10 Apartment-Sized Sofas for Every Style Under $1,500

Got a small space and a small budget? You don't have to break the bank to buy your dream couch.

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July 22, 2022

Just because you have a small space and budget, doesn't mean you have to go small on style. To help you find the perfect sit, we're sharing our favorite sofas that fit any size and style apartment while making a big visual impact. Bonus: Reviewers say they're comfy, too.

Sofa Shopping 101

A standard-sized sofa is typically 84-90 inches wide with brands such as Restoration Hardware offering even bigger sizes at 108+ inches, but for small spaces or studio apartments, these sofas look comically out of place or simply won’t fit at all. You can fake it with a loveseat version, which is typically 50-64 inches wide, of your favorite sofa, but if you want a traditional three-seat design, you’ll need to shop specialty, scaled-down versions. Look for sofas in the 70-80-inch range. These models may not have the oversized, wide-cushion aesthetic, but they’ll fit your living room or den without taking up the entire room.

Best Budget Small Sofa

Amazon’s furniture brand Rivet is a sweet spot for style and budget. The collection is somewhere between West Elm and IKEA in terms of modern design, materials and pricing. And this light grey sofa checks all the boxes. At 80 inches, it’s the perfect size for an apartment sofa, and at just over $750 (plus free shipping for Prime members!), it’s a great all-around deal. It’s also available in navy, forest green and charcoal for under $800, too.

Best Small Sectional Sofa

A chaise sofa for small spaces? Yep, it exists. And it’s under $900! This 80-inch small sectional is just like the Rivet sofa above but features a reversible chaise for lounging. It’s also available in multiple colors for under $900.

The 10 Best Sectional Sofas for Every Space

Stretch out in style with these comfy L-shaped, U-shaped and modular sectionals.

Best Small Leather Sofa

You can find tons of faux leather sofas under $1,000, but real leather is more tricky. We spotted this recycled leather couch from Urban Outfitters for just $899. It’s available in this trendy cognac, dark brown, black and wine. At 77 inches, it’s more like an XL loveseat than a small sofa, but the single cushion design really helps elongate the sofa silhouette.

Best Small Cloud Sofa

If you’ve been following the cloud sofa trend on TikTok, you know that these fluffy sectionals are massive, but you can get the same cloud vibes with this upholstered sofa from Target. The cushions look super similar to the Restoration Hardware design, and at $900, it’s a fraction of the RH cost.

Best Small Velvet Sofa

Big jewel-tone velvet sofas have been trending for a while. They’re a great way to add color and personality to an apartment without painting walls, but velvet is expensive. This velvet green sofa from Amazon’s Rivet, however, is spot-on style and budget at under $850. While it’s technically a loveseat at 74 inches wide, it could seat three people, if needed.

Best Small Midcentury Modern Sofa

True vintage midcentury modern sofas are expensive, but these days, you can find some seriously good dupes that look straight from the world of Mad Men. Amazon’s Rivet wins yet again for best small midcentury modern sofa in both style and price.

Best Customizable Sofa

Budget-friendly sofas from places like Amazon, Target or Wayfair usually only offer a few colors to choose from, but just because you're shopping for a smaller space, doesn't mean you have to forgo customization. Coming in at just under $1,500, this sofa from Interior Define is considered a loveseat but measures 74 inches wide with an option to upgrade to 78 inches for an extra $100, plenty of space for 2-3 people to sit comfortably. The best part is that you can choose from more than 100 fabrics! Interior Define offers free swatches, too, so you can make sure the color fits your space before purchasing. You can also choose from 18 legs, such as these tapered turned wood legs or more modern metal legs in a range of finishes. You can also customize the depth, cushion fill and cushion type. If it's in the budget, upgrading to a bench seat instead of two cushions will help visually elongate the sofa.

Best Small Sleeper Sofa

Even though a full mattress is only 53 inches wide, it’s hard to find a small sleeper sofa with a pull-out mattress because of the necessary frame. However, this convertible sleeper sofa from Wayfair is just the hack you need for one guest. Think of it as a sophisticated futon. The back cushions fold down for a twin-sized base that can accommodate up to 600 pounds, and right now it’s on sale for under $550!

13 Stylish Sleeper Sofas for Every Budget

In need of extra sleeping space for guests but don't have a guest room? Rest easy with these top-rated sleeper sofas.

Best Small Modular Sofa

Four words: modular recycled leather sofa. Okay, so technically speaking, if you were to buy all four pieces of this modular set, you'd spend more than $1,500. However, buying all four pieces isn't necessary and the unique concept of this sofa makes it the perfect pick for your apartment.

Best Slipcovered Sofa

We can't talk about apartment-sized sofas without mentioning IKEA. The brand has tons of sofas for small spaces and many of them feature removable fabric covers, including this Uppland loveseat that measures 71 5/8 inches wide. If you're into the coastal grandmother aesthetic and love a white slipcovered sofa like we at HGTV do but worry about spending too much and wondering if you'll be able to keep it clean, this option from IKEA is less than $700, features a completely removable and washable cover and has really great reviews. If white isn't your color, this sofa also comes in six additional colors. Another feature we love is the rolled arms that give it a nostalgic cozy and inviting feel.

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