This modular outdoor couch from Cozey doubled the storage space in my tiny sunroom

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After a long winter spent indoors, I'm more than ready to start enjoying my outdoor spaces and patio furniture again. My tiny covered patio — which I somewhat optimistically refer to as my "sunroom" — becomes my home office in the spring, featuring scenic views of my garden and my cat hunting flies. This season, I knew it needed an upgrade. My old, tired wicker chairs were starting to fall apart, and my beloved sunroom was succumbing to pre-garden-season clutter. My favorite space was falling into disrepair, and fast.

Seemingly reading my mind, Canada-based furniture brand Cozey released the outdoor collection of my dreams: the Shinuk Sofa, a modular design with waterproof storage built into every seat, ottoman, and table. Cozey made a name for itself with modular sofas and has been doubling down on expanding into new categories. Given my need for new furniture and extra storage, I knew I had to try it out. After living with it — and subjecting it to the elements — for a month, I can confidently say that it's completely transformed my outdoor space.

It's entirely modular, so you can pick a design that fits your space.

The Shinuk Modular Outdoor Collection has plenty of options for any space, from single seats and tables to a massive sectional with seating for eight. You can choose your optimal configuration, frame and cushion colors, arm style, and add-ons like an ottoman, end table, or inline table. The wicker frame is available armless, with a chunky armrest, or with a high-angled arm with a side pillow. I opted for a four-piece sectional with high-angled arms, an ottoman, and an inline table in tan wicker and sage green cushions.

The interior storage is built into the bottom of each module, protected by a zippered waterproof lining and topped with a flat piece of wicker. Then, the cushions are connected to the wicker with a strip of velcro. I was wary about the velcro — I thought it would cause the cushions to shift around — but I've experienced no sliding during testing.

It ships in a ton of boxes, and setup takes a while.

To my surprise, Cozey sofas ship in a lot of boxes. On the day of delivery, I opened my front door to be greeted by a veritable sea of cardboard. My sofa arrived in about eleven separate, bulky boxes. Shipping is free, but the delivery window can vary from a few days to a month, and there's no option for in-home set up.

The assembly process was arduous, to say the least. I roped my partner into helping me with setup, and together, it took about three hours to get this couch from boxes to fully assembled. Thankfully, there were no tools required — it comes together with hand screws — and all pieces (and boxes) were clearly labeled. After unboxing, I noticed a few broken pieces of wicker on the bottom, but it had no impact on the structural integrity of the couch.

Written instructions were included, though I didn't find them until about halfway through assembly. I would've appreciated a note on the box that says "start here", which is something I've seen with similar DIY assembly furniture like Thuma bed frames, but the clear QR code on the outside of every cardboard box takes you to a step-by-step instructional YouTube video. Most of the setup was fairly simple, just time-consuming, though I had a heck of a time trying to shove the cushions into their corresponding covers.

The sofa connects with small, plastic pieces that fit on the legs of each module. This makes it easy to reconfigure each piece, but I've noticed that pieces can shift and become detached relatively easily. Thankfully, the modules aren't heavy or particularly awkward to reconfigure. I like that you can change up the configuration — I'm a renter, so it's nice to know this couch can go with me no matter where I move next.

The firm cushions are incredibly comfy and supportive.

Once I had finished assembly and taken my well-earned flop on the couch, I was immediately impressed with how comfortable it was. To be clear, it definitely feels like an outdoor couch — don't expect the same level of comfort as the sofa in your living room — but it's leagues more comfortable than my previous outdoor furniture. The cushions are filled with a layer of foam surrounded by a fiber filling. It's noticeably firm when you first sit down, but once you've relaxed for a while, it conforms to your body and supports every curve. I've started working from and taking Zoom meetings sitting on my Shinuk sofa, and I've never once felt uncomfortable or unsupported.

It looks as good as new after an intense Midwestern spring.

For testing, I placed the ottoman outside to face the elements while the rest of the couch stayed safe and dry in my sunroom. I wanted to compare the indoor and outdoor pieces to see the amount of color fading or damage associated with being exposed to the elements. Mother Earth threw everything she had at this poor ottoman. After a month of being left outside, it had faced a tornado-siren worthy thunderstorm, unseasonal freezes and snow showers, a week of constant torrential rain, and bright, sunny spring days.

I was expecting a dramatic before-and-after difference between the ottoman and the pieces left in my sunroom, but to my pleasant surprise, the weeks of volatile Midwestern weather had no effect on the look or durability of the wicker body or the cushions. Save for a single spot of bird droppings that swiped away with ease, the ottoman looked identical to the rest of the couch. Water beads on the surface before sliding right off, though I noticed absorption during heavier rain. I'd anticipate that this couch could survive multiple seasons of bad weather with very minimal color fading or damage, especially if you opt for the protective covers.

The storage is actually waterproof and roomy, though it's not large enough to store the cushions in the off-season.

The aspect I was most excited about — the storage — lived up to my expectations too. Each module has an empty compartment lined with a waterproof cover, which is then topped by a flat wicker piece. I use this to store my outdoor throw blankets and gardening supplies. The inline table is especially roomy, and I could fit about six blankets (I'm a throw blanket lover, what can I say) in its interior. This space is handy for storing outdoor games and protective covers, too, though they're a bit too small to hold the actual cushions if you had been hoping to store them during the offseason or ahead of bad weather.

The storage is actually waterproof, too. I placed a piece of paper inside the waterproof interior, then absolutely drenched the entire module with my hose. While there was moisture on the waterproof cover itself, the interior compartment was completely dry, and my paper revealed no water droplets.

There are 30-day returns — but there's a catch.

Cozey offers a 30-day return policy, but you'll have to hang on to the boxes if you want to return them — so get ready to hold on to some cardboard. If you don't keep the boxes, your return may be declined or subject to a 15% return fee, a high cost given the price of a sofa. It's covered by a five-year limited warranty, which applies only to manufacturing defects. If you claim your warranty, Cozey will only send you a replacement for the defective part.

What are your alternatives?

If you're on the hunt for an outdoor sofa but the Shinuk isn't your vibe, we've tested and reviewed plenty of other options, too, but we've yet to find another furniture brand that offers storage in the cushions.

Polywood gets our stamp of approval for their durable HDPE frames that mimic the look of wood with a series of collections that suit all design styles, from traditional to modern. Read our Polywood review for more details.

We also like Outer's easy modular outdoor seating that comes in six different frame materials, including wicker, wood, and metal, and up to seven seats. The differentiating factor is the built-in covers to protect cushions when not in use. Read our Outer review for more details.

For a cheaper option, we were pleasantly surprised by the Lausaint Home Outdoor Sectional, a budget-friendly hidden gem on Amazon. You can get a six-piece sectional for just over $550. Read our Lausaint Home Outdoor Sectional review for more information.

For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best places to buy outdoor patio furniture.

The bottom line

The Cozey Shinuk Modular Outdoor Sofa is attractive and comfortable with handy built-in storage. Available in multiple configurations, it's a versatile piece of furniture that can be arranged to fit any space, whether you're furnishing a huge deck or a small balcony. It was a pain to put together, but trust me: It's worth it.