8 Best Couches and Sectionals for Small Spaces
Updated: Oct. 20, 2020Even in the smallest spaces, there's room to make a big splash. Shopping for a comfy couch or lounge-worthy sectional can be more fun than you think!
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Buying a Couch for Your Small Space
Designing the layout of a tiny space can be a challenge. But it can also provide an opportunity to stretch your creative wings.
When searching for the perfect couch or sectional for your small living area, consider these tips from interior design professionals:
- Forgo a bulky couch, which can dominate a space, for petite love seat or two-person “snuggler” chair;
- Go with neutral, light-colored upholstery to make a room feel fresh and airy;
- For long, narrow rooms or odd-shaped areas, an L-shaped sectional opens up the space and creates a cozy corner seating area;
- Look for multi-purpose or stowaway sofas, especially when furnishing a studio apartment;
- Keeping clutter to a minimum instantly makes a room feel bigger.
To optimize your space, here are our picks of the best couches and sectionals for small spaces.
Best Small Modern Couch
Mid-century modern furniture is as cool today as was back in its heyday. Designs conceived in the 1950s and 60s possess an economy of style that lends itself to tight quarters. The Lilo Velvet Chesterfield Round Arm Loveseat reflects that pared-down sophistication. Mirroring the era’s iconic look, the couch features rounded arms and back, gold stainless steel legs and plush velvet upholstery in a rainbow of retro colors.
Best Small Couch for Coziness
Comfortable seating is a must no matter what size living room you have. Once you sink into the Serta Palisades Loveseat, you may not want to get up.
This cushy two-seater features quality hardwood with individually wrapped coils surrounded by high-density foam and polyfibers. The pillow-backed cushions deliver even more cloudlike support, so it’s perfect for reading or taking a nap.
Best Small Hide-a-Bed
If you’re in the market for a hide-a-bed sofa, you’re probably short on space. Maximize every inch with the One Night Stand Sleeper by Blu Dot. Unlike many convertible couches which tend to be boxy or bulky, this sleeper cleverly opens up like a book. Just remove the back cushions, flip the seat forward and a queen-size mattress is ready for houseguests.
Best All-Around
Save money without skimping on style and function with IKEA’s Vallentuna modular sofa. This beautifully designed, three-piece sectional has unlimited configuration potential. Each of the three pieces comes with under-the-seat-storage and can be arranged however you see fit: in an L-Shape against the wall, set in a series of groupings and with or without armrests. You decide.
Best Splurge
Indulge a little. The MLF Modern Style Grande Loveseat Sofa makes a bold statement that turns the attention to the style of the room rather than its size. At just under $2,000, you could pay more, but why? It offers superior materials and appearance, like top-grain Italian leather, high-polished stainless steel base frame and classic 20th-century design.
Best Budget
For versatility, comfort, style and space efficiency, the Cazenovia Reversible Sofa & Chaise is an outstanding find, especially given its affordable price tag (less than $500).
Clean contemporary lines with plenty of depth to slouch in, the sleek sectional features an interchangeable ottoman/chaise that can be set up on either side. As for assembly, one five-star Wayfair reviewer raved, “A couch in a box! Set up was super easy. The size is perfect for our small living room!”
Best for Studios
Living in an apartment without walls to separate the living and sleeping area is a design challenge faced by millions of city dwellers. We like the Hillsdale Staci Daybed with Trundle as a solution. It not only doubles as a bed and a sofa, it hides a trundle underneath for when friends or family stay the night. Talk about stretching your sleeping capacity!
Best Murphy Bed
Maintain critical floor space with double-duty furnishings like the Colquitt Murphy Bed by Zipcode Design. Inside a manufactured wood cabinet is a full-size bed (mattress not included). Flip the bed up and out of sight and spread out to study, work or entertain. When it’s bedtime, the simple-to-operate, dual-piston mechanism safely lowers the bed to the floor.
Of course, you could build your Murphy bed!