Buzz
Image Credit: Mytour / Marcus MillánA sofa is a pivotal piece of furniture that can redefine the ambiance of your living room. When selecting the perfect couch, it’s essential to prioritize style, durability, and comfort. However, discovering a sofa that meets all these criteria without exceeding your budget can be tough. Fortunately, affordability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality.
To curate our selection of the best sofas under $500, we dedicated hours to researching popular models, evaluating their design, construction, and affordability. We also sought insights from two industry experts: Artem Kropovinsky, an interior designer and founder of Arsight, a New York City-based design studio, and Alice Chiu, principal interior designer and founder of Miss Alice Designs, to ensure you find a sofa that’s both stylish and economical.
Top Pick
Mercury Row Garren Tufted Sofa
IMAGE: WayfairThe Mercury Row Garren Square Arm Tufted Sofa stands out as our top choice due to its blend of comfort, sophistication, and hassle-free assembly. This sofa boasts a minimalist yet refined design, featuring a plush polyester fabric that exudes both modernity and warmth. It includes two cylindrical throw pillows, ideal for enhancing aesthetics or providing additional back support. The tufted seating and sleek tapered legs add a contemporary flair, while the square arms ensure it fits seamlessly into compact spaces.
The high-density foam cushions, reinforced with coil springs, maintain their shape and firmness over time. The single-cushion seat design eliminates the need for constant adjustments and prevents sagging. Additionally, the detachable back cushions simplify cleaning and maintenance. Its tool-free assembly is a major plus, making it a hassle-free addition to any home. For those looking to complete the set, the matching loveseat and armchair are excellent additions to achieve a cohesive look.
Upholstery: Polyester | Seat Fill: Foam | Frame: Eucalyptus wood | Dimensions: 75.6 by 31.1 by 3 inches | Seat Depth: 21.3 inches
Top Budget-Friendly Pick
IKEA Glostad Loveseat
IMAGE: IKEASome couches are affordable, but the IKEA Glostad Loveseat takes affordability to a whole new level. Priced under $150, this loveseat is an incredible bargain. At just under 48 inches long, it’s compact yet versatile, making it ideal for extra seating in bedrooms, offices, or cozy living rooms.
The slim yet durable legs and armrests add to its unobtrusive design, while its lightweight build—under 45 pounds—makes it easy to move between rooms or even homes.
Upholstery: Polyester | Seat Fill: Polyurethane foam | Frame: Plywood, Laminated veneer lumber, steel | Dimensions: 47.63 by 30.75 inches by 26.75 | Seat Depth: 24.25 inches
Top Pick for Storage
Alexent 3-Seat Modern Sleeper Sectional
IMAGE: WalmartNeed to maximize space while keeping clutter at bay? The Alexent Sleeper Sofa features a clever hidden storage compartment, perfect for stashing blankets, pillows, or movie-night essentials. Just lift the tab at the base of the chaise to access the spacious, discreet storage area. As an added bonus, the chaise is reversible, making it adaptable to any room layout.
At just over 81 inches long, this sectional is ideal for cozying up with loved ones. It also converts into a sleeper sofa, making it a practical choice for hosting overnight guests. Available in three versatile colors—dark gray, blue, and light gray—it includes two decorative throw pillows to enhance its aesthetic appeal.
Upholstery: Polyester blend | Seat Fill:
Top Faux Leather Pick
Steelside Ainsley Faux Leather Sofa
IMAGE: WayfairCrafted with suede and faux leather upholstery, the Steelside Ainsley Faux Leather Sofa offers the luxurious look of genuine leather at a much more affordable price. Its timeless design and vintage charm make it a perfect fit for a library, study, or any space seeking a cozy, classic aesthetic.
The scratch-resistant material ensures durability, eliminating concerns about cracking or tearing over time. While it doesn’t age like real leather, it retains a distinctive patina that mimics the look of genuine leather. Its soft, cool texture makes it comfortable to use year-round, regardless of the season.
With legs standing over 7 inches tall, this sofa allows for easy cleaning underneath, making it simple to tackle dust or debris. However, note that the actual color of the product may differ slightly from the online images, as stated by the manufacturer.
Upholstery: Faux leather | Seat Fill: Foam | Frame: Solid oak | Dimensions: 73 by 31 by 32 inches | Seat Depth: 21.3 inches
Top Chenille Pick
Tekamon Modern Chenille Sectional
IMAGE: AmazonThe Sopat Modern Chenille Sofa excels in comfort, style, and affordability. Its chenille fabric is not only soft to the touch but also resilient and simple to maintain—just remove the cushion covers and toss them in the wash for a quick clean. The sofa’s elegant raised legs not only enhance its look but also make it easy to clean underneath.
This sofa comfortably seats four and features an expansive chaise ideal for lounging. The plush armrests eliminate the need for extra pillows, providing ample support for relaxing or napping. Offered in five shades, from subtle grays to bold colors, this sofa is sure to complement any interior design.
