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Interior decor will show you a range of different furniture and sofa styles. If you’re decorating, sofa styles are a great way of pinning down your style.
This is because your sofa will anchor your room. It may be hard to find exactly which types of sofas you’ll need to create the atmosphere you are looking for. It can be harder still to explain your choice to a retailer or manufacturer.
Although there are so many sofa styles available, you’ll probably notice that some styles are repeated. These are the styles we will give names to and explain. This will help you to identify them easily.
Tuxedo
Image source: Black Lacquer Design
Tuxedo style sofas are recognizable because they have very clean lines as well as a continual height across arms and back. They usually have tutting. While tuxedo will make you think of very formal events, it is the fabric choice which will set the formality of your tuxedo style sofa.
Sectional Sofa
Image source: Shirley Meisels
The sectional sofa comes in different pieces and can be arranged in different shapes. This sofa will often comprise of 3 or 5 different sections. The more pieces you get with the sofa, the more variation in configuration.
When you buy a sectional sofa, you should get a set of fixtures which will connect your sofa and prevent it from separating. This type of sofa is becoming increasingly popular and there are currently a range of different fabrics, styles and shapes to chose from. You’ll be able to select from large sofas which can fill a large room, or smaller sectionals which give character to small spaces.
Popular sectional sofa styles are the L and U shapes.
Cabriole
Image source: Rethink Design Studio
The Cabriole is a type of sofa which contains curves! The legs of this sofa form S – shapes and the back and arms will shape into curvy lines.
If your room is dominated by straight lines and sharp angles, the Cabriole is the sofa for you.
This sofa has an organic frame which gives it a light and breezy appearance, making it the perfect choice for small spaces.
This furniture style was hugely popular during the 18th century and will add a classic touch to your home. The word Cabriole comes from the French word cabrioler, which refers to a goat like jumping.
Chesterfield Sofa
Image source: Leib Designs
The Chesterfield sofa has a classic touch and was very popular during the 18th century. It has roots in England where the Earl of Chesterfield is said to have designed it so that he would be able to sit upright and prevent his suit from wrinkling.
The Chesterfield will add charm and sophistication to your living room. It is a leather covered sofa with rolled arms, a quilted back, tufting and no back cushions.
Camelback Sofa
Image source: Jennifer Taylor Home
This sofa type has a hump or two, just like the camel it has been named after. It was made popular in the 18th century by Chippendale and is an old style sofa which is formal in style.
This sofa style is often upholstered in formal fabrics and used in a formal living room. However, it has been covered in casual fabrics and used in casual spaces.
Used either formally or in a casual space, this sofa style is distinct. It’s legs are very often exposed, it has rolled or squared off arms and no back cushions.
Bridgewater
Image source: Bassett Design Center
Bridgewater has a classic sofa design with a low profile. This sofa has low arms which are receded away from the front of the sofa. Traditionally, this sofa style has a rolled back and a sofa skirt.
This sofa has a loose back and cushions, making it the ideal choice for those who want to adjust the firmness of their couch.
Lawson-style Sofa
Image source: Studio Designs
The Lawson is an English style sofa which has been created for comfort. It has separate pillows at the back which add to its appeal.
This sofa style is soft and comfortable and the cushions add an extra plushness which keeps the sofa popular. The Lawson comes in many different sizes and fabric choices. Move the pillows around to increase your comfort.
English Roll Arm
Image source: Monarch Sofas
This sofa design has a rolled arm which is smaller than traditional rolled arms. It is padded to add comfort and sits slightly lower on the sofa.
This sofa style has a low seat but very plush cushions for comfort. The legs are short and placed on casters for easy movement. This sofa design will suit a range of different interiors. It is also extremely comfortable, and can provide a pleasant, relaxing place to sit for years on end. When the fabric starts to show signs of wear and tear, you can extend its lifespan with sofa covers, available in a wide variety of different colours, styles and designs.
Knole Sofa
Image source: MJ Lanphier
In the 17th century, many people did not use sofas. Instead they used benches. The Knole sofa was one of the first upholstered sofa designs ordered for a historic English home.
This is a classic sofa design with a straight back and angled arms.
This classic sofa design is less popular than it once was, but can still be found in many modern homes. The corded finials and connected arms and back still add style and sophistication to classic style interiors.
Mid-Century Modern Sofa
Image source: Ryan
Mid-Century Modern furniture has become increasingly popular both as vintage sofa styles and as reproductions. This sofa style is very versatile and will add a funky appeal to your interiors.
