Every living room, regardless of its square footage, deserves a stylish and comfortable sofa. You'll want to start by measuring the area you're placing the couch into, which will dramatically narrow down your sofa search. Budget is also a key factor. Decide how much money you have to spend to help you zero in on choices you can afford.
When shopping for a sofa for a small space, you'll want to keep form and function in mind to make sure every inch of the sofa counts. In regard to the type of sofa that will be best for your household, consider who will be using it the most. Will your living room need to frequently double as a guest room? If so, consider investing in a quality sleeper sofa. Do you need a sofa that can hold up to kids and pets? Wipeable leather sofas, slipcovers that can be thrown in the washing machine, and performance fabrics that can easily be spot cleaned are all great options, though you might want to avoid leather if you have pets because it's easy to scratch.
Deciding on a form that will work best for your space can be a trickier task, because certain styles can make a small room feel even smaller. For expert guidance, we tapped interior designers Bradley Odom, Jennifer Hunter, Caitlin Wilson, and Roxy Owens, founder and creative director of Society Social, for their best tips on finding the perfect sofa for small spaces.
When searching for a smaller-scale sofa, Odom looks for sofas with thinner arms. "Wide arms add to the larger footprint without adding to the usable seat space," he points out. Hunter looks for sleeker frames and prefers sofas with bench seating. "It tricks the eye into appearing longer by not breaking up the seats," she says. Owens loves the versatility of a sleeper sofa, whether you're placing it in a living room or office. Her tip? "Pay close attention to the dimensions of the sleeper mechanism when fully extended," she warns. Wilson avoids bulkier options and chooses tailored sofas that make a stylish statement. Her go-to silhouettes? "I love using a settee or loveseat in a space where a larger sofa won't work," she says.
Whether you're leaning toward a settee or sectional sofa, we've rounded up 11 options that run the gamut of style and function. To ensure there's an option for every budget, we've also found affordable sofas starting at $280. Our personal favorite is the Castlery Hamilton Sofa ($1,899) for its clean lines and super-cozy cushions that you sink right into. Find your match ahead.
— Additional reporting by Kyley Warren
Zinus Josh Loveseat Sofa ($355)
For really tiny spaces, this Zinus Josh Loveseat Sofa offers lots of comfort in a small package. The gently rolled arms and tapered bottom make for a timeless silhouette. Our former editor purchased this sofa and was pleasantly surprised by the quality. Check out all of the details in her Zinus Josh Loveseat Sofa review.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 56.3" | Height: 32.3" | Depth: 29.3" | Upholstery: Polyester | Color Options: 1 | Seat Capacity: 2 | Fill Material: Fiber and foam
Rivet Aiden Mid-Century Modern Tufted Leather Loveseat Sofa ($690, originally $920)
If you're in the market for a sleek leather sofa, this variation is a popular pick. It has more than 1,300 reviews with an average rating of just under five stars.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 74" | Height: 30.3" | Depth: 36.2" | Upholstery: Leather | Color Options: 8 | Seat Capacity: 2 | Fill Material: Foam
Albany Park Kova Sofa and Ottoman ($1,570, originally $2,047)
Made with two sections, this Albany Park sofa is a space-saving option that offers optimal comfort. It has thick, plush, cloud-like cushions we can't get enough of. It comes in a handful of colors, with both fabric and velvet options. This option is great for smaller spaces, but the brand offers the design in a variety of other shapes and sizes. Our former editor tested the Albany Park Kova Sectional Sofa and loved it. Read the full details in this Albany Park Kova Sectional Sofa review.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 84" | Height: 34" | Depth: 42" |Upholstery: Fabric and velvet | Color Options: 7 | Seat Capacity: 3 | Fill Material: Feather/fiber blend
Castlery Hamilton Sofa ($1,899)
This Castlery sofa has deep cushions, which makes it extra comfortable if you want something less formal. Additional cushions make it ideal for naps and binge-watching sessions. Our editor raves about the style and feel of this sofa in this Castlery Hamilton Sofa review.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 88.6" | Height: 32.3" | Depth: 39.4" | Upholstery: Polyester and acrylic | Color Options: 2 | Seat Capacity: 3 | Fill Material: Foam-, fiber-, and pocket-spring-filled seat; fiber-filled back
