In the past, a sofa and a couch were two different items. Many people would say that the first thing to look at in order to differentiate these two is the arms. Because historically a sofa includes arms while a couch does not. Although they are so much alike nowadays, there are still some different features. Let’s Kenli show you a detailed look at the difference between a sofa and a couch in this article.
How is a sofa different to a couch?
Many people believe that they have some aspects that are not similar, including size, functional use, and location. The differences are really small, but they still need to be considered:
1: A sofa is larger than a couch
One important feature to distinguish these two items is seating capacity. By the look of them, a sofa is bigger than a couch and more people can sit on it. Typically a couch can accommodate two or three people, while a sofa is designed for more than four. However, there is an exception which is called a loveseat. Loveseats are sofas designed for 2 people (usually couples), they are a smaller version of sofas.
2: Lie on couches, sit on sofas
This is one thing that you might not know about. In fact, although a sofa is larger, it is designed for seating purposes. And a couch, surprisingly, is designed to be lied on. That is one of the main reasons why couches have no arms, while sofas do. However, at the end of the day, they are just a piece of furniture in your house and you can do whatever you want (either lie or sit), as long as you feel comfortable.
3: They are put in different locations
When you step into someone’s living room, usually you will see a sofa. It can also be seen in a family room or other large areas that you can easily see. Maybe that is why sofas are designed for more than 4 people. Meanwhile, couches are meant to be lied on, therefore, they are commonly placed in more private areas of the home, such as bedrooms or playrooms where family and friends spend time together. These places are where you can lay down comfortably.
4: Definition and history
Historically, the word sofa comes from the Arabic word “suffah.” It refers to a bench covered with cushions and blankets. And the word couch comes from the French word “couche”. It refers to a type of furniture that has no arms.
Should you call a sofa or a couch?
As time goes by, these small design differences between a sofa and a couch seem to disappear. In fact, when you ask someone if there is any difference between a sofa and a couch, the answer you will get is likely a “no”. To most people, a sofa and a couch refer to the same item in the house. However, there is still a belief that a couch is the more casual term to describe a comfortable piece of furniture, while a sofa is the more formal term used for a polished, well-designed and elegant piece.
Also, some people believe that there is no difference between a sofa and a couch at all. It all depends on how you would like to call that piece of furniture. For example, it seems like people who come from rural areas prefer to use the word “couch” while the ones who come from urban and suburban areas prefer to use the word “sofa.” But this is just a result of observation, there is no statistics about it.
In addition, people who work in the interior design and furniture industry generally use both terms equally. But furniture retailers and manufacturers like to call it a “sofa” more. This might come from the idea of bringing the image of a high-end and fancy furniture to customers.
So what should you call that furniture in your living room? As we stated above, you have the right to call it a sofa or a couch as you wish. There is very little difference between these two, and those differences mostly come from their origins and the history.
Instead, what you should really be concerned about is how to choose a sofa (or a couch) carefully. Because whether you agree or not, this piece of furniture is more likely to be the most important investment for your home. It is not cheap, so it is wise for you to choose the one that can last long. If you decide to buy a good sofa (or couch), you will save a lot of money as it will last for many years and bring you the comfort that you need while watching TV, napping, chilling or spending time with your loved ones.
How to choose a good sofa (or couch)?
The key for you is to look at different options, including designs, materials, sizes, colors, prices and think carefully about each of them. Stick to the material that is easy to clean, the price that suits your budget, the size and color that match your home design, the shape and style that you have always dreamed about and most importantly, the comfort that it makes you feel.
Also, even if you don’t like to have a large couch (or sofa) in your home, make sure you still get the one that can be lied on. Because there will be a time when you fall asleep on the couch. Normally, it would be placed in the living room where you host and entertain your guests, so it needs to accommodate more people. Consider them all and spend your money for the one that meets all (or almost all) your demands and budget.
In conclusion, there is not much difference between a sofa and a couch. The most popular way to tell them apart is the presence of arms. However, the way you call them doesn’t really matter, but other considerations regarding size, shape, and functions. If you are interested in sofas, go to https://noithatkenli.vn to see more elegant and luxurious sofas for your living room.