We tested and spent hours trying to locate West Elm’s top sofa products that feel just perfect and will look great in various living room styles.
Shopping for furniture online may be frustrating, and product descriptions on a retailer’s website can only go so far in helping you make an informed decision. They’re often short on details and don’t include all of the information you need to make an informed purchase. Is this sofa as comfortable as it appears? It’s impossible to get an unbiased appraisal without seeking qualitative analysis.
I’m here to help.
West Elm’s mid-century and modern styles are known for high-end furniture and home decor items. Using their design consultation services and custom-made furniture, they pride themselves on developing unique solutions for your rooms. I visited the West Elm showroom in Jacksonville, Florida, and spent a good chunk of time looking at every sofa they had to offer. It took me a while to get comfortable with some of them.
Methodology
Here are some things I look for in a sofa before getting started with the reviews. What matters to you may not be necessary to me. However, to create an unbiased evaluation, I made an effort to present as much information as possible about each sofa. To get around this, I chose to imagine the situation or lifestyle in which a specific sofa might be helpful.
I’m in the market for a new couch for my living room. There are few areas in my house where we spend more time than in our living room, where we spend most of our waking hours. I’m drawn to goods that are both snug and comfortable. The sofa is where I spend most of my time at home, and its capability is vital when selecting one. My couch is pointless if I can’t sleep on it.
Size comes in second. As a family of three, we all enjoy spending time on the couch together but not crammed near. With nine boisterous nephews ranging in age from ten to one, we have plenty of room for guests and relatives to visit. So, it’s essential to have a product that can last a long time.
This concludes our in-depth examination of West Elm’s selection of sofas.
The West Elm Sofa Review
Andes
Details:
- Available colors: 105 upholstery options, 7 leather options
- Leg Options: Blackened brass or dark pewter
- Depth Options: Standard (40”) or extra deep (46”)
- Product Options:
- Love Seat (60”)
- Sofa (86”, 113”, 135”)
- Sectionals:
- 2-piece with terminal chaise
- 3-piece with chaise
- 3-piece
- 4-piece
- Chaise sectional
- L-shaped
- Build-your-own
- Ottoman
- Bench
- Headboard
- Futon
- Additional Details: Reversible cushions. Made to order
On the surface, this couch appears to be very contemporary. My attention is instantly drawn to the metal legs. I like the look of metal. Considering how fragile they appear, I’m not sure why I chose to focus my attention on that area initially. The 3-piece sectional with chaise in the showroom is the model. A huge bottom cushion that extends over two back cushions is a nice touch on this couch, which I think looks great. While lying across it, you won’t have to worry about anything in your pockets dropping between and becoming lost forever! A bit of giving was evident when I pushed it to see if it was durable, so if you have a lot of kids, this couch isn’t for you! That being said, it’s quite a steep drop to sit down on the couch. There was no bounce as I landed, but it wasn’t as firm as you’d expect from a flat surface without bouncing, either. With its extra-deep Andean variant, I could lie back and have a nap without feeling uncomfortable. A 7 on the capability meter for me:)
Harmony
Details:
- Available colors: 94 upholstery options, 3 leather options
- Depth Options: Standard (41”) or extra deep (47”)
- Arm Options: Standard or Swoop
- Product Options:
- Sofa (76”, 92”)
- Sectionals:
- 2-piece with terminal chaise
- 2-piece with chaise sectional
- L-shaped
- Sleeper with storage
- Corner
- Build-your-own
- Ottoman
- Chair and a half
- Additional Details: Reversible cushions. Made to order. Movable lumbar and throw pillows.
Because the foundation is modular and boxy, but the cushions are soft and inviting, this couch has a lot going on. Throw cushions are among my favorite things about a sofa, and the more, the merrier for me! Even though it has a sturdier-looking frame, the overstuffed cushions make it appear pleasant and solid. While my feet bounced a little when I first sat down, the softness of the throw pillows soon ensnared me. This couch has a deep seat, allowing me to pile on the pads. It’s not that the sofa is uncomfortable, but the cushions gave me the impression that I wasn’t seated down on it. What if there are too many pillows? It appears to be more comfortable than it is. There is just a 92-inch sofa in the showroom, which is far too little for our house. Because of our limited space and seating requirements, I’m considering purchasing one of the sectional sofas on the market.