Article Sven Sofa ($1,499)
You'll work, lounge, take calls, and nap on this Article Sven Sofa. The cushions are foam-padded and fiber- and feather-filled, so they are cushiony soft and have removable covers. The beautiful, tufted silhouette comes in four vibrant jewel tones, making it an instant centerpiece. Our former editor tested out the sectional version of this sofa and loved it. Read her Article Sven Sectional Sofa review for all the details.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 88" | Height: 34" | Depth: 38" | Upholstery: Velvet | Color Options: 4 | Seat Capacity: 3 | Fill Material: Foam-padded and fiber- and feather-filled cushions
West Elm Axel Motion Reclining Sofa ($3,196-$4,596)
If you want something minimal and modern yet practical, then the West Elm Axel Sofa is your match. The boxy design is both stylish and cozy. You can even control it with the push of a button, making it super easy to use. It also comes in a variety of fabric options, so you can choose your favorite. The sofa requires minimal assembly, and with the brand's white-glove delivery service, it'll be placed and set up in your home.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 78" | Height: 33" | Depth: 42" |Upholstery: Various options | Color Options: 20+ | Seat Capacity: 2 | Fill Material: Fiber-wrapped, high-resiliency polyurethane foam
Mercury Row Anyan 2-Piece Upholstered Sectional ($425, originally $560)
If you want the seating function of a sectional with the versatility of a sleeper sofa, this Mercury Row Anyan 2-Piece Upholstered Sectional is for you. Still compact enough to work in tighter spaces, it makes the most of every square inch.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 83" | Height: 35" | Depth: 54" | Upholstery: Linen blend | Color Options: 2 | Seat Capacity: 3 | Fill Material: Foam
Castlery Dawson Sofa ($1,999)
The Castlery Dawson Sofa has light and airy feather-filled cushions that give it a soft, cloud-like feel. You can purchase this 90" version or a 126" option if you have the room. Our editor tested and loved this design. Read all of the details in this Castlery Dawson Sofa review.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 89.8" | Height: 31.9" | Depth: 44.9" | Upholstery: Polyester and linen | Color Options: 1 | Seat Capacity: 3 | Fill Material: Foam-, fiber-, and feather-filled seat; fiber- and feather-filled back
Allform 3-Seat Sofa ($1,895, originally $2,369)
Looking for an option that has loads of customizable features? This Allform 3-Seat Sofa is it. Choose between performance fabric or leather, three different leg finishes, square and lumbar pillows, and even a matching ottoman. Our editor tested the sectional version of this sofa. Check out more details in this Allform 5-Seat Corner Sectional With Chaise review.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 90" | Height: 34" | Depth: 38" | Upholstery: Performance fabric and leather | Color Options: 9 | Seat Capacity: 3 | Fill Material: High-grade polyfoam and fiber
Sabai The Essential Sectional ($1,920)
If you're in the market for a modern sectional and sustainability is a priority, this Sabai Sectional is a stunner. Our editor tested out this sofa and loves how supportive and chic it is. Read about her experience in this Sabai The Essential Sectional review.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 85" | Height: 32" | Depth: 34" | Upholstery: Recycled velvet or upcycled poly | Color Options: 5 | Seat Capacity: 3-4 | Fill Material: CertiPUR-US certified high-resiliency foam and 100 percent recycled fiber-fill pillows
Floyd Three-Seater Sofa ($1,180, originally $1,475)
We love Floyd for its smart and modular furniture pieces, including the brand's bestselling Three-Seater Sofa. Its clean lines are cool and modern, and it gives you exactly what you need: space-saving comfort. You can choose it in an upholstered base or with birch or walnut wood. It comes in six different upholstery colors, including yellow, gray, and a pretty light green. It arrives in a box and is made with the brand's signature hardware, which is easy to put together and take apart.
What we love:
Who it's best for:
Who should avoid it:
The Details: Width: 87" | Height: 32" | Depth: 31" |Upholstery: Polyester | Color Options: 6 | Seat Capacity: 3 | Fill Material: Foam