A couch is a generic term, usually North American, for an item of furniture designed to seat more than one person. Typically it will have an armrest on either side. Couches are normally found in the family room, living room, den or the lounge. They are covered in a variety of textiles or in leather.
Other terms synonymous with the above definition of couch are sofa and settee , particularly in the UK.
Traditional and particular meaning of couch
The traditional meaning of couch is a particular type of sofa with a half back and one raised end. By this definition it more closely resembles a day-bed, chaise longue, or indeed a bed. In the UK, where the generic term for the item of living room furniture is usually 'sofa' or 'settee', the term 'couch' retains this specific meaning, for example in a therapeutic setting (ie a psychiatrist's couch ). A couch is therefore used lying down, while a sofa or settee is for sitting upright. The word 'couch' derives from Old French couche , meaning "bed" or coucher with the meaning "to lie down".
In the UK the term 'couch' may also occasionally be used with the more general North American meaning (i.e. as synonymous with 'sofa').
Types of couch
The most common types of couches are the " loveseat " (or British two-seater) and the settee or sofa (two or more seats). A sectional sofa (often just referred to as a "sectional") is formed from multiple sections (typically 2 to 4) and usually includes at least two pieces that join at an angle of 90 degrees or slightly greater.
Other couch variants include the divan, the fainting couch (backless or partial-backed), the chaise longue (long with one armrest), the canapé (an ornamental 3-seater), and the ottoman (generally considered a footstool). To conserve space, some sofas double as beds (sofa-bed, daybed, or futon). There are also couches known by genericized trademarked names, such as a davenport or Chesterfield (named for the Earl of Chesterfield). Lofabed (low-fa-bed) a combination of a davenport base and futon mattress resulting in a more comfortable, practical, and economical alternative to the traditional (convertible) sofa-bed.
The term chesterfield is a North American term equivalent to couch or sofa. In the United Kingdom it refers to a particular style of sofa featuring a low rolled back and deep buttoning.
The term three-piece suite describes a furniture set consisting of a two-/three-seater couch, plus two armchairs. Other (less specific) terms for sets including at least one sofa include: Chesterfield suite , lounge suite , living-room suite and sofa suite .
See also
- The joiner's settle
- List of chairs for an extended list of various chair types and makes
Notes
- ^ a b Sofas Galore - A History of Couch Terms
- ^ Couch - Chambers 20th Century Dictionary, W & R Chambers Ltd, 1983, pp285
References
- John Gloag, A Short Dictionary of Furniture rev. ed. 1962. (London: Allen & Unwin)
External links
- Etymology of "sofa"
- "Sectional Sofas"
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