The Petra vs.The Paxton: Which La-Z-Boy Sofa is Right For You?

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At La-Z-Boy, we are very well known for our quality selection of furniture. Although we’re renowned for our recliners, we are also well-versed in our selection of sofas. 

We understand that everyone has unique preferences when it comes to sofas, which is why we provide a wide selection of comfort options. Whether you're seeking deep seats, luxuriously pouffy cushions, or a firmer seating experience, we have an option available that is tailored to suit your individual needs. 

In fact, one of our well-known furniture families at La-Z-Boy is the Paxton, being one of our best-selling sectionals, and a unique family-friendly shape. Even though it has been compared before with other similar options, like the Alani Sectional, the Paxton reigns supreme as the go-to sofa for deep cushions… or is it?

Ever since Paxton's introduction, a new line of furniture appears to be observing and potentially drawing inspiration from this beloved sofa. The Petra, despite being relatively new, has garnered considerable attention, particularly for its deep seats, which has sparked a rivalry with Paxton.

Cliff Norman, a design consultant at La-Z-Boy Cyrville, tells us “They’re both very comfortable sofas, but it’s clear that they both share some similarities, which could make it hard for people to determine which one is right for them.”

So this begs the question, how does the Petra compare to the Paxton? What are their differences, and what does it say about your next furniture selection? This article will help answer that as well as tell you which sofa is right for you.

In This Article…

1. Unique Features
2. Sizes & Dimensions
3. Options & Upgrades
4. Cost
5. Warranty
6. Customer Reviews
7. Petra vs. Paxton: Which One is Right For You?
8. Petra vs. Paxton: Comparison Breakdown

Unique Features

To help you get a better understanding of both frames, let's take a look at their unique features and what their similarities and differences are.

Similarities

One of the biggest similarities that both furniture frames have is the fact that their seat depth is identical. “Some do feel like the seats are different from one another, but they sit the same,” Cliff says.

The seat cushions are also generously scaled to size, with both furniture frames offering a wide seating arrangement. While the Petra is wider than its counterpart, the Paxton has two long seat cushions that aren’t common for a regular La-Z-Boy sofa.

Both of them also offer detachable cushions in their design, meaning that their cushions are interchangeable and can be switched around for better comfortability if needed. 

Cliff also notes that both Paxton and Petra share similar styles, embodying modern characteristics. “They both have clean lines and sleek track arms–albeit the Paxton having thicker track arms.”

Differences

Moving over to the other side of the argument, Petra and Paxton hold many differences as well. The main difference is the number of cushions. As mentioned before, the Paxton has only two seat cushions, while the Petra holds three. 

Cliff says, “Some people like the two-seat arrangement rather than a three-seat because it adds a cleaner look to the sofa, but other than that, it doesn’t make much of a difference.”

To learn more about Two-Seater sofas, take a look at this article.

Another big difference is their length. While the Paxton may beat the Petra within its sectional configurations, the Petra beats the Paxton in length. After all, Petra’s official sofa name is the Petra Extra Long Sofa. 

Lastly, one other thing that the Petra may have an advantage over the Paxton is the fact that it includes kidney-shaped pillows in its design, rather than the typical throw pillows you would find on our other furniture pieces. These kidney-shaped pillows, in Cliff’s opinion, offer more support and relaxation when laying down on your sofa, instead of sitting up.

Size & Dimensions

When taking a look at how big each La-Z-Boy sofa is, the Petra, as previously mentioned, has a wider length than the Paxton. However, it is important to note that the Paxton is also a little longer in width than a regular sofa, due to its large cushions. 

Because of this, it is possible that both frames may not be best suited for small spaces. However, it is important to measure your space before making a final purchase.

In terms of the dimensions of the furniture frame, the Petra and the Paxton might be better suited for those with a taller height, specifically between the heights of 5’10” and up. This is due to their deep cushions.

While your height can be a considerable factor, it is important to note that height guidelines are NOT set in stone. The way you sit in a furniture item can drastically affect how someone might find a seat comfortable.

