I Love Article Furniture, So I Put Its Sarek Outdoor Sofa to the Test (Spoiler: It's the Best Thing on My Patio)

I see many al fresco naps in your future

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Original photos by Sally Herrod
  • Ease of Delivery/Setup: 20/20
  • Aesthetic: 19/20
  • Comfort: 20/20
  • Quality/Durability: 18/20
  • Value: 18/20

Total: 95/100

The PureWow100 is a scale our editors use to vet new products and services, so you know what's worth the spend—and what's total hype. Learn more about our process here.

If you're lucky enough to have an outdoor space, now's the time to make the most of it—and that may mean springing for some new seating. But PureWow Senior Director of SEO and Product Sally Herrod hit the nail on the head when she said, "Looking for [an] outdoor sofa can be a process because it seems like all the comfortable ones aren't durable and all the durable ones aren't comfortable." Having tried (and loved) the viral Sven sofa bed from Article, however, Herrod turned to the brand once again in search of a seat that strikes the perfect balance between plush comfort and rugged durability. It seems she's found it in Article's Sarek outdoor sofa ($1,699).

The latest addition to her NYC backyard (a rarity, indeed), Herrod has "sat, laid and napped on this sofa for many hours" over the past four weeks. From the setup (or lack thereof) to how it fares against spot cleaning and sunshine, here's Herrod's full review of the Article Sarek sofa, and what you need to know before you buy.

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Fast Facts

  • Colorways: Linen, Mint, Black
  • Materials: powder-coated steel, Sunbrella woven vinyl-coated polyester
  • Dimensions: 30.5 inches high by 89 inches wide by 34.5 inches deep
  • Seat Height (no Cushion): 12.5 inches
  • Seat Depth: 30 inches
  • Arm Height: 24 inches
  • Weight: 110 pounds
  • Weight Tested To: 300 pounds

White Glove Delivery Makes Setup a Breeze

The metal seat frame comes fully assembled—all you have to do is tie on the three cushions. Surprisingly easy.

Per the brand, though, you'll likely need at least one other person to help carry the frame (it weighs more than 100 pounds, after all). But if you're willing to spend an extra $199 for White Glove delivery, you can get it all squared away without having to lift a finger. "The delivery team will deliver the item exactly where you want it, set it up and take away all the packaging," Herrod says. "They were in and out of my house in five minutes. I also really appreciate the option to select from multiple delivery dates and time windows so you can choose when you want to receive the item. Nobody wants to have to change their schedule every time a delivery estimate moves so this is a game-changer."

Article Sarek Outdoor Sofa Review: Original photo of green sofa cushions and sleeping dog by Sally Herrod

It's Made to Withstand the Elements

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"The couch is incredibly sturdy thanks to its powder-coated steel frame. I specifically wanted to avoid a wicker or wood sofa that would absorb moisture, mold and slowly rot over time. This couch needed to stand up to harsh New York City winters and humid summers," Herrod says. "[It] definitely feels solid enough to do that."

The cushions are wrapped in Sunbrella fabric—the gold-standard in terms of weatherproof material. It's "woven from proprietary, solution-dyed acrylic fibers, which Article notes makes them 'exceptionally hardy against stains and inclement weather.' In person, they feel soft, yet durable," Herrod continues. "Despite their weather resistance, I still purchased a couch cover on Amazon and keep the sofa protected when it's not in use. To care for the fabric, Article suggests spot-treating blemishes with a teaspoon of dish detergent dissolved in one cup of water. However, for the best results, Article recommends treating the entire cushion to avoid water border marks.

I have spot-cleaned the couch myself, and because of the light color, I did notice some of those water border marks left behind, though they eventually faded in the sun. So I would take the brand's advice to treat the whole cushion."

It's Totally Lounge-Worthy

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While durability and weather-resistance are important when it comes to an outdoor sofa, they mean little if you don't actually want to sit back and relax on it all season. Therefore, comfort is key—and the Sarek sofa thankfully meets the demand in that department as well.

"It is by far the most comfortable outdoor couch I have tried," confirms Herrod. "TBH, it's more comfortable than a lot of indoor sofas. The cushions are filled with loose foam and, as you may be able to tell from the shape and height of them in the pictures, are incredibly fluffy and bouncy. They feel very cloud-like when you’re sitting on them."

Bottom Line: Is the Article Sarek Outdoor Sofa Worth It?

What I Like

  • color and aesthetic
  • fluffy cushions
  • steel frame

What I Don't Like

  • cushion covers aren't removable/ machine-washable

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"The only thing I would change about this sofa is I would have designed the cushion covers to be removable so they could go in the washing machine. While I love the light green color, choosing it was definitely a bold move for someone with a dog and a mulberry tree. Having completely machine-washable cushions would make long-term maintenance so much easier," says Herrod.

However, between its easy setup, high-end materials and, of course, lounge-worthy comfort, she confirms that the Article Sarek is "a great buy," adding, "I've used it every few days over the past month, and I’m very happy with it."


stephanie maida

Stephanie Maida

Senior Commerce Editor

  • Oversees PureWow's coverage of sales and deals, celebrity commerce and new launches across categories
  • Has worked as a writer and editor for 10+ years
  • Studied journalism at New York University

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