There are few things in this divided, polarized world that nearly everyone agrees on, but having more storage than less in your home is probably one of them (I’d bet my armoire on it). When you’ve exhausted all your closets and cabinets and drawers…what then? Purge? Well, yeah, you should probably start there. But after that? Put storage in places you don’t expect. Like your sofa.
I’ve recently taken on task on around here of finding good-looking versions of typically not-so-charming furniture (like recliner sofas that don’t look like recliners, recliner chairs that don’t look like burka loungers, and standing desks that don’t look like a cubicle), and today, we’re talking storage sofas, sectionals and ottomans.
Now, this category of upholstery isn’t necessarily known for being, well, ugly, mostly because not that many brands or stores actually offer this. Having worked in the furniture industry, I can’t really tell you why not. It’s genius! I mean, all the space under your cushions and springs is there for the taking, but it sits ignored, begging to be put to good use. “Please, stuff me full of board games you play once a year, or seasonal blankets that are super comfy but not really all that attractive,” it beckons.
One of my last photoshoots in my previous job at a sofa manufacturer was for our new line of storage upholstery (our beloved Sara Ligorria-Tramp actually shot it!). That company has since evaporated, but I’ll tell you. The team that was there styling and shooting were all dumbfounded that this isn’t more common. It’s not all sunshine, storage and rainbows, though. Here are a few things to know about storage seating before we explore some of the EHD-approved ones I found.
- Storage sofas and sectionals may not be as comfortable as a standard sofa or sectional. Sadly, like with a sleeper sofa, seating that does double or triple duty has to comprise something, and that is typically the softness of the cushion. You’ll find that the seat is usually much firmer and doesn’t have that yummy sink-in feeling you might be looking for. This is because there is typically a thin platform right under the cushion rather than springs or webbing.
- Depending on how they’re built, they may not last as long. This point is painful considering many storage sofas and sectionals cost more than the standard sofa. Anytime you have an additional mechanism in furniture, it’s likely to eventually fail, or, at the very least, need maintenance. Get a warranty if one is offered.
- That super cool style you’ve been hoping for? Yeah, it’s not going to come with storage. You’ll likely find sofas with storage to be a bit boxier, which works now because that’s on trend, but in general, there are style limitations. Thankfully, you can often find these in some fun fabric offerings, so you’re able to push the boundaries a bit in that arena.
- The type of lift mechanism will greatly affect the price. When shopping, be sure to seek out information on how you’ll be able to open the storage compartment. Some sofas, typically those in lower price ranges, are fully manual, meaning you have to hold it up with one hand to ensure it stays open. Others (the better ones) have a hydraulic system, which both makes them easier to open, but also means they stay open hands-free.
How Do Storage Sofa’s Function?
Ah, glad you (I) asked. There are a few things you’ll find if you do a deep dive, but I’ll summarize them here so you don’t have to.
Storage sectionals are more common than two- or three-seater sofas, especially if they are a sleeper. If you Google “storage sectional” or even “storage sofa,” I promise you’ll be met with more sleeper sofas than anything else. But, in sectionals, that chaise compartment is fairly easy to turn into a storage cubby because these typically come in two pieces. The “sofa” part clicks into the chaise, which is its own piece, so the manufacturer only has to alter the frame of that section, not the whole furnishing.
You’ll see them open up like this:
And also like this (below), though this is far less common. I actually prefer the drawer style because no one has to move off the sofa to access whatever you’re stashing inside.
Of course, if you already have a sofa and you’re not in the market for a new one, there is still the option of a storage ottoman for you! Oftentimes, a full-size storage ottoman provides as much cubic space as a storage sectional, so it’s a great bang for your buck without having to sacrifice comfort. I really love the one from Sixpenny above because it’s sizable and opens up like a taco shell (two flaps fold up in the center) so you don’t have to worry about placing the top anywhere while reaching inside. That kind of design detail will cost you, though.
Before we get to the shopping, I wanted to call out something you’re likely to see on both sofas and sectionals: pull tabs. In my opinion, this are not attractive, and cheapen the look of a sofa. They are, of course, highly functional, and know that you can fairly easily tuck them under the cushion when you’re not doing any lifting.
Okay, let’s see what I found:
Sofas With Storage
While my first pick for a guest room or small apartment would be a sleeper sofa (you just can’t beat that kind of functionality!), second on my list is a storage sofa. I say guest room only because of comfort. You can certainly make a storage sofa your primary seating, but they *will* be firmer and not typically as deep (with 7th Avenue being one of the rare exceptions on both of those fronts).
Expect to pay from around $1,000 on the low end (think some cheapies on Wayfair, Amazon or Walmart), upwards of $3,000 to $4,000 for higher end brands. On average, I’d say they run about $1,500.
