6 Designers On The Sofa They Chose For Their Own Home (& Why They Love It)

Time Several Hours

Budget $ $$$

Skill Level

WORDS BY Kelsey Clark

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Published on December 20, 2022

A living room sofa is one of the most important pieces in a home. Whether you have a more traditional sitting room or a cozy, lounge-worthy TV den, this piece will set the stage for movie marathons, family gatherings, lazy Netflix Sundays, carry-out meals, and beyond.

But, selecting the best sofa for your space is easier said than done. There are countless options to choose from, many of which lack substantial online customer reviews, or the ability to test-drive it in-person.

So, for some clear-cut, honest recs, we decided to go straight to the source: Havenly interior designers. Ahead, shop six vetted sofas that our designers currently have in their living rooms, from plush sectionals to polished loveseats. Keep scrolling for their candid reviews on the best sofas across the internet:

1. The Best Performance Velvet Sofa

Best sofa

Havenly Designer: Melissa Wagner

This sofa’s modern profile is timeless and simple, and the two-over-two cushions are perfect for our lifestyle (read: floor cushion forts with our toddler and low-maintenance fluffing). It’s GreenGuard Gold certified, incredibly durable, and so easy to clean — it’s seen wine, coffee, and chocolate stains, all of which I’ve been able to remove with warm water and soap. Finally, the seat is deep and perfect for snuggling and reading. Even though we’ve had this sofa for about three years, it looks the same as the day we got it! And the kicker: the performance velvet fabric is one of two in-stock options, so it shipped super quickly. I highly recommend!” – MW

Best sofa

2. The Best Modern Leather Sofa

Best sofa

Havenly Designer: Brady Burke

“I was looking for something sleek and contemporary that would infuse the space with warmth, and this cognac sofa checked every box. I personally love the addition of leather in almost any design, and this CB2 piece is a great size and price point for a full leather sofa. It’s more comfortable than it looks, which is a bonus since we tend to trend toward form over function. We had already purchased the white daybed, so I loved the idea of adding contrast with leather. No regrets here!” Best sofa

3. The Best Deep, Cozy Sectional

Best sofa

Havenly Designer: Heather Goerzen

“We’re definitely the homebody type, so we wanted one of those ‘stay awhile’ sectionals for our living room. This Crate and Barrel piece has it all: a deep, sink-into-me seat, ultra-cozy cushions, and plenty of room for movie nights. It basically doubles as a bed, but thanks to the clean lines, tailored silhouette, and slender legs, it still looks polished and put together. Finally, the soft blue hue is life-proof for wine, coffee, and baby spills. The only thing I wish I knew before buying: it does pill. But we just bought a fabric shaver off of Amazon, and it looks as good as new!” – HG

Best sofa

4. The Best Vintage-Inspired Sofa

Best sofa

Havenly Designer: Kelsey Fischer

“I found my leather Chesterfield sofa second-hand, but this elegant style is a forever favorite! The pleating and button detail adds so much texture and charm to a space, while the sleek leather feels understated. While I love the perfectly soft, worn-in leather on my vintage find, the below Perigold sofa runs a close second — wink, wink.” – KF

Best sofa

5. The Best Crisp White Sofa

Best sofa

Havenly Chief Business Officer: Veronica Collins

“My Havenly designer selected this modern sofa for my living room, and I’m in love! The fabric is a performance linen weave, which is essential when daring to buy a white sofa with two young kids (it’s withstood the many spills). The exposed wood frame adds an element of craftsmanship and warmth, pairing perfectly with the accent chairs. Finally, it’s ultra cozy and perfect for lounging, but has still maintained its shape after nearly a year.” – VCBest sofa

6. The Best Colorful Sofa

Best sofa

Havenly Designer: Shelby Girard

“I love the traditional meets modern feel of The Inside’s classic sofa. I wanted to incorporate a bit of color into my space without going too bold, and the olive linen fabric was a perfect fit. The color is even more beautiful in person, and really acts as a more saturated neutral. I especially love the oak legs with casters — this little detail gives it that classic, old-world feel while also making it easy to move around.”  – SGBest sofa

From the best sofas to perfecting room flow, our designers are chock-full of expert tips. Start with our style quiz to work with a design pro one-on-one.

Words by Kelsey Clark