Pssst: Your Guide to Finding Your ~Forever Couch~ is Right This Way

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From one grown(ish) adult to another—why are sofas so difficult to shop for?! Finding the best couches that work for the exact measurements of your tiny living room while still being comfy enough for your 6’1” boyfriend to sit on while you binge-watch Bridgerton Season 3 together (too specific?) is not an easy feat. On top of that, your purchase determines where you’ll be WFHing, napping, snacking, and binge-reading for literal years! This sofa will probs go with you to your next apartment (and the next, and the next) if you choose to invest! The stress! The pressure!

Because I know the struggle, I took it upon myself (as your friendly neighborhood shopping editor) to do the boring legwork—figuring out which of the best couches had the coolest fabric options, deciphering the dimensions, etc—so all you have to do is simply scroll through and see which ones inspire you. Here’s a sneak peek…

TL;DR: The perfect couch that fits all of your wants and needs just might be below!

I broke down all of Cosmo's very best recommendations by category, so whether you’re searching for a cozy cloud couch dupe, a sectional for your tiny apartment, or an XL modular sofa, best believe there's an editor-vetted pick for you. Keep scrolling to browse our favorites.

Deep 3-Seat Sectional with Ottoman

Cloud couch dupe alerttttt! (*Insert obnoxious air horn noises*) I know you've been dreaming of a cushy, luxurious white sectional that's way out of your budget and I'm delighted to announce that this is an excellent wallet-friendly alternative. One customer was able to fully assemble it while pregnant, another happy shopper said they cleaned paw prints off of it with zero issue, and yet another declared that they "feel like [they] got the best couch on Amazon." So, what are you waiting for?!

Glowing customer review: "When I first stumbled upon this couch, I couldn't believe the affordable price tag attached to such a high-quality piece of furniture. It's rare to find something that not only looks and feels luxurious but also fits comfortably within a tight budget. This couch is an absolute steal. With straightforward instructions and minimal pieces, I had it set up in no time. Overall, I can't recommend this couch enough. Trust me, once you experience the cozy embrace of this couch, you'll wonder why you didn't purchase it sooner."

Modern Loveseat

This couch has all the playful energy of a bean bag or pillow fort while still being chic and elevated enough to be a permanent fixture in your living room. Case in point: The unique pillow design and luxurious jade green color. It's technically a two-seater (ie. a loveseat) but each seat is gorgeously plush and oversized. Plus, it comes in three- and four-seater options if you'd prefer something bigger!

Glowing customer review: "This was delivered about six days early which was fantastic! I was nervous about shipping because I live on the 4th floor of an apartment building with no elevator, but to my delight it was all brought up and waiting for me in six boxes when I got home. In total, it took about 2.5 hours to assemble, and it was extremely easy to put together. Note that you may need to really push down some of the back and side cushions so they sit flush, but it's a super cozy and luxurious couch and it elevated my space. I am so happy I took the plunge and purchased this beautiful couch."

88.58" Modern Couch

Y-E-S, you can get a really good couch for under $400! This is a TOTAL steal (cue the angels singing and flowers spontaneously blooming) considering the fact that couches can run you over $10,000. This two-seater is the perfect starter couch for your coastal/minimal/plant-filled apartment thanks to the neutral color, solid wooden frame, and removable cushion covers that are easy to clean.

Glowing customer review: "I am pleasantly surprised by the quality and comfort of the sofa—especially at the price point. I’ve been looking for something smaller for my bedroom/home office but I also didn’t want to spend a fortune and this little sofa is perfect. Super easy to install—no tools needed except maybe a wooden mallet to help bang the pieces in place. The fabric is super soft and it is very cozy and comfortable."

Sactional Modular Sofa

Let me be the first to tell you that the Lovesac Sactional is Worth! The! Investment! Sure, there's a little upfront work picking out exactly what kind of configuration you want, but that's the beauty of this sofa—you can customize it to your heart's content. With the cushy, nap-worthy Sactional, you're never locked into just one shape or color. If you decide years from now that you want a different color, just snag some new covers and you have a brand new couch. Or, if you move into a bigger space and want to expand your couch, you have the option to purchase some extra pieces to add onto your existing couch! It's a no-brainer, IMO—and just wait until you feel how soft and comfy it is.

Glowing customer review: "Why are you waiting? We’ve had our Lovesac for just shy of a decade now. We decided to add another seat and four sides to expand to more options. As a military family who moves a lot (23 times in 22 years), having the ability to move an entire couch by one person and also being able to adjust it to various home sizes has been a game changer. We love our Lovesac! It’s our favorite piece of furniture."

