The Best Small Sofas for Your Living Room (2024)

A top-seller online and popular among our consumer testers, this mid-century style couch is equipped with built-in storage in the base to help hide clutter. Choose from over 80 fabric options, including velvet and chenille, and add on a matching ottoman if space allows. Joybird also offers pet-friendly and Safeguard fabrics if you're looking for a stain-resistant or easy-to-clean option. We appreciate that you can order a free swatch kit to find the perfect fabric for your aesthetic. The couch has a 4.1-star rating on Joybird, and our testers raved about the sofa's convenient features and helpful customer service. While consumer testers noted how comfortable the couch was, some wished it was a bit plusher.

This version is 90 inches wide, but it that's still too large for your space, the brand also sells a smaller Apartment Sofa that measures 66 inches wide. Don't worry, you'll still get the built-in storage feature!

The brand offers a 90-day return policy, a rare offering for custom couch orders, but note that you are responsible for the shipping cost and there is a 25% restocking fee deducted from your refund.

Dimensions: 90" x 37" x 34" | Upholstery Material: Nearly 100 options including velvet, chenille, microfiber, bouclé, herringbone, basket weave and performance fabrics | Delivery: Curbside delivery for $49 or full-service setup (cost varies by location)

Our textiles experts love Ashley Furniture for its reliable quality and affordable prices. For under $500, you can order the Alessio Sofa, and it comes with two bonus throw pillows, as shown. While there is DIY assembly, the brand claims that it will take about 15 minutes, and you won't have to worry about getting a fully assembled couch through the front door. The traditional style works well with most living room aesthetics, whether you choose the sesame (pictured) or charcoal fabric. Rolled arms and rounded cornerings add to the tailored design. We appreciate that the cushions are made with durable foam and that you can reverse the back cushions to keep them looking fresh.

While we haven't tested this specific couch, most online shoppers have been pleased with their purchase. One satisfied customer calls out the "awesome price" and notes that the couch is a "nice size for someone looking for a smaller sofa that doesn't take up half a room."

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Dimensions: 73" x 33" x 35" | Upholstery Material: Polyester | Delivery: Free ground shipping

A sleeper sofa (or sofa bed) is an innovative way to maximize your space. It provides seating for guests as well as a place to sleep when friends or family visit — and it’s much more comfortable than an air mattress. The popular twin sofa bed has nearly 2,000 online customer reviews and an impressive 4.7-star rating. Its kiln-dried hardwood frame should be nice and durable, and the deep, cozy seat makes for a nice place to curl up and read a book. When it's time to go to bed, use the sleeper mechanism to pull out the innerspring mattress that comes with a quilted pad. You can also tilt the headrest to your desired position.

Choose from over 200 fabrics and 14 leg options. Of course, a customized couch will take longer to ship (close to two months), but if you want the sofa to match your living room perfectly, then the personalized design may be worth it. We like that Crate & Barrel also offers a white glove delivery service to make assembly easier.

Dimensions: 58" x 43" x 32" | Upholstery Material: Fiber-down blend | Delivery: White glove delivery starting at $279

This mid-century, budget-friendly velvet loveseat is the perfect size for a small living room at just under 60 inches wide. Choose from 16 different colors, from classic neutrals to statement hues like teal and burgundy. The wood frame has a 500-pound capacity, and the brand claims the couch can be put together in just 10 minutes. Note that all of the couch's components come in one package, so be careful not to miss anything when unboxing. Over 350 online reviewers gave this loveseat five stars, and one said that it was "so easy for me to build as a first-time apartment owner. Super firm, comfy and cute in our place!"

Dimensions: 56.3" x 31.1" x 31.1" | Upholstery Material: Velvet | Delivery: Ships right to your door, free shipping

This leather couch by the popular brand Article is available in four neutral hues — and you can even opt for a fabric or velvet couch if you decide leather isn't for you. We called it best for small living spaces in our guide to leather couches. In fact, the brand designed the smaller loveseat to have a more compact frame than the Sven sofa, so the stylish couch can fit in smaller rooms. Two bolsters are included in the purchase, and the overstuffed cushions add to the comfortable seating experience. We love that it's upholstered with high-quality full-aniline leather and is designed with a modern silhouette and a tufted bench seat for added flare.

Assembly is required, but Article says it should take an impressive 5 minutes. It's also worth noting that the natural leather will vary in color, shade and texture — but that just means no one's couch will look exactly like yours. The couch has a 4.8-star rating online with over 150 online reviews. One five-star review calls it the "best piece of furniture I've ever had" and says it was "worth every penny."

Dimensions: 72" x 38" x 34" | Upholstery Material: Full-aniline leather | Delivery: Front door delivery ($119 for in-room delivery and $199 for in-room delivery and assembly)

While you may think that a sectional won't fit in your small living room, let us introduce you to this corner style that will fit snuggly into your space. You can customize the Pottery Barn three-piece couch for the perfect fit, whether you prefer a right or left chaise sectional or a chenille, linen or velvet fabric. The final cost will depend on the type of fabric you choose, so make sure to pay attention to how the price changes as you design your dream sectional.

