- A traditional sofa will sit two to three people. Each end will have an armrest that falls about halfway up the length of the back of the couch, depending on the style. A loveseat is a smaller version of a traditional sofa that seats two people. Sofas come in an array of different styles from contemporary to formal. Some come with removal high- or low-back cushions or with overstuffed backs sewn in. A formal living room sofa may be used only when entertaining. It may have engraved wood on the top of the back and on the arms and legs. Contemporary overstuffed sofas, designed for comfort, can have recliners or a fold-down center table for drinks or food while watching TV. Modern types can come in various shapes from a regular rectangular shape to a kidney shape.
- Sectional sofas can range in length from six to 10 feet or longer, and can come in as many as eight pieces. Sectionals have multiple pieces placed together in an arrangement. Some will form an "L" shape, while others will be in a circular arrangement. Pieces may have a right arm or a left arm, and some pieces may recline. Sectionals are one of the most versatile types of sofa. For smaller rooms, the L-shape, two-piece sectional uses the same space as a traditional couch and loveseat or chair. Sectionals can create seating for up to 10 people, depending on how many pieces you get.
- Sleeper sofas can be useful in small living quarters or for overnight guests. A sleeper sofa provides seating for up to three people. The cushions can be removed and a mattress pulls out of the inside that converts to a bed. The advantage of a sleeper sofa is its dual use. Disadvantages of a sleeper sofa are that they are much heavier than other sofas when having to move them. Also, on some sleeper sofas, you can feel the sofa bed through the cushions while sleeping, which may interrupt your sleep.
- Convertible sofas or futons are similar to sleeper sofas, since they provide a bed and sofa all in one. The difference is that rather than having to remove the cushions from the sofa to convert it into the bed, the cushions become the mattress. The advantages of convertible sofas are that they are usually cheaper to buy than other types of sofas and easier to open than a sleeper sofa. A disadvantage is that certain lower-priced sofas can wear easily and become uncomfortable over a shorter period of time.
- Fabrics for sofas come in an array of types, from leather to microfiber, to cotton or chenille. There are also a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from, and many come with stain-resistant fabrics that protect the fabric from spills and dirt. Sofa cushions are usually made of foam or down stuffing. Harder woods, such as oak, used in manufacturing provide more durability than soft woods such as pine. Some sofa designs are made with metal or rattan.
