Which Sixpenny Sofa Is Right for You? I Sat on 5 of Them to Find Out

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Shopping for a sofa involves a lot of criteria. Beyond standard specs like measurements and delivery times, the most important aspect of a sofa (arguably) is comfort. Whether you're spending all day on it binging 40 episodes of Love Island, or simply entertaining friends, the sofa's seat feel and firmness should skyrocket to the top of your priorities. And for online only retailers like Sixpenny, it can be difficult to get a feel for the different silhouettes and fabrics without being able to see them in person.

To remedy the confusion that is trying to determine which Sixpenny sofa is right for you solely based on word of mouth and social media content, I spent a morning in their trade-only Sixpenny Loft to test out a handful of their most popular styles. From the softest to the firmest, plus every other detail in between, here is a comprehensive review of the five best Sixpenny sofas.

Sixpenny Sofa Guide

This handy chart from the brand shows you which of Sixpenny's sofas are the fluffiest (i.e. softest) to firm. The other axis shows you those same sofas but rated on an upright to laid-back feel. Depending on how you like your sofa—some people don't love the sink-in feel, for instance—this is a good guide to check out when deciding on which of the brand's model to buy. Ahead, I break down the five I sat on, which lands all over this chart's spectrum, so you can get an editor's honest thoughts on the sofas.

The Softest Sixpenny Sofa: The Neva

Comfort

Sixpenny's original sofa, best-seller, and customer favorite, the Neva sofa is the softest one of the collection. The seat depth, with the back cushions, is 26 inches deep. Total sink down territory. When I sat on the Neva I wasn't sure I ever wanted to get up, but while the depth is ideal for lounging around, at only 5 foot, I found that I needed a bit of momentum when standing back up. You can opt for either a feather down or poly filling, both equally comfortable, but the poly filling is slightly firmer.

Looks

Because of its ultra-soft nature, the Neva holds indents from both your hands and your body after you leave. It's that lived-in appearance that the brand is beloved for. Fluffing the cushions back up is easy, but requires some energy (it's a great anger outlet). Sixpenny also recommends flipping the cushions once a week or so to help the sofa wear evenly. If you're in the market for a sleeper sofa, the Neva comes in either a full or queen-sized sleeper.

The Neva also features the brand's signature slipcover. All coverings are removable and available in the brand's full fabric range of all natural cottons, linens, and velvets.

Overall dimensions: 72”W x 41”D x 33”H | Sizes: Available in 72", 84", and 96" inch widths

The Olea

Comfort

The Olea is that perfect middle ground between comfortable and squishy whilst still allowing you to sit mostly upright. The armless silhouette isn't ideal for those looking to spread out, but we love that it has a sleeker look than traditional soft sofas. When sitting, I found myself wanting to shift the rounded cushions around to truly get settled, so I love that they're not secured to the sofa's frame.

Looks

One of the brand's armless sofas, the Olea features rounded and layered back cushions instead of the traditional square or rectangular ones. This offers a unique sofa look, but it's not the most practical for those looking for a sofa to rot the Sunday away in. We love this sofa as a banquette option in a dining area.

Overall dimensions: 72”W x 41”D x 35”H | Sizes: Available in 72" and 84" inch widths.

The Middle: The Aria

Comfort

The Aria, another armless sofa option, has a slightly firmer yet more relaxed feel than the Olea. The double back cushions allow for a better sink-in, but the seat is easy to navigate and getting up and down repeatedly (without help or arms to support me) wasn't an issue. With all of the cushions, the seat depth is slightly less than other Sixpenny models at 23 inches.

Looks

Sleek and streamlined, the Aria sofa is great for an effortless look. I'm a big fan of the double lumbar cushioning. In the showroom, Sixpenny had a pair of Aria sofas side by side in their colorful thread-dyed cotton linen (one in Honey Bee and one in Nectarine Dream) and they were so cheerful. The Aria would be my choice for a small-space friendly sofa as it looks much less imposing than an armed silhouette, even with the same dimensions.

Overall dimensions: 72”W x 42”D x 35”H | Sizes: Available in 72" and 84" inch widths.

The Gio

Comfort

I was only able to test out the armchair version of the Gio, but Sixpenny assured me that the construction was the same, only extended. Unlike the rest of Sixpenny's offerings, Gio features an exposed wood frame and fixed fabric (although the cushion covers can still be removed). Whilst in the middle of the soft to firm scale, the Gio has a much more upright seat than the other sofas. This makes it more ideal for a formal living room, as a reading sofa, or in a workspace.

Looks

The exposed frame, made from North American Ash, features stunning, carved detailing. This is not the sofa for relaxation, but it's a beautiful statement nonetheless. This sofa is only available in a cotton linen, cotton canvas, or linen upholstery. Because of the more upright frame, this is a great piece to add comfort to a formal-feeling space.

Overall dimensions: 72”W x 32”D x 32”H | Sizes: Available in 72" and 84" inch widths.

The Firmest: The Loula

Comfort

Of the selection of sofas I sat on at Sixpenny, the Loula was the firmest. It's also on the company's scale as the most firm of their entire offerings, however the seat feel is closer to laid-back than upright. At the showroom, the Loula was upholstered in the brand's faux fur upholstery, and sitting on it felt like being wrapping in a hug. I loved that the side cushions (that are shown folded over) are flexible. This sofa didn't hold indents as much as the other seats, but there still a slight wrinkle from where I had been sitting. Nothing a quick brush of the hand across the fabric couldn't fix.

Looks

The Loula sofa has a kidney-bean like shape. With a rounded back, this sofa is elegant and very comfortable. This isn't a sofa to be pressed against a wall, but one designed to be viewed from all angles. The base of Loula has a bit more structure than the rectangular sofas, but the folded-over back cushions give it a more casual look and feel.

Overall dimensions: 84”W x 43”D x 33”H | Sizes: Only available in an 84" inch width.

What to Know About Sixpenny Upholstery

No Performance Fabric

Because of Sixpenny's commitment to all natural and eco-conscious materials, they do not offer any performance fabrics, which often utilizes chemicals. While this is amongst the most common request they receive from customers, they recognize that the chemical manufacturing isn't worth it. Because of this, their upholstery isn't as friendly as others to spills, pets, and children. They do have a handy fabric selection page for customers to determine what weave best suits their lifestyle for both families with children and those with pets though.

The Color Will Fade Over Time

Because of the natural make up of linen and cotton, the color dye used to produce the candy-colored hues will fade as a result of sun exposure. The brighter or more direct sun your room receives, the faster the color will lighten. Single direction exposures like east and west are worse than north or south. To ensure your sofa fades evenly, Sixpenny recommends flipping the cushions to the opposite side every so often. The linen upholstery will fade the fastest, while cotton linen's color will last a bit longer. Velvet upholstery will maintain its hue the longest of all three options. To maintain the color's longevity, we personally suggest investing in curtains or shades, so you can shield your sofa when the sun is shining its brightest.

The Slipcovers Are All Machine Washable

All of Sixpenny's slipcovers are removable and washable. The company recommends "using a cold, gentle cycle, mild, brightener-free detergent, and keeping a mindful eye on the care instructions specific to each fabric." If your slipcover is beyond repair, or you'd like to try out a new color, you can order a slipcover replacement online.

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