History

• The term "sofa" dates back to early European culture in the 16th century. The phrase came from the Arabic word "suffah," while the word "couch" came from the French word "coucher." Originally, couches did not have backrests or armrests, while sofas had both as a converted bench. As the furniture developed and expanded, the two terms became mixed with one another.
  
  

Size

• Generally, a couch is a three-person piece of furniture with three sitting spaces. Anything longer, like a four-person piece of furniture or a sectional, is referred to as a sofa. For example, you could purchase a standard couch or a three-piece sectional sofa.
  
  

Advertising

• Furniture stores often use specific words to appeal to customers. The term "couch" does not sound as elegant or as costly as "sofa." This means that no matter what the furniture looks like or what style it is, it is commonly referred to as a "sofa" or "love seat." The geography of the furniture store could also affect the terms used, depending on what is common in local areas.
  
  

Extras

• Any extras in a couch usually turn it into a "sofa." For example, if the furniture includes recliners or a pull-out bed, it is often referred to as a "reclining sofa" or a "pull-out sofa." However, these terms are not set in stone, and it is acceptable to refer to a "pull-out couch" or "reclining couch," but the use of "sofa" is more common.