Discover what to look for in a great sofa that will last.
Sofa, couch, sectional, loveseat, settee—whatever we call them—we all need them in one form or another. The term “couch” originally came from the French verb coucher, which means “to lie down,”while the term “sofa” is derived from the Arabic word suffah, meaning ledge or bench. The main difference is in formality, with a sofa more appropriate for a living room and a couch for a more informal family room. Once you decide what you need for your space, there are some key features to double check before bringing your chosen piece home.
Spratt sofa, solid wood, removable seat cushions, 88" length, available in 59 colors, $1,560. Visit birchlane.com.
Akansha sofa, leather is first dyed and then pulled over the frame; corner-blocked hardwood frame, individually pocketed seat coils, heavy-duty back suspension, $3,600. Visit jossandmain.com.
Miramar sofa, with bench seat, rolled arms, turned-wood legs, kiln-dried hardwood, corner-blocked frame with 8-way hand-tied coil springs; seat cushions made of down-wrapped, soy-based foam with coil springs embedded in the foam core for firm, long-lasting comfort. $5,298. Visit serenaandlily.com.
Linen slip-covered sofa, made of linen and wool with removable slipcover of cotton, pillows included, 85.5" L x 38" W x 24.5" H, $2,698. Visit antiquefarmhouse.com.