When it comes to completing the look of your living room, perhaps no piece of furniture is more important than the couch. There are so many different types of couches to choose from, it can be difficult to know which of these will suit your living room and your style best. How can you choose the right sofa types that will fit into your living room and create a space that is functional and that you enjoy?
Below is a list of the best types of couches for different living situations, styles, and price points. Whether you’re a college student looking for a sleeper sofa, or a homeowner looking for a large sectional sofa, the choices are virtually endless! Look at these sofas and couches below and see which of these you’d prefer in your home and fit your price point. After reading through this list, you’ll realize that there is no such thing as a normal sofa.
Types of Couches
Lawson Style Sofa
Okay, maybe there is such a thing as a normal sofa. However, there’s still a name for it! The Lawson style sofa is one of the most popular styles to date. It is characterized by three seats, loose back cushions, and rolled arms that sit just in the middle or a little bit lower than the back height of the sofa. A Lawson style sofa is the perfect choice for people that want a traditional style home with no flares. Lawson style sofa designs can be dressed up, or you can go with a simple, affordable design.
Speaking of affordability, the Lawson style sofa is also one of the most affordable sofas on our list, since you can find it sold just about anywhere today. This is one of the best types of couches for new homeowners or those that have moved out of their apartment and still don’t know what their exact style is. You can easily mix and match cushions, have a comfortable sofa to lounge on, or keep experimenting with different textures and styles to see which one is the best for your living space. However, we don’t recommend this sofa to someone who wants an ultra-modern aesthetic, or something that stands out. This is, to put it best, your regular sofa that will give you comfort at a good, affordable price.
Chesterfield Sofa
The chesterfield sofa is the epitome of elegance. Legend has it that the fourth Earl of Chesterfield in the 1700s commissioned a sofa to be designed that would allow him to…wait for it…write and sit without wrinkling his suit. Thus, the chesterfield sofa was born, with its traditional rounded arms and its leather upholstery. Although you can find many different types of chesterfield sofa designs today, the concept is the same.
A chesterfield sofa is any sofa that has rounded arms that are the same height as the back. There are no separate pieces, and the entire backing along with the arms flow seamlessly together. This is the perfect sofa to place in your den, or in a study. It can also be a great piece to put in your living room. However, this sofa is traditionally made with leather and unique upholstery designs. The maintenance on this type of sofa can be a bit much for some people, so if you want a sofa that’s easy to maintain and simple, we recommend going a different route.
However, if elegance is your endgame, the chesterfield sofa is the perfect design.
Sloped Arm Sofa
A sloped arm sofa, as the name suggests, is any type of sofa style that has arms that are sloped downward from the back of the couch. This gives it a shape that is ergonomic, so you can sit on here and lean your arms against the arm rests comfortably. A sloped arm sofa comes in many different styles and textures, but they all feature a curved design on the arms that make it look elegant and classic.
Although not the classic round arm sofa of a traditional sofa, the sloped arm sofa can still look classic in a modern space if paired with plush upholstery. This is a good sofa to have if you want something that is elegant and simple without too much effort. It is not very comfortable, since you will not have support if you lay on this couch horizontally and stretch out. But, it is stylish, which is a good trade off for those that love to wow their guests!
Armless Sofa
On the other end of the spectrum are armless sofas, which are excellent for people that want an ultra-minimalist look in their apartment. Minimalist style, at its very core, values functionality and a less is more design style. Who needs arms when you can simply lay a cushion under your head? Or better yet, why use arms if you have a plush couch, such as the one pictured here, to help you unwind after a long day? Armless couches are perfect for those that want to make a statement and break traditional boundaries of what a couch should look like.
You can find many types of armless sofas, but ones that incorporate smooth curves and bold, rounded designs make for perfect talking pieces and are far more comfortable than sleeker sofas without arms.
Loveseat Sofa
The loveseat sofa is another type of sofa design that comes in a variety of colors and styles. A loveseat is the name given to any type of sofa that is designed to fit two people side by side..hence the name loveseat. However, this is also a great sofa to fit a single person that enjoys having extra space, but still would like the option to seat two guests in their living space.
A loveseat can be modern, such as the one pictured above, or they can come in more traditional styles and be made of plush leather and other types of couch materials. The loveseat makes a good choice for couches in smaller spaces, and is a good choice for putting into a child’s room or even in a spare office.
However, because of its small size, the loveseat is not a good choice for a main couch. You don’t have the opportunity to lay on it flat, and loveseats aren’t designed to recline back and help you stretch out. They are, however, incredibly beautiful, and make a great sofa for a couple that enjoy each other’s space and company.
