Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, it’s our goal to inform customers to the best of our ability before they even walk through our doors – because only then can they have a next-level shopping experience. Well, when you’re doing a deep dive to research an upcoming purchase, it really helps to collect all of your useful information in one convenient place beforehand. Take our helpful glossary of furniture and mattress terms, for instance.
In our previous guides to bedroom furniture and dining room furniture, we did our best to present all the key terms and answer general FAQs in a thorough yet concise way. However, when it comes to living room seating, we realized we didn’t have a readily available resource to provide key definitions or answer all those general living room questions. Have questions about what differentiates the various types of upholstered furniture? Wondering what a chofa is? We’ll answer these and many, many more below.
Remember, there are no dumb or silly questions! While you may already know some of these answers or find some definitions below to be self-explanatory, we think it’s important to provide answers and furniture industry education anywhere and everywhere we can.
And so begins our two part guide on living rooms. In this article, we’ll dive into everything to do with living room upholstery. Then, in part two, we’ll go over the various tables and other casegoods for your living spaces. Let’s get started!
What Is Upholstery / Upholstered Seating?
When you think about the furniture pieces that fill your home’s living spaces, they pretty much all fall into one of two categories – Upholstery or Casegoods.
Upholstery:Upholstery or upholstered seating is functional furniture meant for seating or reclining that is wrapped in some sort of upholstery material. While this upholstery material can vary greatly, it is usually some sort of fabric or leather. Examples of upholstery include sofas, sectionals, loveseats, recliners, ottomans and more.
Casegoods: By contrast, casegoods are non-upholstered furniture pieces made of wood, metal, glass, or other hard materials that can typically be packed or transported neatly in a box, shipping container, or case - hence the name. Examples of living room casegoods include coffee tables, console tables, tv stands, end tables, etc.
With these definitions established, today’s piece is all about Upholstery. So that’s where we’ll begin. Let’s dive into each type of upholstery below as they relate to your living room, den, bonus room, or other living space.
Your Guide to Living Room Upholstery
Accent Chair
An accent chair is a chair that adds a pop of color, pattern, or unique design to a room. This accent color or pattern serves to complement the decor while also offering an additional seat. Typically, accent chairs are armchairs, swivel chairs or gliders, however any chair can be an accent chair with the right upholstery.
Armchair
In the context of living room upholstery, an armchair is a stationary single seat with cushioned arms and back. Armchairs come in various styles from traditional, to transitional, to contemporary, and are good fits for casual dens and formal living rooms alike.
Chair and a Half
Written both as “chair and a half” or “chair and ½”, this oversized upholstered chair is wider than a typical armchair, but not as wide as a loveseat or settee. A chair and a half is easily able to seat one person comfortably – or two if you’re a snuggler.
Chaise
A chaise is an elongated chair designed for lounging. Think of it as a hybrid of a chair and a daybed, or perhaps a permanently-extended recliner that allows you to stretch out your legs and relax. Chaises are just as practical as they are elegant and are perfect for adding a classy touch to any living space.
Console Loveseat
A console loveseat seats two just like a regular loveseat, but has an added center console between them for storage. This console often includes storage space, a pair of cup holders, and even USB charging ports / wireless charging for your devices. Console loveseats also typically feature reclining seats, but not exclusively so. For more info on whether a standard loveseat or console loveseat is a better fit for you, don’t miss our comparison article.
Daybed
While not technically upholstered, a daybed is a versatile piece of living furniture that can serve the functions of both bed and makeshift sofa. Typically equipped with a Twin or Twin XL mattress, a daybed is more of a bed than a couch or sofa.
Much like its cousin the futon, the daybed is often used in guest rooms or small living spaces, providing a place to lounge during the day and a comfortable sleeping space at night. Unlike sleeper sofas and futons, there is no need to convert the daybed from one configuration to another. However, for those looking for more sleep capacity, many daybeds offer an optional trundle – a convertible, thin, pull-out bed in a drawer or shelf underneath the daybed.
Futon
A futon is a flexible, foldable sofa or couch that is easily converted into a flat surface that can be used as a bed. With futons, most often both the arms and back fold down. Unlike daybeds, futons are indeed upholstered. However, unlike both daybeds and sleeper sofas, futons don’t incorporate an actual mattress as the cushioned seats are deemed sufficient. The futon is a practical sleep solution for guests and a popular choice for small apartment living rooms and dorms.
Loveseat
A loveseat is a small sofa designed to comfortably seat two people. The smaller size makes loveseats best suited for smaller living spaces or simply as an extra seating option alongside a sofa, recliner or other upholstered seating. Loveseats are comfy, cozy, and perfect for couples or those wanting a more intimate seating arrangement for their den or living room.
Lift Chair
A lift chair is any armchair or power recliner that includes a special mechanism or “walkout feature” to help users transition from sitting to standing. Also known as power lift chairs or lift recliners, these special recliners are particularly beneficial for those with mobility issues. However, in addition to helping improve quality of life for those with knee, hip, back or other mobility problems, lift chairs can also be great for soon-to-be parents, or those recovering from injury or surgery.
Motion Furniture / Stationary Furniture
In the furniture industry, terms like motion furniture and stationary furniture get thrown around a lot, but aren’t often defined for consumers. What do we mean by motion furniture and stationary furniture and how are they different?
Motion furniture is a classification most commonly used to refer to upholstered seating with movable components – swivel chairs, gliders, lift chairs, recliners, or really any type of reclining furniture. Keep in mind that motion furniture is often available in powered and manual. Which one is better for you? Don’t miss our guide to power reclining vs manual reclining to find out!
