20 Best Couches for Small Spaces That Will Make You Love Your Studio

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A comfortable couch is already one of the most high-stakes purchases you’ll make for your home, but add in space constraints, and the search can feel nearly impossible. Perhaps the sprawling sectional of your dreams isn’t in the cards just yet, but don’t despair. From surprisingly cushy loveseats to deep sofas that can convert into guest beds, there are plenty of great sofas for small spaces available.

In fact, think of this as an opportunity to turn a tight room into a gorgeous jewel box. “I love the problem-solving that comes with a smaller space,” says interior designer Deidre Webster. “And I’m okay with letting a tiny sofa look tiny. I like to layer in patterns, colorful art, and dark paint colors and create a small space layered with stories and character.”

For Webster, this often starts with choosing a statement sofa. Her favorite is the Danish Banana style from the 1940s, which she calls “petite with a slight curve that gives more dimension and interest to a smaller area.”

That said, you don’t have to be a maximalist—or even have a thing for sculptural silhouettes—to find an amazing compact sofa. Ahead, we found the 20 best sofas for small spaces to suit every style and budget. All that’s left to do is pick out a complementary area rug.

Lucia Slipcovered Sofa

Backed by over 1,200 reviews and an average 4.7-star rating, Joss & Main’s Lucia couch is our top pick for any small space. This French country-esque style will easily match a rustic theme, but it’s versatile enough to work with a variety of aesthetics. It’s made to order, so it requires zero assembly, plus it has a cushy slip-covered design and down-fill pillows that offer just the right amount of sinkage.

Dimensions: Width: 82.5 inches x height: 36 inches; depth: 40 inches

Colors: 50+

Upholstery options: Polyester, acrylic, cotton, performance blends

Customer review: Excellent quality, exactly what I had been searching for. The seat is deep, just what an avid reader needs. I was concerned it would take over the room; instead, it makes the room seem larger.

Brittany Sofa

If you’re seeking a solid, affordable couch for your first apartment, I’d recommend this stylish option. The tufted design costs under $350, and it also doubles as a futon for sleeping. It can seat up to three people and comes with everything you need for assembly.

Dimensions: Width: 81.5 inches; height: 31.5 inches; depth: 34.5 inches

Colors: 23

Upholstery options: Linen

Customer review: “For such a cheap price, I wasn’t expecting a lot, but I’m impressed. This sits in my home office and is just comfortable enough to use for seating there; not too plush, but not like a rock, either. I’ll plan on adding a foam mattress pad when guests use it.”

Pacha Sofa

Originally designed by Pierre Paulin in 1975, Gubi’s iconic Pacha sofa is small space-friendly and essentially doubles as artwork. The low-profile silhouette offers peak coziness as well.

Dimensions: Width: 69.375 inches; height: 25.5 inches; depth: 33.5 inches

Colors: 25

Upholstery options: Velvet, bouclé, cotton blend, linen blend

Movie Night Modular Sectional

Still set on owning a sectional? You can make some styles work for small spaces by getting creative with the layout. For instance, try using Sundays’ cloud-like version to divvy up the bedroom and living area in a studio apartment. The three-piece design is outfitted in performance-grade fabric to handle wear and tear, too.

Dimensions: Width: 76 inches; height: 32 inches; depth: 76 inches

Colors: 6

Upholstery options: Linen blend

Customer review: “The most comfortable and beautiful couch I’ve ever owned! Movie nights have never felt better. The couch is beyond cozy, stunning, and easy to clean. I highly recommend!”

Ella Sleeper Sofa

For small apartments without a guest room, Interior Define’s sleeper sofa is the next best thing. It folds out into a twin-sized bed and is completely customizable, with options to choose everything from the fabric to the cushion fill and even the type of mattress.

Dimensions: Width: 64 inches; height: 35.5 inches; depth: 43 inches

Colors: 125+

Upholstery options: Velvet, brushed knit, chenille, tweed, loop weave, bouclé

Customer review: “We’ve had our Ella sofa for about 4 months and I have been very pleased! It’s comfortable, sturdy, and easy to vacuum up hair from my cats.”

Sonoma Sofa

Your tiny patio deserves a little love, too. Terrain’s minimalist design is covered in fade- and moisture-proof fabric and has a natural woven backing that adds some textural appeal.