Convertible Sofa
A convertible sofa, in its simplest design, is any type of sofa style that can be converted into a bed. Convertible types of sofas are also more popularly known as futons. They make great pieces for people that want to have a guest over to spend one or two nights. A fair bit of warning, these convertible sofas are not as comfortable as a traditional sleeper sofa, and they are not designed to help people sleep for multiple nights. This is because there is not a lot of cushioning to help support someone.
Nevertheless, a convertible sofa is quite affordable, and can be found in major retailers like IKEA and Walmart for less than a hundred dollars. These types of sofas are typically small, but they are lightweight and are great for dorm room students or people that want a couch, somewhere to lounge in between classes or work, and a minimalist piece that doesn’t take up too much room.
Rounded Wedge Arm Sofa
The rounded wedge arm sofa is growing more and more in popularity, and for good reason! As the name suggests, this type of sofa style is easily distinguished by its rounded back that is seamless and looks almost like a half circle. It integrates well in modern homes that value style and comfort.
Their plush backs make it easy for someone to have support. However, they are not well-suited for people that love the traditional rolled arms of sofas that give support to the head. These rounded wedge arm sofas are sleek, and should be given a good cleaning with a lint roller. In addition, there’s not a lot of room for sofa cushions to be placed on here without them tumbling over constantly.
We recommend buying a wedge arm sofa that can stand alone in your living room with a simple throw.
Sleeper Sofa
The sleeper sofa, also known as sofa beds, is perhaps the most popular sofa today, with its history rooted in space-saving furniture movements of the 1800s. Today, the most popular size for a sleeper sofa is around 72 inches in length, showing just how space-saving this sleeper sofa truly is. That size is comfortable enough to fit people around 6 feet tall. However, this isn’t the best choice for taller people.
Fortunately, there are now various types of couches and sleeper sofa sizes that can help you get a good nights rest.
This sleeper sofa has a full-sized mattress, comfortable enough for two people. This makes it an excellent choice for people that have guests coming over, couples that aren’t quite settled in yet, or for those that need a little bit of extra leg room to sleep comfortably.
Sectional Sofa
The sectional sofa is another fantastic furniture piece that goes well in any room where you want to add more seating, you want to have more space for lounging, and where you want there to be more room for stretching out. That is because most sectional sofa designs come with a chaise lounge on one side of the sofa. This chaise lounge can be stand alone, or come apart in sections of three.
The sectional sofa also features three back cushions, which is why they are known as having a “Three over three” design. Sectional sofas are excellent choices for people that want a modern home with a touch of comfort.
This beautiful gray plush sofa has a modern design with rounded sofa seat cushions, giving it an air of contemporary design. It’s the perfect sofa to accommodate guests, as well as have a movie night!
It’s important to know that a sectional sofa is only the name of the design. You can find sectional couches in a variety of styles, such as traditional sofa styles incorporating Victorian features, or a sectional sofa that has a retro style!
Retro Style Sectional Sofa with Theater Design
Looking at these sectional sofas, it’s easy to see how many designers can incorporate the essence of a sectional sofa and combine it with different couch materials and styles, such as this sofa that is designed to resemble a grand, lobby-style or theater-style seating arrangement.
This sectional sofa is a good example of how different designers combine sofa and couch materials for inspiration, such as this one with a rich velvet upholstery. Keep in mind that a sectional sofa might be a bit tougher to clean since it is larger than a traditional sofa, and has more crevices than normal. A large sectional sofa like this one will need time to fully clean and disinfect.
Sectional Sleeper Sofas and Couches
If you like sectional sofas and sleeper sofas, there are now sofas that combine the best of both worlds through sectional sleeper sofas. These types of couches come in a wide range of designs, but have one thing in common – they act as sleepers to accommodate guests at night, but can be used as a sectional sofa and have a chaise lounge that accompanies it for added comfort.
This gray sectional sofa is one of the best types of couches for small spaces or to accommodate a guest in a hurry. It comes with a smaller chaise lounge than traditional sectionals, but it has the ability to change into a small, twin-sized cot that supports one adult.
Vintage Inspired Leather Sectional Sleeper Sofa
This retro-style sectional sofa bed is absolutely gorgeous, and has the ability to turn from a regular sofa bed into a sectional sofa. It has a sturdier design, where the sofa cushions themselves serve as part of the mattress, as opposed to pull-out sofa beds that have a mattress or cushion that pulls out from the bottom of the sofa and is made of different couch materials.
For these types of sectional sofas and couches, we recommend putting another soft foam pad on the top. Although they can blend easily into any environment, the cushions themselves aren’t the best for supporting guests for more than a couple of nights without a comfortable cushion or egg crate to place on top of the cushions.
