"For the last decade, I’ve had friends and family come to me for advice when they are decorating their apartments or houses. A common trend I’ve noticed is that couch shopping seems to be biggest threshold to cross in the home furnishing process and often ends up as a roadblock.
Let’s be honest, a couch is a large purchase, both financially and the physical space it takes up in your home. And it can be really challenging to commit and hit “checkout.”
When you think about it, couches are the focal point of the main room in your house. It’s the item in your home you probably spend the most time on aside from where you sleep. It’s the spot where people gather, where people come to relax, where people want to be comfortable. You also want it to be something that can hold up to the wear and tear of daily use—snacks and all.
Let’s be honest, a couch is a large purchase, both financially and the physical space it takes up in your home. And it can be really challenging to commit and hit ‘checkout.’
Couple all of that with aesthetic and budget, and the choice can feel almost impossible. That’s a lot of pressure on a piece of furniture.
So how do you find the right style couch that is the perfect size for the room at the price point you can afford?
Well, you’ll be happy to hear, there’s a couch for that.
Designing the Perfect Couch
A few years ago, we teamed up with the experts at Interior Define, a company that specializes in making customizable upholstery pieces attainable with the click of a button. Custom furniture used to be a design luxury reserved for those with the budget to work with a professional decorator but we loved how Interior Define was bringing customization to the general public.
We worked with them to design a sofa in a timeless silhouette that would mix well with different styles and be extra comfy to sit on. We came up with a design we call the Caitlin, and I like to think of it as the goldilocks of couches.
A few years ago, we teamed up with the experts at Interior Define, a company that specializes in making customizable upholstery pieces attainable with the click of a button.
Our take on the perfect sofa is one you want to curl up on—with your pet, your significant other, your kiddos, or a good book. It should be large enough to lie on or seat three people without being too bulky or oversized. It should also easily mix with different styles. When all was said and done, we landed on the Caitlin!
The gentle slope arm creates a tailored frame for the ultra soft cushions. But the design is as versatile as it is timeless. You’re able to completely alter the look and feel of the couch based on the fabric and leg styles you choose. Which brings me to my next reason for recommending this couch.
80+ fabric choices available, including kid and pet-friendly performance fabric!
customize the size, shape, and fabric of this sofa—more than 70 colors available!
customize the size, shape, and fabric of this sofa—more than 70 colors available!
customize the size, shape, and fabric of this ottoman—more than 70 colors available!
Customizable Design at an Affordable Price
Interior Define shoppers are able to truly make the couch their own. You can select the:
- length
- depth
- configuration (sofa, chaise, sectional)
- cushion fill
- pillow shape
- fabric
- leg style
I went with the Caitlin corner sectional in my own TV room because we wanted a large couch we could cozy up on with our two rambunctious boys or have the option to seat plenty of friends and family when they visit. I chose a soft light-colored performance fabric and tapered wood leg for a more relaxed vibe; but my friend had the Caitlin sofa in velvet in her very traditional, old world living room and you almost wouldn’t guess it was the same couch because of the fabric!
The best part is that all of this customization comes at a fraction of the price of competitive online retailers.
And when I say fabric, I mean you have over 80 fabrics to choose from (swatches ship free!). There are also 12 leg choices, so there are endless opportunities to compromise on wants and needs when it comes to the design.
You like feminine, traditional design but your partner likes mid-century? Pair a luxe velvet fabric with a tapered wooden leg. Your home needs something smaller scale but your partner is 6 feet 5 inches tall? Get creative with the depth options and go for a more narrow length that will fit the room.
The best part is that all of this customization comes at a fraction of the price of competitive online retailers.
Family and Pet-Friendly Fabric Options
I’d be remiss not to mention that included in the 80+ fabric choices are a beautiful selection of family and pet-friendly fabrics. They range in color (there is even a white option) and texture. I recommend ordering swatches to your home to see them in person. Interior Define offers a “buy now, choose fabric later” option which is really helpful in keeping the process moving along—especially right now when nearly all furniture makers are experiencing pandemic delays.
Interior Define offers a ‘buy now, choose fabric later’ option which is really helpful in keeping the process moving along—especially right now when nearly all furniture makers are experiencing pandemic delays.
We went with the Oatmeal Heathered Weave performance fabric–truthfully, I chose the fabric based on an Instagram photo in Interior Define’s feed. I didn’t even look at a swatch to know it was the one I wanted. But I am so thrilled we went with it. I’m fairly certain during week one with our new sofa, my geriatric pup had an accident on it. Yes, you’re reading that right. I tossed the reversible cushion cover into the wash on gentle, let it air dry, and voila—good as new. We give the cushion covers a wash every few months and each time the couch gets that new look to it.
One Size Does Not Fit All
A new customization feature Interior Define just started offering is a 41 inch depth option, and I so wish we could have gone with that but our room doesn’t have the space for it. That being said, we have the standard 37 inch depth, and it works great for our needs as you can see above; our boys treat it like their personal jungle gym and it fills my heart with joy. But there is something so cozy and luxe about an extra large seat to sink into.
The new 41 inch depth is great for anyone with a large space to fill, taller family members, or movie addicts who want to get extra comfortable. So you can choose that with the click of a button.
You can configure the sofa to whatever your needs or wants are, or what your space can accomodate.
In addition to depth options, you can configure the sofa to whatever your needs or wants are, or what your space can accomodate. The corner sectional has nine length options, and the standard couch has five lengths plus a loveseat option. In our case, I needed one side longer than the other and was able to work with the sales team at Interior Define to have that specially made. It turned out perfectly.
I could talk and talk about the Caitlin couch we designed; but I highly encourage you to check it out and see for yourself if you’re in the market. Interior Define’s site lets you view the materials and size options as you select them to see how different designs come together.
And finally, I’ll add, if you’re one of those people who says “Oh, but I have to sit on it before buying it”—simply go with the Double Down Blend cushion fill and don’t think twice about it. You’re welcome. (But if you really do want to test it out, Interior Define has guideshops for appointments and walk-ins around the country—click here to find a location near you!)
80+ fabric choices available, including kid and pet-friendly performance fabric!
customize the size, shape, and fabric of this sofa—more than 70 colors available!
customize the size, shape, and fabric of this sofa—more than 70 colors available!
customize the size, shape, and fabric of this ottoman—more than 70 colors available!
The Everygirl designed this product line in collaboration with Interior Define. If you buy a piece from our collection, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.