Dimensions: Width: 61 inches; height: 24 inches; depth: 36 inches

Colors: Assorted

Upholstery options: HDPE fabric

Customer review: “I love the neutral look of the sofa; it will fit perfectly in my Moroccan- themed indoor/outdoor patio. The quality is great and looks like it can last a long time.”

Kearney Upholstered Loveseat

Webster loves a curved couch, noting that the shape can make even the smallest designs seem interesting. This top-rated version is even more luxurious in a few rich velvet finishes.

Dimensions: 60.62 inches; height: 29.92 inches; depth: 30.7 inches

Colors: 7

Upholstery options: Velvet

Customer review: “Absolutely love almost everything about this sofa! Just the right color, soft fabric, and fits my space well.”

Sven Charme Sofa

While many leather sofas could easily overwhelm a tight space, this mid-century design is an exception. Between its warm caramel color and untreated leather finish, it will only look even softer, cozier, and more vintage-y over time.

Dimensions: Width: 72 inches; height: 34 inches; depth: 38 inches

Colors: Charme Tan, Charme Charcoal, Oxford Black, Oxford Blue

Upholstery options: Leather

Customer review: “I don’t even know where to start to articulate how much we love this sofa. It’s perfect. Texture, feel, quality, design, comfort. Everything is five of five.”

Aria Sofa

Take inspiration from the ’60s with this mod curved sofa. The boucle finish is actually a performance fabric, so you don’t need to be too precious with it.

Dimensions: Width: 75.2 inches; height: 30.7 inches; depth: 35.4 inches

Colors: White, Rust

Upholstery options: Velvet, bouclé

Customer review: “I love this couch! It fits in my space perfectly and I get so many compliments on it! You can fit about three people on it. Its shape and texture gives it character!”

Avalon Channeled Sofa

“I love styles with a channel tuft upholstered in a bold color,” says Webster. “Although they’re small, they hold a lot of visual weight.” Not only does this retro-leaning West Elm style come in over 100 colors, but it also has a kiln-dried wood frame for durability.

Dimensions: Width: 68.5 inches; height: 29.5 inches; depth: 40.25 inches

Colors: 100+

Upholstery options: Basketweave, velvet, linen, chenille, twill, canvas, bouclé

Burrard Seasalt Ivory Loveseat

For all your mid-century needs, you can’t skip Article. This ivory loveseat from the brand has an angular profile that won’t make your space look cluttered. Meanwhile, the deep cushions are filled with a high-resiliency foam for support.

Dimensions: 67 inches; height: 33 inches; depth: 35 inches

Colors: Seasalt Ivory, Forest Green, Seasalt Gray

Upholstery options: Polyester

Customer review: “The Burrard loveseat was a perfect match for my tight space. It is very comfortable and looks great!”

Cecelia Loveseat

Offering all the charm of a rare vintage score without the high price tag, this compact couch truly packs a punch. It comes in nine striking patterns and has turned legs made of solid pine for extra character.

Dimensions: Width: 47 inches; height: 33 inches; depth: 34 inches

Colors: 9

Upholstery options: Polyester

Customer review: “Without arms, it feels airy and adaptable, but it’s very substantial and comfortable— easily accommodating two adults and a small child or two.”

Mori Armless Sofa

If your idea of the perfect sofa involves deep, plush cushions, Castlery’s armless loveseat is the way to go. The feather-filled seats are almost 50 inches deep, with a sleek Japandi look that’ll fit in seamlessly with a minimalist space.

Dimensions: Width: 66.9 inches; height: 32.1 inches; depth: 45.7 inches

Colors: Performance Alpine

Upholstery options: Polyester blend

Customer review: “I can’t tell you enough just how much I love this couch. It’s even more comfortable and spacious than I envisioned, with cloud-like but supportive cushions that will make your cat nap turn into an all-day affair.”

Annchen Club Recliner

For days when you simply need to kick your feet up and unwind, this affordable recliner is just what the doctor ordered. Available in four colors with a water-resistant fabric, it can recline up to 150 degrees via a simple push-back system.

Dimensions: Width: 48.75 inches; height: 39 inches; depth: 34 inches

Colors: Light Gray, Dark Blue, Gray, Wheat

Upholstery options: Polyester

Customer review: “I LOVE this recliner!!! Two people can sit comfortably. I’m not a small person and my hubby is 6’4”. We fit fine on it.”

