Sharing a collection of my favorite white and neutral sofas we’re considering for our living room makeover!
Our Current Sofa Situation
Happy Thursday and Happy June! It’s amazing how quickly the week goes when Monday is part of the weekend!
Today I want to talk about something I’ve been thinking about for a few months and I’m hoping to get some advice from all of you! I’m really contemplating buying white or much lighter couches for our living room. Is there anything wrong with our current couches? No. But I haven’t loved them for a few years. The only problem was, I never made a change because I didn’t exactly know what I was looking for. And I think I do now. A little backstory.
After we adopted Henley and Hawkeye, it became quickly apparent that polyfill couches, and even pillow-back couches, likely wouldn’t be an option for us long-term.
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The cushions were permanently matted after only a few months and the poly got lumpy and not full. These white linen-like chairs (and matching brown sofa) were doomed less than a year after we bought them.
The couches, leather chairs, coffee table and credenza we currently have were bought intentionally for our last house. Having a great room, we had a lot more space than we do now. We loved that the couches were super comfy and had tight backs (not pillows backs) and the herringbone fabric hid fur. It was something we could quickly both agree upon so we bought them (about six years ago).
In our current house however, the furniture all just feels cramped, and the color on the sofa looks really gold/tan. Especially on top of the carpet inset that is pretty gold too. The massive arms on the couch just feel really heavy in the space, as well. And you know how I feel about those dark leather chairs 😉
A closer view of the actual fabric:
So, I’m on the hunt for semi-affordable (but willing to pay a bit more for the perfect ones) white or light couches. They need to be down-filled (or down alternative), comfortable, and easy to clean. I prefer a sloped-arm, but not rolled-arm and I’d love to have one seat cushion (two max). It needs to be available in a longer length so that Kurtis can fully lay down on it (his request not mine). At 6’2″ he needs a sofa that is at least 80-85″ wide (on the cushion) to be able to stretch out comfortably. And the back can’t be too low (like a Chesterfield) because Kurtis hates sitting on that style. I’m open to slipcovers, but it cannot look shabby chic at all. I want it casual but also polished. Is that all too much to ask for?
Ideas for White and Neutral Sofas
Here are the details on a few white and neutral sofas I’m looking at. Keep in mind most of these are just the stock photos so they may or may not be the color/fabric we would ultimately choose.
This slope-arm slipcovered sofa is the perfect shape, comes in several lengths and tons of fabric options. I do wish there was only one cushion on the bottom but I love that there is back support (where the cats could sit). I’m thinking the slipcover may make it easier to wash/clean as well? UPDATE: this is the one we ultimately purchased. Read my thorough review here.
We actually tested this upholstered sofa in California and Kurtis actually loved it. I think he even laid on it to test comfort level (probably illegal at RH) but he gave it two thumbs up. I just don’t want the pricetag that comes along with it! It also comes in multiple lengths, depths, and fabric options. I have heard great things about their perennials fabric line being durable and easy to clean. I love that this one has the long bench cushion. So much comfier and easier to keep clean!
I’d also consider this Restoration Hardware Belgian Track Arm Slipcovered Sofa too. It’s the only non-sloped arm look I like.
Turns out the first sofa above also comes in a square arm version that I also like.
The shape of this dressmaker slip-covered sofa is maybe my favorite! It does make me a tiny nervous that the the color is just listed as ‘beige’ and there isn’t much else to go off of. I’m guessing it’s a typical natural linen color but you just never know! And there’s only one review (although it is five-star).
IKEA just released the gorgeous FARLOV sofa and it checks most of the boxes on my criteria. Plus it’s super affordable! Unfortunately, the fact that it’s polyfilled doesn’t work for us and I’m worried it may not be quite wide enough. But such a great option if those aren’t necessary items on your list!
Another one-cushion seat sofa option that I really like.
Really liking this square-armed version. It’s also the same brand as our dining room chairs so I’m guessing I’d love the fabric color and quality.
I really like the look of this option and it’s currently 25% off!
This white linen slipcovered sofa is nearly everything I’m looking for. But the white linen makes me super nervous. Am I just being paranoid?
Following are a few other options to consider. Simply click any of the images below to learn more about each of the upholstered and linen sofas shown. Keep in mind, many of these sofas are offered in a variety of sizes, colors and patterns including linen, cotton, velvet, and more!
I haven’t really worked up any design plans or gotten far along in my decision process so I thought now was a good time to have you guys weigh-in.
So, what am I missing? As much as I want a very specific look, I know it also has to work in reality for us. I really want to make sure I look through all my options before deciding on which one to go with. It’s nice to have time to continue the search without feel an immediate need to replace our existing sofas that work perfectly fine at this time.
I’d plan to sell the current sofas on our local Facebook page, which helps put a dent in the cost of two new couches. But, I’m always so nervous to pull the trigger on such large purchases! Do you have tips/tricks/the perfect sofas that fit this criteria? Is there somewhere else I should be looking? Another style I should consider? Am I wishing for something that doesn’t actually exist? Help!
