Knowing the Difference Between a Sofa and a Sofa Can Make It Easier to Buy Furniture.
This large piece of upholstered furniture in your living room, where several people can sit at the same time, and is probably located depending on the TV: is it a sofa or a sofa? This may sound like one of the questions in a regional language (eg soda versus pop or coca-cola), but in this case, the sofa and the sofa are actually two different pieces of furniture. Here’s what you need to know about what makes the two types of seating different.
The difference between a couch and a sofa
Although we can now use the terms synonymously, sofas and sofas were not originally the same type of furniture. Here’s Megan Overdeep from Southern Living with a short history lesson:
Historically, a sofa and a sofa are two different things. The term sofa is believed to be derived from the French word couche , which is used to describe a “piece of furniture without arms used to lie down.” On the other hand, Merriam-Webster defines a “sofa” as “a long, upholstered seat, usually with armrests and backrests, and often convertible into a bed.”
It used to seem like the difference between a sofa and a sofa was the armrests, or the lack of them. From a technical point of view, this means that “sofa” is the correct term.
But today, most people outside of furniture and design don’t differentiate between the two.
What you need to know when buying furniture
While going to the furniture store or department store is no longer the only way to get sofas and sofas, some people choose to try them out before buying, even if they did their initial online purchases. And it may seem like there are an infinite number of sofas / sofas options, but if you have a specific size, style, or price range, you may find that your choices are more limited than you thought.
So if you’re looking for a sofa that suits your needs and you’re having trouble, try searching using the term sofa instead. At this stage, even furniture manufacturers use these words interchangeably, so the product description may not match the historical / no weapon (although this can be especially helpful when shopping for vintage furniture).
But if you’re lucky enough to work with a professional interior designer or shop at a luxury furniture store, chances are they’ll use the word as it originally meant.
Another tip: if you are looking to buy a couch (a small couch that can accommodate two people) or a sectional couch , they can be listed under the couch category on furniture websites.