The Evergreen Loveseat

Yes, this sloped sofa is stunning, but perhaps the best part about it is that it’s made to be entirely eco-friendly. From its recycled fabric upholstery to the CertiPUR-US certified high-resiliency foam and non-toxic materials, every part of this piece was designed with the environment in mind.

Dimensions: 64 inches; height: 31 inches; depth: 36.25 inches

Colors: 13

Upholstery options: Velvet, Hemp

Customer review: “Not only does it elevate our space with its timeless beauty and plush comfort, but it also echoes our commitment to a greener world. While it doesn’t have back pillows, I find the sit a little more luxe and plush.”

Kova Sofa

If you love to host (or are simply prone to spilling), you’ll want a sofa that’s up to the challenge. This compact one comes in a range of performance materials—including a basketweave and bouclé style—that are designed to be stain-proof and hypoallergenic.

Dimensions: 85.5 inches; height: 42,5 inches; depth: 39 inches

Colors: 13

Upholstery options: Velvet, bouclé, performance, basketweave

Customer review: “I have two dogs and two cats, so pet hair is an inevitable doom in my life & of course it’s very noticeable on the dark fabric. The couch cleans up pretty well though. Oh, & the couch is COMFYYYY.”

Range 2-Piece Sofa

While we love that this pick is customizable (you can choose the seat color, leg finish, and even tack on a matching ottoman), its real draw is its built-in side table. The wooden surface is sturdy and has enough room to hold a stack of books or your work-from-home essentials.

Dimensions: 74.5 inches; height: 28 inches; depth: 31 inches

Colors: 6

Upholstery options: Woven

Customer review: “I have two dogs and two cats, so pet hair is an inevitable doom in my life & of course it’s very noticeable on the dark fabric. The couch cleans up pretty well though. Oh, & the couch is COMFYYYY.”

Coleridge Sofa

Ice blue-colored linen and stained birch wood legs combine to make one seriously elegant little couch. Inspired by 20th-century English design, this sofa even has casters, making it a cinch to move around if you like to rearrange your layout every few months.

Dimensions: 50 inches; height: 32.5 inches; depth: 36 inches

Colors: Ice Blue, Pure Navy, Natural

Upholstery options: Linen

Sink Down Lounge Chair

If you really don’t have the room for a full-on couch, consider a chair and a half—a unique seating option that’s basically a hybrid between an accent chair and a loveseat. This version from Floyd is extra deep and has memory foam pillows, so you can still stretch out comfortably.

Dimensions: Width: 51 inches; height: 32 inches; depth: 45 inches

Colors: 14

Upholstery options: Polyester, recycled polyester, recycled cotton

Elvie Chaise

For something really low profile, opt for a chaise instead of a traditional couch. This jewel-toned one is made to order—and every bit the statement piece. Place it in front of a wall (with plenty of cushions for support) for a seating option that won’t overpower the room.

Dimensions: Width: 81 inches; height: 31 inches; depth: 37 inches

Colors: 4

Upholstery options: Velvet

What to consider when shopping for a small space-friendly couch

Size. Choosing the right size couch depends on the actual dimensions of your space, but in general, we recommend selecting options no more than 90 inches wide to prevent them from looking bulky. Most of the options on our list are in the 60-inch range.

Room layout and scale. “It’s all about having the right size in a smaller room," explains Webster. “People tend to think furniture needs to be up against a wall, but in a smaller space, it’s nice to float a sofa in the room and have an interesting table or cabinet behind it. It almost creates two rooms each with an intentional purpose.”

To that end, be sure to examine the back of the sofa for interesting curves or features (like a woven backing or wooden slats) that allow it to stand alone. Additionally, consider the height of the sofa to ensure something like a console table would fit behind it.

Price. Since a sofa will be one of the more visible furniture items in a studio or multipurpose living area, Webster recommends making it your investment piece, if you can swing it. “For smaller spaces, it’s sometimes worth the splurge to go custom and get one that will make the space functional,” she says. Or, try your luck at an estate sale—Webster says you can always get a cheaper piece reupholstered to make it look more expensive.

Meet the Expert

• Deidre Webster is the principal and lead interior designer of Minneapolis-based firm Studio Day.

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