To-may-to or To-mah-to?
Po-tay-to or Po-tah-to?
Cutlery or Utensils?
Dinner or Supper?
The English language is a funny one, or one may say confusing! There are countless ways of saying the same thing.
In the furniture industry, we use the terms “sofa” and “couch” interchangeably without thinking twice. Although we treat these words like synonyms, do they really mean the same thing?
The answer is no! Technically speaking, a sofa and a couch are two different things, and this difference comes down to the origin of the name and their intended use.
Read on to learn about the true difference between a sofa and a couch. Further, learn about La-Z-Boy’s take on the sofa vs. couch debate.
What is a Sofa?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, a sofa is defined as “a long upholstered seat usually with arms and a back for two or more people”. Sounds about right?
It turns out that the term sofa has a deeper meaning than this. In fact, the word “sofa” derives Turkish transliteration of the Arabic noun “suffah”, meaning bench or a raised platform meant for sitting. Traditionally, a suffah would be draped with carpets, blankets, and pillows.
True to its origin, the modern-day sofa could be described as a bench-like piece of furniture with well-defined arms and a back. Further, sofas are typically upholstered, similar to the draping of carpets and blankets, as described on the suffah.
With a solid structure and pronounced frame, sofas appear proper and elegant. In turn, they are often placed in a living room and associated with hosting formal occasions. Although you can find reclining sofas, they are typically meant for sitting upright.
What is a Couch?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, a couch is “a long, comfortable seat for two or more to sit on”. Sounds similar to the definition of a sofa, right?
According to the origin of the word, a couch isn’t as similar to a sofa as you would think.
The term “couch” is derivative of the old French verb “couchier”, meaning “to lay down” or lounge. Like a sofa, a couch typically has a back and two armrests, but it doesn’t have to. In fact, some couches may only have one arm or none at all.
In turn, a couch is a more casual piece of furniture, often found in a den or man cave. The couch is meant to curl up on. The kids can eat chips on it and the dogs can jump up on it. When a guest stays the night, they crash on the couch.
La-Z-Boy's Take on the Sofa vs. Couch Debate
Between the terms sofa or couch, sofa tends to be the furniture industry standard. In turn, La-Z-Boy uses the term sofa in regard to our own furniture selection.
With this being said, the features of our sofas are not restricted to the original definition of the term. In fact, some of our most popular sofas at La-Z-Boy embody the elegance of a traditional “sofa” and the comfort of a traditional “couch”. Best of both worlds!
Our sofas come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles. They can be used formally or informally in your home. Traditional, transitional, contemporary, and modern. You name it!
Further, our sofa selection offers a variety of features and functionality, beyond being just a place to sit. Despite the original definition of a sofa, many of our sofas at La-Z-Boy have the ability to recline. To take it up a notch, our power sofas have the ability to recline at just the touch of a button.
Make any sofa your own with over 800 cover options to choose from. The fabric or leather used can greatly impact the look and feel of the furniture, lending it to either a more formal or casual style.
La-Z-Boy also offers specialty fabric, such as stain-resistant and pet-friendly, to provide worry-free enjoyment of a more casual couch by the entire family.
With so many options to choose from, many of our clients take advantage of The Definitive Sofa Buyers Guide in finding the ideal sofa for their needs and preferences!
What's Next?
Now that you're aware of the difference between a sofa and a couch, you can safely distinguish between the two, and brag about this new found knowledge to your friends! if you're interested in purchasing a sofa yourself, why not try your luck at La-Z-Boy?
At La-Z-Boy we have many different sofas available for you to check out, stationary and reclining alike. To find out which ones are currently our best sellers, take a look at our Top 5 Best Selling Sofas article.
Our design consultants are experts at helping you find the perfect sofa that suits your unique needs and preferences. They will help you choose a sofa that not only fits your space but also fits your comfort preferences and body.
Moreover, consider taking advantage of our complimentary design services. An interior designer would be pleased to ensure the sofa you choose is seamlessly coordinated with your home decor. Keep in mind that all La-Z-Boy sofas are customizable in a variety of fabrics, leathers, and available upgrades.
Visit us at a local Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy location. If you prefer to plan ahead, schedule a visit.
We look forward to meeting you and helping you find a sofa, or a couch if that is the term you prefer!