B&B Italia Richard Sofa Review (2026)

In our hands-on testing, we used the Richard as the main living-room sofa for three weeks, alternating between shallower and deeper configurations. Assembly was mostly about module alignment and whether the seams sat cleanly once everything was in place. Cooling was judged during long TV sessions and late gaming nights, while Comfort and Durability were tracked through posture changes, cushion recovery, and day-to-day stability. We also scored Layout Practicality, Cleaning, and Value based on room flow, upkeep, and whether the performance justified the price.

The first sit gave me a soft top layer, then a firmer stop underneath. I never felt my hips drop too far, which mattered with my lower-back tightness. Marcus, who is 6’1" and about 230 pounds, immediately gravitated to the deeper setup for gaming and half-dozing; he liked the sprawl, but he also had to watch his shoulder position so he did not round forward. Jenna and Ethan did what they usually do during movie nights—shift around, get up for snacks, settle back in—and the sofa stayed calmer than most plush modular designs we have used. By the third week, the cushions were still supportive, but the low base made quick vacuuming feel more annoying than it should have, and regular fluffing clearly helped the sofa keep its crisp lines.

What we liked:

• Two depths that clearly changed how we sat and lounged

• Cushions that felt plush without bottoming out

• A calm, stable feel for shared seating

Who it is best for:

• Large rooms that can handle deeper modules

• Couples who lounge together and move around a lot

• Owners who like refining layout over time

Where it falls short:

• Low clearance makes routine cleaning harder

• Deep setups need smarter cushion use for posture

• Cushions look best with regular maintenance

• Starting price: $12,719+ (fabric); $20,265+ (leather)

• Designer: Antonio Citterio; introduced in 2016

• Modularity: broad modular system with two overall depths, 93 cm and 123 cm

• Frame/base: tubular steel and steel profiles; die-cast aluminum lower edge

• Cushions: multi-density polyurethane, visco-elastic polyurethane, sterilized down, and polyester fiber

• Cover: fabric or leather; fabric versions can use profile trim

• Low feet: 3.5 cm (1 3/8") ground clearance

• Example size: one listed shallow sofa is about 103.5"W x 36 5/8"D x 30 1/2"H, with a seat height around 17 3/8"

I would start with depth and posture. If your default sit is reading, working, or conversation, the shallower version makes more sense. If you want to sprawl, the deeper modules are the point. Measure your walkways carefully, because larger layouts can take over a room fast. Upholstery choice also changes the day-to-day experience: leather is easier to wipe down, while textured fabrics tend to disguise wear better but can hold more pet hair. If you want a more upright, city-friendly sit, the Room & Board Metro Sofa is a better posture match. If you want more modular flexibility with less effort when reconfiguring, Lovesac Sactionals are easier to live with in a busier household.

The Richard rewards space and patience. The low base leaves little room for quick vacuuming or easy under-sofa cleaning, and the cushion styling looks best with periodic fluffing and straightening. The deepest modules are excellent for lounging, but they can compromise upright posture if you do not stay intentional about back-cushion placement. If you regularly rearrange furniture, the weight and module connections make casual moving inconvenient.

Why Richard stands out:

• Two seating depths that genuinely change how the sofa behaves

• Supportive plushness that stays comfortable through long sessions

• A tailored look that reads premium without looking bulky

Alternatives to consider:

• Flexform Groundpiece: more casual, ultra-lounge comfort for sprawling

• Minotti Freeman Tailor: crisper modular geometry with a more structured look

• Poliform Mondrian: architectural styling with a cleaner visual footprint

• Decide early whether your default is upright conversation or deep lounge, then build around that depth.

• Treat back cushions as posture tools, and keep one dedicated to lumbar support at your main seat.

• If you tend to slouch, place a firmer cushion behind you before settling in for a long movie.

• Plan side tables within easy reach, because deeper seating makes coffee-table reaches feel longer.

• Vacuum creases and seams weekly, since dust builds faster when the base clearance is low.

• Rotate and re-fluff cushions on a schedule so the sofa keeps its tailored lines.

• Use a throw or topper where you nap most to reduce localized wear and oils on the upholstery.

• In shared seating, assign movement seats near the aisle so constant snack runs disrupt everyone less.

It feels plush at first contact, then more supportive underneath. I never felt my hips collapse, but the top layer still reads relaxed.

Not automatically. The deeper modules are great for reclining, but they work best when you manage the back cushions so your posture does not drift.

In our testing, it stayed calmer than most plush modular sofas. When one person shifted or got up, the movement felt more contained than expected.

Staying ahead of dust and keeping the cushions tidy mattered most. A quick fluff-and-straighten routine made the sofa look noticeably sharper.