This is why we highly recommended coming in for a sit test to see if the Petra or the Paxton is comfortable for your body type. To learn more, take a look at How to Find a Sofa That is The Best Fit For You.

Here is a breakdown of both the Petra and the Paxton sofa dimensions.

Petra Sofa Dimensions (Inches)

Paxton Sofa Dimensions (Inches)

Options & Upgrades

When comparing each sofa, the Petra and the Paxton both have plenty of options and upgrades to choose from – some similar and some different. Always remember that all options and upgrades to custom furniture will increase the price of your frame. 

Fabric & Leather Options

La-Z-Boy has over 800 fabrics and leathers to choose from, making the experience of personalizing your furniture seemingly endless. 

Each sofa has select fabrics and leather that are specifically chosen to compliment the design of the Petra and the Paxton. Presently, the Petra sofas have a total of 4 select fabric covers, while the Paxton has 8 select fabrics. Each sofa has different select fabric colours to choose from.

Further, both the Petra and the Paxton are only available in recycled leather and leather match. You can learn more about La-Z-Boy’s Leather Selection by checking out this article.

Select fabrics do not have an additional fee to the starting price. Should you choose to purchase any fabrics or leathers that are not included in Petra’s or Paxton’s select fabric selection, you will be subjected to an additional fee. 

Leather options, even select leather, will always increase the overall cost. Ultimately, the choice of choosing fabric or leather is up to you if you’re willing to spend extra cash on leather products.

Please note that this article's leather or fabric options may be discontinued or unavailable without prior notice. We recommend contacting your local Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy store by phone or in person to confirm availability. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by any changes to our upholstery selection.

In addition to the cover options mentioned above, the Petra and the Paxton are offered in specialty fabrics with unique features and benefits …

Stain Resistant Covers

Innovative iClean Technology surrounds each fabric and leather fibre, creating a barrier that repels spills before turning into stains.

Pet-Friendly

Tested and formulated to withstand the scratches and wear that a pet can cause to ensure a durable and easily washable fabric.

Antimicrobial Covers

Antimicrobial properties surround each cover to protect against mould, mildew, and odour-causing bacteria.

Performance

Superior stain and fade resistance properties make fabrics easy to clean and incredibly durable.

Eco-Friendly

Conserve Sustainable Fabrics are soft, durable and made from recycled water bottles.

Energy Restoration

Restore by Nanobionic® features a mineral-based fabric coating that transforms natural body heat into energy using infrared technology.

Cushion Upgrade

At an additional cost, Petra and Paxton’s cushions can also be upgraded to include firmer cushioning, meaning over time, your furniture will remember your unique figure and enhance the comfort of your furniture. This could be a great option for people with mobility issues, allowing you to get in and out of your furniture more comfortably. 

​For more information on whether this upgrade is right for you, view our Sofa Furniture Collection catalogue.

Pillow Options

The Petra and Paxton come with pillows, which means you can customize those as well. You can accessorize Paxton’s pillows by adding an accent colour to them, as well as contrasting welt, cording or fringe. With Petra, however, you are only limited to choosing a contrasting colour to your kidney pillows.

If you want to get specific, you can also request feather padding for both furniture’s pillows instead of the usual foam padding.

Contrasting Welt Trim

One advantage that Paxton holds over Petra is the ability to incorporate a contrasting welt. Customers have the option to select a contrasting welt trim, which adds emphasis to the furniture's design. Additionally, patterned welt trim options are available, allowing for further enhancement of the furniture frame's aesthetics. 

Cost

In terms of cost, both the Petra and Paxton sofas fall within the mid-high price range at La-Z-Boy.

With that being said, the Paxton sofa is slightly more expensive than the Petra sofa options, as shown in the table below. 

It is also important to note that La-Z-Boy furniture is considered more expensive in the market. 

The cost of all La-Z-Boy products, including the Petra and Paxton, is reflected in the quality of materials and craftsmanship. With this, the investment tends to be worthwhile if you are looking for long-lasting furniture.

