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When furnishing a home, you are faced with a spectrum of choices. While you’re trying to decide on a budget and the style of furniture you want, the most important factor that some tend to overlook is a piece that will fit in your space. After all, the other two factors don’t matter unless you pick a furniture item that is a good size for your living space.
If you live in a home with a small living room design, you might have to choose between getting a sofa or a loveseat. While both options can serve as a place to rest comfortably, some key differences set these pieces of furniture apart.
A sofa and a loveseat differ in size, cost, and purpose in the home. If you have the room for it, you could incorporate both in your living area!
This article will teach you everything you need to know about distinguishing between a loveseat and a sofa to help you choose the right fit for your home.
In This Article...
1. Size of a Loveseat vs. Sofa
2. Cost of a Loveseat vs. Sofa
Size of a Loveseat vs. Sofa
The most obvious difference between a loveseat and a sofa is the size!
When it comes to size, a loveseat is true to its namesake. This seating option is a comfortable and smaller furniture item that normally has two cushions. The two cushions allow two people to sit pleasantly beside each other, making for a more snug seating arrangement.
At La-Z-Boy, a standard loveseat is smaller than your average sofa and runs approximately 60 inches long. Meanwhile, a sofa is much larger, from 80-90 inches long.
Number of Cushions
Considering size as a factor, another discernible way to differentiate a loveseat from a sofa would be the number of cushions. The number of cushions is a visual guideline for where you can sit.
With only two cushions, a loveseat is meant to sit two people. The size of each cushion may vary from piece to piece, but it is unlikely to find a loveseat with more than two full cushions.
Alternatively, you might find that a chair and a half might work as a two-seater piece, even if there is only one cushion. Chair and a halfs can be a great small extra seating option for those who aren’t looking for a furniture item to take up too much space.
A sofa, on the other hand, is made larger than a loveseat with an average of two to four cushions. The cushions themselves are often larger in length and depth. With more cushions, a sofa invites multiple people to rest and relax comfortably.
But you might be thinking, why would anyone want a two-seater sofa rather than a three-seater? What’s the difference between them? Well, a two-seater sofa–not to be confused with a loveseat–is no different from a three-seater sofa. The reason why two-seater sofas exist is that these furniture pieces look more streamlined, creating a cleaner appearance in style overall.
Before purchasing the furniture item, it is always a good idea to measure your space to determine whether you have space for a loveseat or sofa.
Cost of a Loveseat vs. Sofa
When considering cost, loveseats and sofas are sold at similar prices. A loveseat is sold for about $20 – $50 less than a relative sofa.
At La-Z-Boy, a sofa ranges from $1,199 to $5,899 +, depending on the type, features, and upgrades selected. Similarly, a loveseat at La-Z-Boy ranges from about $999 to $5,899+.
*All La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change. We aim to update all cost-related articles twice per year. This article was last updated on March 21st, 2023. Please visit lzb.com and select an Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy store location to view the most up-to-date pricing.
While a sofa requires slightly more fabric and materials compared to a loveseat, the major cost component of both products is labour. It takes about the same amount of time to build a loveseat as it does a sofa. Therefore, the similarity in labour brings the cost of both products close to equal.
For more information about sofa pricing, check out the article How Much Does a Sofa Cost?
Function of a Loveseat vs. Sofa
Everyone knows what a sofa is for! It is for sprawling out and relaxing.
A sofa is typically placed in an open space, such as a living room or basement. With several seats, a sofa can be used for lying down, relaxing, or becoming the hub of any social gathering.
A loveseat, on the other hand, has a slightly less traditional purpose in the home compared to a sofa. Believe it or not, a loveseat can serve multiple purposes in your home.
Mary Lee Smyth, the interior designer at La-Z-Boy Kingston, says, “Always consider the loveseat when you are trying to add comfortable seating for the maximum number of friends in a small space. The fun-sized sofa can offer several advantages over its larger-sized sibling.”
Since loveseats are made smaller, they are great for maximizing small spaces and still give off the same feel as a sofa. Placing a loveseat in a small space can make a small room appear larger.
For example, instead of putting a large sofa in a small apartment, it is often best to maximize the space by furnishing it with a compact loveseat. In this case, the loveseat serves the same purpose as a sofa but frees up more space in your home.
