Couches, also referred to as sofas, are cushioned furniture pieces with upholstered armrests for people to sit on. They are primarily found in sitting rooms and sometimes come with springs and pillows. Depending on your preference and house theme, you can choose materials like leather, linen, wool, cotton, suede, velvet, or chenille.

There are also different configurations depending on your space and your preferred arrangement. Sectional sofas, also known as modular sofas, are the most common and come in several pieces.

Most of them come in three or five pieces and different arrangements, with the most common being U-shape and L-shape. They are ideal for a large family because they allow you to expand or downsize the sitting space without additional purchases.

Lawson-style and loveseat couches are also common and among the most traditional. Designed for comfort, they have a straight back, medium armrests, big cushions, and pillows separate from the back. One of the main advantages of these sofas is that you can buy them in different sizes depending on your space and how many people are in the house.

If you want a couch primarily for relaxing in the sitting area, bedroom, or patio, the chaise longue is a good option. These are long chairs with a back and a small arm or none. They are perfect for lying on and sometimes have an arched surface for more comfort.

If you are going for a more modern look, curved back sofas are an appropriate choice. As the name suggests, they have a high and curved back, making them perfect to place in the middle of the room instead of against a wall.

For a cleaner look, you can go for bench sofas. Unlike other couches, these have one long cushion, small armrests, and pillows.

If you are more conscious about space, you can get sleeper sofas, which you can use as a coach during the day and bed at night. These usually come with a hidden mattress, either foam or air-filled, that comes out once you unfold the couch. They are perfect if you have a large family or guests.

The sofa back remains intact after unfolding the couch, and you can dress it up with fitted sheets or a duvet.

Alternatively, you can have a sofa bed that does not come with a mattress. Instead of a mattress, you fold the back and use the sofa cushions as a mattress. A futon is another excellent alternative. Like the sofa bed, its back folds and does not have a mattress. However, instead of having several cushions like a conventional couch, it has only one.

Couches are usually a relatively large investment and give the first impression of your home. Therefore, when buying, choose a place with a wide variety of high-quality furniture. Some common places people look include big box stores and online platforms like Amazon.

For a wider variety, consider looking in furniture-specific stores like Wayfair, Ikea, All form, Apt2B, Burrow, AllModern, West Elm, Yarmour & Flanigan, Pottery Barn, and Eternity Modern.

You can also look for yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, and thrift stores to get cheaper second-hand sofas. While some might require repairs, the overall price is usually lower, and there are chances of getting unique and antique pieces.