We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Interior Define — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space

It’s fun to get to look at so many different furniture retailers for Apartment Therapy’s Personal Shopper series. For a long time, Interior Define was one of the stores I wanted to cover. I had already looked at its tasteful sofas online, but if writing this series has taught me anything, it’s that seeing items in person can give you a whole new perspective on them. I went to Interior Define’s store in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, and I was not disappointed. During my visit, I looked at Interior Define’s sofas and paid close attention to each model’s notable features. Keep reading to discover which sofa is best for you!

Interior Define’s philosophy is that every customer should get to customize and create their dream sofa. You’ll notice this reflected in the shopping process when you click on a given model. In addition to having dozens of upholstery fabrics to choose from, you can also customize things like the size, leg style, cushion style, and cushion fill.

I judged every Interior Define sofa in-store based on the following five criteria to help me determine the situation each sofa suits best.

• Seat firmness: How soft or firm are the seat cushions? How do they contribute to overall posture and comfort?
• Seat depth: What posture does the sofa best support? How deep or shallow are the seats?
• Loungability: Could you spend hours on this sofa? Could you nap on it? And would you want to?
• Durability: Is the fabric easy to care for and able to withstand everyday use? Does it require frequent upkeep and spot cleaning? Are the cushions prone to sagging, and do they need frequent re-fluffing?
• Appearance: What style does the sofa best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., rounded lines, tufted cushions, classic silhouettes) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, bright hues, modern silhouettes)?

Every Interior Define sofa was tested by me, a shopping writer who has written for Apartment Therapy since 2022. I have tested and reviewed furniture for the Personal Shopper series to help readers find the best pieces for their homes, especially small spaces. From sofas and bed frames to dining tables and accent chairs, I’ve covered it all — making me a furniture expert. 

I spent the day at the Interior Define store in NYC to evaluate the brand’s desks on their design, storage capacity, and space requirements.

What impressed me: At its shortest length, the Sloan sofa measures 75 inches long, which is ideal for a tiny living room — and I’m saying this as someone with a 73-inch sofa and a tiny living room. In the store, it had an elegant design consisting of tall brass legs, a bench seat, and taupe-colored velvet upholstery. The Sloan also has a normal, upright depth, so you don’t have to worry about whether it’ll extend out too far.

I found the feel to be mid-firm and supportive for the seat, while the backs were on the softer side, not to mention pretty tall. This sofa also had my favorite arm style: wide and square, which is convenient for resting your phone or dessert plate while you sit.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as a petite chair, a swivel chair, a chair and a half, a loveseat, a slipcovered chaise sectional, and more
• Dimensions: 75” long, 36″ wide, 35″ high
• Seat depth: 24”
• Upholstery: 123 options

What impressed me: I had seen the Maxwell sofa online and in our office many times before sitting on it, which will come as no surprise when you learn that it was designed by Apartment Therapy’s CEO, Maxwell Ryan. Its seat was much firmer than I expected and also not as deep as I anticipated, although you can customize its depth. The low profile was also noteworthy; I had to bend down farther than usual as I scooted into my seat. Somehow, the sofa is loungey, but good for working at the same time.

In the store, the Maxwell was upholstered in a rust-colored velvet and had gold-capped walnut legs. These features, combined with the roll arms and short lumbar cushions, make it look incredibly cozy despite how practical it is. I’m not usually drawn in by such traditional-looking sofas, but there’s a first time for everything.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as an accent chair, a slipcovered accent chair, an ottoman, a chaise lounge, a sectional, a bed with storage, and more
• Dimensions: 82” long, 37″ wide, 31″ high
• Seat depth: 22”
• Upholstery: 109 options

What impressed me: If I had space for a daybed, I would absolutely get one, and the Gaby would be a style I’d consider. It was upholstered in a striking sky-blue velvet (are you sensing a pattern here?) and featured a big seat you could lie on diagonally if you wanted to. The seat was also incredibly plush; my hand almost looked like it was being sucked into the down blend cushion as I pressed on it.

The Gaby also has built-in side cushions, and at first I thought they were just a cool design detail. (They give the daybed a sort of retro-futuristic vibe.) But then I realized they make it so that your head has a comfortable resting spot while you lounge. The model on display also had tapered legs that looked like spheres stacked on top of one another, but I would probably go with a simpler leg to match the daybed’s refined silhouette.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as a loveseat, a sofa, a chaise sectional, a square ottoman, and more
• Dimensions: 72″ long, 36″ wide, 26.5″ high
• Seat depth: 24”
• Upholstery: 96 options

What impressed me: The Lukas sectional has a long chaise and wide seats, but oddly enough I found it to be kind of small-space-friendly. I don’t think you could get away with having this and other seating, like a pair of accent chairs, in an apartment living room. But if you’re OK with only having a really loungey sofa, this is a solid pick.

The sectional has soft, sink-in seats, which I found to be the case with many of Interior Define’s sofas. The short backs were similarly soft, but they offered some support. The model on the floor was upholstered in a woven ivory fabric, which made it look kind of coastal. Overall, though, the Lukas could lean into almost any aesthetic based on how you customize it.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as a loveseat, a sofa, and more
• Dimensions: 94” long, 37″ wide, 33″ high
• Seat depth: 25”
• Upholstery: 116 options

What impressed me: If I had to describe the Jasper sectional’s size without listing its dimensions, I’d say it’s like two loveseats pushed together. You have the option to add an arm to the end of one of the chaises, which was the case for the version I tested in-store. But I prefer the armless design pictured online, as it looks sleeker that way.