Upholstery: Chenille | Seat Fill: High-density foam | Frame: Wood | Dimensions: 82.7 by 51.2 by 34.3 inches | Seat Depth: 23.6 inches
Best Velvet
Mercer41 Everly Quinn Hessville Loveseat
IMAGE: WayfairVelvet symbolizes elegance, and the Wanse Hessville Velvet Loveseat embodies this perfectly. This affordable loveseat comes in a range of bold hues, adding a splash of color to your living area. The plush velvet fabric offers a refined and cozy aesthetic, while the eucalyptus wood frame ensures durability. Its angled legs provide additional stability, making it both stylish and practical.
This loveseat’s loose back cushions offer a plush, sink-in comfort. However, velvet’s tendency to attract pet hair makes it less suitable for homes with pets. On the bright side, maintaining its pristine look is effortless—just a quick wipe with a dry cloth will do the trick.
Upholstery: Velvet | Seat Fill: Foam | Frame: Solid and manufactured wood | Dimensions: 57.8 by 31.7 by 33 inches | Seat Depth: 21.6 inches
Best Futon
Novogratz Tallulah Futon
IMAGE: TargetThe Novogratz Tallulah Sofa Futon stands out for its versatility—it functions as a couch, recliner, or even a compact bed. Its stylish design is complemented by charming color choices, including deep green and soft pink, making it a standout piece for any room.
Featuring a tufted backrest and curved arms, this futon brings a retro-modern vibe to your decor. Its 24.5-inch seat depth offers exceptional comfort for lounging, while the memory foam filling provides excellent back support. Enhanced stability comes from its six legs, each fitted with felt pads to protect your floors from scratches during movement.
Upholstery: Velvet | Seat Fill: Foam | Frame: Plywood | Dimensions: 83 by 3 by 32.5 inches | Seat Depth: 24.5 inches
Best Colors
George Oliver Jalena Convertible Sleeper Sofa
IMAGE: WayfairThe Jalena Flared Arm Convertible Sleeper Sofa proves that sofas can be both stylish and practical. Its manual push-back recline offers three adjustable angles, from 105 to 180 degrees, allowing you to easily transform it from a cozy seat to a full sleeper. This innovative design ensures effortless functionality without compromising on aesthetics.
Sleek, tapered legs give this sofa a modern edge, while the high-density cushions provide both comfort and elegance. Available in a broad spectrum of colors, from bold mustard to understated beige, this piece is sure to make a striking addition to any living space. Its versatility and design make it a true standout.
Upholstery: Polyester | Seat Fill: High-density foam | Frame: Eucalyptus wood | Dimensions: 75 by 33 by 31 inches | Seat Depth: 18.5 inches
Final Verdict
The Mercury Row Garren 75.6’’ Square Arm Tufted Sofa is our top recommendation for most spaces, thanks to its contemporary design, versatile color choices, and the option to pair it with a matching loveseat and armchair. For a budget-friendly alternative, the Ikea Glostad Loveseat is an excellent choice at just $150. Its lightweight design makes it ideal for additional seating in bedrooms, offices, or compact living areas, and it’s easy to move as needed.
How to Shop for Cheap Couches Like a Pro
Dimensions
Sofas are available in various sizes, such as loveseats, two-seaters, and sectionals. Smaller options (under 72 inches wide) are often budget-friendly, but Chiu notes that standard-sized couches (80 to 87 inches) can also be found at affordable prices.
Kropovinsky suggests starting with the room’s dimensions, existing furniture, and the couch’s purpose when selecting a sofa for your space.
For example, a loveseat works well for couples, while a large sectional is ideal for bigger families or those who entertain often.
Upholstery and Frame Material
Common upholstery materials include textured weaves, polyester, velvet, faux leather, and microfiber. When deciding, factor in your aesthetic preferences and the level of maintenance you’re comfortable with.
“Affordable couches often feature synthetic fiber upholstery, which is more durable, simpler to clean, and generally less expensive than natural fibers,” Chieu explains.
Kropovisky concurs, emphasizing the importance of selecting a sofa that is easy to clean and maintain to prolong its longevity.
Though often overlooked, the frame is crucial for a couch’s durability. Our recommendations all feature wooden frames, but metal and plastic are also common. Kropovinsky suggests focusing on robust frames and sturdy legs to ensure they endure daily wear and tear for years.
Fill
Comfort is paramount when choosing a couch. “Opt for fill materials like latex, high-density foam, memory foam, or synthetic fibers, which are designed to maintain comfort and support over time,” Kropovinsky advises. If possible, visit a store to test the sofa’s comfort by sitting on it for a few minutes.
Chiu highlights the significance of selecting a high-quality fill, as it’s the first component of a couch to wear out. “The fill impacts both comfort and longevity more than the frame,” she explains. “Budget-friendly sofas often use lightweight, low-density foam cushions, which can feel stiff and uncomfortable. These may lose their shape within three years and typically require replacement within five.”
If your sofa cushions begin to sag, Chiu assures that replacing the fill is a cost-effective solution. While some manufacturers complicate the process, DIY replacement is generally straightforward and affordable, saving you from buying a new couch.
Take Our Word for It
This piece was authored by Jamie Fischer, a contributor to Mytour. She conducted extensive research on affordable loveseats, sofas, and sectionals, evaluating their design, materials, and pricing. Insights were also provided by Artem Kropovinsky, an interior designer and founder of Arsight, a New York City-based design studio, and Alice Chiu, principal interior designer and founder of Miss Alice Designs.
