Sofa & Living Room Furniture Glossary

Chair: a chair is an individual seat with a backrest. Living room chairs usually feature single or double armrests.

Chaise Lounge/Chaise Longue: french for "long chair", a chaise longue or in the U.S., chaise lounge - is an upholstered type of armchair or couch with a back and seat lengthened for reclining. Unlike a couch or sofa, a chaise lounge does not have a true "back"; Its back is open and one end is raised for the sitter's head.

Console Table: also called a "sofa table", the console table is generally a narrow table with a height similar to the back of most sofas. It's perfect for a vase of flowers, books, or artwork and adds interest to the area behind a sofa.

Divan: a divan is a long backless sofa that is usually set with pillows against a wall. Some divans are shaped like chaise lounges, except with a sloped half-back or two arms instead of one.

Loveseat: a loveseat is a small, two-seat sofa or double chair.

Occasional Table: occasional tables are small, portable tables that receive occasional use, such as end tables, coffee tables, sofa tables, and cocktail tables.

Recliner: recliners are armchairs whose back can be lowered and foot raised to permit comfortable reclining.

Sofa Sectional: a sectional sofa is a type of couch composed of multiple sections that can be arranged individually or together. Sectionals are typically designed to seat four or more people. Sectionals usually feature an ottoman and a chaise lounge-style piece.

Settee: the settee derives from the 17th century settle, which was a long wooden bench with a back. A settee could be considered a small sofa or an elongated armchair. Settees usually have a back and two arms and seat two or more people.

Sleeper Sofa: a sleeper sofa is a couch with a spring-mounted bed hidden beneath the seat.

Sofa: a sofa is a long seat with a back and usually two arms that is designed to seat three or four people.

Sofa Set: a sofa set is a two or three-piece set of matching furniture that usually includes a sofa, loveseat, and ottoman.