The Difference Between Sofa & Couch – What You Need to Buy

You’ve been using sofas and couches interchangeably for years without thinking about whether they’re the same or not. But when it comes to sofa vs couch, there is a difference, or it may be a matter of semantics. You could say it’s less about product differentiation and more about word choice, names have become somewhat interchangeable. They are both long, upholstered pieces of furniture designed for sitting and lounging. 

What is Sofa?

Sofas are formal and cushioned items of furniture with prominent backs and upholstered arms to accommodate more than one person. A sofa is nothing more than a simple wooden bench furnished with cushions. A sofa is a raised platform designed for sitting or reclining and will be wrapped in cloth and cushions. Home sofas are usually placed in the family room, living room, or lounge, but are also found in non-residential settings such as hotels, commercial office lobbies, waiting rooms, and bars that are used for seating and sleeping.

Sofas are of different types including two-seater corner sofas, sectional sofas, divans, sofa beds with storage, etc. Sofas can also vary in size, color, and design. A two-seater sofa, also known as a loveseat, is designed for seat two, while a sectional sofa is named sectional because it is made up of multiple sections, including at least two pieces that are angled at 90 degrees. Other variants are backless or partially backed such as divans.

One of the top quality sofa fabrics that you can choose is leather, leather sofas are beautiful, durable, and stain-resistant. Leather sofas are easy to clean and versatile creating plenty of options to mix and match with patterned cushions. Cotton is also a natural fiber for sofas that comes in a variety of patterns and colors that never fade and is also cost-effective and can last for years. It’s best to vacuum cotton regularly to remove dust. Velvet and chenille represent luxury living well due to their soft and textured materials and are one of the best elements to dress up your interiors. 

What is a Couch?

The word couch comes from the French ‘coucher’ which means to sleep, to go to bed, or lay down and was originally used to describe any piece of furniture that was designed to be reclined and could be applied to a bed as well as a long chair. A sofa was thought to be upholstered in the middle and arms at one or both ends (maybe one arm or not at all). Sofas did not have backs and were therefore more suitable for use as daybeds. 

Couches are of different types including Modular Couches made up of multiple sections or modules, modular sofas are versatile and adjustable. Each moving part can be configured to fit most living spaces. Whether you need to accommodate a growing family, or just want to rearrange your living room and mix things up, modular sofas can be easily expanded or removed.

Sofa Beds with storage can be converted into beds, designed to lay flat to make sleeping mattresses. While a bed frame or mattress is hidden inside the sleeper sofa. The Chesterfield features rolled arms that are the same height as the back, and tufted upholstery in deep buttons. Chesterfields are covered in dark leather. But more modern Chesterfield’s may feature velvet or other fabric upholstery, with longer legs, and a slimmer waist and arms.

What’s the Difference?

Choosing a sofa vs a couch is completely subjective and reflects the furniture piece you want and how you live with the piece. The word ‘couch’ is derived from the French word “couche”, used to describe “a piece of furniture without arms and used to lie down” On the other hand, the word ‘sofa’ is derived from the Arabic word “suffah”, sofa” is a long, upholstered seat that usually has arms and a back, and can often be converted into a bed. A ‘couch’ is a comfortable, casual, and informal piece of furniture while a ‘sofa’ is more formal and can refer to a polished, design-oriented piece. 

Sofas are for sitting while couches are for lying down. A sofa is a piece of furniture that gives us a soft, welcoming place to relax at the end of a busy day, and no home should be without it. The couch is the preferred piece of furniture for hosting guests for tea or drinks. The small size suggests that one or two people can sit comfortably. Sofa strikes a better tone, on the other hand when you’re yelling at a teenager to get up, couch is considered a more comfortable term to use.

Placement of Each Piece Varies

If you’re wondering whether sofas and couches should be interchanged, you’ll typically use a sofa in a main living area or family room where you’ll be sitting with a group of people. A couch would be used in a bedroom, office, or library where you want to lounge, read a book, or sit less formally, usually alone and not in a group setting. Whether it’s a fireplace, TV, or coffee table, you should choose a focal point for a couch that sparks conversation and positivity. sofas are large, making it difficult for people to walk from one end of the room to the other, so make sure there is at least 16 inches of space between the coffee table and the sofa and between sofas and any chairs. 

Determining Which Piece is Suitable

Both are good and beneficial in their place but if you want to determine what is best for you, a sofa or couch depends on the space you are furnishing. A sofa is perfect for a formal living room where you can entertain with friends, talking,  reading, or watching TV while a couch is best for a basement or playroom where you can feel relaxed, and visit with your friends to play. Our couch sees a lot of action, whether we’re catching up with friends, enjoying our latest box set, or simply engaging in quiet contemplation.

Resource: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sofa-vs-couch-260517