It is hard to imagine a home without a sofa or a couch if we are being honest.
But what makes a good sofa or couch?
Are they one and the same?
Source:Wayfair
What types of sofas and couches should one know about?
Whether we admit it or not, we are also intimately connected with our sofas and couches.
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In this article
What are sofas?
A sofa is often considered as an upholstered bench.
They are overall designed to accommodate two or more people in one seating.
Its basic anatomy includes a bench frame, upholstery, cushions, and armrests.
What are couches?
Compared to sofas, couches can accommodate three to more people at once.
They are also more cushioned making them softer and more comfortable to seat on.
Couches are also used assleeper alternativesnow as new couch designs can now transform into full beds.
There is no limit to where sofas and couches should be positioned.
They are not just meant for living rooms.
They can be practically positioned anywhere and everywhere.
Sofas can accommodate more than couches.
Sofas also have the conventional anatomy of armrest, backrest, and upholstery.
1.Chesterfield
It is also called the tufted or quilted sofa.
Some sofa designs only have a tufted back and armrests while others are tufted all over.
The name is traced back to the Earl of Chesterfield in the 18thcentury.
It is a standout for its clean design and minimalist features.
It has steel feet and square armrests.
The backrest is a little low but enough for comfortable back support.
The good thing is that it is now making a comeback for minimalist rooms and homes.
3.Contemporary
It takes on the minimalist design of the traditional mid-century modern sofa infused in contemporary details.
For example, a Chesterfield can be tweaked a bit to make it contemporary furniture.
Source:Wayfair
The camelback sofa can be more hunched and the barreled sofa can be more extended.
All of these would be categorized under the contemporary sofa.
you might detach some of the sections for a smaller sized sofa.
5.Bridgewater Sofa
It is a versatile sofa style that is both comfortable and casual-looking.
It is unique for its slightly rolled armrests and a backrest that is lower than the typical backrest height.
It functions more as a complementary seating for the sofa.
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7.Cabriole Sofa
This one is one of the most unique sofas out there.
It has a continuous design, with a backrest at the height the same as its armrests.
The armrests are curving inwards too.
They also have wood trims at the back which sets them apart from other sofas.
Contemporary cabriole sofas have become super trendy throughout the years.
8.Recamier
This unique sofa gives off all the royal feels.
Its major characteristic is its symmetry.
It does not have a backrest but its rolled-up, flap-like ends could cover the function of a backrest.
It had its glory run in the 1950s and it is now making a comeback in the modern era.
9.Low-Seated Sofas
These are modern lounging chairs for minimalist designs and compact rooms.
They are armless, long sofas which often come with an ottoman at the other end.
They are only at 17-18inches.
They are best positioned in family rooms and living rooms for lounging purposes.
10.Pallet couches
These ones are mostly DIY couches, making them popular choices for modern homeowners.
They are pressed back on the wall because they have no backrests.
you could add softness to the wall by arranging throw pillows along its length.
11.Sofa Lounger
It is the fusion of a chaise lounge and a sofa.
It has pulled out extensions that can be retracted for you to rest your feet.
It can also be extended more to accommodate your full length.
It comes with three major designs: full sofa lounger, single sofa lounger, and multi-sofa lounger.
12.Chaise Lounge without Arms
This bang out of couch is classic furniture for luxury suites.
They are also found on patio decks and around pools.
Those with one arm are the ones you see in luxury suits and posh bedrooms.
Two-armed chaise lounges look like a more compact sofa bed.
14.Full sofa lounger
This is the throw in of sofa lounger that will cradle your body fully.
you’ve got the option to still sit-up though even when it is extended fully.
15.Multi-sofa lounger
This one is an overextended sofa.
There are retractable cushion sections at both ends.
you could unfold them for extra seating.
These two extensions do not come with a backrest and arms, however.
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17.Settee Sofa
This one is just a wide chair typically found in dining lounges.
Settees bear a strong resemblance with love seats only narrower.
18.Divan Sofa
This pop in of sofa is distinct for its lack of back frame.
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This means that they are designed to be pinned on walls.
To get a more cushioned backrest, you have to arrange a lot of throw pillows along with it.
They are good for compact living rooms and because of their size and are even positioned in larger bedrooms.
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20.Grande Sofas
The grande sofa is the king-sized bed of sofas.
They are longer than the conventional sofa but everything else is the same.
The only difference is that a grande sofa can accommodate more than four people at once.
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As such, one can say that the Lawson style sofa is specifically designed for more cushion and comfort.
It is considered as the derivative of the classic straight back sofa.
They can be made of burlap, muslin, or raw wood.
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Layering them with heaps of cushions are the best amendments.
It is like the prototype of loveseats and modern settees.
It is distinct for its deep seat and it also features an adjustable armrest.
