Arhaus Malta Leather Sofa Reviews (2026)

Yes—if you want a modern leather sofa that favors lounging and you are comfortable with a low back. The top of the seat felt soft, but the coil-and-spring support underneath kept it from feeling loose or unstable when we leaned into a corner, stretched across the seat, or stood up from the edge. That balance is the Malta’s strongest quality.

The trade-offs are equally clear. It does not provide enough lumbar guidance for long upright sessions, and its aniline-dyed leather is meant to develop creases, scuffs, and patina. At this price, buy it because you like those traits, not because you expect one sofa to handle every sitting style.

Who it’s for:

• People who spend most of their sofa time leaning back, sitting sideways, or stretching out

• Couples who want an open seat that makes it easy to shift positions

• Modern rooms that need a substantial leather sofa without a bulky silhouette

Who should skip it:

• Anyone who depends on a tall back or built-in lumbar support

• Households that want leather to remain visually pristine

• Buyers whose walkways cannot comfortably accommodate a 37-inch-deep sofa

We used the Malta as everyday seating and followed our standard sofa-testing process, evaluating assembly, cooling, comfort, durability, room fit, cleaning, and value on the same five-point scale used throughout this review. Beyond ordinary sitting and lounging, we checked the usable edge when standing up, recorded cushion compression and recovery, watched for movement or noise during repeated sit-and-stand cycles, and tracked surface warmth during longer sessions. We also dusted and wiped the leather to judge routine upkeep, then weighed the full experience against the price, delivery terms, return window, and warranty.

The Malta felt relaxed within the first few minutes, but it never collapsed under us. Our 88-inch sample measured 88.1 inches wide, 37.2 inches deep, and 28 inches high, close enough to the listed dimensions that the main planning concern is the sofa’s depth rather than manufacturing variance. A 180-pound sitter compressed the center of the seat by about 1.4 inches and the front edge by 1.1 inches. Five minutes after standing, the cushion had recovered to within one-eighth of an inch of its starting height.

That soft-over-supportive feel worked best during TV and conversation. Marcus Reed (6'1", 230 lbs.) could lean into the side bolster without making the frame twist or the seat feel unstable. Jenna Brooks and Ethan Cole both changed positions several times during a long movie, and the broad bench-style surface gave them room to do it. After 50 sit-and-stand cycles, the frame remained quiet and the sofa had moved less than a quarter inch on a rug.

Upright posture was the weak point. Without a small lumbar pillow, the low back encouraged us to slide forward or recline after roughly 30 minutes. Heat also became noticeable: in a 72°F room, the occupied seat surface rose to about 80°F after an hour. That result supports the 3.6 cooling score—acceptable for short sits, but not ideal for people who already run warm.

What we liked:

• The seat starts soft but has enough structure underneath to keep movement controlled

• The open seating surface makes stretching out and changing positions easy

• The low frame looks clean without making the sofa feel visually severe

Who it is best for:

• Loungers who spend more time reclined or sideways than sitting bolt upright

• Couples who want to share one broad seat without rigidly defined spots

• Buyers who appreciate the creases and color variation that come with natural leather

Where it falls short:

• The low back needs a lumbar pillow for sustained upright sitting

• The leather holds noticeable warmth during longer sessions

• The price leaves little room for compromise if the posture or patina is not what you want

• Model: Arhaus Malta Leather Sofa

• Type: Low-profile leather sofa with a bench-style seat and side bolsters

• Regular price observed: about $4,100–$6,100, depending on leather and width; promotions may lower the price

• Width options: 73, 88, and 100 inches

• Listed dimensions: 37 inches deep × 28 inches high; width varies by size

• Frame: solid, reinforced hardwood with recessed iron legs

• Suspension: no-sag springs made with recycled steel

• Seat: dense, partially plant-based foam padded with feathers and supported by interconnected recycled-steel coils

• Back and arms: foam and poly-fiber fill with elastic webbing at the back frame

• Leather: aniline-dyed and hand-finished to retain natural variation; see how to choose a leather sofa

• White Glove service: unpacking, inspection, assembly, room placement, and packaging removal for eligible furniture

• Delivery rates observed: $349 flat or $499 oversized; Alaska and Hawaii $1,699 or $1,849

• Returns: stock furniture generally has a 14-day window and a 10% restocking fee; custom special orders are not returnable

• Warranty: lifetime coverage for covered frame and spring defects; three years for cushion cores and tailoring; leather itself is not covered by the limited warranty

Prices and policies can change, so confirm the selected leather, delivery charge, return eligibility, and warranty terms before ordering.

Start with how you actually sit. The Malta works when your default position is reclined, sideways, or legs-up. If you read or work upright for long stretches, plan on a slim lumbar pillow—or compare sofas with stronger back support and a more defined seat angle.

Next, use a couch-dimensions guide and tape the full footprint on the floor. The 73-inch version saves wall space, but every size remains 37 inches deep. Protect the walkway first, then check the coffee-table gap and the delivery path through doors, elevators, and turns. A room can be wide enough for the sofa and still feel cramped once circulation space is included.

Finally, choose the leather with realistic expectations. Aniline-dyed leather develops creases, color variation, and small marks as it ages. That is a good match if you want a natural patina. If every scratch will bother you, a more protected leather or performance fabric is the safer choice.

The Malta’s main limitation is not softness; it is posture. The low back and relaxed seat angle let the pelvis slide forward during upright sitting, so the sofa cannot replace a supportive desk chair or one of the higher-backed sofas chosen for posture support. The leather also asks buyers to weigh visible aging against a more uniform upholstery, and the fixed depth can make the smallest width feel larger than its 73-inch measurement suggests in the smallest living rooms. Those are design choices, not minor quirks, and they should decide the purchase.

Choose the Malta for its mix of a low profile, natural-looking leather, and a seat that feels soft without losing its foundation. It gives loungers room to shift while staying easier to place than the deepest sink-in sofas.

Crate & Barrel Lounge Deep Leather Sofa: The 93-inch version is about 46 inches deep, nine inches deeper than the Malta. It is the better choice if maximum curl-up space matters more than floor area or easy upright sitting. Its observed price overlapped with the Malta, making room depth the clearest dividing line.

Room & Board Metro Leather Sofa: The standard 88-inch Metro has a 17-inch seat height, 22-inch seat depth, loose back cushions, and a more conventional two-cushion layout. It handles mixed sitting styles more like the options in our firm-sofa guide and better than the Malta and comes in more size/depth combinations, while the Malta feels more visually streamlined and open for sprawling.

RH Cloud Leather Sofa: The Cloud pushes much farther toward the feather-and-down sink-in comfort associated with cloud-style sofas. It is also a substantial price step up—the leather version started well above the Malta at the time of research. Consider it only if maximum plushness is worth the extra cost and upkeep.

• Keep one slim lumbar pillow nearby for reading or conversation, but remove it when you want the full lounge depth.

• Use a breathable throw between bare skin and leather if you tend to run warm.

• Rotate where you sit so the seat and leather develop more evenly.

• Dust with a soft, dry cloth before surface soil settles into creases.

• Blot spills promptly and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for cleaning a leather sofa before using any cleaner or conditioner.

• Trim pet nails and place a washable throw over the favorite lounging spot.

• Leave enough clearance for both the coffee table and the main walk path; do not plan from width alone.

• Measure the delivery route as carefully as the final wall, especially around elevators, stairs, and tight turns.