If you have young kids or pets that like to jump up on the couch, look for fabrics that are stain- and scratch-resistant. MaterialsĪs always, it’s important to consider your lifestyle when picking out the right upholstery for your household.

There are also futons, which similarly fold flat, and daybeds, which are always ready for catching some z’s.

If you opt for a traditional design, it will feature a fold-out mattress, whereas sofa beds come with backs that folds down.

Just like every other type of large furniture, sleeper sofas come in all shapes and sizes. Here are the factors worth keeping in mind as you shop. What To Consider When Buying A Sleeper SofaĪ sleeper sofa, or sofa bed, is a large purchase, both literally and figuratively, so it’s wise to consider your needs and preferences ahead of shopping. While there is a 10-week lead time for this made-to-order couch, it’s worth it: You get to choose from several different fabric types and more than two dozen color options. It hides a 5-inch thick gel-infused memory foam mattress that adapts to the sleeper without sagging. A traditional Chesterfield sofa with rolled arms, diamond tufting and tapered legs, you would never know that it doubles as a sleeper sofa-and a comfortable one at that. This pick from Pottery Barn proves you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. That’s why the average consumer will likely use both “sofa” and “couch” interchangeably when describing their living or family room.Weight Limit/Capacity: N/A Two sleepers | Materials: Polyester, kiln-dried hardwood | Size: 89 x 41 x 31 inches Most families are searching for multi-functional furniture that can accommodate a range of uses from sitting and lounging to napping. However, in the modern day home, there is far less pomp and circumstance given to furniture. And even for some more casual pieces, the word sofa is still used, like in “reclining sofa” for example. Most furniture industry professionals will use the term sofa unless the piece of furniture is extremely casual. Loveseats are often used for smaller spaces or as an addition to a similar, larger sofa for your space. What about the loveseat? If you’re wondering whether a loveseat is a sofa or a couch given it’s smaller size- it’s still a sofa, if it has armrests. In the most formal sense, sofas are intended for formal entertaining, whereas couches are for more informal, relaxed settings where you might expect someone to lie down at the end of the day. This might be a foyer, an office, or as an addition to a large bedroom. Couches however, are often placed in more intimate areas to add a bit of home decor, styling, and convenience to the area. Where do People Place Sofas and Couches?ĭue to their size, sofas are most frequently used as the living room furniture or in other large spaces. Couches are often smaller and designed to fit two to three people maximum while sofas are generally designed to accommodate four or more individuals. Today, one of the main differences between a couch and a sofa is seating capacity. This also explains why the most common definition given when you google the word couch states the absence of armrests. That is, by far, the biggest differentiator between the two terms, considering that we refer to them interchangeably today. Conversely, sofas, while originally more like wooden benches, were intended for sitting, which explains the armrests. So now we know that couches were actually intended for lying down, not sitting. There are also certain types of sofas that stick to the traditional design, such as a loveseat or three-seat sofa. Some good examples of multi-purpose sofas include sectional sofas, chaise lounges, sofa beds, and futons. pieces you can both sit and lie down on). This happened when companies started designing multi-purpose furniture (i.e. So when did the co-mingling of terms begin? However, the chaise lounge, or “divan” which blends both sitting and laying is also pretty close. That means that the closest match to present-day furniture is actually more like a bed. It is also a derivative of the french verb, “coucher,” which means to lay down. Modern day designs are davenport sofas or chesterfield sofas – both large, upholstered seats with room for three or more people.Ĭonversely, the word couch originated from the French word “couche,” during the Victorian Era, which is defined as a piece of furniture with no arms or back. While there are some close similarities between the original and current definitions, we now refer to sofas most commonly as a long, upholstered bench, with a back, two arms and enough room for several people to sit down.

Sofa couch