The 10 Best Midcentury Modern Couches Our Editors Love

Article Abisko Sofa

View on Article.com

When we first saw the Article Abisko couch, our initial reaction was that it looked quite firm and uncomfortable. While it is firm, we found that the firmness actually makes the couch comfortable, as it offers more support than other options. 

We placed the Abisko in our home office and used it frequently to read, hang out, and nap as often as we could because we thought it was so cozy and fun to use. It’s equally pleasant to both sit and lie down on, we noted, and we reported that multiple guests expressed how comfortable it is, too.

There aren’t a ton of customization options on this couch—Article only offers two plush velvet fabric colors (Yarrow Gold and Pacific Blue)—but we found the ordering process to be straightforward. The couch was delivered on the day it was scheduled to arrive, and assembly took about 20 minutes and just involved screwing on the legs and disposing of the boxes.

The velvet fabric itself was soft, durable, and clearly high-quality. We were impressed by the overall construction and appreciated that the cushion fill was dense and substantial. Throughout the six-month testing period, the cushions didn’t lose their firmness or become lumpy in any way, and there was no noticeable wear and tear or color fading. Although the velvet does attract some pet hair, we found it relatively easy to brush off.

In testing, one or two people tended to use this couch at the same time, though we thought you could probably fit up to four if you had to. We liked the size of the couch and noted that it’s wider than a standard couch, making it easy to lie down or tuck your feet in while sitting.

Overall, we found that this couch was a great value as we thought the price was reasonable for the quality. We also loved the design of the couch and felt that it was a great piece of furniture for your home.

Product Details: Dimensions: 28 x 91 x 35 in. | Material: Velvet

Burrow Block Nomad Sofa

$2,499 at Burrow

Burrow’s Nomad Collection Block Nomad Sofa is a modular couch, which means it comes in multiple pieces to make it easy to move and adapt to your space. We used it at our home where multiple adults, friends, and their two kids frequently sat on it, and loved the look and feel. 

We noted that this couch was a classic midcentury style that we thought would go with many different types of decor. The back pillows are designed to be reversible if you want to switch up the look of the couch, which we thought was a nice touch.

This is the ideal couch for an apartment, playroom, or guest room, we noted, because it's lightweight, comfortable, and has a nice look to it. You can add to the couch system with other pieces over time like a sectional or an ottoman, so we thought it made for a good starter sofa for a first home, apartment, or expanding family. 

The ordering process was intuitive and easy to navigate and assembly was simple. Each of the pieces arrived in its own box (five total) with everything wrapped neatly in plastic. Two people were able to set the couch up in under 30 minutes without any tools, thanks to the straightforward directions. 

We like that Burrow offers several customization options. With this style, there are five upholstery colors to choose from and six leg finishes (including both wood and metal). You also have the option to invest in a few upgrades, such as a moveable chase, ottoman, lumbar pillows, and a sleep kit at an additional cost. We didn’t opt for these and regretted not getting the ottoman, which we thought would have given the couch more of a lounge-like feel. 

The fabric felt high-quality and also appeared to be highly durable. During testing, a child spilled something on the couch and it came out quickly with a little soap and water. Burrow even notes that you can clean the fabric with water and bleach. 

We loved the size of the couch, which we thought was compact with no wasted space. The cushions are dense and well-made, and it held up perfectly for nearly three months, even with two little kids jumping on it.

As for comfort, we did note that this pick is better for sitting rather than lying down. While it’s certainly comfortable enough to sit on, we noted that there’s very little ‘squish’ and you don’t sink into it.

Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 35 x 33 inches | Material: Velvet, leather or olefin fiber weave

AllModern Geo 2-Piece Sectional

View on Allmodern.com

With a length of 84 inches and reversible chaise L-sectional, the AllModern Geo 2-Piece Upholstered Sectional is an excellent choice for apartment dwellers or those in small spaces who would like the look and feel of a midcentury modern sectional but don’t have tons of room. 

In our experience, the delivery process couldn’t have gone smoother. The delivery service was communicative and friendly, and the couch was easy for two people to assemble in under 20 minutes. 

The ordering process was easy, too, and we found the site uncomplicated to use. There are 18 upholstery colors, including a mix of materials such as velvet and performance fabric. You also have the option to choose either a walnut or natural wood leg finish.

We sat on this couch every day since it arrived, and it became our de facto reading lounge chair. The couch can seat two people while sitting, but we noted that it may feel a little cramped if they both have their legs outstretched but bent. 

We couldn’t feel the framing of the furniture at any given point as the seat cushions were too firm to feel anything underneath them. The fabric also feels durable and high-quality, and we were able to clean off stains easily.

As with many midcentury modern couches, the cushions on the Geo are on the firmer side. We felt that it was more of a ‘socializing’ couch and not a cozy movie night kind of couch. Still, we added, it’s very supportive and not uncomfortable. We didn’t experience any neck or back pain after sitting or lying down on the couch. Plus, the circular pillows on each end help with lounging and lumbar support.

Product Details: Dimensions: 37 x 84 x 63 inches | Material: Leather

Better Homes & Gardens Nola Modern Futon

$329 at Walmart

The Better Homes & Gardens Nola Modern Futon is less expensive than other options, but it offers some seriously appealing benefits. Not only does this couch have a stylish appearance, but it can also easily convert to a bed, making it incredibly versatile. 

