Cozy and Compact: 7 Best Couches for Small Spaces

Finding the right couch for a small space is difficult—but you don’t have to sacrifice style or comfort for a compact design. Here are the best couches for small spaces.

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Azura 2 Piece Slipcovered Chaise Sectional Ecomm Wayfair.comVIA MERCHANT

Designing the layout of a tiny space is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity to stretch your creative wings.

When searching for the perfect couch, loveseat or sectional for your small living area, we recommend forgoing a bulky couch for a petite loveseat or a two-person “snuggler” chair. For long, narrow rooms, an L-shaped sectional opens up the space and creates a cozy corner seating area.

To optimize your space, here are our picks of the best couches for small spaces.

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Azura 2 Piece Slipcovered Chaise Sectional Ecomm Wayfair.com
VIA MERCHANT

Best Sectional Couch for Small Spaces

Azura Chaise Sectional

Finding an excellent sectional couch for a small space isn’t common, but the Azura Chaise Sectional made it happen. Plus, this bad boy is around $500, which makes it a surprisingly affordable couch equipped for your next movie night.

With clean contemporary lines and plenty of depth to slouch in, this sectional features an interchangeable ottoman/chaise that can be set up on either side. Oh, and did we mention the solid wood frame? Talk about durability for a great price!

Pros

  • Accommodates multiple people in a compact space
  • Lightweight, detachable ottoman fits on either end of sofa
  • Affordable
  • Multiple color options

Cons

  • Some buyers note that cushions are too firm

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Isley 57'' Upholstered Loveseat Ecomm Wayfair.com
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Best Loveseat Couch for Small Spaces

Mercury Row Isley Loveseat

This loveseat is a perfect fit in any classic or transitional space. It’s upholstered in a neutral-toned polyester blend, which makes it easy to blend with any color palette or aesthetic you already have. We love how this loveseat comes with a pair of added throw pillows that give it a bit of decorative flair.

Pros

  • Ultra-compact, fits well in a nook
  • Tall seat height
  • Throw pillows are included
  • Comfortable, removable cushions

Cons

  • Only one color option

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Oliver Sofa Ecomm Westelm.com
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Best Overall Couch for Small Spaces

West Elm Oliver Sofa

This simple, stylish sofa is perfect for small spaces. Its clean tight back offers firm, supportive seating for two or three people. The Oliver sofa has a touch of mid-century charm and comes in three classic neutral colors, so it can be easily streamlined into any living space.

Pros

  • Durable construction
  • Modern look that fits nearly any design style
  • Easy to clean
  • Three colors and two sizes to choose from

Cons

  • Semi-attached, nonreversible cushions

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Sheldrake 61.5'' Leather Loveseat Ecomm Wayfair.com
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Best Leather Couch for Small Spaces

Sand & Stable Sheldrake Leather Loveseat

Comfortable seating is a must, no matter your living room space. With this Sheldrake Leather Loveseat, you won’t have to sacrifice style for compact size.

This loveseat features genuine leather upholstery for a natural aesthetic that elevates your space. The cushions are foam-filled and supported by coil and pocket springs to prevent sagging over time. We love how the square arms and cushion back lend this sofa a modern style that goes with almost any design scheme from traditional to midcentury modern.

Pros

  • High-quality leather cushions with a solid wood frame
  • Stylish, flared legs
  • Three color options
  • 500-lb weight capacity

Cons

  • Cushions are attached and non-removable

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Garren 52.4 Square Arm Tufted Loveseat Ecomm Wayfair.com
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Best Budget Couch for Small Spaces

Garren Square Arm Tufted Loveseat

This hybrid between a loveseat and a small sofa fits in any room. The Garren Loveseat has a clean-lined frame and is covered in polyester navy or gray upholstery. It has high-density foam cushioning for ultimate comfort. Make it even more elegant with a faux fur blanket.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • 1-year warranty
  • Clean-lined midcentury-inspired design
  • Pillows included

Cons

  • Only two color options

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Boevange Sur Attert 57.5'' Loveseat Ecomm Wayfair.com
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Best Velvet Couch for Small Spaces

Mistana Boevange-Sur-Attert Loveseat

This velvet loveseat offers a retro, mid-century style. Crafted with a solid pine wood frame, this sofa features a curved back seat with recessed arms and flared, tapered legs for a modern look.

Best of all? It’s completely stain-resistant, and the seat cushion removes to make deep cleaning a breeze.

Pros

  • Velvet cushions available in multiple colors
  • Stain-resistant fabric
  • Easy to clean
  • Extra padding
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • Sofa arms are shorter by design

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Cushy Sleeper Ecomm Pbteen.com
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Best Pull-Out Couch for Small Spaces

Pottery Barn Teen Cushy Sleeper

This adorable sofa landed on our list of top sleeper sofas (no suprise!). It features a sleek profile with piped edges and square cushions. It’s designed to look like compact lounge seating, but it packs the punch of a pullout full- or twin-size sleeper (you choose). Plus, the seat cushion flips up to become a headboard on the space-saving bed and couch combo.

Pros

  • Ideal pull-out option for small spaces
  • Comes in Twin or Full sizes
  • Easy to style
  • Multiple fabric and color options

Cons

  • More expensive than other compact options

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What to Consider When Buying a Couch for a Small Space

Size

Before buying a couch for a small space, measure the size of your room, the doorway and the hall passages. If your area is extra small, your best option might be a loveseat that fits two people or even just one person.

Color and Material

If you’re in the process of designing or redesigning a small space for optimal coziness and style, you’ll probably be concerned with the overall appearance of the couch you choose.

Depending on your space’s design aesthetic, the material of a couch (leather, velvet, chenille, etc.) is important. Choosing the right color for a small space is also crucial. We recommend using neutral, light-colored upholstery to make a room feel fresh and airy.

How We Found the Best Couches for Small Spaces

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

Where should you buy a couch for a small space?

Shopping for furniture online is the new normal, but choose a retailer with a strong reputation and expect to pay delivery fees on bulkier items. For small, quality couches, we look at places like West ElmWayfair and Pottery Barn.

What kind of sofa is best for a small room?

If you’re sofa shopping for a small living room, bedroom or den, look for a sofa that is L-shaped, U-shaped or a chase sectional. Generally, these types of sofas work best in small spaces and make rooms feel larger.

A light color couch makes a space feel bigger and brighter. Cream, beige and grey sofas are a bit more practical than white sofas, especially if you have kids and pets. Soft pastel hues also reflect light and open up your space.

Mary Henn
Mary Henn, MFA is an Associate Shopping Editor at Family Handyman. She’s also a national award-winning writer and journalist. Her expertise lies in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends. When she’s not working on the latest content at FHM, you can find her reading poetry or hiking with her dog, Henry.