13 Stylish (and Affordable!) Sofas to Inspire Your Living Room Refresh

On a good day, shopping for a new sofa involves some rigorous research—throw in a budget, and the task becomes even more of a challenge. You need to bank hours to compare specs, order swatches, negotiate delivery times… or, you can read our guide to the best affordable sofas, and cut your search time in half. From Vogue-loved brands like West Elm, CB2, and Sundays to big-box retailers (trust us: the right IKEA couch can look surprisingly high-end), we found 13 seating options that made the cut.

First, the rules. Budget obviously comes first, so we capped our search at $2,000, with several options around $1,600 and even one $600 gem. In-stock, bestseller options were a priority when pulling together our edit—though, fair warning: A couch typically comes with a long lead time for delivery, so factor that into your order even if it says it’s available to ship. Then, we looked for elements that blend form and function. Whether it’s a performance fabric that makes it a good option for homes with pets, a compact size that’s ideal for small spaces, or even a sofa bed, our selects span modern sofas and overstuffed, lived-in options—something for every sensibility.

Ahead, the 13 best affordable sofas that don’t skimp on style.

Best Overall Sofa

You want a simple, not-too-trendy, not-too-boring couch to anchor your living space; introducing, the Goldilocks of sofas. Clean lines and a slightly overstuffed slipcover make this option feel current, but it’s versatile enough to adapt to many style evolutions (and future living rooms) to come. For the price, you get a lot of choice: Customize your size, your seat depth, and your color for a piece that feels uniquely yours.

• Dimensions: 73” x 36” x26”
• Upholstery Options: Linen, canvas
• Colors Available: 20+ including olive, midnight blue, and mist

Best Sectional Sofa

If you have the square footage for it, an L-shaped style is an easy focal point. Article’s is made from a plush velvet that’s designed to be low-maintenance for cleaning and last you for years. Structure-wise, you can pick between four configurations for the set-up that makes most sense for your living area; the sectional further separates into two parts.

• Dimensions: 94.5″ x 63.5″ x 28″
• Upholstery Options: Velvet, polyester blend
• Colors Available: Yarrow gold, pacific blue, Welsh grey, quartz white

Best Slipcovered Sofa

All the look of a rustic, lived-in vintage piece, minus the price tag. IKEA’s budget-friendly loveseat (which also comes in a sectional configuration) has extra-deep seats and removable cushion covers for laundry day. I picked up a larger—and sadly sold-out—version of the Backsälen loveseat when I moved into my apartment three years ago, and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. It has housed many visitors over the years (it really is so comfortable—see again: the aforementioned deep seats) and the floor clearance is tall enough to accommodate under-couch bins; a must, in a tiny New York City apartment. For $600, I don’t think a better couch exists.