This West Elm Sofa Is Perfect for My Tiny Apartment and I Want to Lounge On It 24/7
Table of Contents
In the past year and a half, I’ve made a lot of big changes, including moving out of my parents’ house and to a new city, starting a new job, and pretty much being totally independent for the first time in my life. But I must admit, no decision thus far has felt as grown-up as getting a new couch. After moving into a new place with two roommates this past January, West Elm’s Harmony sofa has been the most welcome addition to our apartment — especially when you consider that we didn’t have any seating for a good two months. In choosing a sofa, I knew I wanted something stylish, high-quality, and long-lasting, which is why I jumped at the chance to try one from this retailer.
There’s a reason West Elm is so beloved by AT readers and shoppers in general. You can trust that just about any piece from the brand will not only look great in your home but will also hold up amidst years of use without losing its beauty. This is especially true of the brand’s sofas. After going on numerous store visits for our Personal Shopper series, it’s become difficult to recall all of the individual couches, sectionals, and sleepers I’ve viewed, but West Elm’s Harmony sofa has always stood out. It looks every bit as dazzling in my tiny living room as it did when I first saw it in the showroom.
Harmony Sofa
$1,614.15 (was $1,899) at West Elm
Design Features That Stand Out
One of the most convenient things about the Harmony sofa is that it’s available in four widths. My living room is very small, and after measuring the longest wall, I determined that my sofa could not exceed 80 inches in width. As a result, I opted for the 76-inch width, which fits perfectly in the allotted space. The Harmony also comes in three depths. I went with the middle option of 41 inches, though when the deliverymen finished setting it up, I was initially worried that it might be too deep. If you’re very short on space, I recommend going with the 36-inch depth, but I love a deep sofa for lounging, and it ultimately worked for my space.
Beyond the width, this model is still highly customizable. You can choose from more than 100 upholstery fabrics and two seat cushion styles. I love the bench-style seat cushion on my sofa; not only is it easier to lift and vacuum than two separate cushions, but it also looks super sleek and never frumpy. As for the fabric, I went with performance velvet in the color Sand. I love a white couch but didn’t want to risk having such a stark upholstery color if an accident occurs, so the light beige hue is the perfect alternative. The velvet is soft to the touch and makes the sofa look cozy and inviting. Although the Harmony falls into the modern style category, it still stands apart from other models thanks to its unique plank legs and cloud-like softness.
How It Performed
I can say with certainty that the Harmony sofa is not only ideal for my living room but also for my lifestyle. As someone who works from home frequently, I love being able to write from such a comfortable spot. The seat’s inner spring system and fiber-wrapped, high-resiliency foam core provide plenty of support, but this sofa is the opposite of firm. At the same time, the Harmony is great for hanging out with my roommates, as well as napping. The included lumbar pillows provide extra back support when seated, while the side cushions double as head pillows when I lie down. Sometimes the extra pillows can be too much, in which case I simply place them on the bench next to the couch. This also makes the seat deeper and, as a result, even better for lounging.
Although the performance velvet upholstery feels delicate and luxurious, I’ve found it to be delightfully low-maintenance. Somehow we’ve managed to avoid staining it thus far, but should that happen, the fabric is designed for easy cleaning. What’s more, the cushions are loose, reversible, and have zip-off covers that you can throw in the wash. Usually, though, I just settle for lint-rolling. Because one of my roommates has cats, I was worried at first that they would scratch up the sofa the way they sometimes scratch the bench next to it. But we placed some laminated panels above the sofa’s legs and along its sides, and it hasn’t been a problem.
What We Loved
The easy-care fabric: The performance velvet fabric I chose is soft and cozy but designed for high-traffic use. It’s supple but low pile and has a modern matte finish that I never get tired of looking at.
Plush cushions: In addition to the comfy foam seat cushion, the Harmony also boasts voluminous back cushions that are filled with polyester fiber, duck feathers, and duck down. A feather slips out every once in a while, but it’s nothing major.
Clean, deep profile: My friend recently stayed over for a week and said she had no problem falling asleep on the Harmony sofa thanks in large part to its deep seat. The ample lounging space, coupled with the comfy cushions, makes the sofa comparable to a daybed.
Good to Know
We initially viewed West Elm’s Harmony model in the two-piece sectional version during our Personal Shopper visit. Even then, we rated it highly in many criteria categories. Specifically, it got a 10 out of 10 for nappability and also scored well for multifunctionality. Above all, though, we have always been impressed with how comfortable it is. “It’s truly cloud-like to lie on, and the many pillows that adorn the sectional have varied amounts of fill, producing back support where it’s needed and head, arm, and neck support on the sides,” our review reads. “It’s practically made to nap on, but its retro, stylish appearance is enough all on its own.” In other words, you can’t go wrong no matter which size and configuration of the Harmony you go with.
Should You Buy the Harmony Sofa
As long as you like the Harmony’s modern silhouette and slight retro twist, yes! We noted in our Personal Shopper review that its platform-supported cushions make the Harmony reminiscent of the step-down sunken living rooms of the ’60s. Despite this alluring feature, it still manages to stand out as one of the most contemporary sofa styles at West Elm. We recommend this pick for anyone who wants a sofa that:
Comes in a variety of upholstery options, including child- and pet-friendly fabrics
Is highly customizable in terms of both size and style
Is conducive to working from home, napping, and entertaining
Comes with white glove delivery
Where to Buy the Harmony Sofa
The Harmony sofa is available exclusively at West Elm and is currently on sale in select fabrics.
Why You Should Trust Us
The Commerce Team at Apartment Therapy Media has one mission: to help you make smart and informed purchases. We know how hard online shopping can be — it’s literally our job! From trying to decipher confusing marketing lingo to sorting through scores of fake paid reviews in search of some truth, online shopping can be overwhelming. We’re dedicated to doing the hard work for you by reviewing these products firsthand and delivering all the information you need, both good and bad.
Our team is made up of a group of writers and editors who have years of experience in the home, kitchen, and parenting consumer product space, and who are always testing for new tried-and-true staples. Consider us your trusted source on everything home, whether it’s what to consider before buying a sofa or a mattress, the best places to shop for affordable rugs, or which cookware pieces are really worth the cabinet space.
Buy: Harmony Sofa, $1,614.15 (normally $1,899)