These designs are often used in minimalist interiors but are also often used in retro design schemes. This sofa style is notable for its clean and very linear appearance. It has exposed legs and will often have tufting along the back of the sofa.
Contemporary Mid-century Modern Sofa
Image source: Maletz Design
Modern sofa styles are often a contemporary take on mid-century modern sofa designs.
Modern sofa styles often draw on mid-century designs and add a retro touch to a home’s interior.
Mid- century modern furniture is not the same as contemporary furniture. Contemporary furniture reflects current sofa styles. However, contemporary modern furniture is inspired by mid century sofa types while incorporating a contemporary touch.
Track Arm
Image source: Carlton Edwards
This sofa style design has square arms which are very straight. The overall style is contemporary and very clean in appearance. This sofa design is very popular in contemporary homes.
Those who live in apartments are often big fans of track arm types of sofas. This is because they are compact and clean in appearance. The overall appearance is simple, clean and very modern.
Daybed
Image source: MuseInteriors
These types of sofas make the perfect choice for those who frequently have house guests. This is because daybed sofa styles can serve as a couch by day and can be converted into a bed at night. It will provide you with extra sleeping space in a larger home. If you have a studio apartment or a very small home, a daybed will give you the benefit of both a sofa and a couch.
Daybeds can be made more comfortable by adding cushions to the back board. This will give you extra support. Many daybeds do have armrests or rails. You’ll be able to treat the side of the bed as you do a regular armchair. The bottom of a daybed is often made up of a mattress and will give you lots and lots of support. You can use the additional storage as a storage space for belongings you would like to keep concealed.
Chaise Lounge
Image source: Wellington’s Leather Furniture
Chaise lounge sofa styles are still very popular, and particularly in homes with a massive master bedroom suite. Some chaise lounge sofa designs have arms while others don’t.
Chaise lounge types of sofas are not only found in bedrooms, however. Many people use them on the patio or at the poolside as a comfortable form of seating.
Slipcovered Sofa
Image source: Bruce Bierman Design
Slip covered sofa styles make excellent choices for pet owners and parents. This is because the sofa cover can be easily removed and laundered, unlike a traditionally upholstered sofa.
Before air conditioning kept homes reliably cool, slip covers were invented to place over traditionally upholstered sofa styles in summer to keep sweat from staining the fabric. The idea soon became popular and now slip covered sofa designs are appreciated in their own right.
Love Seat
Image source: Classic Sofa
These couch designs have sometimes been called a ‘settee’ but the two sofa styles are actually different. A settee seats two or more people while a love seat is specifically designed to seat two people.
Sectional furniture uses settees to create interesting furniture configurations but a love seat is made to stand on its own.
Sleeper Sofas
Sleeper Sofas include, but are not limited to, daybed style sofas and come in many different styles. You can even get bunk bed style sleeper sofa designs.
Pull Out Sofa Bed
Image source: Tamalpais Construction Company
The pull out sofa bed is probably the most well known of the sleeper couch designs. These designs are very popular and have improved over time to offer good quality sleep. Gone are the creaky designs of yesteryear.
Sleeper style sofa designs are currently well thought through and make a comfortable space for guests to sleep. They are also an excellent option for small home owners.
Pull out sofa designs are very different to futons. The back of the sofa remains upright in pull out sofa styles. The sleeping surface is stored under the seat of the sofa. It is pulled out when needed.
Convertible Sofa
Image source: Modern Sofa Beds
Convertible sofa styles don’t have mattresses in the same way pullout beds do. Instead, the couch pillows form the sleeping area. These sofa designs can often be very comfortable when compared to a pull-out bed. However, this depends on the quality of the mattress in a pull out sofa style bed.
Futon
Image source: Oliver Grahame Photography
The futon is a Japanese style sofa bed. It has a cotton mattress which folds up or down depending on whether it is being used as a sofa or a bed. The bed forms a flat sleeping surface with a thick mattress.
RÉCAMIER
Image source: Horchow
This couch type has a historic design. It comes from France and originated when Jacques – Louis David painted French hostess Julie Adelaide Bernard Reclaimer while she was seated on a backless couch. The Reclaimer is really a daybed with scrolled ends.
We hope this article has helped you to determine the sofa styles which would suit your home. Good luck with making that perfect purchase.
If you enjoyed reading this article about sofa styles, you should read these as well:
- Chesterfield sofa: Leather, Velvet and Modern Examples
- What Is The Difference Between A Sofa And A Couch
- Contemporary Sofa Designs For Small and Large Spaces
- Transitional decor: How to do it and have a great result