During testing, the Nola Modern Futon arrived in a box and was easy to assemble —once you attach the arms and legs it’s ready for use. Though the frame feels solid and firm, it’s also lightweight, so it’s easy enough to move from room to room if needed. It feels sturdy, and we never felt like it might break or that it couldn’t handle the weight of two adults.

We were immediately drawn to the modern, sleek design, which is available in two upholstery options: velvet or faux leather. We tested the latter and found it durable and easy to clean. It’s smooth to the touch and looks convincingly like real leather. We didn’t notice any color fading over time, either. Plus, we think it looks much more expensive than it is.

It’s not difficult to convert this futon to a bed, but you do need to move it away from the wall a bit in order to allow the back to collapse. Because it’s so lightweight, this is not a huge deal.

The cushions on this futon are definitely on the firm side; they don’t mold to your body and didn’t soften up much with continued use. As a result, this is probably not a couch you’d want to lounge on for long periods of time in your main sitting area. But it would be a great option for spare bedrooms, offices, or anywhere else you hope to add bonus sleep space. 

Product Details: Dimensions: 78.5 x 34 x 32.5 in. | Material: Velvet, faux leather

Albany Park Lido Sofa

View on Albanypark.com

The Albany Park Lido sofa is a classic midcentury modern two-seater, but with a twist. In addition to more than 30 different color and material combinations, you will also have the ability to choose your leg finish. We tested the boucle version of this couch and were impressed by its timeless design, comfortable cushions, and surprising durability.

Unlike some other styles, you’ll have to assemble this option yourself. However, we found that it’s relatively easy to do so, so we didn’t think it was a dealbreaker. 

Some couches just look absolutely beautiful in your space, and that’s the case with this one. In particular, we loved the sleek appearance—the Lido is clearly high-quality and completely transformed our space. It’s surprisingly easy to care for, too. We regularly vacuumed under the cushions, which are easy to remove and put back, and flipped them periodically to fluff them up.

After six months of use, the Lido continued to feel wonderful to sit on. In fact, we couldn’t spot any real signs of age, and the couch looked as lovely as it did when it first arrived. The cushions didn’t experience any sagging or changes in shape, and the fabric has held up beautifully. 

Boucle can sometimes be a little delicate, but the boucle upholstery option on this couch withstands wear and tear perfectly. We were even able to spot-treat a stain without it leaving a mark.

Good looks aside: Sitting on this couch is quite comfortable, and we didn’t experience any pain from using it. Our only critique, if we had to make one, is that it would be nice if Albany Park also offered a chrome finish for the legs. 

Product Details: Dimensions: 75 x 32 x 37.5 in. | Material: Leather, vegan leather, velvet, brushed canvas, linen, chenille, boucle, twill

Edloe Finch Park Sofa

View on Edloefinch.com View on Albanypark.com

The Edloe Finch Park Sofa with the Park Ottoman is one of the best couches we’ve ever tested. It feels high-quality, and the cushions are soft, supportive, and gloriously comfortable to slouch on. We even slept on it a few times without experiencing any pain.

This couch has just one long cushion rather than two or three. We found the seat cushion to be very comfortable, however it all depends on preferences. After six months of use, it did flatten a bit, particularly in the middle, but not in such a way that it became too thin. 

In fact, we observed that it seemed like the cushions are actually intentionally slightly overfilled, so they wear nicely with time. The back cushions, too, are soft and supportive, and became even more so after being broken in a bit.

The material of this couch has held up beautifully. You might not think of velvet as being a particularly durable fabric. But we spilled food on this couch plenty of times and nothing ever stained the fabric—it was surprisingly easy to wipe clean with water. This couch was also tested in a home with pets, and we were pleased to discover that we could easily brush the velvet material to buff out our cat’s scratch marks. 

It’s worth mentioning that because the back of this couch is a little low, it’s probably not the best option for neck or head support, particularly for a taller person. The couch forces you to slump into it, which can cause discomfort. However, it all depends on your posture and preferences. Overall, we think this is definitely a couch for lounging.

Product Details: Dimensions: 82 x 35 x 35 in. | Material: Velvet

Simpli Home Morrison Sectional in Genuine Leather

$2,740

$2,475 at Amazon View on Walmart

$3,792

$2,727 at Home Depot

The Simpli Home Morrison Sectional is simply an excellent leather couch in a sleek midcentury style. After testing this couch for six months, we were pleased to note that the cushions remained soft but supportive. The bottom cushions are a little firmer than the back ones, which are squishier and cozy. This is a couch that you’ll want to lie down and chill on again and again.

As expected for a leather couch, the material has the potential to get scratched. We applied a leather conditioner to the entire thing before we started testing it, so the leather has remained supple, and—crucially!—doesn’t stain when anything spills on it. But we did notice that a few scratches developed over time. These have mostly been minor, though, and actually have added character to the couch. The color of the leather has also held up nicely with no fading.

While this couch isn’t available in tons of colors or fabrics (you can choose between two different shades of brown leather or two shades of a gray woven blend), there are plenty of arrangement options: The sectional seat can be on the left or right, or you can opt for a version with an ottoman or a standard sofa. 

The delivery process, while not negative, wasn’t exactly white glove—the couch arrived by parcel in two large boxes. You’ll need to make sure you have enough people at home to help you bring the boxes inside and unpack them. 

Product Details: Dimensions: 102.2 x 65.5 x 35.4 in. | Material: Top-grain leather or woven-blend fabric