Cigar 92" Leather Sofa

Okay, that is one hot, sleek couch. Sure, a genuiine leather sofa will run you a little bit more than usual, but with consistent use and a little polish, that leather will just get softer and more gorgeous as the years go by. Some experts say that a good leather sofa should last you 25-30 years, so if you think about it, you're actually saving money in the long run!

Glowing customer review: "The couch is amazing! Also, Article is easily the most advanced end-to-end communication system I've ever used. They were there with notifications at each step along the way...and when it wouldn't fit through our front door, the guys somehow got it through the window. A+!"

Geo 84" Vegan Leather Sofa

Faux leather has a reputation for sometimes looking a little, errrr, fake, but this AllModern vegan leather couch is all luxe. The two bolster pillows give this mid-century modern sofa a slightly retro feel, and you'll get all of the aesthetics without any of the animal products. Just be sure to only use water-based cleaning agents and you'll be good to go!

Glowing customer review: "I scoured the internet for a faux leather couch that looked like the real thing. All Modern popped up in my search and I was happy my purchase was of quality, value for the price, and delivery was excellent. I did not expect them to put the couch together for us, but they did, and was happy they made a short order of it and handled it with care. It looks great!"

Kova Pit

This couch is everything that a sectional should be—inviting, cushy, comfortable, and large enough for all of your friends or family to have enough space to kick back while watching a movie. Plus, it's a pit sectional which basically means that it comes with ottoman pieces that can be arranged into a bed-like shape rather than the typical U- or L-shape of a sectional. Perf for any unexpected weekend guests!

Glowing customer review: "Surpassed all expectations! Tried and true. This sofa was probably one of the best purchasing decisions I have ever made. I considered getting a more structured sofa but I’m so glad I didn’t. This sofa is like sitting on a cloud but it maintains its form and looks sharp. I have had it for almost four months and it’s super easy to assemble, clean, and fluff up. I have zero complaints and highly recommend buying this sofa. The quality is way higher than the cost and Albany Park was so easy to work with and super responsive. 6/5 stars!"

Bailey 96" Square Arm Sofa

Multiple Cosmo editors have raved about this couch before, and for good reason—many a sofa claim to have deep seats but this is truly the extra-deep sofa to end all extra-deep sofas. Designed by Sean and Catherine Lowe (aka one of few Bachelor couples that are still together), this HUGE sofa that boasts 42 inch seats is basically a bed. It's covered in soft, velvety fabric that's practically begging for you to take a Sunday afternoon nap—don't say I didn't warn ya if you end up spending the majority of your time at home on this cozy XL sofa!

Glowing customer review: "I absolutely adore this couch. The material is buttery smooth and just feels amazing on your skin. It’s so comfortable and large, very easy to fall asleep on. It’s a great quality couch that seems to be very durable. The only thing to note is that it may be a little low to the ground for some people. I actually prefer it since I have two active and independent toddlers who can get on and off the couch with ease by themselves. It came with white glove service which was amazing, so no assembly or box clean up was necessary on my end. Overall I’m really happy with this purchase. The couch looks way more expensive that what it was and is more comfortable than I expected. Purchasing sofas can be so daunting online because you never know what you’ll get in person but this couch is one you definitely won’t regret. 10/10."

Feathers Sofa

This TikTok-famous sofa is worth the hype—you'll get all the fluffy, cloud-like goodness without wrecking your bank account. The soft cushions are filled with duck feathers, fiber batting, and foam to help you reach maximum nap potential, and oh, it's currently on sale for more than 50% off—if I were you, I'd be running to grab my credit card now.

Glowing customer review: "All I can say is WOW! I have been on the search for a beautiful sofa and was having a hard time. I randomly came across this website and after awhile of thinking I decided to give them a try and all I can say is we love it! From shipping and communication everything was perfect. And by the way shipping was fast! I will definitely be shopping with them again. Until then our family will be enjoying our beautiful and comfortable sofa. So don't hesitate to place your order!:-)"

Marlow Performance Bouclé Curve Sofa

Hello, Instagram-worthy house! IDK about you, but I feel like this couch would make all of my Scandinavian influencer lifestyle dreams come true. This trendy bad boy comes in two classic colors and an L-shape as well as a curved shape—plus, you can buy additional pieces to turn this couch into a custom build! One look at the review section and you'll see that shoppers truly cannot stop raving about how beautiful this couch is. It's fairly firm but customers say that the cushioning is surprisingly comfortable to lie down on, too! All in all, prepare for endless compliments on this purchase.

Glowing customer review: "My DREAM sofa. The Marlow Boucle Curve Sofa elevated our loft! The shape brings such a sophisticated feel to the space & I absolutely love spending time in here. It truly makes such a statement in our home & makes my heart happy every time I see it.🤍 We've had our Marlow for 2 months now, & I am so pleased with the quality. No pilling, or shedding! 10000000% recommend for its aesthetic appeal & coziness."