Source:wayfair
The side arms add additional details as they are braided or tasseled to the back of the sofa.
They are lightweight, airy, and portable.
They are comfortable too even without cushions.
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They are durable and resistant to weather changes.
They are oriental and trendy, all at the same time.
25.Chaise Lounge
The name chaise lounge is a French term that equates to a long chair.
Characteristically, chaise lounges are reclined seats that look like the fusion of daybeds and the normal one-seater couch.
It is also sometimes called the Cleopatra seat as they resemble the designs of Egyptian royal chairs.
They can be adjusted at a certain angle to support enough back surface for lounging.
27.Petite Sofas
It looks like the traditional sofa but with a shallower seating surface.
This pop in is good for kids and shorter people who often find their feet hanging on the sofa.
You would also enjoy their backrest because everything is more compact and not very reclined.
To further identify which sofa is which, here are the most common types of sofa backs.
They come with thicker layers and oversized cushions resting on the rolled arms.
It mostly comes with a square armrest and is considered a more popular choice compared to straight back sofas.
30.Curved Back Sofas
This one is a fresh addition to a compact living room.
As the term suggests, they have a curved back sloping down to the armrests.
They have a curved frame too and firm cushions.
You may add throw pillows for more character, but it is chic on its own.
It is typically found as a lounge chair in wellness centers, therapy centers, and modern bedrooms.
It can cluster other types of sofa including the classic round arm sofa and the Chesterfield sofa.
32.Round Back Sofas
Ever seen a coral-like or mushroom-shaped sofa?
That is exactly what round back sofas are.
They are one of the most comfortable back sofas that are made entirely for comfort.
Its only downside is that it needs regular upholstering when it gets dirty.
34.Wingback Sofas
This is another classic luxury sofa but it is no longer as popular as before.
It gets its name because of its extended flap on both sides, resembling small wings.
It is specifically designed for single seating and it is also called the Strandmon sofa.
35.Barrelback Sofas
This one is unique for its curved back extending up to the armrests.
It has a square arm and backrest but with another layer of rolled cushion at the back.
In many ways, it can also be considered as the Grandmas couch.
This aspect is one of the defining characteristics of sofas, helping us in distinguishing them better.
The whole upholstery features a round arm and typically a floral or checkered pattern for the sofa cover.
This arm style will look beautiful in studio-punch in apartments and homes with no kids.
Covering it with skirted slipcovers will make it stand out more.
39.Hard Wedge Arm Sofa
It is also called the Stockholm sofa, a flagship product of IKEA.
At best, it retained the upright, square arm but the tips are rounded instead of wedged.
If you visit IKEA, it is known as the Farlov sofa.
It is a good choice for a sofa centerpiece because it invokes both a modern and conventional look.
It is a square rolled armed but with a prominent angled curvature.
It is also one of those sofas whose slipcovers are harder to replicate.
The Belgian roll arm sofa is a hybrid of the round arm and the sloped arm sofa.
You cannot find a ready-made slipcover because of this arm design.
As such, the track arm sofa is unique for its square and straight frames and arms.
They are good choices for more compact rooms because their rolled arms are also compact too.
It is perfect for hardwood floors, log cabins, and country-style homes.
If you want an industrial or retro feel, leather cushioned seats are the best choice.
It is also called the Lillberg sofa.
Types of Sofa Beds
Sofa beds are modern trends and generally imbibe the meaning of multi-functionality.
Without contention, they are really space-savers and are beneficial for compact rooms and small living spaces.
Here are some of the most popular sofa beds that you should know of.
47.Trundle Sleeper Sofa
A trundle is basically a pull-out sofa bed, only smaller and narrower.
All you have to do is to unfurl the front rail to pull out the mattress underneath.
When you fold it up, it becomes a long chaise lounge with a lower square backrest.
However, they can be a little short for a tall person.
Some designs even add trundles to daybeds for them to become more functional especially for kids.
It is often compared with the convertible sofa but unlike them, they do not have sectional cushions.
But to have a more visual perspective, here are some figures to look out for.
Length:Sofas are within the range of 70-96inches.
A three-seater sofa is between 70-86inches in length.
Five and above seaters would be at 87-110inches in length.
Seat depth:In terms of the depth of the seating surface, the standard range is 20-38 inches.
Height:In terms of height, the best range for sofas should be at 26-36inches.
Classic sofa types tend to have higher backrests while modern ones are shorter or have shorter backrests too.
For the frame, wood and steel are of course the most common materials.
What is the most popular sofa color?
Neutral colors are often the go-to choices but there are others that could be considered.
This one is a tough decision.
This is basically the reason why we have these rundowns in the first place.
Again, there is no one definite answer for this because it depends on the user experience.
These seating types can be distinguished in terms of backrest and armrest designs.
Contemporary couches and sofas have provided a more functional dimension for them.
