Styling the focal point of your home can be a stressful experience. Whether you’re relaxing at home on a weeknight or hosting friends or family for a special occasion, you can bet that all eyes will be on your living room — and for most homes, the center is the sofa. Because sofas come in a wide array of styles, shapes, and functionalities to suit every taste and need, choosing the right one for your home and lifestyle can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
Whether you’re making over your living room or are in the market for a new sofa, we’ll explore the different types of sofas and help you figure out which one is right for your unique space.
How many different types of sofas are there? Are there really enough to write a whole article about? Honestly, there are so many categories and subcategories of sofa styles that it can be hard to keep track. So, we’re going to give you the basics by laying out six types of sofas with pictures to help you visualize.
What are the different sofa styles?
- Classic sofa
- Sectional
- Sofa chaise
- Sleeper sofa
- Loveseat
- Modular sofas
Keep reading to learn more about these six styles of sofas, and check out our blog for tips for new homeowners that can help make furniture shopping easier and more affordable.
1. Classic sofa
Best for: All types of homes and styles
The classic sofa is a classic for a reason. This style of sofa is often referred to as timeless and elegant and is typically characterized by traditional design elements. These sofas feature sturdy construction, high-quality materials, and attention to detail in their craftsmanship. Some common features of classic sofas include rolled arms, tufted backs, and 2-3 cushions for seating.
The traditional sofa style is great for both smaller and larger spaces, depending on your intention for the piece. If you have a larger living room you can purchase two sofas instead of a traditional sectional to customize the furniture placement and keep the space feeling open. Similarly, if you have a smaller space, one classic sofa still offers plenty of seating without blocking the flow of the room.
Whether you’re shopping for an efficient apartment or a multi-story home, Living Designs Furniture offers unique yet functional sofa designs that can be purchased as-is or customized to meet your vision and your needs.
2. Sectional
Best for: Larger spaces, hosts, homeowners with children or pets
What style of sofa is most popular? Sectionals are the most popular sofa style due to their size and versatility. Sectionals are made of multiple pieces that can be arranged in different configurations, making them easy to fit into different room layouts to optimize your space as much as possible. The ample amount of seating space makes them the best couches for families or for those who love to host guests.
The different types of sectionals you can have in your space include (but are not limited to):
- Chaise sectional
- Corner sectional
- L-shaped sectional
- Back and bumper
- Performance fabric sectional
- Sleeper sectional
If you’re considering purchasing a sectional but live in a smaller space, a chaise sectional or L-shaped sectional can provide the extra seating you want without taking up so much room. However, if you love to entertain at home, whether it’s with friends or family, a corner sectional in a performance fabric like Crypton would be a worthwhile investment to provide the ample seating space you need and protect your furniture.
Sectionals are great investments because they can be made to fit any configuration and any room layout. If you’re still unsure of what type of sectional would suit your space best, speak with one of our experts today for free design advice!
3. Sofa chaise
Best for: Apartments, smaller spaces, multiple-use rooms
If you want the lounging area of a sectional without the large size, a sofa chaise is a great option for you. A sofa chaise is a classic sofa that has a chaise on one end, or a “long chair” that allows you to stretch out and relax. Sofa chaises are well-suited for smaller spaces that can’t accommodate a large sectional but still provide an area for relaxation. These types of sofas are popular for single adults, couples, or couples with pets.
The most common style has an arm that runs a third or half the length of the seat, creating a corner that you can nestle into. Sofa chaises are also highly customizable depending on whether you want a larger or smaller configuration.
4. Sleeper sofa
Best for: Homes without a guest room
If your home or space does not have an extra bedroom, but you still want to have overnight guests, investing in a sleeper sofa is a great choice. Perfect for living rooms that double as guest rooms, these sofas can be pulled out or converted into a bed for a comfortable night’s sleep.
There are many different styles of sleeper sofas including our favorite, the sleeper sectional. A sleeper sectional is a space-saving multi-purpose piece of furniture that can double as ample seating space and a pullout bed. The bed feature can work in a few ways:
- The sectional has a pull-out mattress to create a full-sized bed
- The sectional pieces are modular and can be moved around to make the shape of a bed. No mattress is necessary.
- The sectional has pull-out cushions that can create the shape of a bed.
- The sectional can be folded down to create a flat surface for sleeping.
Throw away your old air mattress and invest in a sleeper sofa or sleeper sectional. After all, who doesn’t want to upgrade their space while making their guests’ comfort a top priority?
5. Loveseat
Best for: Smaller spaces or bedrooms
Looking to add more love to your space? For those with limited space or who want to create a cozier living room, the loveseat is a perfect choice. This two-seater sofa is ideal for small apartments, reading nooks, or as a companion piece to larger sofas. Many homeowners buy them in pairs instead of purchasing a traditional sofa or sectional which can allow them to change the layout of their room rather easily. Due to their smaller size, loveseats tend to be more ornate in appearance to make them stand out against their larger counterparts.
Loveseats are perfect for single or two-person homes, guest rooms, or even master bedrooms to enhance the cozy environment. If you want more seating space but are limited to your options, let a little love into your space with a loveseat from Living Designs Furniture.
6. Modular sofas
Best for: Those who like to change it up
Modular sofas take the flexibility of sectionals one step further. These are essentially sectionals where each seat is a standalone piece, allowing you to add or remove components to create the perfect sofa for your space. They’re an excellent choice for those who have a very specific layout in mind or who anticipate changing needs.
If you’re someone who likes to play around with the layout of your room often, a modular sofa is such a fun choice. It allows you to get creative with your space all while providing the optimal comfort and support of a regular sectional. As mentioned before, modular sofas can also double as sleeper sectionals as you can arrange the cushions in the form of a bed-like structure. Just imagine movie nights on a modular sofa!
Living Designs Furniture has the types of sofas you’re looking for
If any of these types of sofas seem like the perfect fit for you, come on down to a Living Designs Furniture showroom. Whether you want to build your own sectional or find your perfect loveseat, you can find exactly what you need for your home in our showrooms. You can bring home quality sectional sofas and all other types of sofas for low, factory-direct prices.
In the end, the sofa you choose will depend on several variables: the size of your room, your lifestyle, style preferences, and budget. Before you shop, it’s a good idea to measure your space, consider how you use your living room, and think about any special features you might want from your sofa. If you see something that you love on our showroom floor but it isn’t perfect, we can customize any piece to fit your needs. Whether you want to change the size, upgrade to performance fabric (highly recommended), or add your own unique twist such as storage space, our craftsmen can make it happen for a better price.
Book a free design consultation to speak one-on-one with our design experts and visit any of our showrooms in Downtown Houston or The Woodlands today to get your perfect sofa.
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