Couch or Sofa?

Depending on where you live in the Anglophonic world, you may have asked yourself what the difference between a couch and a sofa is, or if there even is a difference. Linguistically speaking, the two words are synonymous. The French word couche is responsible for the English word couch. Sofa, on the other hand, is derived from the Arabic word suffa.

Technically, the two do differ. A couch, traditionally, has only one arm, intended as a backstop for the head, and only half of a back. The sofa has two raised arms and a full back. Originally, the couch was meant to be used as a bed, but over time, it began to serve a double purpose, namely, as a piece of furniture to sit on. While many have lain on a sofa, it's actually meant just for sitting, but we all have our guilty pleasures.

Choosing a Couch
You've finally got the motivation to get rid of that old couch and have decided to buy a new one. It's hard to say good-bye to a piece of furniture that's treated you so well over the years, even if it was only supposed to be a two-year commitment that turned into a 10 year partnership. Don't worry. Change is good and necessary. Consider the following before purchasing your new couch.

• The size of the couch is important because it basically dictates comfort levels. Remember, you need to get the couch into your house. So don't base the size of the couch on the room where it'll be placed.
• The right materials are important too. Think about how much you want to spend and purchase accordingly. Leather is nice, but delicate. Perhaps you might consider a fabric couch.
• Other things you will want to consider before buying are the trimmings, the wood used in construction, the padding, and the over-all design.