This 7th Avenue sectional claims to be water-repellent and stain-resistant. But is this modular sofa really worth the splurge?
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
This 7th Avenue sectional claims to be water-repellent and stain-resistant. But is this modular sofa really worth the splurge?
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
The living room is quite possibly my favorite room in the house. I spend most of my time there when home. And, seeing that I have an open-concept space, I love how this one room complements the rest of the house. It’s where my family gathers and where friends congregate. That said, living room furniture should be comfortable and durable for lounging and entertaining.
After four years, one toddler and one dog, my low-quality sectional had seen better days. It was time to upgrade to a chicer, more resilient couch to elevate my living space. Cloud-like couches (and Cloud comforters) have become quite popular over the years, and rightly so. Plush cushions add comfort, while sleek designs heighten the aesthetic appeal.
These features are what drew me to the 7th Avenue sectional. I tested this option as part of our team’s quest to find the best sectional sofa on the market. Here’s my honest review.Â
7th Avenue modular sectionals offer versatile seating arrangements for maximum comfort and style.
The 7th Avenue sectional is “the world’s greatest modular sofa” according to the brand’s website. It has down alternative cushions, large pillows and deep seats. The modular sectionals range from three-seat to nine-seat styles with options for a corner sectional, chaise lounge, ottoman, and U- or L-shaped design.
7th Avenue is known for having great modular sofas, loveseats, reading chairs, sectionals and more, so I knew the four-seat modular chaise sectional with an ottoman in extra deep would be a quality option on my couch journey. (And it would even give the pricey Restoration Hardware Cloud couch a run for its money!)
Each modular 7th Avenue sectional comes in multiple colors and fabric options, including textured weave, woven chenille and velvet. Sizes range from 94 by 69 by 24 inches for a three-seater in small spaces to 208 by 124 by 24 inches for a nine-seater in larger homes.
These modular sectionals tout themselves as function meets luxury. After lounging on one for a few months, I can say that this statement is evident in their product features. The stain-resistant cushion covers have a durable, water-repellent coating technology similar to what you might find on a raincoat. Each fully removable cover is also machine washable, OEKO-TEX certified and free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Furthermore, memory foam cushions are stacked on top of a solid hardwood frame and reinforced steel legs for the utmost durability. The best part? Rearrange the modular design and add new seats as your family grows.
Although there are many different fabric colors, I went with a light tone that complemented the cedar wood accents in my home. Against my husband’s wishes, I chose the best-selling natural white with performance texture weave fabric. Did I mention I have a toddler and a dog? However, I was confident in the warm, off-white color because the PFAS-free coating temporarily repels liquids and stains.
I put the fabric to the test when it arrived on my doorstep about four weeks after purchasing. Because of the modular design, the sectional came in 17 (yes, 17!) different boxes that my husband and I assembled—with some help from the 7th Avenue YouTube channel—while our daughter napped. We screwed in legs, zipped up cushions and connected the modular bases. Although the amount of boxes seemed quite daunting initially, the assembly process was fairly straightforward. However, 7th Avenue does offer assembly service for a small fee.
The sofa has been the subject of dirty paw prints by my 45-pound mutt and spilled juice and cookie-crumb fingers by my 2-year-old daughter. But cleaning the couch is a breeze. Liquids bead on the surface of the water-repellant-coated fabric instead of penetrating into the cushion, and stains wipe off easily with water and soap.Â
Since receiving my sectional, I’ve removed the covers from the cushions, backs and the included throw pillows and washed them in my machine mainly to get rid of dog smells. Removable covers are convenient to clean and swap out to a different fabric color in the future without buying an entirely new sectional.
I washed them on a delicate cycle, let them air dry and returned them to the sectional with ease. The washer eliminated any noticeable pet stains. My old sofa cushions had polyester fiberfill, which was a total headache. Every time I needed to machine wash the covers, I dealt with fluff balls all over my living room. And good luck trying to get all that stuffing back inside a cushion. With my 7th Avenue sectional, I don’t have to worry about any of that. The hypoallergenic down-alternative cushions maintain their shape without fluffing while still providing sunk-in comfort.
Initially, I wanted to go with a five-seater 7th Avenue sectional, but I simply didn’t have the space for a couch that size. But I have no regrets about the four-seat model, as each seat cushion is quite large, measuring 38 inches wide. The extra-deep option provides 47 inches of depth compared to the 39 inches in the classic style. Although my old sofa was also a four-seater, this 7th Avenue version is much deeper, and the chaise is much longer, which is ideal for my 6-foot-5-inch husband. Plus, the low-back height instantly lulls you into a relaxed state.
Each 7th Avenue sectional cushion combines down alternative, memory foam and high-resiliency foam. Adjust the firmness of the back cushions by opting for medium-soft or medium-firm. 7th Avenue will also send complimentary fill packets to adjust the firmness even more. I went with medium-firm cushions and haven’t needed to fill them yet, as the down alternative keeps the cushions fluffed.
Verified buyer Leslie S. writes, “I was so afraid to order this couch like I was going to get Instagram influenced and it was going to be an expensive fail. But the quality is unmatched. Worth the price and it is super comfortable! We have an 18-month-old and a husky—mud, blackberries, milk, peanut butter, etc., has been spilled on this couch from sticky fingers and muddy paws. I just use a damp cloth and it comes right off. Just get the couch; it really is worth it.”
“The 7th Avenue modular sofa was the best decision we made for our new home,” writes verified buyer, Sinji K. “From purchasing to delivery, the customer service was impeccable. We got natural white extra deep and we’re loving it every moment. I already washed the cover once and it still looks amazing.”
The most obvious comparison of this modular sectional is Restoration Hardware Cloud couch. Both have fully removable covers and use performance fabrics, but RH offers more than 100 fabric colors. Some, not all, of the RH fabrics are machine washable. Although the RH couch cushions use lightweight down feathers, the down-alternative 7th Avenue cushions are hypoallergenic, easier to clean and require less fluffing. Additionally, the 7th Avenue sectional is also about half the price of the RH Cloud modular sectional in the same configuration.
I would certainly recommend this 7th Avenue sectional for a family that likes to gather in the living room and get cozy together, reading books or bingeing their favorite show. Plus, it has more than enough room for me, my husband, our toddler and our dog.
The 7th Avenue sectional is a water-repellent, stain-resistant modular sofa and Cloud couch dupe for less.
Shop the 7th Avenue sectional directly from the brand’s website, where prices range from $2,950 to $10,400. Choose the best fabric, depth, firmness and configuration that suits your space. The exact 4-seat extra-deep configuration I chose costs $5,750.
You can spot clean a 7th Avenue couch with a wet paper towel and water. You can also use a mild cleaning agent or Clorox wipes to remove light scuffs and dirt. For deeper stains, remove the cushion covers, machine wash on the delicate cycle and air dry.
Yes, 7th Avenue offers 12-, 24- and 36-month financing options through Klarna, Shop Pay and Affirm.
At Family Handyman, our editors are no strangers to testing and evaluating furniture. We’ve put dozens of products through a rigorous testing methodology, from bed frames and coffee tables to top-notch sectionals like the Kova Pit and Lovesac Sactional. Our goal is to help our readers shop with confidence by providing thorough, honest evaluations of high-ticket items.
The tester for this piece, Cher Checcio, has over 15 years of experience covering DIY, home decor and outdoor gear for print magazines, newspapers and online publications. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Taste of Home and, of course, Family Handyman.Â