The Easiest Way To Upgrade Your Apartment: A Killer Sofa

Except for maybe your bed, the sofa is definitely the most important item in your entire apartment. This is the piece that sets the tone for the aesthetic of your entire space, and it’s almost impossible to have a chic apartment if you own a shlubby, frat-boy sofa.

To choose the right one, you need to think about how you live. Do you have friends over often? Do you tend to spill? Do you prefer a streamlined, eclectic, or traditional look?

Regardless of what you choose, remember that this is going to be a big purchase. Think of it as an investment item just like that amazingly tailored blazer in your closet. With that in mind, take a look at these 12 stand-out sofas, handpicked to satisfy your inner designer (and klutz — just try and convince us that that pattern's not there to hide stains). So, go ahead and wrap your head around the idea of finally replacing that hand-me-down couch from mom's basement.