3-seat sofas and love seats are still the most common setup for living room areas even though they tend to be more formal than sectionals. In terms of size, sofas and love seats are the same height and width (33” high x 35” wide). The only difference is the length. Sofas can range from 74-84” long and love seats from 55-60” long.
Sectionals are great for maximizing couch space and for creating a more casual feel; however, they can be difficult to place in a room (less design flexibility). To make sure the sectional will fit, mark off the area on the floor with masking or painter's tape (and be sure to measure for delivery!). If you’re considering placing the sofa in front of windows, make sure to measure the height of the window sill (the sofa back typically should not extend higher than the sill).
Did you also know?
Couch is from the French word ‘couche’ (meaning to lie down). They were originally referred to as fainting couches for women in tight corsets to rest on. Generally used in more informal settings.
Sofa is from the arabic word ‘suffah’ which refers a long bench covered with blankets and pillows. Sofas more commonly represent taste and style rather than functionality and are used in more formal settings.
A Chesterfield sofa is a British design classic. The term ‘chesterfield’ was first used to describe a piece of sofa-like furniture in the 1800’s typically made using leather or velvet with a deep-tufted design, high arms and a low back. It was commonly found in the homes of wealthy families and gentleman clubs and can still be found in decorative settings around the world.
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