery and is easy-to-shop on Amazon, but know that you’ll probably have to carry it inside yourself. What we appreciate about shopping for furniture on Amazon is that they have a “see it in your room” feature, which will provide a rough idea of what a piece will look like in your space.

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