Info about Couches
Couches
Couches can be seen as the unsung heroes of our homes. Perhaps they provide one of the most important features of our daily lives, by allowing us to kick back and relax. Be it after a hard day at work, or after busying ourselves around the house doing DIY, or maybe just to sit and watch some TV, couches are always there for us to sink into and ease our stress levels. It is no coincidence that couches, under various names, were invented in many different countries independently of each other. After all, everyone at some point in the past has wanted to sit down on a comfortable chair, rather than a hard wooden chair that are still common in many dining rooms and other places throughout our society. In other countries, they may be referred to as ‘Sofas’ or ‘Settees’.
Although when we refer to a couch, we most likely mean the high backed chair with armrests that reside in our living rooms, the traditional definition is actually different from this. Historically, a couch referred to an item of furniture that was more similar to a bed, with one raised end and a half back. This type of furniture is more similar to a Chaise Longue, or psychiatrists couch. In places where different terms for the regular couch are used, such as the UK where they are called Sofas, the original definition for couch still applies, and is reserved for the therapeutic chairs often found in a psychiatrist’s office.
There are a number of different types of couch, and are made to suit many different requirements. The most common types of couch that is found in many homes are the ‘loveseat’, which has two seats, and the settee, which has two or more seats. Both of these couch types have a fully raised back, and are what we visualize when we hear or use the word ‘couch’. Other types include the divan and fainting couch, which have only a partial back or are even completely backless, and a raised end. These were traditionally used in the 19th century when Women wore corsets. Because of their tight nature, they could cause a shortage of oxygen and make the wearer feel faint. As a result, most affluent homes would have a fainting couch at the top of every set of stairs so the woman wearing a corset could relax and catch her breath. Another type of couch is the canapé, which is an ornamental and, made from elaborately carved wood and with finely upholstered seats for three people. Other couch types include sofa-beds and futons, which function as a couch in the day time, but can be converted into a bed easily if required.
Couches can be bought alone, as and when needed, or as a set or ‘suite’ when furnishing an entire room in one go. A three piece suite refers to a two or three seater couch, which also comes with two armchairs- a chair that offers the comfort of a couch but seats one. These armchairs and couches are designed from the same material and have the same appearance in order to aesthetically improve the room. Other suites include the Chesterfield suite, which has a ‘Chesterfield’ style couch, a lounge suite or a sofa suite.
The most common setting in which to find a couch or a suite is in the living room of a house, however they can also be used in other rooms, usually in houses which have more than one living room setting, such as a den or family room.