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Reviewer: Lori Keong, associate commerce director
Model tested: West Elm Bogart Loveseat (Performance Marled Basketweave, Alabaster)
The details: Chances are you know West Elm and have some opinions on the retailer already, but you may not be as familiar with the Bogart, one of the newer styles to hit the site. The sofa is, in a word, lovely, and has the handsome, leading man energy to live up to the name “Bogart”—who we can only assume is named after the silver screen icon himself.
It caught my eye because of its elegant bolstered back with rounded arms and a sculptural cutout base that conceals the legs. No blocky, chubby legs or ugly hairpin appendages to stare at while I vacuum….what a concept! We love to see it. It also helped that it ticked my boxes for a stylish, exactly five-foot sofa that would ship out in [checks the calendar] seven days. A tall order? You bet. Read on for more thoughts on how this compact couch held up on sleep and sit tests over the course of a couple weeks.
Before Delivery
How much does it cost? Are there payment plans available?
The couch ranges in price from $599 to $999, but my Alabaster white colorway (which also ships out in a speedy one to four weeks) has jumped $200 in price to $899 since I ordered it—and is still a steal as far as I’m concerned.
What are the upholstery or customization options? Did you choose any?
I chose the colorway that would ship out the fastest, though there are a whopping 62 options to choose from, including 100,000 rub-count twills, airy linens, and distressed velvet. There are no other customization options for this particular sofa beyond the colorways.
What is the lead time for customization, manufacturing, and delivery?
My sofa was ready to ship out a week after I placed the order (and just in time to meet our Seat Week testing deadline), which is kind of a nutty timeline, in the best way. It was super ideal for me since I needed a couch ASAP to fill my naked apartment. Depending on which material you select, you might need to budget in a few months’ lead time—the black performance velvet, for example, is slated to arrive by January.
What kind of couch or seating arrangement did you have before, and what drew you to your new couch?
I’m a West Elm apologist, despite what some online haters say about the couch quality. I previously owned a gorgeous secondhand velvet chaise longue from the brand, one which I found on Craiglist and loved for several years after until I had to give it upon moving to my new place. It was way too long for my current space, but it was super well-made and lightweight, so comfortable for sleeping on….basically all the positives you want in a couch. I still miss it and hope she’s doing well with her new owners!
The Bogart, on the other hand, spoke to me because of just how chic it was for the price point. I also needed something that was exactly five feet long, which narrows the pool of contenders down significantly. I considered going vintage, but didn’t want to wait around to find the perfect Scarpa or Herman Miller sofa to fall in my lap.
Delivery & Assembly
What was the delivery process like?
The delivery process went incredibly smoothly (shoutout to West Elm’s complimentary white glove delivery, which made things pretty painless). You can schedule a delivery appointment in advance through their site, and then you are given a window for the delivery to occur. Since the couch in question was so small, all that needed to happen was a quick unboxing in the hallway and then it slipped into the doorway with ease.
What was the assembly process like? How long did it take and how many people?
The couch arrived completely assembled, so basically all the crew had to do was dispose of the box and the plastic wrap after the fact. Two delivery men arrived to take it up a single flight of stairs, which all in all, did not seem to require breaking a sweat as the couch is fairly lightweight.
After Delivery
What are the dimensions? How does it fit in your space? Would it be better suited for a certain type of home?
The dimensions are 60"w x 32"d x 25.2"h, so this is certainly not a couch you should ever need to hire a couch doctor for. It fits the dimensions of my cramped Brooklyn apartment very well, which is why I’d recommend it to anyone else who does not have the luxury of excess space or money.
Sit test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well-made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
I had some initial reservations about getting this couch since West Elm puts this as a “5” on the-firmness scale, but was pleasantly surprised to see that the Bogart feels more like a medium-firm mattress. It’s definitely firm and supportive but also not rock-hard, with just enough give (and no sag) to sleep or sit on comfortably. One thing I knew in advance would not be ideal, though, is the back support. Since this has a low back with bolstered sides, it looks very stylish but isn’t great for propping up your back.
Lay test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well-made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
As someone without central air who always gets hot with just an overhead ceiling fan, I sometimes have to retreat to the living room, where the portable A/C is, to sleep on the sofa. I knew that this would be the case going in and was a little concerned about both the size of the sofa and its firmness rating for that reason. I definitely think the Bogart is too compact to lay all the way out (even for a petite person like myself), but I’ve gotten by sleeping in the fetal position with a pillow, or even having my legs dangle over the armrests. I’m pleasantly surprised at just how cushy and supportive the sofa is for sleep, without any sagging as I snooze.
Is the sofa suitable for particular decor styles and if so, which?
The modern style of the sofa lends itself well to a range of homes. Mine is paired with a smattering of vintage ‘60s and ‘70s styles, but I could see it in any home that prioritizes elegance and sculptural curves.
Is it durable and practical in a modern home?
I think most people with a normal-sized living room would balk at the idea of a five-foot couch, but for me, this is all I can fit my tiny space so I feel it’s practical and super affordable for people on a budget. For anyone who wants to sprawl out and has the time to wait around to find the perfect sofa, I’d suggest something bigger and anything that’s not white. I have zero regrets on my end though.
Is the couch kid- and/or dog-friendly?
I would not at all recommend a white couch for someone who has kids or pets, but the couch is also available in several darker colors, from inky blue to burnt red, and performance fabrics that are made to be durable against wear and tear.
What are the care and cleaning instructions? Do you think stains could be easily removed?
I think the couch feels really well-made, though I worry about the white basketweave fabric so I always have a linen throw draped over the seat in case of spills. When I feel extra paranoid, I also wear socks so my dirty city street feet don’t sully the fabric. It is spot-clean only, but the fabric seems hardy enough and not as dainty as a velvet or suede that I feel it would be pretty easy to blot a spill even so.
Do the photos do this product justice? Was there anything you were surprised to see IRL?
The photos set me up well for what the Bogart looked like in person, although I would say that the actual material itself is different. I was expected a creamy, single-hue felted material, and the performance fabric I got was flecked. I’m still pleased with my choice, but would recommend looking at swatches before pulling the trigger if you’re unsure.
Would the couch be easy to move into another room? Would it be easy to move to another apartment or home by yourself?
Judging on how easily the movers were able to slip this out of its plastic sheath and get it into my door, I sense that the couch would be fairly simple to move to another apartment, though it does require two people to maneuver into a car or U-haul. It’s really lightweight for pushing around the living room, though, for smaller adjustments.
Sofa Grades
Comfort: B+
Value: A+
Delivery and assembly: A+
Style: A
Overall couch rating: A