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I have an Ethan Allen with a slipcover and it has been great with 2. cats and a chihuahua!! Check their sofas out.
I struggled with a similar issue. I started out with a high quality sofa similar in color to your herringbone fabric. Then it got dirty and couldn’t be cleaned well, so I had a white slipcover made. In truth, that was almost as expensive as buying a new sofa. Although I love the light color, there are some things to consider. (1) how are the seams finished on the inside? If they aren’t finished (I think its called overlocking) the fabric has a tendency to unravel as you wash the slipcover and eventually your seams may open up and cannot be repaired. (2) How can your slipcover fabric be cleaned? Washable saves you a ton of money but you have to be prepared to have a place for those large wet slipcovers to hang to dry or dry them in your dryer. Even when a fabric states it is Pre-Shrunk, it will shrink more in the washer over time and will cause your slipcover to pull tightly. I have seen this on even the PB sofas. (3) You want to avoid the shabby look so stay away from welting and consider going without a skirt. The bottom can either be hemmed or have velcro attached which folds under the sofa to attach and give you a clean look. (4) White shows EVERY bit of white and, in shedding season, I probably have to vacuum my white slipcovers at least once a day. It can look that bad and your cats look just like mine!a
Sorry this post is so long but there is really a lot to consider with white slipcovers. I still love mine and get lots of compliments but my seams are starting to open up and I am tiring of how dirty they look over time, even with bleach. You will have to be sure no child or adult gets a shoe near them and their clothes are always clean. There is only my husband and I and the two cats, but it is amazing how dirty the slipcovers can get. Would I do it again, yes! Because I live in a coastal area and really love the lightness it brings to my living room. Good luck in your search!
I, too, have an Ethan Allen sofa. Not slipcovered, tight back, single bench seat cushion. Gorgeous white tone on tone herringbone. Can send photo if you want
I’ve had a Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic slipcovered sectional, a Beecroft 84″ sofa, a curly chair and a Tayor Scott Metro Sectional all n white denim the last 20 years. I love it but it does take time to wash especially with a bench cushion. It is great that no one sit on a crack but it is a bit of a struggle to put slipcover back on. The tip on washing the slips is to make sure it is not totally dry when you put it back on so there’s a bit of give. A seat cushion with foam core and down wrap and down back cushions all double wrapped is the way to go! Good luck!
Our cats also love to sit on that part of the sofa — for us the solution has been getting new sofas where the back support cushions are not actually attached to the sofa back and also don’t have a flat box-top shape — the cats consider them unstable and refuse to sit on them, so they haven’t been squashed. Miraculous change! Poly vs. down fill has not been as big an influence as cushion shape, for our cats at least.
White upholstery does somehow get dingy with normal life wear and tear, especially the arm areas somehow. Washable slipcovers are helpful, and I agree about putting them on while still a bit damp. Even so I end up freaking out more than I would like about people sitting on them and using them, which just isn’t the way I want to feel about friends/family/furniture. We have ended up keeping a white throw across the seat/arms of our two white pieces — blends in somewhat and makes cat hair/stains a thousand times easier to remedy.
I can tell you from experience…we have had our off white microfiber, macy’s sofas for about 5 years. We have no children and no dogs (2 cats though) and we have had them professionally cleaned nearly every year and they are STILL looking very dingy. Whenever we spot clean it leaves a brighter white spot where we rubbed. Super annoying for an OCD clean freak like me. Although I’m sure no one else notices. So, my two cents is NO white, off white, etc. Our next sofas are going to be a light grey linen.
I have two sofas from Lee with faux suede covering; detached back cushions and oblong arms the same height as the end tables. Beige color and two cushions. Had a cat at one time and she also did not like to sit on the back cushions. They are 84″”. The faux suede is easy to spot clean. The seat cushions are T shaped on one end and I like that as the sofa seems open and welcoming.
We purchased the C&B Lounge II 83″ sofa last year and I couldn’t be happier! Back then they only had 2 fabric options and chose the “Taft, cement” which is a textured fabric that is mostly light with some warm grey undertones. It looks like they have a true white option now too. What I love most about it is that it seats DEEP at 46″, so it’s really really comfortable to lounge on (hence the name!). I do; however, feel the need to load it up with throw pillows so when I’m sitting upright I don’t feel like a child that cant touch the floor. But who has ever complained about too many throw pillows!?
I know of another blogger, Jones Design Company, also purchased the same sofa in a sectional version and she seemed pleased with it as well.
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/lounge-ii-93-sofa/s483522
We bought the Lounge II in the 93″ in the fall. We got the Taft fabric in Steel. My brother-in-law is 6’4″ and *LOVES* how long and deep this sofa is. I second the need for a bunch of pillows to be able to sit upright . I can also say that I have successfully gotten a small amount of melted chocolate, and oil based salad dressing off this fabric with a small amount of Resolve foam cleaner. On the flip side, if your cats like to sit on the back, this might not be a great option. My calico is nestled into the top of the back pillow constantly, but I’ve been able to fluff it back up. The gray color hides a lot of pet hair that I think would be really obvious on a lighter color. Overall we love it though and it was totally worth the money.
