Have you ever heard people describing sofas as a tuxedo sofa or a camelback or a cabriole? And were you curious what they were talking about?
Why do you even need to know the different styles of sofas? This is a question I’ve pondered about for a while. There’s a good reason for why you should know this info.
If you are ever in the market for a new sofa, it helps to know the style of sofa you’re after. It will help you with your conversations with sales people, interior designers and just generally shopping around for your sofa online.
Certain styles of sofas naturally lend themselves to certain design styles. So, if you are not sure about your design styles, identifying what type of sofa you like can help you figure out your design style as well.
It may feel a little overwhelming with so many different types but for this article, we’ve kept it to the styles that are still relevant today.
First, there are a few major types of sofas we should know.
Sofas
Sofas come in what seems like an endless number of styles but this is one staple piece of furniture in most living rooms.
Average sofa is anywhere from 6 feet or more in length and about 38 inches or so deep and about 3 feet high. They typically have 3 or 4 seats.
Sofas that are smaller in size are typically called condo size sofas. The biggest difference here is that condo size sofas are not as deep and sometimes a little bit shorter in length as well.
Loveseats and Settees are two types of sofas that seat two.
We’ve written more about what you should consider when purchasing a sofa previously over here.
We’ll get a little bit more into the different styles of sofas below.
Sectionals
Sectional sofas have been really popular for a while now and they allow you to configure seating around a room. These have become a staple in most family rooms in our homes.
They are typically modular in design and in it’s smallest configuration is essentially a sofa with a chaise. The larger versions typically take a U-shaped or L-shaped orientation.
Sleeper Sofas
Sleeper sofas do double duty as a sofa when you need seating and also converts into a bed, if needed. They are ideal for a living room or an office that also functions as a guest room.
There are a few different styles of Sleeper Sofas.
Pull-out sofa beds
This is a sofa that has a mattress concealed within that can be pulled out and it turns into a double or a queen size bed. Cool, right?
Sofa beds have come a long way. They used to have a reputation as an uncomfortable way to sleep but the newer versions come with mattresses that are much, much more comfort oriented.
Trundle sofa beds
Trundle beds are also similar to sofa beds but function as two separate twin or double beds where one bed is tucked underneath the other when not in use. You simply roll out the bed underneath.
Some trundle beds can be lifted up to the same level as the sofa, allowing it to function as a larger double or queen size bed.
Daybeds
Most daybeds look like a cross between a bed and a sofa and usually come with twin size mattress. They usually have a frame around 3 sides made of wood or metal.
While one side serves as a backrest when used as a sofa, the other two sides serve as the headboard and footboard when it’s used as a bed.
Divans also fall into the category of daybeds, although they don’t necessarily have the 3 sided frame. They are more of a larger scale bench.
They are ideal for living rooms, family rooms and home offices that also function as a guest room.
Futons
I had a futon pretty much all through my university years. Futons are a type of a sofa that has a back that folds down flat to create a bed.
The traditional futon consists of a wood or metal frame and a separate mattress. The newer models are much more stylish and have upholstered cushions as part of the frame.
Now that we understand the different types of sofas, let’s look at the different sofa styles!
Sofa from Ethan Allen.
Tight Back Sofas
They have a tight back! That means they have a pretty stiff upholstery to the back of the sofa. Compare this to the next category of pillow back sofas and the difference will be clear.
These sofas are great for people who like a very clean line aesthetic and for those looking for support for their back. Best part is that there are no cushions to fluff all the time.
But if you enjoy having some cushions, these sofas are fun to decorate with throw pillows with colour and pattern.
Sofa from CB2.
Pillow Back Sofas
These sofas are exactly the opposite of the tight back sofas. These have back pillows or cushions that give a softer, more luxurious look.
Sofa from CB2.
Curved Back Sofas
Curved back sofas are very trendy right now. Exactly as the name says again, these sofas have backs that have a bit of a curve to it. They look quite elegant in a space and are a great choice if you want to move away from lining up your furniture against a wall.
Sofa from Rove Concepts.
Track Arm Sofas
Track arm sofas are also all the rage these days, with a modern, clean line vibe. They have armrests that are rectangular and linear in style.
Sofa from PotteryBarn.
Rolled Arm Sofas
Rolled arm sofas work well for a room with a more traditional aesthetic. They look really elegant and sophisticated.
Sloped Arm Sofas
The back of the arms on these sofas start at the same height as the back of the sofa and gently slope downwards. These sofas are great in modern and transitional rooms.
Sofa from Article.
Pillow Arm Sofas
Pillow arm sofas have a pillow supporting each arm and give off a very casual feel to the sofa. Great for afternoon naps!
Sofa from CB2.
Armless Sofas
These are usually used to build a sectional but can be used on their own in a small space.
Sofa from CB2.
Tuxedo
A Tuxedo sofa is a boxy sofa where the back and the arm rests are about the same height. They give off a modern, clean line vibe but can also feel a bit formal, as a tuxedo normally is! They are often tufted, adding to that formal feeling.
Sofa from PotteryBarn.
Bridgewater
I love this style of sofa. A Bridgewater sofa usually has a low profile and low arms that are set towards the back of the frame. Arms are also slightly rolled back. At Daakor, we like to use Bridgewater style sofas in traditional and coastal designs. They are simple, elegant and comfortable.
Cabriole
Cabriole is essentially a curved back sofa but with a touch more traditional styling. They give off a more elegant feel and are often used in spaces styled in a more traditional or french country design style.
Sofa from CB2.
Camelback
The defining characteristic of a Camelback is the arch on the back of the sofa. Reminds you of a camel? Now you know where the name came from.
It’s a great fit for a traditional space and looks really elegant.
Sofa from PotteryBarn.
Chesterfield
Isn’t this what we Canadians are supposed to call a sofa? Chesterfields always make me think of a cigar lounge or a sofa that you would use in a formal, masculine office space. That would be more of a Chesterfield in leather cognac finish.
Chesterfields often have a similar frame in style to a Tuxedo sofa but they don’t feel as formal.
Unlike a Tuxedo sofa, these sofas will have rolled arms but similar to a Tuxedo, you’ll often find button tufting as a main feature.
They naturally work with more sophisticated, traditional spaces. These sofas are also quite popular these days.
Sofa from PotteryBarn.
Chaise
Chaise is a less formal version of a sofa, probably more like a chair than a sofa. It’s a long chair if you will! They usually have a back – that’s what makes them different from a bench.
A chaise is a great piece of accent furniture you can use in a room. Placed near a window and styled with a great lamp, a throw pillow or two, a chaise would serve as a great spot to take a nap or read.
Sofa from Ethan Allen.
Lawson
Lawson is a popular type of sofa that fits transitional spaces. This sofa has a simple frame, loose back pillows and 3 seat cushions. It’s arms can be rounded or straight. These sofas have great versatility to work with many different design styles and can be styled up or down.
I think we’ve pretty much covered all the different sofa styles with this post. There’s a few others we chose not to include because they feel a bit outdated. If they come back in style, we’ll be sure to update this post!
If you already have the sofa, then checkout this post on how to style your sofa to perfection!
