A Beautiful Skirted Sofa for Small Spaces: My Honest Review
If you’re looking for a beautiful skirted sofa for small spaces that has a designer look without sacrificing comfort, I recently found one that checks all the boxes!
Buying a couch online can be a little nerve-racking. It’s a big purchase to make without seeing it in person, and even more importantly, without sitting on it first!
I’ve been looking for a beautiful, classic sofa that wasn’t oversized or overstuffed. I wanted something comfortable, but with a more tailored, designer look. And of course, I didn’t want to spend a fortune.
When I spotted this skirted sofa from Birch Lane, I immediately loved the style. The pretty pleated skirt, off-white fabric, and classic shape were exactly what I had in mind. However, the price was far above my budget. Then I found the same sofa on Wayfair for a fraction of the price.
Not long after, I noticed it was on sale during one of Wayfair’s sales and decided to go for it. I also have a professional account with Wayfair, which gives me an additional percentage off. Now that it’s in our home, I wanted to share my thoughts for anyone else considering buying a sofa online.
Because sometimes you just want to know if a couch is as good in person as it looks in the pictures!
A Designer-Look Sofa Without the Oversized Proportions
One of the things that first caught my eye about this sofa was the beautiful pleated skirt.
I’ve always loved skirted furniture. It has that classic, collected-over-time look that works so well with vintage and cottage-style decorating.
But what I especially like about this one is that the skirt is tailored rather than overly ruffled. It’s a small detail, but it gives the entire sofa a more expensive, designer feel.
The off-white upholstery is another reason I was drawn to it. It’s a timeless color that works with just about anything, and it’s especially pretty paired with antique furniture, warm wood tones, and vintage accessories.
I also appreciate that the sofa has a more streamlined shape. So many couches today are extremely deep, oversized, or overstuffed. That’s great if you’re looking for something to sink into, but it’s not the look I wanted.
This one feels much more classic and refined without being too formal.
Why This Skirted Sofa Works Well in Small Spaces
Finding a comfortable couch for a smaller room (such as our sunroom) can be tricky. You want enough seating without having one piece of furniture take over the entire space.
That’s another reason this sofa appealed to me.
At just under 83 inches wide, it’s a nice alternative to some of the larger sofas on the market. And at a little over 36 inches deep, it doesn’t have that extra-deep profile that can make a smaller room feel crowded.
I will eventually replace the coffee table with something narrower to give a little extra breathing room. This is something I expected, but I loved this couch enough to swap out the coffee table too.
Of course, it’s not a tiny apartment loveseat, so you’ll still want to measure carefully. But if you’re looking for a full-size couch with less bulky proportions, this is a good one to consider.
The single bench-style seat cushion also gives it a clean, uncluttered look. That is a feature I really liked about this sofa. Fewer things disappearing between the couch cushions is always a plus. Because you never know what you might find under there!
My tip for buying a sofa for a small room: Don’t look at the width alone. Pay just as much attention to the overall depth. An extra-deep couch can take up more floor space than you realize, especially when you factor in a coffee table and room to walk around.
I usually will apply painter’s tape to the floor and outline where a new piece of furniture will go. Then I live with it for a few days. It sounds extreme, but we once bought a REALLY giant oversized sectional I had to live with for years.
It’s a mistake I will never make again!
You can find a sofa dimension guide here with tips on how to measure.
Is the Birch Lane Colette Sofa Comfortable?
This was my biggest concern about ordering a sofa online. You really have no idea how comfortable something is until you sit on it.
I’m happy to say this one is very comfortable!
But I should explain what I mean by comfortable, because everyone has different preferences.
I personally prefer a firmer, more supportive couch. I don’t like sitting down and sinking so far into the cushions that it’s difficult to get back up.
This sofa has that nice balance of comfort and support.
The cushions are firm, which I actually prefer, especially for my back. It feels comfortable to sit on while still giving you plenty of support.
If you’re someone who loves a super-soft, deep, squishy couch that you practically disappear into, this may not be the best choice for you.
But if you prefer a sofa that feels supportive and holds a more structured shape, this one is worth looking at.
And as much as I love pretty furniture, it has to be comfortable too. A couch isn’t much good if nobody wants to sit on it!
What About the Off-White Upholstery?
I love decorating with light-colored furniture, especially when it has a classic shape that won’t go out of style.
This skirted sofa is described as ecru, which is a soft, warm off-white rather than a stark, bright white.
It works beautifully with neutral decorating, but it would look just as pretty with floral pillows, patterned fabrics, antique furniture, or darker wood tones.
One thing I would recommend when shopping for a white or off-white couch online is paying close attention to the color description.
Words like ivory, cream, natural, ecru, and white can all look quite different in person.
Cleaning White Upholstery
It’s also worth checking the upholstery care instructions before ordering, especially if you have pets or children. The Colette is listed as having stain-resistant polyester upholstery, with spot cleaning recommended.
And don’t assume that every skirted sofa has a removable, washable slipcover. This one has a tailored upholstered skirt, which is different from a loose-fitting slipcovered sofa.
Our previous white slipcovered sofa (which is now in our basement) had removable, washable covers. Those gave me a little more peace of mind when stains happened.
Incidentally, this sofa has already gotten its first stain. We have a cat with a sensitive stomach, which is why I usually keep blankets on my couch. Sadly, the blanket was in the wash that day. The good news is, I was very happy with how easily it cleaned up. I simply used a Tide To Go stain remover pen on the stain, and it came right off.
A Few Things to Consider Before Buying a Couch Online
After shopping for this sofa, there are a few things I’d recommend checking before ordering any large piece of furniture online.
- Measure and check how it’ll fit in your space
- Read all the reviews
- Check the return policy
- Watch for sales
It’s worth taking the time to do your research before making a large furniture purchase online!
Is This Skirted Sofa Worth Buying?
For me, this sofa checked several important boxes.
I wanted a classic sofa with a designer look, but I didn’t want anything oversized or overly bulky. I also wanted something that was genuinely comfortable, not just pretty to look at.
The pleated skirt is probably my favorite design detail. It gives the sofa that beautiful tailored look without feeling stuffy or old-fashioned.
And the supportive cushions were a pleasant surprise. Ordering furniture without trying it first is always a little bit of a gamble, so I’m glad this one turned out to be comfortable.
If you love firm, supportive seating and classic styling, there’s a lot to like here. If you prefer an oversized, extra-deep couch for sprawling out, you may want something different.
I purchased mine during a Wayfair sale, and I’d recommend checking the current price before ordering since furniture promotions change frequently.
You can see the exact sofa I purchased here: Birch Lane Colette Skirted Sofa at Wayfair.
Final Thoughts on My New Skirted Sofa
I’m really happy with how this sofa looks in our home. It has the classic, tailored style I was hoping for, and I love that it doesn’t feel oversized or overstuffed.
Best of all, it’s comfortable!
Finding furniture that looks beautiful, fits your space, and feels good to sit on isn’t always easy, especially when shopping online.
If you’re searching for a skirted sofa for small spaces with a designer look, this is definitely one I’d put on your list.
Sometimes taking a chance on furniture online works out pretty well!
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