Sofa vs Couch: Which Term Is Correct?

La-Z-Boy Southeast | June 18, 2021

Have you ever wondered what the difference between a sofa vs couch actually is?

At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, this is a fairly common question we receive from our clients.

In this article, we’ll help you decide if sofa or couch is the correct term for your furniture.

What Is a Sofa?

A sofa is defined as a long upholstered seat with a back and arms, for two or more people.

This is the most common term used to describe the biggest piece of furniture in your living room.

La-Z-Boy Sofas are available as reclining, stationary, or sleeper with a spring or memory foam mattress.

Plus, they’re available in over 900 different fabrics with a wide variety of colors, patterns, and materials to choose from.

The term “couch” originated in the interior design world of France during the 17th century.

It most likely came from the French word “coucher” which is defined as to sleep or simply put someone to bed.

The original couch from the 1700’s consisted of a lounge seat with supports at both ends.

However, it didn’t offer a back support because they were designed for laying down to rest instead of sitting.

Today, the word couch is used interchangeably with sofa to describe a two or three cushion chair with arm and back rests.

When deciding between sofa vs couch, both terms are technically correct and can be used based on your personal preference.

However, the term “couch” has a higher search interest over the past five years according to Google Trends.

At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, we prefer “sofa” over “couch” because it’s the phrase we hear from clients most often.

If you were to visit one of our locations and ask for a couch, we would know exactly what you’re looking for.

Understanding the differences between a sofa vs couch will help you pick your favorite term to use.

Historically, a sofa is a long seat with back and armrests. But the couch has evolved into meaning the same thing.

Here are some additional online resources you may like to check out:

We’d be happy to bring your dreams to life at any of our locations in NC, SC, and GA.