Short answer: Our Ciello and Gaia sofas share the same soft cushion build and the same seat height of 21.3 inches (54 cm), so the difference comes down to depth and back support. Ciello Regular is the shallower sofa at 21.7 inches (55 cm) of seat depth, while Ciello XL is the deepest at 26.4 inches (67 cm). Gaia sits between them at 24.2 inches (61.5 cm) in Regular and 25.6 inches (65 cm) in XL, with a more upright back. Choose Ciello to stretch out, and Gaia for a soft seat with more upright support.
Comfort on a sofa is personal, and two sofas with the same cushions can still feel different once you sit back. Depth, back angle and the way the seat is built decide whether you sink in, perch or sprawl, so we compare them below.
On This Page
- What do Ciello and Gaia have in common?
- Which sofa has the deeper seat?
- Which sofa is better for lounging?
- How do the backs and arms differ?
- Covers, care and fabrics
- Ciello and Gaia at a glance
- Our recommendation
- Explore our sofas
What do Ciello and Gaia have in common?
Our product pages describe both as among our softest modular sofas, and they are built the same way where it counts for softness.
- Cushions: soft synthetic fibre wrapped around a D35 high-density foam core.
- Seat height: approximately 21 inches on both, measured from the floor to the top of the seat cushion.
- Covers: removable, machine-washable covers for the seat cushions, back cushions, upholstered arms and base, with replacement covers if you want a new colour.
- Modularity: both come as sofas and sectionals, in Regular and XL seat sizes, with a storage ottoman, a chaise and a plateau as add-ons. You can start small and add modules later.
- Seat capacity: up to 350 lb (159 kg) per seat.
- Warranty: a 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects.
Because the cushions match, you will not find one sofa that is simply softer than the other. The seat and back shape make the difference. For the full picture on each sofa, see our guides to the Ciello sofa and the Gaia sofa.
Which sofa has the deeper seat?
It depends on the size. Seat depth for Ciello is measured from the front of the seat cushion to the front of the back cushion, and it can change slightly with the tilt of the back cushion.
Which sofa has the deeper seat?
| Size | Ciello seat depth | Gaia seat depth |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 21.7 inches (55 cm) | 24.2 inches (61.5 cm) |
| XL | 26.4 inches (67 cm) | 25.6 inches (65 cm) |
So Gaia Regular is deeper than Ciello Regular, and Ciello XL is deeper than Gaia XL. Going from Regular to XL adds about 4.7 inches of seat depth on Ciello and about 1.4 inches on Gaia. If you are choosing by depth, our sofa seat depth and height guide compares all of our collections.
Which sofa is better for lounging?
Both work for lounging, but they suit different ways of sitting.
- Ciello XL: the deepest seat of the four options, at 26.4 inches (67 cm), so it suits people who sit cross-legged or curl up.
- Ciello with a chaise: the chaise gives you a place to put your feet up. A Ciello two-seater with a chaise measures 74.75 inches (190 cm) wide by 68.5 inches (174 cm) deep, with the chaise adding depth rather than width.
- Ciello High Angled back: the backrest is more reclined, which suits leaning back and watching a screen.
- Gaia: the back is more upright, so it supports you when you sit and read or talk, while the seat stays soft. A storage ottoman can work as a footrest for a chaise-like arrangement.
If you mostly sit upright with your feet down, either sofa works. If you mostly sprawl or share the sofa with a pet or a child, Ciello XL gives you the most room.
How do the backs and arms differ?
This is where the two sofas differ most.
- Ciello: you choose between Original and High Angled arms and backs. The High Angled version adds about 4 inches of back height on Regular and about 2.75 inches on XL, and it leans back further.
- Gaia: one back style that is more upright, with slimmer arms and French seams on the cushions.
If you want to adjust the sofa to your body or your room, Ciello gives you more choices. If you prefer a clean, tailored look with a back that holds you upright, Gaia is the simpler pick. Our comfort guide explains how seat firmness, depth and back support affect how a sofa feels.
Covers, care and fabrics
They are equal on the basics. Both have removable covers that are machine washable, covering the seat cushions, back cushions, upholstered arms and base, so you can wash the whole sofa and not only the cushions. Follow the care label on each cover, and see our guide on how to clean your sofa for stain and fabric tips.
The cushions on both are loose, so they soften with use. We suggest fluffing them weekly or every two weeks, and rotating the seat cushions. Cushions arrive vacuum-packed and can take up to two weeks to expand fully, so fluff and shake them by hand when you first unbox them.
The main difference is fabric choice. Ciello offers Performance Fabric (48,000 Martindale), Performance Chenille (48,000), Aquaforte (78,000), Aquaforte Velvet (more than 200,000) and corduroy (15,000). Gaia offers Performance Fabric (48,000), Chenille (48,000), Aquaforte (78,000) and Aquaforte Velvet (more than 200,000), with no corduroy. In our own assessment, Aquaforte Velvet and Performance Chenille are good choices for homes with pets, and our guide to the most durable sofa fabric for pets goes into more detail.
Ciello and Gaia at a glance
Ciello and Gaia at a glance
| Feature | Ciello | Gaia |
|---|---|---|
| Seat depth, Regular | 21.7 inches (55 cm) | 24.2 inches (61.5 cm) |
| Seat depth, XL | 26.4 inches (67 cm) | 25.6 inches (65 cm) |
| Seat height | 21.3 inches (54 cm) | 21.3 inches (54 cm) |
| Cushions | Fibre and D35 foam core | Fibre and D35 foam core |
| Backs | Original or High Angled | One, more upright |
| Arms | Original or High Angled | Slim arms |
| Chaise and plateau | Yes | Yes |
| Storage ottoman | Yes | Yes |
| Removable, washable covers | Yes | Yes |
| Corduroy option | Yes | No |
| Seat capacity | Up to 350 lb (159 kg) | Up to 350 lb (159 kg) |
Sizes and fabric colours can change, so check the product page for the current range. A Gaia armless corner layout of seat, corner and seat measures 65.4 x 65.4 inches (166 x 166 cm), which helps if you are comparing sectionals for a smaller room. Our guide to choosing the right Cozey sofa compares all of our collections. If you would rather have a curved shape, our Cassini sofa guide covers that option.
Our recommendation
- You like to stretch out or curl up: Ciello XL, or Ciello with a chaise.
- You want a soft seat but sit more upright: Gaia, in Regular or XL.
- You want to tune the back and arm height: Ciello, with its Original and High Angled options.
- You want the shallowest seat for a smaller room: Ciello Regular at 21.7 inches (55 cm).
- You want a corduroy cover: Ciello.
- You share the sofa with kids or pets: either one, in Aquaforte Velvet or Performance Chenille.
Seat depth is easy to misjudge from photos, so sit in the depth you are used to at home and measure it. If you are still unsure, our team can help in a free design consultation.
Explore our sofas
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.