12 Best Small Sofas for Cozy Living Spaces in 2023
Our top couches for small spaces picks for those who are short on square footage, but not on style. Check out our favorite small sofas of 2023, reviewed by expert contributors with advice from professional interior designers.
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If you’re shopping for a sofa for your small apartment or living space, you might feel like you’re stuck shopping in the kids’ section. But there’s an incredible range of small space-friendly sofas that pack a punch with modern lines, stylish upholstery, modular versatility, and eye-catching design.
Some of these small couches feature deep seats and enough room for overnight guests, while the tiniest of these loveseat sofas are the perfect pick for studio apartments, home offices, or entryways.
From chaise lounges to reversible sectionals, loveseats, futon sofa beds, and beyond, we’ve rounded up the 12 best couches and sofas for small spaces in 2023.
Brand: Burrow Price: $935 + free shipping Dimensions: 60.5" L x 31" D x 28" H
“Burrow is one of my go-to brands when designing for small spaces, especially their Range sofa. The modular options make it simple to configure something that fits like it was made for each space,” says Castro.
We love the minimalist, clean-lined 2-Piece One Arm sofa for a small space and for its flexibility. If you have a bit more room (or you move in the future!), you can add on additional pieces thanks to Range’s Universal Modular Design feature. Burrow’s modular collections feature convertible sofas with loungers, accent chairs, reversible chaises, ottomans, and several other pieces to create the perfect seating arrangement for your space.
Even with the two-seater sofa, you can arrange the two pieces in multiple ways. That versatility is key in a small living room, particularly if you need to use your living space for multiple uses, like a guest room or office.
Available in four stain-resistant, easy-cleaning microfiber fabric options and three leg colors, this sofa is customizable to your exact preferences. It also offers a supportive, firm seat and back cushions, which will stand up to heavy use.
Brand: BenchMade Modern Price: $3,693 Dimensions: 80” or 85” L x 37” D x 23” H
With two available options for width, 80” or 85”, the Tyler Sofa from BenchMade is a clean-lined small space sofa that’s perfect for lounging and lazy weekend days. With a low profile silhouette and a chaise-inspired, button-tufted back, it adds a touch of sleek sophistication to any room.
“The BenchMade Modern Tyler sofa with bumper is a top pick for a smaller space. It’s a unique piece of furniture, and the eye-catching exposed legs give a feeling of lightness to a smaller space. Plus, the bumper on the side of your choosing helps to make the room look more open,” says Megan Torres.
The medium firm sofa has a high-density foam tight back and comes in fabric or leather upholstery with exposed wood legs. There’s a lifetime warranty, so you can feel confident knowing this one’s built to last.
Brand: Allform Price: $1,681 Dimensions: 63” L x 38” D x 34” H
Allform comes from the team at Helix Sleep, so you know they know comfort. And, even better, they also understand convenience. Their products are fast to ship and easy to put together. Famously, they require no tools for assembly.
While Allform is known for their variety of customizable modular sofas, the Allform Loveseat is a simple, angular style that works with everything from mid-century modern to classic decor. With a pine wood frame and fiber high-grade poly memory foam cushions in a selection of nine performance fabric colors or top-grain protected leather options, these USA-made sofas are an awesome option for those who want a small space option that doesn’t sacrifice quality.
Brand: Castelry Price: $1,119 Dimensions: 72” L x 35.4” W x 33.1” H
If you love the details, then the Castlery Adams Loveseat could be for you. This cozy and compact sofa comes in four crowd-pleasing fabrics, but the real star is the sleek, luxe color options available for the legs. You can choose from black, brass, or silver to complement your Pearl Beige, Dove Grey, Jet Black Velvet, or Indigo Blue fabric preference.
And, with a silhouette that is both tailored and relaxed at the same time, as well as comfortable, curl-up-with-them side pillows, the Adams Loveseat is a small space sofa that can grow with you. With a deep seat and removable cushions, this is one compact loveseat your overnight guests can crash on.
Castro notes, “Castlery’s sofas are also pretty compact in size, yet have a standard look to them. The Adams Sofa comes in a few neutral fabrics and has a super streamlined look!”