Like its opposite motion furniture, stationary furniture is a classification of upholstered seating within the furniture industry. Unlike motion furniture, this term refers only to furniture that remains fixed in place, without moving parts or components. Stationary upholstered seating includes sofas, loveseats, armchairs, accent chairs or sectionals provided they don’t have recline, swivel, gliding or rocking functions.
Ottoman
Ottomans are versatile, upholstered pieces of furniture that primarily serve as footrests, but can also be used as extra seating or as a coffee table in a pinch. Available in various shapes and sizes (but most often round or rectangular), ottomans may also include hidden storage, making them a functional addition to any living space.
Recliner
A recliner is an upholstered chair that features both a reclining back and an extendable footrest perfect for lounging. Recliners are available in a ton of styles, including manual or power reclining, and may also include additional options like adjustable lumbar, adjustable headrest, USB charging ports, cup holders, and even massage functions.
Rocker / Glider
Traditionally, a rocker or rocking chair is a wooden chair with a curved base that allows it to rock back and forth along the floor. However, when we talk about rockers in the modern sense – especially in the context of living room upholstery – we’re usually talking about an upholstered and cushioned armchair that is more accurately called a glider.
The design of a glider allows the rocking / gliding motion to happen within an internal mechanism in the chair’s base instead of along the floor. Not only does this make the rocking / gliding movement much smoother than a traditional rocking chair, but it also eliminates the risk of things being accidentally pinched or caught between the chair’s base and the floor, whether they be your spouse’s toes or your pet’s tail. These rockers and gliders provide a soothing motion, making them ideal from nurseries to living room reading nooks. In many instances, gliders will also have a swivel function like a swivel chair, or a reclining function like a recliner.
Sectional / Sectional Sofa
A sectional sofa (or sectional for short) is a large, multi-piece sofa with seating for three or more people. Sectionals come in a variety of shapes in sizes. This means that some sectional sofas may be available in only one shape or configuration, while others are truly modular and can be arranged in different configurations to fit your space like a glove. The most common sectional sofa configurations are the L-sectional and the U-sectional, but there are others. The various component modules and seating options of sectionals include sofas, chaises, consoles, recliners, wedges, cuddlers, and more.
The flexible nature of sectionals and their high seating capacity makes them perfect for larger families and those who love to entertain. More questions about sectionals including questions on RAF vs LAF, wedges, cuddlers, corner sofas and more? Don’t miss our extensive guide to sectional sofas and their many components here!
Settee
A settee is a small stationary sofa or upholstered bench, typically designed for seating two people. The legs and arms may or may not be upholstered. Settees are generally considered to be more formal and elegant than loveseats, making them great accent pieces for formal living rooms, parlors or entryways.
Sleeper / Sleeper Sofa
A sleeper is a piece of upholstered seating that can be easily converted into a bed. Sleepers are the perfect way to accommodate the occasional overnight guest even if you don’t have space for a guest room. Typically, the cushions are first removed and then a bed complete with foldable mattress is extended from within the sofa’s frame. Despite being commonly referred to as a sleeper sofa, sleepers are also available in the form of chairs and loveseats. Sleeper sofas usually feature a queen size mattress, sleeper loveseats feature a full size mattress, and sleeper chairs feature a twin size mattress.
Sofa / Couch
The sofa is the centerpiece of most modern living rooms. It is a long, upholstered seat with cushions, typically designed to seat three people. Sofas come in a variety of styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary and everything in between.
A couch is very similar but has historically had a slightly different style and function. Couches are typically more casual than sofas, are sometimes smaller, and may have lower arms or none at all. While the difference between a sofa and a couch is very subtle, the term couch often conveys a more relaxed, informal vibe.
The truth is that most people use these terms interchangeably. Ultimately, sofas and couches offer a comfy spot for family gatherings, movie nights, or cozy naps. For a deeper dive into the origins of these two nearly indistinguishable pieces of furniture and their similarities and differences, don’t miss our article comparing sofas and couches.
Sofa Chaise / Sofa with Chaise / Chofa
Folks are always asking us, what is a chofa? How about a sofa chaise? Are they the same? Also known as a sofa with chaise, these are simply three names for the same piece of functional furniture. Combining the best of both worlds, a chofa or sofa chaise is exactly what it sounds like – a sofa with an extended seat on one end that resembles a chaise. The chaise portion offers extra legroom for lounging and can serve as a sectional alternative in smaller living rooms.
Swivel Chair
A swivel chair is an upholstered armchair that can rotate, offering flexible positioning. Due to this, swivel chairs allow easy movement without getting up. Additionally, swivel chairs sometimes also feature rocking, gliding or reclining functions.
Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet Is North Georgia’s Source for Upholstery
Ready to find the perfect upholstered seating for your living space? Visit us today at our North Georgia and Metro Atlanta furniture showrooms in Woodstock/Acworth, Dallas/Hiram, Rome, and Covington. Our friendly team of furniture experts are here to help you bring your vision to life with a wide selection of stylish and comfortable furniture – including a ton of custom made-to-order upholstery options. Stop by today, and let’s make your den or living room the best room in the house!
For those of you patiently awaiting the sequel to this article, you can find Living Room 102, our guide to living room casegoods, right here. But before you go, be sure to browse the other helpful upholstery resources below to get a headstart on your next sofa shopping adventure:
- Leather vs Fabric: Which Type of Upholstery Is Right for Me?
- Manual vs Power Recliner: Pros, Cons, Problems & Concerns
- Why Does My New Sofa Feel Different Than the One In the Store?
- 3 Easy Tips for Breaking In Your New Sofa, Chair or Loveseat
- How Long Do Sofas Last? What You Should Know About the Upholstery Life Cycle
- Furniture FAQ: What Upholstery Fabric Is Best for Pets? What About for Kids?
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