1. Marin Storage Sofa (86″) | 2. Hughes Sofa with Storage | 3. Oak Solid Wood Fabric Storage Sofa | 4. 3-Seat Modular Sofa w/ Storage (Each Seat) | 5. Riley 84″ Storage Sofa – Silver Light Blue | 6. Shasta Square Arm Storage Futon (87″) | 7. Mellow Storage Sofa | 8. Storato 100.5″ Sofa with Storage | 9. Harwood Armless Storage Sofa (75″)
West Elm actually has a wide selection of storage sofas, like their Marin in a traditional fully upholstered style, but also their Harwood, with a cool, of-the-moment wood base. The Harwood has drawers, while the Marin has storage under the cushions. Another contender with lots to choose from is Article. I included their Riley here, but search around their site for more if this one isn’t quite right for you. Joybird sells a very cute mid-century inspired silhouette (#2), and 7th Avenue’s modular sofa gives you the option to pick if you want storage in all three seats, or just one or two.
Sectionals With Storage
Okay onward with sectionals. As I mentioned previously, many storage sectionals are also sleepers, so you’ll see some of those below. With few exceptions, the storage compartment lives under the chaise, though you’ll sometimes find them under seats as well if it’s modular. Compact sectionals with storage will cost you around $2,000, though you can find them cheaper (buy at your own risk). A high-quality storage sectional, especially if it has a sleeper component, comes with price tags around $4,000 to $6,000 (ouch).
1. Riley 118″ Velvet Right Storage Sleeper Sectional – Hale Ink | 2. Atmosphere Collection w/ Storage Seats | 3. Leigh 86″ Reversible Sleeper Storage Sectional – Napa Rust | 4. Oxford 90″ Pop-Up Platform Queen Sleeper w/ Right-Arm Storage Chaise | 5. Landry 84.5″ Reversible Storage Sectional – Silver Light Blue | 6. Member’s Mark Lindsey Modular Fabric Sofa with Storage Ottoman | 7. Macy 4 Seats Modular Sectional Sofa with Fully Removable Covers, Large Storage in Oat | 8. Axis 2-Piece Sectional Sofa with Storage Chaise Lounge | 9. Vati 90.5″ Left Storage Sectional – Buckler Ivory | 10. Jättebo 3.5-Seat Mod Sofa w/ Chaise ini Samsala Dark Yellow-Green | 11. Holt Sectional with Storage | 12. Span Sleeper Double Storage Sectional
Again, Article comes with options. Their large Riley is 118 inches, which works well for a spacious living room or basement. The Leigh and Landry are smaller (86 inches and 84.5 inches respectfully), so these would be better suited for a compact apartment or even a home office. I love the behemoth from Burrow, which features a hidden sleeper as well as two storage compartments, one under each chaise. The options from Crate & Barrel (#8) and Room & Board (#4) are on the pricier side, but my experience from both of those places is you’re buying long-lasting quality. Buy quality, and you only cry once, they say, right?
Ottomans with Storage
No need for a new sofa? We’ve got you with these storage ottomans. While not exactly hard to find, many of them do look the same, so I wanted to shop around for some other styles, colors and fabrics. You can find some decent options for just a few hundred bucks, or some more luxe materials and brands for about $1,000 (give or take).
1. Neva Round Storage Ottoman | 2. James Leather Rectangle Ottoman with Storage Option | 3. Onyxia Wooden Base Storage Ottoman | 4. Hayworth Storage Bench, Pinstripe | 5. Lind 48w 30d 16h Storage Ottoman | 6. Soho Storage Bench (58″) | 7. Evergreen Storage Ottoman | 8. Ames Storage Ottoman | 9. Stana Fabric Upholstered Ottoman Bench With Large Storage Space | 10. Bryonie Round Cocktail Ottoman with Storage | 11. Eli Storage Bench – Linen Prussian Blue | 12. Jesse Storage Rattan Coffee Table
I was pretty pleased with the selection of storage ottomans sold on One Kings Lane (#3, #4, #12), especially considering their prices. My favorite under $1,000 would have to be Pottery Barn’s Ames, which is also available in a smaller size, though that wavy Soho Home Eli Storage Bench is a close second. And of course, the Neva from Sixpenny is elite for comfort and how the top opens (like wings).
And here is where I leave you. As always, with any of my posts, I hope you learned something new, or found something to make your life at home easier, more functional, and better looking. Form and function can coexist, you just have to dig a little deeper.
Until next time, friends…
Check out the rest of these series:
You Asked, We Delivered: 21 Reclining Chairs That Don’t *Look* Like Recliners | 21 Not-Boring Standing Desks You’ll Want To Use In Your Home Office (Some You’d Never Believe Were Adjustable!) | Good Looking Reclining Sofas DO EXIST: Here’s What To Know About Them + 24 Of Our Favorites
*Opening image credits: The Metro Storage Sofa from Furl
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