Haven
Details:
- Available colors: 53 upholstery options
- Leg Options: Standard is without legs, loft option comes with legs
- Depth Options: Standard (40”) only
- Product Options:
- Sofa (76”, 84”, 86”)
- Sectionals:
- 2-piece with terminal chaise
- 2-piece with regular chaise
- L-shaped
- Build-your-own
- Ottoman
- Chair and a half
- Additional Details: Reversible cushions. Made to order.
Initially, my thought was that this sectional was versatile. Everything is neatly stacked and well-aligned. On the other hand, the cushions soften the lines and make everything look less angular. It’s a lovely finishing touch and gives it a more welcoming feel. As opposed to an armrest on the typical chaise, the extension of the back pillows provides for a more comfortable seating position. This is a terminal chaise model. To use a traditional chaise, you either lie across it with your legs outstretched or sit without any back support. As soon as I sat down, I realized how lower it was than I had anticipated. I find it challenging to keep my legs closed and sit up straight when I’m perched on the edge of a table. Despite this, the initial setting was comfortable, and the cushions had a little give to avoid irritating the tailbone. The back cushions are comfortable, and the seat is deep enough that I can easily fall asleep.
We fit my wife and dog comfortably without squeezing one another. It’s a sturdy piece that looks and feels great!
Harris
Details:
- Available colors: 96 upholstery options, 10 leather options
- Leg Options: Loft version has 3 leg options
- Depth Options: Standard (41”) or extra deep (47”)
- Product Options:
- Sofa (66”, 76”, 96”)
- Queen Sleeper Sofa
- Sectionals:
- 2-piece with terminal chaise
- 3-piece with chaise with storage
- Sleeper sectional
- Sleeper sectional with storage chaise
- Sleeper sectional with terminal chaise
- Corner
- U-shaped
- L-Shaped
- Build-your-own
- Ottoman
- Chair
- Additional Details: Reversible cushions. Made to order.
Another modular base, this one appears to have been put together and to have a cohesive design overall. I appreciate how the bottom cushions appear to be attached to the frame. The couch’s back cushions are the softest and most inviting aspect of the piece. This time, West Elm fooled us with a sofa that appeared to be comfortable, only to disappoint us in the long run. On the comfort scale, it’s somewhere around a five. I experienced a sudden and unexpected stiffness to keep my tailbone intact, followed by a slight softening. In terms of the difficulty of getting back up from the couch, it’s a solid piece of furniture with an appropriate height. My feet still rest on the floor even though I exert all my might to sit upright on the couch properly. Despite the sofa’s hardness, the deep seat is ideal for sleeping. However, it’s a fantastic choice for an office or formal area that you don’t use very often because it appears to be comfortable. For our reasons, I’m going to pass.
Urban
Details:
- Available colors: 96 upholstery options, 8 leather options (including vegan)
- Cushion Fill options: Down blend or Polyfill
- Product Options:
- Sofa (84.5”, 93.5”, 73”)
- Queen sleeper sofa
- Twin sleeper sofa
- Sectionals:
- Sleeper with storage
- 2-piece with small chaise
- 2-piece with large chaise
- 3-piece
- 4-piece with chaise
- 3-piece L-shape
- Build-your-own
- Swivel chair
- Armless Chair
- Ottoman
- Additional Details: Made to order.
Generally speaking, West Elm is a fan of modular sofas. A tiny chaise lounge adds to the overstuffed effect, which I appreciate. Smaller rooms can benefit from having a sectional choice! Unfortunately, the cushions did have some of that crinkle material that I dislike, but it wasn’t as awful as it was with the Newport sofa. I liked how nicely the cushions held their shape. I pulled on a corner of the pillow, and it gradually reshaped itself, which is an excellent indicator of durability! After some initial resistance, I slowly began to sink into the chair. Essentially, it was like being caught and cuddled. That’s something I could get behind. It’s firm but not too tight. The overall footprint is ideal in a tiny space because it’s not too deep. I would probably put this in a studio or one-bedroom apartment. It’s lovely, comfortable, and durable!
Newport
Details:
- Available colors: 37 upholstery options
- Leg Options: Pecan or almond
- Cushion Style: Toss back or boxed cushion
- Product Options:
- Sofa (84”, 94”)
- Sectionals:
- 2-piece with chaise
- L-shaped
- U-shaped
- Ottoman
- Additional Details: Made to order.