Trundle Sleeper Sofa
A trundle sleeper sofa combines the best of both worlds in a sofa and a bed. Trundles are the essence of pull out sofa beds, since you pull out the mattress from underneath the actual sofa itself using a set of wheels and a separate compartment that holds the mattress. These types of couches are commonly seen working as daybeds. However, unlike a daybed, the mattress is conveniently placed underneath the main couch cushions.
This makes trundles the perfect convertible sofa bed for your child’s roof in case they have a sleepover, or for smaller spaces between roommates.
Mid Century Modern Sofa
If you’ve ever seen an episode of Mad Men, you’re probably familiar with the mid century modern style. This is a type of style that isn’t well-defined in terms of specific years, but that is described to encompass furniture somewhere in the 1950s, as late as the 1960s and as early as 1933. Mid century modern style is hailed for its straight lines, clean designs, and functionality, as seen in this gorgeous mid century modern sofa with an accompanying blue armchair!
The great thing about the mid century modern sofa is that it can make any space feel less cluttered. There is room to breath, and room to place storage underneath your sofa if need be. However, the mid century modern sofa is not the best choice for comfort. Although it is sleek and beautiful in design, it is not as comfortable as some other furniture in this list, such as sectional sofas or recliners. Nevertheless, if you want a home that has a touch of retro modernism, or where you want the space to feel light and airy, this is the perfect sofa for your living room.
Track Arm Sofa
You can find track arm sofas available in different sizes, textures, and colors. However, they are more closely associated with mid century modern designs. That’s because their straight lines are strikingly beautiful, creating a perfect L shape in the couch arms as seen here.
As the name suggests, these types of couches are known as track arms because of their arms that resemble a track, going straight up vertically, and straight horizontally. Track arm sofas are simple in design and shape, and fit well in virtually any space. However, like traditional Lawson style sofas, they aren’t the best to lay out and take a nap on. This can be uncomfortable on the hard edge of the track arms.
Tuxedo Sofa
Upon hearing the name tuxedo sofa, you might think that it has something to do with a bow tie design, or perhaps with its couch materials. However, a tuxedo sofa is quite simple in design, as seen in the picture above. It is a sofa that has slightly curved arms that are at the same height as the back of the sofa, giving it a wrap-around look.
What people love about the tuxedo sofa is its additional support from the sides. You can lay on any edge of the couch and still be supported by the arms, making this one of the best couches to cuddle in with your loved ones after a long day. However, if you enjoy sleeping on your sofa and stretching out, this is not the best choice. You’re better off sticking with a traditional sofa or a classic round arm sofa that can provide support for your neck if you decide to lay down horizontally.
Nevertheless, the tuxedo sofa is an attractive choice due to its unique design and ability to integrate in just about any living space, given the right throw pillows.
Recliner Sofa
The recliner sofa is perhaps one of the most well-known types of sofas and couches on this list. This is one of the best sofa styles for people that aren’t worried about space, live alone, or want a single sofa lounger that can help them unwind after a long day.
A recliner is named a recliner due to its ability to recline all the way back and help someone sleep stretched out. This single sofa lounger does it all, with the ability to work as both a regular couch and as a sleeper for the night. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the traditional style sofa recliner is the one pictured above. It is made of a soft, plush material, usually leather or faux leather, and comes with a latch on the side where you can pull it and kick your feet up (literally).
While a recliner sofa is a good choice for people that want to unwind or add a single sofa lounger into the home, it’s not a good choice for people that appreciate straight lines and modern style.
Modern Chaise Lounge
On the other hand, if you want a more modern style of sofa, chaise lounges are the perfect choice! The modern chaise lounge is designed after traditional Roman, Greek, and even ancient Egyptian traditions of lounging while eating. You could find these types of couches in a dining room of an ancient villa, or in a banquet hall. Although most people don’t recline back as they eat and are fed by servants (unless you want to), the chaise lounge stuck around, due to its beautiful, luxurious curves and elegant design.
If you don’t have space for a sectional sofa, but still want an area where someone can relax and kick back their feet, then a chaise lounge is the perfect sofa. Unlike a traditional recliner and sectional sofa, a chaise lounge takes up little room and can come in a variety of styles. However, it’s important to know that a chaise lounge is a bit short, designed to help someone sit up and recline, rather than fully stretch out. Therefore, if you’re looking for a sofa that can help you get a good night’s rest, this isn’t the most ideal choice.