Emilio 90" Recessed Arm Sofa

Calling picky shoppers looking for a really good couch in a very specific color—this might be the couch for you. The Emilio Sofa comes in 52 (!!) different custom shades and fabrications from summer linens to velvety jewel tones. It's a lower-profile couch with plenty of support thanks to the deep, foam-and-spring-filled seats that are perfect for curling up on—plus, the cushion covers are stain-resistant and removable for easy cleaning.

Glowing customer review: "This couch is exactly what I was hoping for and more! The back cushions are very comfortable and supportive. The seat cushions are also comfortable and just a little firm. The throw pillows are filled with some kind of down or feather which make them extra soft. My living room space is small but this couch fit perfectly and actually opened up the room a little more than my previous couch. Overall, the look, comfortability, and color are perfect!"

Ghaleb 93.3" Velvet Flared Arm Sofa

This couch gives big "I have expensive taste and tons of money" energy when in reality, it'll cost ya less than $1000. The tufted velvet is supportive and firm, but don't worry if you tend to prefer something a little cushier—customers say that the couch breaks in and softens slightly over time. Oh, and if you accidentally spill something on the seats, you can simply unzip the covers and remove them for easy cleaning.

Glowing customer review: "We absolutely love our sofa. It looks so great and we get many compliments. It’s deep enough for ultimate comfort and is easy to clean. It’s also very easy to put together. I had this sofa for four months now and it’s still as beautiful and comfortable as when it was delivered on the first day. We purchased the burnt orange and it’s definitely the right color. I 100% recommend."

Solna Atelier Ivory Sofa Bed

Introducing a chic pull-out couch that doesn't look like a pull-out couch, if you know what I mean. As one reviewer noted, this sleeper sofa is chic enough to be your primary couch while also functioning as a makeshift bed for any out-of-town guests. All you have to do is lay the back of the couch flat and voilà, it turns into a comfy mattress.

Glowing customer review: "We’re thrilled with this sofa. We wanted something clean, light, and easy to assemble. This sofa checks all the boxes! The fabric is smooth and seems easy to clean. The size is perfect for our office and will significantly help when families come for a sleepover. Not too soft, but it is not too hard."

Wait, how many different types of couches are there?

I get it—furniture shopping can be information overload. Like, WDYM this couch is such-and-such weight and so-and-so dimensions and comes in four boxes? How in the world does that help me figure out whether it's worth spending two entire paychecks?! To help you in your search, here's a little guide to deciphering all of the couch jargon you might encounter while shopping.

Loveseats: If you're looking for a smaller couch that has two seats, you'll want to buy a loveseat. Note that these couches may seat more than two people if the seat cushions are wider!

Sectionals: Composed of multiple ~sections~, these couches are usually bigger and are typically sold in L- or U-shaped configurations. Pit sectionals are sectionals that come with an additional ottoman piece that fits in the center "pit" of the couch to create a bed-like surface.

High-back vs. low-back couches: If you love sleek, modern couches with a lower profile, a low-back couch will be your best friend. Alternatively, high-back couches offer more back and shoulder support as well as a more traditional look.

Deep seats vs. shallow seats: Basically, a shallow seat is good for sitting (you're more likely to be able to keep your feet on the floor which supports your back) and a deep seat is good for curling up. It just depends on what you're looking for!

How much should I expect to spend on a couch?

Generally speaking, ya get what you pay for—but that doesn't mean there aren't some excellent affordable options out there. You just have to know where to look! The most budget-friendly option on this list is under $400, while many mid-sized options hover around $1000. If you're planning on investing in a big sectional with multiple pieces or a sizable leather couch, you can expect to spend upwards of a few thousand dollars. But not to worry—there are a ton of great couch options on this list for almost every price point.

How often will I need to replace my couch?

It really depends on the type of sofa that you buy! Cheaper sofas may show wear and tear within a year or two, whereas higher-quality pieces could last you several years—for example, if you splurged on a proper leather couch, you might have that bad boy for decades to come.

Realizing that you want to change up the look of your couch without having to purchase a brand new one? In that case, I suggest looking into couch slipcovers for an easy refresh!

Why trust us?

Here at Cosmo, we’re obsessed with all things home and lifestyle. That means everything from couches under $300 to gorgeous bed frames and modular sofas, handpicked for your perusing pleasure. We review dozens of products on a regular basis and strive to only recommend the very best products that adhere to our editorial standards.

Hannah Oh is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan. She regularly tests home and lifestyle products to help you shop for the best home decor finds that money can buy and enjoys decorating her (very small) NYC apartment in her free time.

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