Ahh, the couch.  It is arguably the single most important piece of furniture you will buy for your living room, if not your whole house.  I mean, what good is a wall-sized flat screen TV if you have no where to sit and watch it?  The couch is where you spend your days curled up with a good book, your evenings sipping wine with a good friend and your nights watching the latest crime drama series.  Many people make the mistake of just picking the cheapest or the nicest looking couch on the show floor.  Your couch will be a big part of your daily life for many years to come.  It is important to evaluate your needs before you make a decision.  Consider who will be using it, how many people will be using it, where you will be putting it, what type of decor will be surrounding it, etc.  Here is a rundown of the most common couch styles and the spaces that they suit best.

Lawson

Probably one of the most popular styles, it has a low squared off back, with lower square or rolled arms.  Usually seen with loose seat and back.  Super comfy, it is ideal for a relaxed and family-friendly environment.

Chippendale or Camelback

This one is very prim and proper and full of old-world sophistication.  The Chippendale features a rounded, or hump. back.  Sometime you will find a double or triple Camelback, with 2 or 3 humps respectively.  It dates back to the 18th century, but its simple lines can sometimes work in modern settings.

Tuxedo

Clean, straight lines define this look.  It works just as well in a classic or modern setting, but it is definitely not meant for lounging as the arms and back are the same height.  The seat is made up of one long cushion, while the back has one, two, or three.

Slipper

 This is definitely a no-frills style.  It has no arms and is usually pretty compact, so lounging is not an option.  Perfect for entertaining because it forces you to sit up and pay attention.  They work particularly well in small spaces, and depending on the fabric and details, can work equally well in modern and classic settings.

Bridgewater or Birch-Arm

 This English three-seater and it’s defined by casual elegance.  It features low arms and a high back with loose cushions.   They are almost always skirted.  It’s perfect for settling down for a long television marathon.

Chersterfield

 Super elegant and posh, this is the style you will see in reinterpretations of 19th-century drawing rooms.  There are no removable cushions on this style and the tailoring is very tight. They are generally button tufted. This one is low on the lounge scale as its back and rolled arms are high.

Sectional

 These are best used in large spaces.  Visually heavy, they’re great for filling up space and creating a seating area, especially in front of a television.  They don’t work particularly well in small or formal settings.

Knole or Knoll

 This style isn’t very popular any more but they still pop up every now and then.  They’re a very classic style that feature adjustable side arms, often tied to the back with a decorative braided fabric.  Wooden finials often appear in the top corners.  You’ll likely only find them in antique stores.

Settee

 For antique lovers, the classic French settee is a no-brainer.  They have exposed wooden frames that are often carved, and upholstered seats and backs.  They’re usually fairly small and can fit two people comfortably. Very regal and elegant.