To learn more about the Cost of a Sofa, check out this article.

*All La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change. We aim to update all cost-related articles twice per year. This article was last updated on June 16th, 2023. Contact your local Ottawa or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.

Warranty

Both the Petra and the Paxton are covered by La-Z-Boy’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. This warranty covers the repair or replacement of the frame, spring systems, and mechanism, given that they are quality-crafted and built for long-lasting comfort.

For full details of the Limited Lifetime Warranty, check out this full La-Z-Boy warranty breakdown.

While still quality-crafted, other aspects of the product, such as fabrics, leather, and cushion, are not meant to last a lifetime. However, these parts are still covered by the La-Z-Boy Manufacturer’s Warranty for a given period of time.

To further protect your purchase, La-Z-Boy Ottawa & Kingston offers an extended warranty plan at an additional cost. To learn more about the Extended Warranty Plan and if it’s right for you, take a look at this article.

Customer Reviews

The Petra and Paxton sofas are both enjoyed by many La-Z-Boy customers. This table shows how our customers have rated each piece of furniture out of five. 

It is important to remember that Paxton is still a relatively new product, which means the number of ratings is lower than the Petra.

Star ratings can only tell you so much. Here are some reviews from satisfied customers …

Petra vs. Paxton: Which one is Right For You?

With everything in mind about these two sofas, you might still be on the fence about which furniture piece is right for you. To help you make a more informed decision, here are some last-minute factors to consider when choosing either the Petra or the Paxton.

Upon reviewing the prices once more, it appears that both sofas are priced similarly. While the Paxton may have a slightly higher price tag than the Petra, the difference is a mere $100, which is relatively small when considering furniture prices as a whole.

While these prices are more expensive than other furniture stores on the market, keep in mind that La-Z-Boy products are meant to last a long time, meaning you’re investing in your furniture for the future.

As for the sizing, the Petra is wider than the Paxton, meaning it takes up more space. Even though this is the case, Petra’s sofa is also offered as an apartment sofa, meaning you can still enjoy its style in a smaller frame.

The Petra apartment-sized Sofa is 67” in length and available with only two cushions instead of three. If you live in a smaller space and enjoy the style of the Petra, this frame might be right for you. As for the Paxton, the only other similar frame is its loveseat, which is shorter in width than the Petra by 3 inches.

If you’re interested in learning more about Sofas for Small Spaces take a look at this article.

Lastly, in terms of style, both the Petra and the Paxton share the same modern flair with their track arms and deep cushions. However, there seems to be more of a mid-century modern look to the Petra than the Paxton, especially when taking a look at the tall legs.

The Paxton, though modern in its own right, is more contemporary than mid-century modern, giving off a more casual style with its t-shaped cushions and thick arms, than the edgy and delicate Petra, displaying a thinner frame overall. 

If you have a preference for a sophisticated and classy aesthetic, the Petra could be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you lean towards a more relaxed and casual style for your furniture, the Paxton might be the ideal fit.

Petra vs. Paxton Comparison Breakdown

Still not sure which sofa is right for you? Here is a recap of the comparisons made in this article… 

What's Next?

Now that you have a better understanding of both the Petra and the Paxton, you can confidently decide which sofa is the right one for you. 

If you want to learn more about each furniture family, you can check out the Review of the Petra or the Review for the Paxton by clicking these links.

That said, why not discover these sofas and our other furniture families in person?

You can start shopping by visiting one of our local showrooms located in Ottawa or Kingston. You can also schedule a visit online before coming in.

Our design consultants are always eager to lend a helping hand. Take advantage of our interior design services to see how either sofa could fit into your home design. 

We also have other furniture comparison articles available, which you can find right here:

• Finley vs. Lennon
• Meyer vs. Collins

Related Articles:

Best Selling Sofas at La-Z-Boy

Top Reclining Sofas at La-Z-Boy

Top Affordable Sofas at La-Z-Boy