What to Look For in a Small Couch

A small sofa can make an enormous impact on your home. When choosing a sofa look for important considerations such as size, comfort, as well as the style.

Tori Jones, a designer of interiors, suggests that the perfect sofa can be a focal point in your living space. This leather love seat in tan is a good choice for contemporary or neutral spaces.

Size

Whether you're shopping for a small, comfortable sofa to fill your living space or a sofa for an apartment for your studio, knowing what to look for in a typical couch size will help you choose the best piece for your home. From the width of a sofa to the armrest height, couch dimensions affect the design, comfort and utility. Use the benchmarks to evaluate typical couch sizes and choose the perfect size sofa for your style.

The number of people that will sit on your sofa should also be considered when choosing the size of your couch. A sofa intended for two adults may need more cushioning than a couch designed for four or five adults. Consider how often you plan to use your sofa. The wear and tear that comes from family movie nights and hosting guests may require a different type of construction and upholstery material than a couch that is used sparingly.

To avoid buying a sofa that is too big for your space, measure the area that you want to put it using painter's tape. This visual guide allows you to determine how the sofa will fit, and make any necessary adjustments. To prevent the sofa from crowded your living space, you should also leave at least 30" of space in the front.

While it is possible to adjust the size of a sofa to fit into an area, this procedure can be difficult and requires the help of an expert. When measuring the footprint for the sofa, it is important to take into consideration the height and depth of the seat cushions as well as the height of the back cushion. For an accurate measurement it is possible to employ straight edges to draw a line from the back of the sofa to the front edge of the seat cushion. You can also determine the diagonal depth by placing the straight edge at the top of the back, and measuring up from the bottom corner, opposite to where the lines made by your couch and the straight edge meet.

Comfort

The comfort factor is crucial when shopping for a small sofa. The ideal sofa will transform your living room into a relaxing retreat perfect for snuggling to read a good book or enjoying watching a movie with the family. To find the most comfortable options, consider things like seat depth and the high back cushions. These often-forgotten proportions can make or break comfort according to Natasha Adams, a home and lifestyle writer for Better Homes & Gardens.

You'll want to decide whether you'd like a fixed-back, a scatter-back or cushioned option. Fixed backs tend to be more formal. Scatter backs have more of a relaxed look. Cushioned couches are great for homes with children or pets, as they're easy-to-clean.

If you're looking to make your new small sofa the centerpiece of your living space, go with the real leather couch option. It's a durable fabric that can stand up to years of use and looks fantastic. It is also available in a range of colors which makes it a great option for contemporary and modern design styles. If you're seeking something more traditional or classic, a fabric sofa might be a better alternative.

Upholstery fabric is another important factor that will determine the comfort of your tiny couch. Pottery Barn has a wide selection of fabrics, so you'll choose one that will fit your space. If you have pets or children and a couch made of performance might be the best choice because it's easy to clean and stain resistant.

If you're worried about a small couch's overall durability, look for models that have been certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute. This means that the couch is in compliance with certain environmental standards, such as low VOC emissions and a deficiency of off-gassing. The Greenguard program also comes with a warranty covering fire, stains, and odors up to 10 year. Many manufacturers also provide an additional year of protection as part of their warranties. They are listed in the fine print of product's details.

Style

When looking for a small sofa, pick one that has plenty of style. A sofa with a sleek silhouette will improve the airy feeling of your living space and a modern button-tufted design gives a classy accent. The fabric of this sofa is a soft, dark gray couch hue that will easily coordinate with many color schemes. The seat is deep enough to be comfortable for lounging and classic track arms add the perfect finishing touch to this sofa.

This sofa comes with a console in the middle that can be lowered to allow for multiple functions during your viewing experience. The console comes with an integrated wood laminate table with two reading lights, a magazine pouch and two additional cup holders. The console also has a 110V power outlet as well as USB ports for quick charging. The sofa is upholstered in durable corduroy. It has pillows on the sides for extra comfort.

A settee is an ideal option for those who have little space, since it occupies less floor area than sofas. This settee from Pottery Barn is the perfect option for a studio or an upstairs loft, since it can seat up to three people. The light-gray upholstery is a great design for any home and the fine stitching adds a touch of elegance.

The reversible White Sectional Couch (Mozillabd.Science) on this sofa can be set up on either the right or left side, making it an ideal choice for different living rooms. The elegant design of this couch is enhanced by its minimalist, incredibly comfortable cushions. The sectional is a great option for a modern or transitional house.

Before you purchase a new sofa, measure the length and width of your space to make sure it fits properly. If you're buying a corner sofa or L-shaped piece, it's especially important to take the height of your doorway into account when measuring. If the top of the sofa is too high to fit through a doorway you may want to consider buying the set in pieces. You may also ask your retailer for shipping options. A little planning before you buy can save you lots of heartache later on.

Storage

A couch is a key piece of furniture in any home, and there are many various storage options available for your couch. Some are as simple as adding some baskets to keep magazines, remote controls and other items within reach. Some are integrated into furniture and can serve many uses. For instance the Linsy Rubik III is a modular sofa that has two ample drawers for keeping living room clutter under control. It also has a charge port to make it easier for you to charge your devices.

You can even find sofas that convert into beds for kids or guests like the Joybird Briar. The futon-style sleeper sofa comes in various sizes and materials to suit your needs and taste. You can also use a small ottoman that doubles up as a coffee table, and also has hidden storage for blankets, pillowcases and other items.

Some people opt for an open-cubbied sofa beneath that can be used for items like throw pillows, blankets and books. This is a great option for storing things aren't used every day, but you don't want to throw away. It's also a good option for larger items you'd like to keep away from view but still easily accessible, such a large sports equipment or outdoor gear.

A sectional with a set of rectorsible storage chairs that can be folded out into beds is another popular choice. They are ideal for people who host guests frequently or for families with children. They are generally simple to put together and can be moved around the room as seating requirements change over time.

A storage sofa can also be a great option for smaller apartments or condos where space isn't plentiful and you have to be creative in your decorating. These versatile furniture pieces are available in wide range of styles and colors from stores like IKEA, Room & Board, West Elm and beyond and make it easy to coordinate them to the interior of your home.