A pull-out loveseat is also a great option for creating a multipurpose room, such as a den or guest room. You may not have enough space in your home to have a spare bedroom, but a pull-out loveseat offers the option of expanding into a bed when needed with minimal space.
What’s more, when this loveseat isn’t used for guests, it may be the perfect space to curl up to watch tv if you’re having a sick day.
Aside from a living room and den, you may be surprised to find that loveseats can serve a purpose in the kitchen as well! Instead of installing a stiff bench, you may consider placing a small loveseat under a window in your kitchen.
This loveseat can be a nice place for family or visitors to sit and keep you company while you prepare food in the kitchen. It may also be a cozy place to rest while browsing cookbooks or waiting for a timer.
Finally, a small loveseat can be a stylish and comfortable accent in a master bedroom. This may be placed near the dresser as a place to comfortably put on your socks or by a window to rest and enjoy the view of your backyard.
If you have minimal space but prefer a traditional sofa over a loveseat, check out The Best La-Z-Boy Sofas for Small Spaces.
How to Arrange a Loveseat and a Sofa in a Living Room
We now know that a loveseat can serve a purpose in multiple areas of the home, but traditionally, a loveseat is meant for a living room.
In the living room, the condensed size of a loveseat offers an array of possibilities for unique furniture arrangement and design. Moreover, when space allows for it, pairing a loveseat with a sofa can also enhance a living area.
Focal Point
It is helpful to consider a focal point when arranging a loveseat, sofa, or furniture in a living area.
Aesthetically speaking, it is more visually pleasing to place a larger furniture item facing a focal point such as a fireplace, window, or architectural feature. This can help solidify the focal point you want to create.
Placing a loveseat or a sofa perpendicular to a fireplace is also a great choice because it highlights the cozy and intimate feel that these furniture items bring to the home.
Alternatively, when using a window as the focal point, positioning two loveseats in an L shape can create an open feel and offer an unobstructed view of the outdoors. This kind of setup can work especially well in a Sunroom.
Ideally, it is optimal to place your furniture 10 ft. from the focal point. This allows enough space to move comfortably around your furniture.
U-Shape
Other than an L-shape placement, another great way to arrange loveseats in your home is by placing three loveseats in a U-shape. In this case, three two-seater loveseats can replace the practicality of a six-seater sofa or sectional.
By replacing a large sofa with three small loveseats, you create a more seamless traffic flow in the living room as you can weave in and out of the furniture placement. Not to mention that the U-shape also brings a unique shape to the room.
When bringing a sofa into the mix, the U-shape arrangement can be enhanced even further. You might consider creating an L-shape using a sofa and a loveseat. Then center a small accent table across from the couch, followed by two small accent chairs to complete the U.
Square
Though not common, a square seating arrangement is a great option for creating an intimate conversation space.
Do so by placing a loveseat and sofa facing each other and pairing them with two lounge chairs on either side to complete the square shape. A large, round ottoman fits nicely in the middle of this space as a centrepiece. The ottoman can be a comfortable place to leave snacks or drinks and a convenient spot to kick up your feet.
Loveseat as an Accent Piece
Finally, furnishing a loveseat offers a great opportunity to bring an accent, pop of colour, or pattern into the room, especially when paired with a neutral sofa.
A loveseat with bright or patterned upholstery can bring a stylish element to the room without overpowering, as the surface area is small and confined. In comparison, a bright or patterned sofa might appear too loud and overpowering in a room.
To learn more about how a La-Z-Boy loveseat can become an accent piece, check out our Top Accent Loveseat choices.
What's Next?
Now knowing the distinction between a loveseat and a sofa, it is time to unleash the possibilities of arranging both pieces in your home!
At La-Z-Boy, we offer power and stationary loveseats and sofas in multiple styles and textures.
Further, everything at La-Z-Boy is customizable, so you can create the look you want in your home arrangement. Take advantage of our complimentary design services to ensure that the size and look of the loveseat or sofa you choose fit seamlessly into your home.
Start shopping today and join us at one of our local Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy locations. You can also book an appointment in advance and meet with one of our personal consultants, who will help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Related Links:
Review of Loveseat w/ Consoles
Stationary vs. Reclining Furniture
Review of La-Z-Boy’s Seat Cushions