My interior design style has evolved dramatically over the years. Fresh out of college, the sole piece of furniture to my name (besides what I shared with roommates) was a squeaky white metal bed frame that, to its credit, got the job done. But as time passed, I started paying more attention to the materials and silhouettes that make my home feel as fashionable as it is functional. For me, that meant choosing furniture that’s actually comfortable and experimenting with rich, tangible textures. Defining my aesthetic vision has helped me get a jumpstart on designing my first home, and the first piece to enter my doors was the Albany Park Lido Sofa 86″ ($1,709). It’s the perfect blend of style, comfort, and so much more goodness I’m breaking down ahead.
What I Like About the Albany Park Lido Sofa
There’s a lot I love about Albany Park’s Lido Sofa, so let’s start with the assembly. Full transparency: my dad, a contractor for many years, was in town and helped me put it together. Even with his expertise, it felt easy and like I could have done it on my own. It took us maybe 30 minutes from start to finish, mainly because we initially had some trouble lining up the couch’s back brackets. I preemptively grabbed a glass of wine, imagining it would take a while, but I didn’t even make a dent before we finished putting it together.
What separates this couch’s assembly from other, less-impressive pieces I’ve put together is that the hardware comes pre-installed; you just attach the pieces via brackets. The only part that made me sweat a little was securing the legs with the included bolts and hex wrench. Otherwise, it was a breeze. I was pleasantly surprised by the assembly instructions; they come in a cute, non-intimidating two-pager with a QR code for visual instructions in case things get confusing.
Now onto aesthetics and comfort, which blew me away: while I loved how it looked online, seeing (and feeling it) in real life was a different experience. The only two sofas I had bought online before were terribly uncomfortable. This one, however, is a game-changer. It strikes the perfect balance between firm and soft, hitting that supportive-yet-comfortable sweet spot. The cushions are soft enough for my husband, my dog, Cooper, and me to spend night after night on it, legs up or laying side-by-side (yes, it’s deep enough to do that!) to watch, admittedly, “Love Island.”
Speaking of our dog, our couch’s material is one of the brand’s pet-friendly offerings: Alabaster Bouclé. This material costs $50 more than its main fabrics, but it was a no-brainer, given that our dog’s our constant companion and an avid lounger himself. As an added bonus, the neutral color matches his fur (he’s a corgi and a frequent shedder), and you can’t see his fur against the textured fabric.
And finally, I’d be doing you a disservice not to mention that the Albany Park Lido Sofa is part of a larger collection, which includes a smaller, 75-inch sofa and an oversized armchair. Once the Lido sofa was assembled, I couldn’t resist ordering the Lido Armchair ($1,049) to match. I realized it would look and feel adorably cozy styled in an empty corner of my upstairs space. Plus, I know that one day I’ll have room to style them together in a bigger living room.
What’s Worth Noting About the Albany Park Lido Sofa
Remember how I mentioned it’s pet-friendly? Well the brand considers it kid-friendly, too, because it has removable, stain-resistant, cleanable seat cushions. There’s a hidden zipper at the back of each cushion so you can take them off and treat stains in case of messes. As much as I love this feature, I wish I could just throw the covers straight in the wash. Instead, the brand advises spot-treating stains. They suggest “dampening the corner of a clean white cloth with water and gently dabbing the stained area, turning the cloth so you’re always using a clean portion.” They advise using a water-based, non-abrasive cleaner, mild detergent, foam, or pure, water-free solvent, letting it dry naturally, and then vacuuming it once it’s dry. As a self-proclaimed lazy cleaner, this is my least-favorite thing about this couch, but it certainly isn’t a deal-breaker — I’m still obsessed.
Who Is the Albany Park Lido Sofa Best For?
The Albany Park Lido Sofa is a dream come true for anyone looking for a stylish, easy-to-assemble, and comfortable sofa that’s built to last. It’s perfect for those who want to customize their sofa to align with their aesthetic vision without dropping upwards of $5,000 on a custom design. While it’s definitely an investment, it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants a sofa that’s both chic and functional. Plus, it’s perfect for families and pet owners, thanks to its durable fabric and removable cushions.
Is the Albany Park Lido Sofa Worth the Splurge?
In my opinion, the Albany Park Lido Sofa is worth the splurge. It’s no small purchase, but the price tag is fair given its quality.
Additional Details About the Albany Park Lido Sofa
- You can customize the Albany Park Lido Sofa in one of five materials: velvet, bouclé, stain-resistant and waterproof performance fabric, basketweave, and vegan leather.
- Choose from four leg finishes: matte brass, natural oak, black, and brown oak. (I chose natural oak.)
- You can customize it with either two or three cushions.
- It includes complimentary curbside shipping.
- Not sure if you want it? Albany Park offers a 30-day in-home trial, so you can decide if it’s a good fit.
Where is the Albany Park Lido Sofa Available?
The Albany Park Lido Sofa is available direct-to-consumer on the brand’s website.
Rating:
★★★★★
Marisa Petrarca is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has more than five years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, and InStyle, among others. In the rare case that she’s not working on a story, you can likely find her testing new makeup, skin care, or hair launches — or obsessively taking photos of her corgi.