Sofa Design: Your Guide To Different Sofa Styles

Being able to identify a sofa design for your living room furniture, let alone tell the difference between two different sofas is a tricky feat. What is the difference between a Chesterfield and a Lawson style sofa? And what do tuxedos have to do with furniture styles?

Identifying sofa styles will come in handy when you’re actually shopping for sofas and of course when you’re playing interior designer with your friends! Having this information will equip you with the knowledge of being able to spot and differentiate between modern furniture and contemporary furniture.

The following guide will introduce you to the world of different sofa styles:

The Chesterfield:

This is a classic sofa design constructed from leather. It has high roll arms and button tufting. The arms on this type of sofa reach the back of the seat, creating a very dramatic look.

This sofa style is ideal when placed with formal living room furniture. It is also commonly placed in library or a gentleman’s study.

English Roll Arm:

This English style sofa also features a high back but with low and rounded arms that tuck in. The seat cushions are not fixed to the back cushions. This is a common sofa design typically made from leather or fabric upholsteries. 

The English Roll Arm is best suited for a contemporary and casual space. It has an inviting and friendly appearance which will never go out of style.

Lawson:

The Lawson is very similar to the English Roll Arm except it has a higher back and the sofa arms are untucked. The arms are ideally suited for napping. This popular design is comfy, cozy and chic. Built for comfort, the Lawson sofa style is best for casual spaces and lounging. 

Tuxedo:

This sofa style is a modern version of the Chesterfield. Its arms are high as well except that they are square shaped not rolled. This sofa often sports a button-tufted back side.

The Tuxedo style sofa is ideal for spaces decorated with modern furniture and homes decorated in the mid-century theme. It is definitely an elegant looking piece of living room furniture.

Track Arm:

The Track Arm sofa has a linear profile. The arms are at a mid-height and square-shaped. This sofa has a clean silhouette which is complementary to many decorating styles.

Track Arm sofas are built from a wide range of upholsteries ranging from leather to linen, microfiber to fabric. You can place this style of sofa in virtually any type of space, whether modern, classic, contemporary or transitional.

Camel Back:

This sofa style has a characteristic “hump” in the centre of the backseat. The camel back has an elegant curve on the back seat which is both subtle and dramatic. The frame of this sofa is rounded giving it a more traditional look, which is why it is best suited for formal spaces. You can find this sofa in various upholsteries, especially in floral prints.

Sectional:

The popularity of this style of sofa has immensely increased in the past few years. It has two main shapes: U-Shaped and L-Shaped. In a furniture shop, you might see them being referred to as “LAF” or “RAF” which stands for left-arm facing and right-arm facing respectively. These abbreviations refer to the location of the arm when you’re facing it. This is extremely important for placement purposes.

Sectionals are very popular because they can seat many people at the same time. Usually covered in upholstery, you can place a sectional with other contemporary furniture or in a casual space such as a family room, home theatre or informal lounge.

Reclining:

This sofa style is available in a myriad of sizes and materials. Many have seat cushions and an attached back. It is ideal for families who enjoy lounging or if you have frequent overnight guests. If you live in a small space, you can also opt for a reclining loveseat. 

The reclining feature of this type of sofa makes it ideal for an informal space. It also easily blends in with other contemporary furniture pieces.

Sleeper Sofa:

This ultra-convenient sofa can be found in a wide variety of styles from contemporary to casual to traditional. Sleeper sofas have a comfy mattress inside, making it ideal for overnight visitors.

Modern sleeper sofas are an ideal solution for small spaces such as lofts and studio apartments.

This sofa guide will help you choose the best living room furniture for your space.  To shop for these sofa styles, visit Creative Furniture Store.