The Jasper is slightly deep and medium-firm all over. Its cushions are reversible, which will come in handy for cleaning. Despite the relative firmness, I still found the sectional to be good for lounging; it just has a more structured silhouette than something like the Lukas sectional, so it’ll help your living room maintain a sophisticated look. Tall wooden legs rounded out the design, giving it a slight mid-century appeal.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as a sofa, an accent chair, a swivel chair, a U-shaped sectional, a daybed, and more
• Dimensions: 96″ long, 36″ wide, 32″ high
• Seat depth: 24”
• Upholstery: 116 options

What impressed me: For a traditional sofa, the Dixon is pretty pared-back — its slipcovered base adds an almost mysterious air to the overall design. I didn’t think it looked very comfortable, as its seat is upright and looked more firm. But then I leaned back into a surprisingly pillowy surface, and I changed my mind.

Even at 74 inches long, which is the shortest length available for this model, the Dixon is long enough to seat up to three people. Its sloping arms create an open look, practically inviting you and your friends to sit and chat. I also was happy to learn that the sofa’s slipcover is removable for easy cleaning. Plus, you can buy an extra slipcover and change it out as desired. Fun, indeed!

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as three-seat sofa, a loveseat, a dining chair, an accent chair, a sectional, and more
• Dimensions: 74″ long, 37″ wide, 36″ high
• Seat depth: 23”
• Upholstery: 122 options

What impressed me: Another Apartment Therapy offering, the Ms. Chesterfield sofa is “a modern, feminine version of the chunky old Chesterfield,” as described by Ryan. As I looked at its streamlined silhouette and low profile, I understood what Ryan meant. Although this is definitely a statement piece, there’s still something low-key about the elegant, smooth leather and three barely visible brass-capped legs.

My favorite features of the sofa were its all-over button tufting and wide wrap-around back, which flows into tall arms. The bench seat was deep and wide — almost like a daybed — so despite the firmness, you’ll still feel compelled to lie down and spread out into a comfy position. As a bonus, the sofa comes with matching accent pillows, which you can use to prop up your head instead of trying to lie against the tall back. Every detail is so well-thought-out.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as a sectional, a U-shaped sectional, a corner sectional, a bench, and more
• Dimensions: 74″ long, 34.5″ wide, 28″ high
• Seat depth: 27”
• Upholstery: 10 options

What impressed me: The James sofa is a chameleon — it can blend in with a variety of aesthetics and even be a backdrop to your plant collection or coffee table. It’s characterized by clean lines and a tall platform base, which give it a modern appeal. But the prominent piping throughout and included accent pillows keep the sofa looking homey.

I found that the sofa had a firm seat but a soft and supportive back, so it’s a good spot for enjoying a movie or answering emails. The James is not exactly small-space-friendly, though. It’s not that long, but it is slightly deep. In any case, if I had to point to one Interior Define sofa and say it would be the safest pick for most homes, it would be this one.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as an accent chair, a loveseat, a three-seat sofa, a sectional, and more
• Dimensions: 80″ long, 40″ wide, 35″ high
• Seat depth: 26”
• Upholstery: 123 options

What impressed me: As you can see from the picture, the Skylar has low seats and tall arms, so from the side it just looked like a mass of pillows. It’s cozy in the way a pillow fort is — perfect for curling up with a book on a rainy day. Both the seat and back cushions were fluffy but medium-firm, and I could tell right away that they’d need frequent re-fluffing. This unstructured silhouette gives the Skylar a casual appearance.

Even though I looked at a couple of monochromatic sofas, the Skylar was aggressively one-color, if that makes sense. The model I viewed was upholstered in a rust-colored fabric, so if you’re not looking to make a statement with your sofa, I’d stick with a neutral. If you go with a white linen fabric, you can easily achieve a coastal look.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as a sleeper sofa, a loveseat, a sectional, and more
• Dimensions: 72″ long, 37.25″ wide, 34″ high
• Seat depth: 23.5”
• Upholstery: 110 options

What impressed me: Not to be hyperbolic, but the Tatum sectional’s brushed knit upholstery is the softest fabric I’ve ever touched in my life. When a store employee told me it was a performance fabric, I was even more impressed. It had an almost cashmere-like texture, but miraculously it’s safe for homes with pets and young kids.

Once I got over the sectional’s soft exterior, I realized it was modular; you can split it into two different seating configurations, or scoot the detached ottoman to whichever side needs the extra leg room. This feature makes the Tatum a great option for frequent movers. Although it looks loungey in photos, it’s actually not overly deep, and the seats are firm and bouncy. 

I noticed that some of the feathers from the down blend fill were poking through the fabric, so if you don’t want to deal with that, go with the down alternative fill. As someone who owns a down-filled couch, I can confirm that that’s something you’ll have to stay on top of cleaning, but the comfort is ultimately worth it.

Specifications:

• Styles: Also available as a loveseat, a sofa, and more
• Dimensions: 106″ long, 37″ wide, 34″ high
• Seat depth: 24”
• Upholstery: 116 options