The light wooden base contrasts wonderfully with the overstuffed cushions, creating an intriguing piece. It’s modular, but the cushions’ design softens it a bit. Instead of the conventional enormous back cushions, I prefer the many throw pillows strung across the back. The arms even look overstuffed, giving it a giant cushiony vibe that is inviting. Unfortunately, my passion for Newport came to an end there. When I pushed on the cushions to feel how soft they were, I heard a crinkling sound that sent shivers down my spine. When you look at the couch, it doesn’t look like it will make much of a noise. My computer shuts down without my even sitting on it; I’m not sure if that’s because of the display mode. After that, things went downhill from that point on. It felt like I was sitting on a lightly cushioned bench because there was no bounce when I sat down. Even though the seat was comfortable and supportive, the cushions crinkled whenever I moved, which was a major turn-off.
Hamilton
Details:
- Available colors: 10 leather options, including vegan
- Product Options:
- Sofa (70”, 81”)
- Sectionals:
- 2-piece with chaise
- 2-piece with terminal chaise
- Chair
- Additional Details: Made to order.
Although most of their couches can be made in leather, this is the only leather couch in the showroom. Full disclosure: I’m not a fan of leather sofas. But this one has apparent wear marks and scrapes, so I’m skeptical about its long-term viability. Nails from my dog would destroy this in a matter of seconds. I appreciate how the back of the couch has a taller foundation, and the arms swoop down to a comfortable height to rest your arms on. It enhances the overall design and adds a little bit of intrigue to the piece’s overall look. While the bottom cushions appear to lack padding, those on the back appear to be. There was an audible puff of air as I sat down, which may be a leather-only issue. It’s not as comfortable as I’d prefer, either. The seat is neither too deep nor too shallow; it’s just right. I don’t have to slump to keep my feet on the ground while sitting securely against my back. I’d give this a four out of five on the capability scale because it’s not as deep as I expected.
Enzo
Details:
- Available colors: 17 upholstery options
- Arm options: Basic or storage
- Product Options:
- Reclining Sofa
- Full Sleeper Sofa
- Sectionals:
- Full sleeper with storage
- Reclining chaise with storage
- L-shaped
- Reclining corner
- Build-your-own
- Additional Details: Made to order. USB ports in storage arms!
Storage and a standard arm were shown on the Enzo model on the showroom floor. Having such a large storage arm was fantastic! When I first saw the extra seats on the components of the couch, I didn’t even know they were storage areas! But the fact that it’s also a place to store things is a significant advantage in my book! The adjustable headrests are a nice touch for those who prefer a more upright position. They did it smoothly, which was also a plus because it meant you wouldn’t have to battle. The chaise in the sectional is a storage chaise so that you can put additional blankets or even DVDs and CDs out of sight yet still have easy access to them. I sat down, and a slight bounce returned, but the couch’s back was solid and firm. There is just one way I could see this being possible while lying down. In terms of comfort, the sofa does not appear wide enough, and the bottom cushions are built so that you can tell when lying across them. This is a full couch with a wide variety of storage choices, all in all.
Drake
Details:
- Available colors: 92 upholstery options, 9 leather options
- Product Options:
- Sofa (76”, 86”)
- Queen Sleeper sofa
- Sectionals:
- 2-piece with terminal chaise
- 2-piece with reversible chaise
- Build-your-own
- Chair
- Additional Details: Made to order.
This couch has an official sense, as it belongs in a doctor’s office waiting area! A lot of straight lines give it a highly angular look. I’m a fan of the tufted cushions adorned with buttons. It adds a bit of intrigue while maintaining the formality of the text. Pushing against it, there was virtually little give, and the surface felt extremely hard. Although it wasn’t so solid that I felt like I had damaged my tailbone, there was no sinking into it. I was able to sit back comfortably with my back on the cushion, and my feet stayed firmly on the ground. I was forced to sit up straight and adequately, which isn’t exactly what I’m looking for in a comfy couch to lounge around on. A more formal living room or office would be a better fit for this item, which isn’t welcoming in the traditional sense of the term.
Source : www.homestratosphere.com
