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Reviewer: Lila Allen, senior editor, AD PRO
Model tested: Arhaus Kipton Sofa
The details: Arhaus is a publicly traded and soup-to-nuts home and lifestyle brand that hangs its hat on artisan-crafted designs. Founded in 1986, the company has a robust online presence and more than 75 locations across the US. Though Arhaus designs and sources products globally, it taps into North Carolina’s legacy of furniture manufacturing for some of its pieces, including the Kipton sofa.
How much does it cost? Are there payment plans available?
Price will vary depending on depth, upholstery, and width selected. For the upholstery option I tested (Plush Linen), Kiptons start at $4,299 (marked down to $2,949 at the time of writing), and go up to $6,299 (marked down to $4,349). If custom is your thing, expect a steeper price tag. My 94-inch-long and 44-inch-deep sofa with a standard upholstery option will run you $6,199, though it’s currently reduced to $4,299.
Arhaus offers its own credit card for longer-term financing. Keep an eye out for promotions—you might be able to save a few bucks on interest if you time it right.
What are the upholstery or customization options? Did you choose any?
More upholstery options than you can shake a stick at! I was happy to see Seaqual and performance and washable fabrics in the mix. Colors tend to be on the more muted and conservative side—don’t expect to live out your Barbiecore fantasies with this one. I think most people will find something they like, though, even if it means going custom. (I’m definitely eyeing some of their velvets for future purchases!) If you prefer to see samples IRL, I have good news for you: You can request up to five free swatches.
As I mentioned, you can also choose from a variety of widths (64 inches, 84 inches, 94 inches, and 106 inches) and two seat depths (40 inches and 44 inches).
What is the lead time for customization, manufacturing, and delivery?
If you order an in-stock item, Arhaus will contact you within 14 business days to arrange white-glove delivery ($249 to my apartment in Queens). That timeline may be slightly longer—15 to 20 days—and pricier if your drop-off location requires national delivery. Custom leads times are currently about 14 weeks.
What kind of couch or seating arrangement did you have before, and what drew you to your new couch?
Prior to this sofa, I had a Floyd three-seater for about two years. Though I hadn’t had it very long, it really wasn’t meeting my needs—it was too shallow for my liking and more of an upright sit than I had hoped for. This sofa is its total opposite: super lounge-y, almost bedlike, and upholstered all over. It’s even big enough to sleep on if a guest ever needs to crash.
Delivery and assembly
What was the delivery process like?
White-glove—and thank goodness, because this sofa is a whopper. Unlike the Floyd and IKEA sofas I’ve had before, this isn’t a piece I’d feel comfortable trying to move by myself or with my partner.
Arhaus contacted me by text (love!) to set up a time for drop-off. My building has a few rules about large deliveries—management requires a COI, and the furniture needs to move along a specified route—and the delivery team had no issues following them. I was pleasantly surprised that the movers were able to fit the sofa in our freight elevator and through our standard door frame without any problems. I remain in the co-op’s good graces!
What was the assembly process like? How long did it take and how many people?
I’ll put it this way: Two movers were carrying the sofa into the building when I started a 30-minute Zoom meeting, and installation had finished by the time I closed the session. Voilà! No packaging or mess, and no weird off-gassing or chemical smells. I spent the rest of the day Zooming from my new couch.
After delivery
What are the dimensions? How does it fit in your space? Would it be better suited for a different type of home?
This is one of the bigger pieces of furniture that I own, at 94 inches long, 35 inches tall, and 44 inches deep. In the past I’d always opted for small- to medium-sized sofas, but I knew I had more room to play with. This Kipton proved me right. My living room is around 14 feet deep and long, and having a bigger sofa actually makes the whole room feel more grown-up and solid. These dimensions would work well in a decently sized apartment’s living room or the family room in a house. Smaller apartments may want to look into a different length or depth; longer versions are also available for larger homes.
Sit test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well-made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
I find this sofa to be really cushy and enveloping, but let’s be clear: This is not an upright and formal sit. It’s lazy and low, but still supportive. My feet tend to dangle toddler-style if I’m facing forward and really sinking into my slouch, but an ottoman (or coffee table—sorry, mom) fixes that. When I want to be more upright, I find myself sometimes sitting cross-legged, and have plenty of support through the back cushion.
The upholstery on the frame is tight and flawless. On the cushions, there is a bit more looseness (which you can see in the photos), so I find myself smoothing them or flipping them from time to time. But overall I’m satisfied with the quality.
My husband tells me I have a “heavy sit” (rude!), and the Kipton so far is taking it in stride. It’s solidly made; no wobbles or wiggles to be found.
Lay test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well-made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
With this being where our last sofa fell short, I was excited to give the Kipton a two-person lay test. My husband and I are both mid-sized—I’m 5' 4", he’s 5' 10"—and there’s space left over when we’re both reclined, whether we’re spooning or face to face. (Our cat even has space to sprawl.) We actually had a house guest crash on the Kipton during its inaugural weekend in our apartment; no complaints from him either! I did immediately add some throw pillows to the sofa after it arrived, which I think made it a bit cozier for a lay-down. If you plan to just use this sofa in an entertaining space or for shorter sits, they may not be as necessary, but for me they were a must.
Is the sectional suitable for particular decor styles, and if so, which?
The combo of soft curves and clean and modern lines make this a really versatile piece. My apartment is eclectic, and it fit right in with our existing decor—so consider this a solid example of transitional style. I think it could work well in a Scandi, contemporary, or boho space. Though the dimensions of my Kipton are best for a medium-to-large room, Arhaus offers this model in lengths that would work in a small space, too, but you won’t be able to store anything under it, as its edge runs to the floor. (You’ll probably want to order the standard depth and not the deep version that you’re seeing in my pics.)
Is it durable and practical in a modern home?
Because the entire sofa is upholstered, all of the corners have at least a bit of padding. Families with children may want to consider a performance fabric to help it stand up against slime, melted popsicles, or whatever else a kid may throw its way.
Is the couch kid- and/or dog-friendly?
I’d venture that any breed of dog would fit on this sofa, thanks to its generous depth—bring on the Great Danes! I don’t see anything that would be hazardous for a kid either. Again, a performance fabric may be your safest bet for long-term wear.
What are the care and cleaning instructions? Do you think stains could be easily removed?
Cleaning instructions vary depending on the fabric you select. For my Plush Linen version, Arhaus recommends spot cleaning with a water-free solvent. Like most other sofas, this one requires occasional vacuuming. The cushions aren’t fixed, so doing so is easy. When the back cushions lose their shape, I’ll give them a flip and a light one-two punch, and they perk right up.
Do the photos do this product justice? Was there anything you were surprised to see IRL?
The photos are true to the product. The back pillows slouch a little more than in the Arhaus photos, but they can be styled and primped to look like the pictures—so still not inaccurate.
Would the couch be easy to move into another room? Would it be easy to move to another apartment or home by yourself?
No, this sofa is too hefty for me to attempt to move myself. When moving day comes, I’ll be calling a professional.
Sectional grades
Comfort: A
Value: A- (at full price)
Delivery and assembly: A
Style: A
Overall couch rating: A