Testers found the Sanford sectional to be comfortable and supportive, and one tester commented on how beautiful the fabric was. The couch has a sleek classic design and high-quality construction that makes it a more durable choice than other less pricey options on the market.

Dimensions: 93.5" x 68" x 37" x 33.5" | Upholstery Material: Dozens of options including basketweave, boucle, linen, velvet, chenille and plain weave | Delivery: Full-service setup (cost varies by order total and location)

Our textiles experts named this two-piece modular sofa the most comfortable pick in our recent test of the best sectionals for small spaces. Designed to fit in apartments and small living rooms, this couch has deep seats and plush cushions evoking the familiar cloud couch design. In fact, more than one consumer tester compared it to sitting on a cloud. While it may not offer as much seating as larger sectionals, you'll still have plenty of space to sprawl out with a friend or partner — and we like that its frame is made from kiln-dried hardwood for stability. You can select whether the chaise is on the left or right, and you can choose from over 100 fabrics for a truly custom look. Multiple testers reported that the couch was difficult to clean since the cover is not removable, and a few noticed some pilling on the couch. Most West Elm owners, however, found that their furniture has stood the test of time.

Dimensions: 87" x 66" x 38" | Upholstery Material: Over 100 options including velvet, linen, chenille, boucle, basketweave, canvas and twill | Delivery: Full-service setup (cost varies based on location and order value)

When we tested the Lovesac couch, we loved how easy it was to configure the perfect couch for your room. Pictured here is a three-seat, four-side model, but you can opt for nearly any shape or size that fits your space, and you can even place an order for more pieces later on if your space changes.

For easy cleaning, the removable couch cover is also machine washable. Testers appreciated the flexibility the couch offers, although some found it a little difficult to put together upon delivery. Still, it has a 4.4-star rating on the brand's site with shoppers sharing praise for its customizable quality. One reviewer even said, "I will never buy another couch."

Dimensions: 82.8" x 64.3" x 28.5" | Upholstery Material: Over 200 options including velvet, chenille, weave, crossweave, polylinen and leather | Delivery: Free shipping in boxes for DIY setup

You don't have to give up your ability to kick your feet up just because you're short on space. This reclining couch from Wade Logan is affordable, modern and should fit in just about any living room at just over 4 feet long. It's available in four neutral shades including dark blue, gray (pictured), light gray and wheat. Button-tufted cushions elevate its minimalist look. Simply use your body weight to push the recliner back, and lean forward to bring it back to an upright position — no buttons or remotes to worry about.

We like that the polyester upholstery is water-resistant, making it a great option if you have kids who may spill from time to time. While some reviews say the reclining action did not live up to their expectations, five-star reviews comment on how comfortable the couch is and how easy it is to assemble. It is on the firmer side, so keep that in mind if you prefer a softer cushion.

Dimensions: 48.75" x 34" x 39" | Upholstery Material: Polyester | Delivery: Free shipping with ground, expedited and express delivery options

While you may have had a futon in your college dorm room, who says you can't elevate the trend as an adult? This bargain-priced futon will look sleek in your living room during the day and can function as a sofa bed at night. When not fully flat, you can toggle between three different recline options for the ultimate movie night. Your purchase includes the two throw pillows shown in the photo — which makes styling the piece of furniture in your living room that much easier.

If you are an Amazon Prime member, your couch may arrive in as little as two days — which is very fast compared to other companies. There are over a dozen colors to choose from, and reviewers say it's easy to assemble, though some shoppers found the futon to be on the stiffer side. One five-star review says, "I was worried about the teddy fabric getting matted, but after a few months of use it has held up."

Dimensions: 63.78" x 31.5" x 30.7" | Upholstery Material: Teddy fabric | Delivery: Free two-day shipping for Prime Members

Whether you have pets or want to pop a sofa into the nursery or playroom, a slipcover couch is a great way to worry less about stains. This IKEA loveseat comes with a machine-washable couch cover that's available in 15 colors ranging from neutral hues to bold statements. The couch has a 4.4-star rating online with customers praising its ease of assembly, quality and appearance. One happy shopper called it "one of the easiest pieces of IKEA furniture to put together, although it requires two people." They said it "looks good and is comfortable." Foam cushions offer ample support and the back cushions are reversible so you can flip them to avoid premature wear.

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Dimensions: 71.63" x 36.25" x 36.25" | Upholstery Material: Polyester, cotton | Delivery: Standard, scheduled doorstep, scheduled in-home delivery and express in-home delivery

Albany Park's modern sofa has tapered legs for a finished look and is available in eight colors to match your living room's aesthetic. Albany Park furniture has performed well in our previous tests, and a GH editor who received the storm gray stain-resistant couch finds it comfortable to snuggle up on while reading. She shared that it was easy to assemble but called it a two-person job, so she wished there was a white-glove delivery option.

