Sofas & Couches Design Ideas - Furniture Collection

Sofas & Couches Design Ideas - Furniture Collection

When choosing a sofa for your living room there are a number of different factors to take into consideration.

Where is your sofa going to sit?
If you are lucky to have a large living room that will comfortably accommodate a large three seater, then a large sofa is perfect for your living room. Larger sofas are more versatile, as you can use them as a guest bed, create more space for relaxation or even dine on it. If your living room is smaller you need a smaller sofa. Two seater sofas are easier to move around the room than larger sofas so are often the best size to go for.

What will it be used for?
A large couch will take up a lot of space and will be harder to move around if you do not have the space for it. Think about if you want the sofa to be the centre point of the living room or if it will just be an addition to a corner of the room. If you are choosing a larger sofa, a low back will be easier to access.

Who will be using it?
One important factor to take into consideration is who will be using the sofa. You will need to consider the weight limit of the material and look at what size will suit your needs. If you have smaller children you may want to opt for a slightly smaller sofa, as children will like to jump on the sofa and will usually not be as careful with it.

What’s your lifestyle?
Are you moving a lot? Then you will want to opt for a simple sofa which can be more easily transported and stored away. You will also want to look for a sofa that is easier to clean. What material would you like your sofa to be made from?
If you are looking for a modern sofa, a leather sofa may be for you. A leather sofa is more contemporary and easy to clean, as most stains come off with a wet towel. If you are looking for a more rustic style sofa, then you may be tempted to opt for a more traditional fabric sofa.

Is there a difference between sofa and couch?

The confusion starts with the UK and the US. In the UK, it is usually a couch. In the US, it’s either couch or sofa. Some say they are interchangeable.

The reality, however, is that there are subtle differences and that these words are not always interchangeable, especially in the UK. Couch and sofa have their origins in the furnishings of Middle Eastern Muslims and from the Ottoman Empire in particular, and these two types of furniture don’t always fit together in the same room. The issue is the level of comfort. It’s a moot point in the US, where sofas are just as comfortable as couches.

When you are standing in front of your sofa, you are looking at a piece of furniture made for sitting or reclining on. It may have armrests and be soft cushioned.

A couch, on the other hand, is not usually armrested, although it may be. It is more for sleeping on or lounging on. In fact, the name ‘couch’ derives from the French word couchée which means reclining. In the 19th century, in order to appeal to the tastes of middle and upper-class people in the UK, couch manufacturers massively increased the number of cushions in their couches. They therefore began to look and feel more like sofas, and their use became ubiquitous.

Today, the word sofa often refers to something smaller and less deep than a couch. So, in the UK, you might have a small lounge sofa in a living room, but a large couch in the family room. You might even have a corner couch. It is so common to use the terms interchangeably, however, that it is difficult to point out subtle differences.