Have you ever been confused by the unfamiliar terms used in the descriptions? Sofa shopping can quickly turn into a whirlwind of unfamiliar words like "arm style" and "upholstery fabric" to "seat depth" and "cushion fill". This guide from COZY Living serves as your handy sofa terminology decoder ring, untangling the often-confusing world of couch terminology. You'll be a sofa-shopping pro in no time, confidently navigating the world of sofas and selecting the perfect piece for your living space.
General Style Terms
Sectional: This refers to a sofa composed of multiple sections that can be arranged in different configurations for sitting, like an L-shape or U-shape. It’s versatile and great for larger spaces or for creating distinct seating areas.
- Loveseat: A loveseat is a smaller sofa designed to seat two people comfortably. It’s perfect for cozy spaces, like apartments or small living rooms.
It comfortably seats two, making it ideal for cozy spots like apartments or small living rooms.
- Shelter: This couch terminology has high sides and a back that create a sense of privacy and coziness. It’s like having your own little retreat within your living room.
- Overstuffed: An overstuffed sofa is extra cushioned and plush, offering maximum comfort. It’s great for lounging and relaxing.
It's perfect for lounging and unwinding, offering a cozy and relaxing experience.
The "skirt" sofa terminology refers to fabric that extends to the floor, covering the legs of the sofa.
Sofa Backs
- Low Back Vs High Back: Low-back sofas have shorter backrests, providing a modern and sleek look. High-back sofas, on the other hand, offer more support and can create a more formal or traditional appearance.
- Tight Back: This sofa terminology has a single, continuous upholstery piece covering the back without separate cushions. This design gives a neat and structured look to the sofa.
- Pillow Back: In contrast to a tight back, a pillow back sofa has separate cushions attached to the back, providing a softer and more relaxed feel. It offers customizable comfort as you can adjust the pillows.
- Camelback: A camelback (also called a humpback sofa) sofa features a curved backrest in the center, resembling the hump of a camel. Sometimes, it has a distinctive shape with two humps on the backrest and typically features exposed wood legs for support.
This design often features either a single or double hump on the backrest, adding a distinctive and elegant touch to the sofa.
- Channel Back: Channel back sofas have vertical channels or grooves on the backrest upholstery, creating a textured and visually interesting appearance. It adds depth and dimension to the sofa's look.
Sofa Cushions
- T-Cushion: A T-cushion extends over the front of the sofa arms in a T-shape. This design provides a seamless look and can offer extra seating space. It's often found in traditional and classic sofa styles.
- Box Cushion: A box cushion has squared-off corners and edges, giving it a clean and tailored appearance. It fits neatly into the sofa frame and maintains its shape well over time.
- Bench Cushion: A bench cushion is a single, long cushion that spans the entire seating area without separations. It provides a streamlined look and can be comfortable for lounging.
A bench cushion is a long, single cushion that covers the entire seating area of a sofa without any separations.
- Down-Filled: Down-filled cushions are filled with soft feathers with 100% down, providing a plush and luxurious feel. They offer excellent comfort and are often used in higher-end sofas.
Sofa Arms
- Rolled Arms: Rolled arms are curved or rounded, often resembling a roll. This style brings a classic and elegant touch to a sofa, perfect for traditional or formal settings.
- Track Arms: Track arms are straight and narrow, running parallel to the sofa's seat. This design offers a modern and streamlined look, making it ideal for contemporary or minimalist decor.
- English Arms: English arms are low-profile and slightly curved, with the front of the arm typically equal in height to the back. This style exudes a cozy and inviting feel, making it suitable for both casual and formal living spaces.
The gentle curve of the arms adds a touch of elegance while still maintaining a comfortable and relaxed feel.
- Armless: An armless sofa or couch lacks arms altogether, creating a more open and spacious look. This design is versatile and can fit well in smaller rooms or modern settings where a minimalist aesthetic is desired.
Sofa Construction
- Spring Seats: Spring seats use coil springs within the sofa cushions for support and bounce. These springs distribute weight evenly and offer good durability, making them a common choice for comfortable seating.
- Foam Seats: Foam seats are filled with high-density foam, providing firmness and support. They conform to your body's shape and offer a more tailored and structured look to the sofa.
- Z-Spring Seats: Z-spring seats feature zigzag-shaped springs attached to a solid frame. This design provides excellent support and resilience, ensuring long-lasting comfort and preventing sagging over time.
- Pocketed Coil Seats: Pocketed coil seats consist of individual coils wrapped in fabric pockets. This design minimizes motion transfer and enhances support by contouring to your body's curves.
Pocketed coil seats are designed with individual coils encased in fabric pockets.
- Down-Filled Seats: Down-filled seats are luxuriously soft and plush, filled with feathers for a cozy and comfortable feel. They offer a more relaxed seating experience but may require occasional fluffing to maintain their shape
- Combination Seats: Combination seats combine different materials like foam, springs, and down for a balanced blend of comfort and support. These seats can cater to various preferences by offering a mix of cushioning and resilience.
Sofa Label
- Fiber Content: This section lists the materials used in making the fabric covering your sofa. Natural fibers like cotton and wool are breathable and offer a soft feel, while synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon provide durability and stain resistance.
- Abrasion Rating/Rub Count: This indicates the fabric's durability. A higher rub count means the fabric can withstand more wear and tear over time. Look for fabrics with a rub count of at least 15,000 for residential use and give it to the checklist for buying a new sofa, ensuring your sofa lasts longer.
- Pattern Direction: If your sofa has a patterned fabric, the label may specify the pattern direction. This helps in properly aligning and matching patterns during upholstery or cushion covers to maintain a cohesive look.
- Cleaning Codes: Cleaning codes inform you about the recommended cleaning methods for the fabric. For example, "W" means you can use water-based cleaners, "S" indicates dry cleaning is suitable, "WS" means both water-based and solvent cleaners are safe, and "X" suggests professional cleaning only.
- Care Label: The care label provides specific instructions on how to clean and maintain your sofa to ensure its longevity, as labeled label care for leather furniture or living room furniture. It includes guidelines such as washing instructions, recommended cleaning products, and any precautions to take to avoid damaging the fabric.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding sofa terminology is key to making informed decisions when purchasing types of sofas. By decoding the jargon related to understanding sofa construction, style, cushions, arms, and labels, you can confidently navigate the world of sofas, avoid common mistakes when buying a sofa and find the perfect piece for your home.
Explore Cozy's modern sofa collection, where you'll find a wide variety of styles, configurations, and features, all clearly explained using friendly, easy-to-understand language. Happy sofa shopping and enjoy finding the perfect addition to your living space!
