Sofa vs couch is one of the oldest questions in the book. Do you think they are the same? Come figure it out with us!
Sofa vs Couch
Although the two words are used interchangeably in many countries, when choosing between a sofa or a couch, some subtle differences will come into play. More importantly, when you arrive home after an exhausting day at work, do you relax on your sofa or couch? When you spill wine into this piece of furniture, how do you clean it?
Well, it really depends if we’re talking about a sofa or a couch. If you don’t know the answer, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. After this article, you’ll never forget the couch and sofa battle and feel like a professional interior designer at the next party!
Word Sofa - Arabic Word Origins
The Britannica dictionary defines the word sofa as “a long and comfortable piece of furniture on which a person can sit or lie down.” It is a Turkish transliteration of an Arabic noun, the word “suffah” which defines a bench or piece of furniture that allows for sitting or reclining (yes, you’ll be one of the few people who know this!).
Sofas can be associated with a more formal idea, while couches are more informal. Let’s simplify: a sofa is an upholstered wooden bench covered with cushions. You can lie down on this piece of furniture, but they are more meant for sitting. Consequently, sofas are more formal, meaning they always have arms and back. This makes them a perfect acquisition for all living rooms or even bedrooms.
Word Couch - French Word Origins
The couch and sofa battle just got more interesting! The word couch comes from the french word “coucher”, which means to lay down or go to sleep. Contrary to a sofa, this piece of furniture may or may not have arms, which gives it a possible different creative direction.
Couches are famous for their use in psychoanalysis. Historically speaking, due to the different word origins, couches are more informal and meant for laying down. Thus, you hear the term couch used as a more informal sofa. Until this day, you can still visit Sigmund Freud’s original couch in Vienna, Austria.
Wrapping Up
We hope we have contributed to the couch and sofa’s long-lasting battle. By now, you should know that a sofa comes from a French word and is a more formal piece of furniture, while a couch may or may not have arms and is more informal. Finally, sofas are meant to sit or recline, and couches are for laying down or sleeping. However, in the 21st century, in some cases, both words can be used interchangeably, and when you’re buying a new sofa, you can most definitely say you’re buying a new couch. However, know that the design gods are watching you.
As always, we hope we helped you, and if you want to know more about what we do or want to get in touch, please do! Lastly, if you like what we do, please share this poste with your family and friends!
1 thought on “Sofa vs Couch: What’s The Difference”
So interesting how culture really plays a huge role in our daily lives!