Model Tested: Benchmade Modern Vintage Plaid Sofa in the fabric “Glasgow Whiskey” (available in early March)
The Details: Benchmade Modern has effectively walked the line between luxury home furnishings and accessible DTC furniture since 2015, offering one of the widest ranges of custom fabric options, sizings, and layouts among their peers. And because sorting through more than 125 swatches can be overwhelming for people who have a hard time visualizing new pieces in their space, the company will also send true-to-size printouts of the sofas you’re interested in free of charge so you can map it out in your space. If you want even more personalization beyond the brand’s generous library of swatches, you could also have your interior designer send Benchmade Modern a fabric of their choosing to upholster a custom piece for you.
For people who prefer a retro style to an ultra-contemporary silhouette, Benchmade Modern has just released a new Vintage collection of midcentury modern-inspired designs, all available in multiple configurations, over a hundred fabrics from the likes of Kravet and textile house Pollack (which this sofa is upholstered in), and several size variations. They may remind some people of the nicest possible version of the couches they grew up with—it certainly did that for me.
Specs
| Dimensions | 33"H x 90"L x 36"D |
| Seat Height | 17.5 inches |
| Seat Depth | 22 inches |
| Materials | FSC certified engineered wood, CertiPUR-US® foam, woven polyester |
| Assembly required? | Minimal |
Ordering Process
Price: How much does it cost? Are there payment plans available?
The ample three-seater I chose starts at $3,675 with some of the more classic, simple upholstery options. More specialized fabrics, like the period-appropriate Pollack plaid I selected (available starting March 15) come in a little over $4,100. Twelve-month payment plans are available through Affirm, and shipping starts at $149 for threshold shipping. It was $249 to ship the couch to my suburban New Jersey address, though you can pay $299 for a white-glove service that will have the sofa delivered and set up in your space.
What are the upholstery or customization options? Did you choose any?
This is where Benchmade Modern really shines. I counted more than 130 different fabrics available to upholster one of their Vintage sofas, and widths customizable in five-inch increments anywhere between 65 inches and 100 inches. I got one of the new Pollack plaids you can see here that lent a new coziness to my family room opposite the fireplace.
What is the lead time for customization, manufacturing, and delivery?
Considering the number of choices available, the turnaround time for a Benchmade Modern sofa is pretty speedy at just four weeks.
Couch Delivery & Assembly
What was the delivery process like?
I chose white-glove delivery, which meant the sofa was brought right into my living room and set up for me. The less-expensive option is a threshold delivery where a boxed-up sofa is delivered to your doorstep.
What was the assembly process like? How long did it take and how many people?
There’s no danger of losing one of three dozen tiny nuts during the assembly process here. All the setup required was screwing in the legs. From unboxing to completion, it only took about 10 minutes.
After Installation
What are the dimensions? How does it fit in your space? Would it be better suited for a different type of home?
My house is a 19th-century Victorian, which means that instead of a large open-concept living room, I have two smaller rooms separated by a foyer (this dates back to a time when social custom dictated that the men in a home would retire to one room after dinner and the women would go to their own separate space). And at 90 inches wide and 36 inches deep, it fits nicely in my smaller, walled-off space.
It takes up most of one wall, with just enough space for a couple small side table, but still feels like a natural fit. If my space was much bigger, the sofa would feel small. For those who have more square footage to work with or an open-concept home, they may want to look at Benchmade Modern’s larger sectionals. Thankfully, if you’re set on one silhouette in particular, the brand offers several different widths of the same style for customization.
Whatever you’re considering though, I’d recommend taking advantage of the printout offering, a full-size image of the sofa to lay on the floor that should give you the clearest view of how it will look and feel in your space.
Sit test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
Compared to the West Elm sofa this replaced, the cushion on it is notably firm. Not uncomfortable, just firm. I feel well supported by both the cushions and the frame. So if you’re looking for something to envelop your body, this may not be the sofa for you.
That said, this couch fits me quite well. I’m a smaller person—5 feet 7 inches, 160 pounds—and I find the height of both the seat and the back cushion meets me right where I want them to. And because both the seat and the back have firmer cushions, I can comfortably sit on them for long stretches.
Lie-down test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
Periodically I wake up in the middle of the night and have a hard time falling back asleep, so to avoid keeping my wife up with my tossing and turning, I’ll go downstairs and try to get myself back to sleep on the couch. I’ve slept at least 10 hours on the sofa so far, and because it has so much structure, I felt well-supported and slept soundly (at least once I got over the Sunday scaries).
It is slightly shallower than my previous couch though, and I definitely do notice the missing inches. I don’t move much once I’m asleep, but in order to feel comfortable, I do have to tuck myself in pretty tightly.
And while this is neither sitting nor lying down, my kids have spent some time jumping on the couch (they’re four and seven; what are you gonna do?), and the cushions have held up well to their bouncing and fort building.
Is the sectional suitable for particular decor styles and, if so, which?
Because of the plaid fabric, my particular sofa won’t fit in well with more minimalist design choices. The thicker sled legs might also stick out visually. But in a home with a more midcentury aesthetic, or one that uses more pronounced colors and patterns, it would fit right in.
Is it durable/practical in a modern home? Is the couch kid- and/or dog-friendly?
As I mentioned above, my kids have enthusiastically taken to the couch. Now, I don’t think this is a “kid-friendly” couch in the sense that it will repel all the messes children are prone to making; but a strong frame, substantial cushions, and quality fabric mean that I’m comfortable letting them play on it (as long as there’s no chocolate or juice involved).
What are the care and cleaning instructions? Do you think stains could be easily removed?
The fabric is certainly durable, but I would not say it’s stain-resistant. The plaid I have can hide accidents well, but, if you do spill something, you should make sure to spot-treat it right away with soap and warm water.
Do the photos do this product justice? Was there anything you were surprised to see IRL?
It’s hard to tell from the photos just how substantial the sofa is. That’s true of the fabric, which is a thick weave that feels borderline untearable. And that’s true of the cushions which, even after months of use, offer as much support as they did the day I got them.
Overall grades
Comfort: A-
Value: B+
Delivery and assembly: A+
Style: A
Overall couch rating: A