Since the Lido sofa is a new style from Albany Park, the online customer reviews are still coming in — but so far it boasts a perfect five-star rating, which is quite impressive. One satisfied customer shared that they "love that it's big enough to be comfortable but small enough to fit into my apartment."

Dimensions: 75 " x 37.5" x 32" | Upholstery Material: Velvet, bouclé, bouclé stain-resistant, basketweave, stain-resistant basketweave, vegan leather, performance fabric | Delivery: Free curbside delivery

Senior Interior Designer at Elkus Manfredi Architects, Anna Oliynyk, encourages shoppers to do a "sit-test" in the store before they purchase a couch. But if that isn't available to you, many retailers offer home trials so you can test the sofa before committing to the purchase.

✔️ Type: Couches, of course, come in a ton of shapes and sizes. The most traditional couches tend to seat three people whereas loveseats are designed to fit two. Sectionals can sit four or more people but will take up more space in your living room — and corner sectionals can help maximize your seating space without consuming too much of the room's footprint. To best understand the size limitations of your living room, Oliynyk recommends using a measuring tape to determine whether a two- or three-seater makes the most sense.

✔️ Depth: Executive Director of the GH Textiles Lab, Lexie Sachs, recommends a couch with a depth of less than 40 inches. It goes without saying that the deeper the sofa, the more space it will take up.

✔️ Frame: Manufacturers may not always list frame material on their site, but our Lab experts prefer wood, kiln-dried hardwood or particleboard if it is listed. A solid hardwood frame is super durable. Kiln-dried hardwood is an even better option as it goes through a finishing process to help make it stronger — although this frame type is the most expensive. Particleboard is made from a wood blend and is the least expensive. Regardless of material, a more slender frame will take up less space and may make more sense for a small living room, says Valeris.

✔️ Upholstery: Which material you choose is entirely up to your personal preference — but we've included a variety of options from leather to velvet. Note that leather couches tend to be pricey and can be difficult to clean, whereas polyester fabrics are more affordable and easier to clean. Natural fibers such as cotton or linen are also popular for couches but may not be as durable.

If you want to take a design risk, Valeris encourages shoppers to indulge in "a dark color like navy or forest green in a luxe velvet fabric, or take things up a notch with a more energetic hue in a performance fabric (i.e. linen, chenille, etc) that can withstand everyday use." Oliynyk adds that you'll want to keep in mind your personal style too, whether that's modern, traditional or transitional.

✔️ Features: Look for couches with built-in storage compartments, especially if you have minimal closet space. "I also like to look out for special features like the ability to move an included chaise to either side," says Valeris, adding that reversible cushions make for easy maintenance.

✔️ Price: Couches are an investment, even if they are smaller. We found that you can buy a good-quality, small sofa for anywhere between $750 and $1,600, with budget-friendly options that range between $400 and $500. But there are also splurge-worthy sofas that can ring in at over $2,000 if you're willing to spend that much. If you are unsure what price point aligns best with your needs, Oliynyk says, "You might want to think about how permanent this place is for you and how long will you be staying there," as well as how much wear and tear the couch will see. It can be intimidating to spend a lot of money upfront, but quality furniture tends to last longer, making your purchase go further.

Before you purchase a sofa, consider where you want to place it in your space. If you don't have any constraints, Oliynyk says placing the couch against a wall may be your best bet as "it will be most welcoming and will save [the] most space." Valeris says you can also move your couch slightly away from the wall too. "Placing it in the center of the room can help to foster conversation and make your home feel cozier," she explains.

If you live in a studio, Oliynyk says you can use the couch as a divider between your living space and bedroom. And if your floor plan has angles or Victorian bay windows, "you can try placing the sofa at a slight angle, which will make the space feel more dynamic," adds Oliynyk.

After you experiment with placement, have fun with complimentary accessories that work with the upholstery color you choose. "For example, you can decide to have a modern sofa that has a timeless, neutral color like blue-gray, and then you add some personality by adding hand-woven pillows of various sizes, textures and colors," says Oliynyk. She does note that a white couch may not be the best choice for a small living room as "it can visually appear larger and may seem overpowering." But if you fall in love with a white couch, you can easily add patterned throws and pillows.

"Depending on your layout, it might be better to skip the traditional coffee table and work with two small accent tables on either side of your sofa instead," says Valeris. You can also opt for an upholstered ottoman that can function as extra seating, a place to rest your feet or even more storage.

Elizabeth Berry is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she works across Labs and verticals to ensure our shopping guides reflect accurate pricing, product details and information. She has written on a variety of home topics including the best velvet sofas, pool lounge chairs and desk lamps.

To write this article, Elizabeth collaborated with Lexie Sachs, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Executive Director at the GH Institute, who tests fabric-based products including couches. Elizabeth also interviewed GH's Home Design Director Monique Valeris, who covers everything from design trends to lifestyle product recommendations, as well as Senior Interior Designer at Elkus Manfredi Architects Anna Oliynyk.