Short answer: today there is no real difference between a sofa and a couch. Both mean an upholstered seat for two or more people. Traditionally, a sofa was a more formal, structured piece with arms on both ends, while a couch was a more casual seat made for lying back on. In Australia, most people simply call it a lounge.
What Each Word Means
Sofa
The word sofa comes from the Arabic suffa, a raised platform covered with cushions and rugs, and reached English through Turkish and French. A sofa is usually a more formal piece, with a structured frame, a full back and arms on both sides. It is the term most furniture retailers use.
Couch
Couch comes from the French coucher, “to lie down”. Originally a couch was a low seat for reclining, sometimes with only one arm or none. Today it is the everyday, casual word, especially in the US and Canada.
Lounge
In Australia, lounge means both the living room and the seat in it, as in “a three-seater lounge” or “a lounge suite”. It is the most common word here, and it covers everything from a two-seater to a modular lounge.
Settee
Settee comes from the Old English setl, a long bench with a back. A settee is usually a smaller, upright two-seater. The word is more common in the UK and in older homes.
Sofa vs Couch vs Settee vs Lounge at a Glance
|
Term |
Origin |
Traditional style |
Where it is used most |
|
Sofa |
Arabic suffa |
Formal, structured, arms on both ends |
Worldwide, and in furniture retail |
|
Couch |
French coucher (to lie down) |
Casual, made for lounging |
USA and Canada |
|
Settee |
Old English setl |
Small, upright two-seater |
UK |
|
Lounge |
English lounge (to recline) |
Any multi-seat sofa |
Australia |
Choosing Yours, Whatever You Call It
The name matters less than the fit. When you shop for a sofa, couch or lounge, focus on:
-
Size: measure the room and doorways first. Our leather sofa sizing guide shows how.
-
Shape: a two- or three-seater, a corner lounge, a modular or a recliner.
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Comfort: seat depth, back height and cushion firmness.
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Material: leather is durable, easy to wipe clean and ages well.
Browse our leather lounges and sofas, or visit our Auburn or Chatswood showroom. Call it a sofa, couch or lounge. We’ll help you find the right one. Contact us to plan your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a couch the same as a sofa?
Yes, in everyday use. Historically, a sofa was more formal and a couch more casual, but most people now use the words interchangeably.
2. Why do Australians say lounge?
In Australia the living room is often called the lounge room, and the seat in it took the same name. “Lounge” and “lounge suite” are the most common terms here.
3. What is the difference between a sofa and a settee?
A settee is traditionally smaller and more upright, usually a two-seater, while a sofa is larger and seats three or more.
4. Which word should I search when shopping?
Use any of them. Furniture stores, including ours, list the same pieces under sofas, couches and lounges.
5. Is a loveseat a sofa?
Yes. A loveseat is a compact two-seater sofa, sized for two people and ideal for smaller rooms.
