These Are the Furniture Pieces West Elm Insiders Personally Swear By — From Sofas to Small-Space Side Tables

If you want to infuse your living room with a bit of mid-century charm, try the Kip flare armchair. West Elm design lead Tanner named the Kip flare armchair as a favorite, and when you look at its tall back, comfy wide seat, and contrasting metal legs, it’s easy to understand why. Tanner owns the chair in the Evergreen deluxe velvet upholstery. You, too, can have fun with your fabric choice and opt for either a cozy neutral or an enticing pop of color for your favorite reading corner.

You’ll want stylish and durable outdoor furniture for the summer months, and store manager Jim recommends the Portside sectional. He has owned it for eight years and says it has held up amazingly, thanks to its moisture-resistant mahogany and eucalyptus wood construction. “It’s withstood lots of extreme weather and many late-night hangouts,” Jim says. You can shop the sectional in a variety of sizes and configurations or even build your own!

Carlos, a designer at West Elm for 20 years, loves the brand’s mid-century bed. You can shop it in four different finishes, which, in addition to its clean design, allows the bed to match a variety of interior home aesthetics. “They mix well with my authentic mid-century pieces,” Carlos says of his West Elm furnishings, including this bed.

“It fits perfectly anywhere,” Tanner says of the Sintra drink table. Although West Elm has a lot of compact side tables, the brand’s drink tables are even more ideal for small spaces and come in a lot of fun styles. This one has a cool circular design and textured metal construction that adds visual interest without overwhelming the space, regardless of whether you position it next to your couch or favorite reading chair.

Carlos also recommends the Carlo sofa, another mid-century stunner punctuated by angled seats and skinny brass legs. It has a streamlined silhouette that won’t add bulk to your living room, and it’s contract grade for lifelong durability. And, you can get the sofa for as little as $1,400, which isn’t bad for West Elm.

I’ve seen a bunch of West Elm’s rugs up close, and there are so many good ones, so I appreciate a second opinion on which one is most worth buying. “The Ojai rug reminds me of my favorite sweater,” Tanner says. So, it’s safe to say this one is super homey. The rug is handwoven and 100% wool, so the sweater comparison is not surprising. Snag the Ojai in five landscape-inspired colors, and refresh your bedroom or home office in no time.

No lounging spot is complete without an ottoman, and this one comes highly recommended by Leslie, a West Elm designer. “I own a deluxe velvet Viv ottoman, and I LOVE it!” she says. Measuring 20 inches wide and 18.5 inches tall, the ottoman fits pretty much anywhere, whether you need an extra seat in the library or at the foot of the bed. The deluxe velvet fabric makes this swiveling pick especially fashionable, and it’s supersoft!

“I own an Otto media console, which is a very solid piece of wood,” says Nelson, a West Elm designer of eight years. “It’s lasting, timeless, and complements most styles with its warm Acorn finish and black drawer pulls.” The console sits close to the floor, and when I viewed it in the store, I adored its ’70s-inspired design and rounded, sculptural legs. It’s definitely one of the brand’s best statement-making storage pieces.

In addition to owning a stellar outdoor sectional, Jim has an ultra-stylish indoor sectional, too — the Melbourne. “Covered in a Golden Oak distressed velvet, it gives a totally ’70s sunken living room vibe without having to sink it,” Jim says. “Plus, the higher back is great for tall folks. You can sink into it. Pair it with a deep shag rug, and you’ve got ’70s glam!”

The Penn chair is an Apartment Therapy staff favorite, so it’s good to know West Elm associates like it just as much as we do. “The Penn chair and ottoman has been with me for over four years,” Nelson says. “It is warm, comfortable, and modern in a cozy chenille fabric.” The chair’s winged arms come up high and make you feel cocooned as you lie back, while plush cushions will have you lounging for hours atop the chair and its matching footrest.