Where to Buy a Couch Online (Because Who Has Time to Go to a Store?)

Finding the right sofa is like dating in your 20s—you don’t want to settle for anything less than you deserve, but you’re exhausted from the entire process. Plus, everyone has a ‘dealbreaker,’ and the same philosophy applies to your couch. Is white-glove delivery really necessary? And how durable is velvet upholstery? Luckily, we’re here to answer all of your burning questions. Below, find tips for finding the perfect couch, plus 20 online furniture retailers that offer seating in every style—from loveseats and modular sofas to sectionals and sleepers.

1. Measure Your Space: First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure you have enough room for that sectional you’ve been ogling. Start by measuring the entire space—wall to wall—with special consideration for the wall you’re planning to place it against. Then, record the height and width of your doorways and arches to make sure it’ll fit. While many retailers offer in-home delivery and assembly (more on this below), you’ll probably want to avoid a scenario where you have to remove a door from its hinges to create enough space.

2. Think About How You Want to Use It: Once you’ve determined that the piece can actually fit in your space, you want to consider its functionality. How do you plan on using it? If you have a family of six, you’ll want a sectional that’s large enough to seat everyone (plus the dog). If you love to entertain, you might want to go with two adjacent loveseats and an accent chair.

You’ll also want to pay attention to your couch’s style, and the depth of the seats. For instance, if you’re buying a pull-out, make sure it has lower seat cushions that hit the back of your knees like the end of a bed. Or, if you’re someone who loves to nap on the couch, look for medium-density cushions that are soft but won’t sink or sag over time. London-based designer Rita Konig tells Remodelista.com: “The really soft, squidgy sofas usually have 100 percent down-filled cushions. This is considered to be the most luxurious option but the cushions do require a lot of plumping. It’s more common to be offered 60/40 feather and down. In terms of avoiding, I’d stay away from foam or foam cores.”

3. Consider Upholstery and Materials: When it comes to materials, you want to ask yourself three questions: 1.) What kind of look are you envisioning? 2.) How do you want it to feel? and 3.) How durable does this material need to be? Basically, the higher the thread count, the tighter the weave (and the more resilient the fabric will be). To that end, performance fabrics like Crypton and Revolution are the closest things to black magic that you’re going to find in the design industry. They’re stain-resistant, odor-resistant, fade-resistant and environmentally friendly (click here to learn more). However, if kid-proofing isn’t on your list of concerns, you want to choose something ultra-soft and sophisticated. Koning says, “Mohair is wonderful for upholstery—it’s expensive but so unbelievably durable...My sofa at home is upholstered in Ziggurat by China Seas and [it] still looks fantastic after many years.” Then, you also want to keep an eye out for its frame material. “You can find that sometimes, underneath the upholstery, some manufacturers use chipboard frames, which aren’t so strong or sturdy,” Konig adds. “Make sure your frame is 100 percent hardwood.”

4. Be Aware of Shipping and Return Policies: As we mentioned above, most online retailers will deliver the couch right to your door (but the rest is up to you). However, some offer white-glove delivery, where a team brings the couch into your home and sets it up for you. Typically, this service costs anywhere from $115 to $200. Either way, you want to make sure to look at the return policy when you’re making a seating purchase that you can’t test out beforehand. Specifically, be sure to pay attention to how long the item is eligible for a return, and what will be reimbursed when it’s sent back (AKA shipping and assembly).

5. Decide Your Budget: Last but not least, you want to set a maximum spending limit so you don’t fall in love with something that’s thousands more than you’re willing to spend. Be sure to look at the reviews—particularly ones with photos—from customers who have had the piece for a while. Experts like Konig stress the importance of choosing a high-quality couch—even if it doesn’t come cheap. “I think the sofa is one of the biggest furniture commitments that you [can] make. Even cheap sofas cost a lot of money, so it’s worth spending a bit more and going for quality. That way, it should be with you for many years to come.”