Try Allen’s on 78th and L. Just in case they have option you can actually sit/lay on before you make purchase.
Interesting that you have this post today because I’ve been on an intense hunt for two new sofas in my living room for the past MONTH!! I live in AZ and have searched EVERYWHERE to no avail. Last night we almost pulled the trigger on a Pottery Barn Townsend sofa (on sale through today) but I came home and started reading reviews and I think I talked myself out of it. Lots of negative reviews about the pottery barn sofas…ESPECIALLY the slip covered ones!! The lady I was working with at the store had already warned me about the York style having pillows that don’t keep their form…so definitely do some research before you go that route.
I think after all of our looking we are going with the Ethan Allen Arcata Sofa. I like the sleek look of it, I can choose down filled or not. They have a million fabric options including SOFT sunbrella (what I’m leaning toward with 4 kids and washability needs), the wood frame underneath is a bit more of a traditional feel, but they also have about 15 different wood finishes so i am hoping to pick one I like the color of that isn’t so formal looking, with certain fabrics you can remove the covers and wash them and they warranty their furniture which was the deciding piece to spend more there over the Pottery Barn Townsend we also liked. Oh and they have an 87″ but they also sell a 96″ and that’s what I’m going with since my room is a long and rectangular and can handle that size. I’m super excited…except it will take 2-3 months to have made.
It has been overwhelming to sofa shop…just take your time and eventually you will learn what you like and why…though it appears you have a good start already in a specific style!
I have 2 sofas from Bernhardt in my living room. The are both 2 cushion sofas and were very expensive. They both have issues with saging where the 2 cushions meet in the middle. For that reason I will never buy another couch with 2 cushions or even 1 cushion. I have a 3 cushion sofa that is a slip covered in another room and it has held up so much better. Just my 2 cents.
I have had a White(Vittyard) Ektorp sectional and it has been wonderful! The cover is easily washed but the drying is impossible! Everything thing gets hung all over my house! If you would like more information, I posted a furniture post not too long ago.
Thanks for sharing!
Rachel
http://www.simplesouthernlife.com
This neutral look is perfect for a homeoffice, and I really like all the options you show here, thanks!
I’m wanting to replicate those pillows from Etsy you have on your sofa – do you use an 18×18 paired with a 16×16? Thanks!
Can you confirm which image? The smallest I ever go is 18×18 and usually I have 20×20 and 24×24 just because our sofas are so large!
Have you ever considered Four Seasons slipcovered sofas? They are made in Seagrove, NC..check out the Devin with a transitional arm or Reese if you want something deeper. I have had nine for over 8 years. You can restuff the back cushions if they need it. There are three channels and I did it myself.
I’ll have to check them out! Thanks for the great info!
I could have written this post as I am looking for the same sofa you are—casual but polished and not shabby looking in a light color. I am leaning toward the Ethan Allen Dylan sofa. It has a curved arm and comes with and without a slipcover. I can’t decide which way to go. I feel like I would like the upholstered look overall, but you can’t wash it well and that is scary with a white couch. I have even considered buying a bargain priced white slipcovered sofa (Joss&Main, IKEA, WayFair) for under $1000 and see how it does for a year or so. This way if looks awful, I won’t feel as upset as if I spent thousands.
I also like the York Slope from PB, but worry what was mentioned here about the cushions not keeping shape. For what its worth, a designer online said she loves hers and has had no issues. Have you made any decisions yet? I do think a light sofa would look great in your space and am anxious to hear how things go with this project.
I finally ordered the York Slope last night during their big buy more/save more sale so I got 30% off (it runs through today). It won’t arrive until late October or early November but I’m so excited to see how it turns out!
I am debating the same sofa! Were you able to find one to sit on or see it in person? Just curious what helped you decide to pull the trigger.
Yes! Our store actually had two on the floor (with the rolled-arm) so I was able to let my husband test them too. He’s 6’2″ and wants to make sure he can sprawl on them. I share a bit more info in today’s post if you’re interested! https://lifeonvirginiastreet.com/2017/09/weekend-recap-78
I am anxious to hear how the sofas turn out for you. Did you order two of the same size? I was actually at PB for two days with my husband debating the York Slope during the sale. I was just about to pull the trigger and buy them but I was frozen from all the fabric, color, size choices. It was between basketweave and the Everydaylinen…..but after seeing a blanket size swatch of the basketweave, the linen was the better choice. Then it was ivory or oatmeal color. What ended up keeping me from buying is if I should choose the deep seat (nervous about buying two of those for my family room—would they look too big?) or if I should go with the regular depth. Then I saw online a few people thought the regular depth was too shallow. So, now I am back at square one again.
I can’t wait till you get these sofas and can post your thoughts! How nice that you will have them just in time for the holidays.
I’m excited for them to arrive too! Both of ours will be the same size (and the deep version). They are actually about the same size as our current sofas (just a little longer) but the shape of the arms and slope of the backs are significantly different, so the new ones will actually give us more seating space!