Traditional Chaise Lounge
If you love the idea of a chaise lounge or sofa lounger, but aren’t bit on the modern style shown above, this traditional chaise lounge is the perfect combination of the two. This particular chaise lounge takes inspiration from Victorian style wooden arms, which can be paired beautifully with padded loose cushions. The wooden arms on these types of couches will need to be cared for using wood cleaner in order to keep its shine. However, they make a beautiful addition to any home or lobby that wants to give an air of Victorian fashion.
Divan Sofa
A divan sofa is similar to a traditional chaise lounge. The word “Divan” is actually derived from a middle eastern word for a mattress that is laid next to a wall. Therefore, divan sofa beds have a unique design that allows them to go great against any wall.
The divan sofa is more traditional than a chaise lounge, usually upholstered with leather or faux leather. It has beautiful curves that can work well in traditional style homes. This is a great sofa lounger that can be tucked away easily and add extra seating to any room.
English Rolled Arm Sofa
English roll arm sofas are a type of deep seat sofa that has lots of room for comfort. The English roll arm sofa is easily recognized by its short, rolled arms that do not extend too far out of the back of the sofa. Instead, the rounded arms curve outward, creating a unique style that is a bit more modern, but still offers a lot of comfort.
English roll arm sofas are the perfect sofas that combine comfort and a unique style with a clean, tight back and sleek shapes. The smaller arms on English rolled arm sofas allow them to easily integrate into modern homes, where minimalism is still desirable.
Plush cushions that extend well beyond the arms means there’s more room for comfort, making this a good sofa to lounge in. Although the English roll arm is a bit more modern than regular sofas, it still has a traditional flare, so finding one that fits into your ultra-modern condo or apartment might be a bit more difficult.
Knole Sofa
A knole sofa takes rolled arms to a whole new meaning. The dramatic arms on these types of sofas extend out, almost appearing like a cape on Dracula (talk about drama). However, these couches are extremely beautiful, coming in many different colors and textures. It is a vintage style sofa that can add flair to any type of space. However, much like traditional tuxedo sofas, its high arms don’t add much comfort if your goal is to extend out on your sofa and watch TV at the end of a long night. They also aren’t a good choice if you have guests coming over to spend a night.
Nevertheless, when paired with a neutral fabric, it creates an open space that is inviting and can be a talking piece for guests you have coming over! Pair it with plush loose cushions, and you have a centerpiece that fits great as a side piece or as the main attraction.
Low Sofa
A low seated sofa Is one of the most beautiful additions to modern homes that embrace minimalism. Think of a low sofa as the opposite of a knole sofa. Their low profile makes them perfect for any apartment that doesn’t have a lot of space, or for…vertically challenged people. That said, this is not a good choice for taller people, since their knees might extend way past the point of comfort, and getting in and out of low seated couches can be challenging and even uncomfortable.
Save the low sofa for households where people are of average or lower heights. In addition, these are great sofas to have if you want to emphasize your wall art more so than your furniture. Find an upholstery design that works great with your prized art, and this is the perfect couch to compliment, yet not distract bigger pieces of art.
Settee Sofa
For taller people, the settee sofa is the perfect piece to help you get in and out of your couch comfortably. The word for settee actually comes from the old English word “Setl,” which was used to describe a bench-like seating with tall backs. These tall back sofas are designed with longer legs, and they are as elegant as they are timeless.
Settee sofas make great overall couches for any type of space, and they are much adored for their tall, elegant designs and their ability to support taller people comfortably. However, you do trade comfort with functionality. Although this sofa functions great to be supportive, it is not very comfortable to spend hours relaxing on. Nevertheless, it makes a great talking piece and is the joy of taller people and those that need a little extra knee strength.
Rounded Settee Sofa
Talk about a conversation piece! The circular settee sofa might not be in everyone’s taste…and quite frankly in anyone’s budget. These are uniquely styled sofas that are rounded and come in the shape of a perfect circle. They almost resemble a cone, and are actually quite popular in lobbies of hotels and theaters. However, they might not be the best choice to place in your home. That’s because a settee sofa is designed to sit people next to each other with their backs facing each other.
If you want to talk to someone on the opposite side of the settee sofa, it will be almost impossible to do so without having to yell at each other from the other side of the sofa.
Nevertheless, a settee sofa is a stunning masterpiece that can fit easily in a lobby of a commercial building, or in someone’s foyer.
Camelback Sofa
The camelback sofa is on the more traditional side of things, but it is a beautiful design nonetheless. The camelback sofa gets its name from the camel-shaped hump that makes up the couch back. You can find camelback sofas with one or multiple humps. The one pictured above only has one hump, making it the perfect addition to a home that wants a bit of flare and vintage style.
Although you won’t see many camelback sofas being sold in major retailers today, you can still find them in vintage stores, and furniture stores that specialize in traditional designs.