What Is the Difference Between a Sofa and a Settee?

When shopping for furniture or looking through catalogs, you’ve probably come across the word settee. Although many people do not know the true meaning of this word, many people still equate a settee with a sofa, which is completely wrong. 

Although there are many similarities, these two pieces of furniture are different from each other. So what is the difference between a sofa and a settee? The following section presents the most important characteristics by which they differ.

What Is the Difference Between a Sofa and a Settee

What is the Difference Between a Sofa and a Settee?

A settee and a sofa have many advantages and similarities, but also they differ. So what is the difference between a sofa and a settee? Follow this section and you’ll reveal!

Size

The first thing that distinguishes a settee and a sofa is the size. Namely, the settee has a smaller dimension and can accommodate two to three people. In addition, the settee is easy to move, so you can easily move it and place it wherever you want. 

Whether in the hall or the living room, the settee always looks elegant and fits easily into the interior. On the other hand, the sofa has a larger dimension and can accommodate up to ten people. 

The cushions are also large and offer comfort and enjoyment while sitting. In addition, there is a large selection of materials that you can choose for your sofa

Moreover, the sofa is larger in dimension compared to the settee. You cannot often move this piece of furniture from one room to another.

Comfort and design

In order to know what the difference between a sofa and a settee in terms of comfort and design is, we need to know their basic features and parts. The settee and the sofa have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to design and comfort.

A settee is usually a minimalist design characterized by thin armrests, but some settees may not have them at all. In addition, the settee has high legs that are quite pointed. 

The cushions are also thin and do not offer much comfort, but the aesthetic moment is more represented here. On the other hand, sofas are characterized by thick cushions that provide comfort in sitting and are intended for relaxation and enjoyment. 

Therefore, if you want a more formal look and aesthetic appearance is important to you, then a settee is your choice. But the sofa will meet your expectations if you are more into comfort and relaxation.

Read more: How to Decorate a Rectangle Living Room

What to Consider When Buying a Sofa or a Settee

Purpose

The settee and sofa also differ in their purpose. If you spend a long time in the living room and want to relax, you will certainly want to get a sofa that will allow you to sit comfortably. 

Therefore, sofas are used in family houses where you can relax and spend more time with your loved ones. 

Unlike the sofa, the settee, due to its formal design, almost does not have as much purpose as the sofa. Many families use them as decorative furniture in their homes, while others use them for meetings where they can drink coffee or tea.

In addition to the home, many offices have included a settee in the waiting room or in rooms where there are short meetings with clients or colleagues.

Popularity

Knowing the purpose, settee and sofa have a big difference in terms of demand and popularity. When it comes to popularity, the sofa is without a doubt the most sought after by customers and we don’t need specific reasons to conclude why this is so. 

Namely, every home is unimaginable without a sofa in the living room because of its comfort and design. On the other hand, a settee is mostly bought for decorative reasons or to enrich the space in the hall or waiting room.

What to Consider When Buying a Sofa or a Settee?

Price

The price of these two pieces of furniture is the first factor to consider when shopping. To know what the difference between a sofa and a settee in terms of price is, you should first pay attention to their use and for what purpose you are buying them. 

Generally speaking, sofas command a higher price due to several factors such as size, comfort, material, and popularity. Therefore, the average price of a sofa is around $1,000. But this price may vary according to the material and size. 

Unlike the sofa, the settee is a far less popular piece of furniture. This is primarily due to their purpose and place in the home. And since it represents furniture that has a formal design, its demand in the market is less than that of a sofa. 

Also, you can find a settee for around $600. Just like the sofa, the price depends on the design, size, and details.

Also read: What Is a Modular Sofa?

Placement

Regarding placement, the sofa is the most popular piece of furniture you can often find in almost every home. This is due to the design and size that helps everyone feel relaxed and comfortable while sitting.

Settees, due to their formal design, can be used in places where people do not stay for a long time. You can place this furniture in the hall, offices or bedroom. In addition, it is not a mistake to combine a sofa with a settee and find a place for it in the living room.

Conclusion

Your choice of furniture is a reflection of your energy in the home and your sense of artistic taste. Regardless of whether you decide on a sofa or a settee, make sure that it fits into the overall ambiance of the room and get a pleasant place to rest or hang out with your loved ones. 

In addition, do not limit yourself to just a sofa or a settee. There are many homes where you can make a combination of these two pieces of furniture and it all looks elegant and with artistic taste. 

If you can’t decide, you can use advice from professionals who can organize your space and give you useful advice about the layout and selection of furniture. It’s up to you!

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