Brand: Floyd Price: Starting at $1,180 Dimensions: 60” L x 31” D x 32” H
Not only are Floyd sofas made with sustainable materials, they’re also some of the most unique designs we’ve seen on the market — and they come in a petite 60” width, perfect for studio apartments. A black powder-coated steel frame supports a solid wood base, available in birch walnut, or upholstered, and stain-resistant fabric on the cushions comes in a choice of six different colors. The result is a comfortable, lounge-worthy sofa that offers strong, built-for-a-lifetime support.
The Floyd Sofa is made to stand up to pets and kids, plus it’s easy to assemble yourself, even if you don’t know your way around a toolbox. Knowing many of their customers don’t stay in one place, this sofa is also designed to move with you. It won’t fall apart between apartment A and apartment B. This is one you’ll have for years to come.
Brand: Apt2B Price: $2,028 Dimensions: 68" L x 39" D x 34" H
The Melrose Loveseat has a commanding presence with low profile square arms that give you a place to set a book or, if you’re daring, perhaps you’ll perch a cup of tea on the wide armrests!
It takes up only 68” across, but its personality is so much more bold. With exposed block legs that come in three options and over 57 choices for fabric colors, you have the ability to customize everything from a Peacock Velvet sofa with Espresso legs to a Green Apple tweed with Pecan legs. The possibilities are practically endless with the Melrose Loveseat.
There are no tools required to put this simple, made-in-the-USA sofa together, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee, which makes it ideal for nomads and apartment dwellers.
Brand: Albany Park Price: $1,799 Dimensions: 82" L x 35" H x 35" D
Available in eight color options, including Distressed Vegan faux Leather, Blue Velvet, and Boucle, as well as two leg options, black or gold, the sophisticated Park Sofa is a refined option for someone who’s looking for a timeless sofa that feels light and modern in a small space.
"One issue with traditional sofas is they are huge, unwieldy, and difficult to get in and out of spaces," explains Albany Park co-founder Darryl Sharpton. The Park Sofa, on the other hand, is sturdy and supportive, but, because of its exposed legs, low profile arms, and sleek silhouette, it doesn’t add to the visual weight of the room.
With mid-century styling and a luxe feel, this sofa looks like an investment piece, and the 82” L will work in many small spaces, but also won’t feel too tiny if you do find yourself moving to a larger home.
Brand: Sabai Price: $1,095 Dimensions: 62” L x 34” D x 32” H
"Requests for a loveseat were coming in from the start. In our customer surveys, it was our most requested item," says Phantila Phataraprasit, co-founder of Sabai, a New York-based BIPOC, women-founded furniture brand.
So Sabai created the Essential Loveseat, a small space-ready sofa with an FSC-certified wood frame, wooden legs made from domestically-sourced maple, metal legs made from non-toxic machined solid aluminum, and cushions made with CertiPUR-US certified high resiliency foam. Plus, all of their fabric options, including recycled velvet and upcycled poly, are sustainably crafted. At 62” wide this apartment-size sofa is ready for the tiniest of studio apartments and the most sustainably-minded of small space dwellers.
Brand: Article Price: $1,099 Dimensions: 34"H x 72"W x 38"D
If you’ve ever been on Instagram, you know the Sven Sofa, particularly that gorgeous leather loveseat version, even if you don’t yet know its name. The Sven Sofa is one of Article’s most popular styles, and it’s available in a smaller, apartment-ready size with 2.5 or three seats, with a sturdy corner-blocked wood frame, high-density foam with polyester filling, and loose seat and back cushions for ready-to-relax comfort.
Available in leather, velvet, and fabric options, this retro style feels like something out of a mid-century movie, with its stark lines, bolster pillows, and iconic tufting on the seat. All you need is a record player and a funky 1960s lamp to complete the look.
Brand: AllModern Price: $940 Dimensions: 55.91'' W x 34.65'' D x 31.88'' H
The most petite sofa of the bunch, the AllModern Miller Upholstered Loveseat clocks in at just under 56” wide. With recessed arms and tailored cushions, it has an elegant, Scandinavian-insipred design that won’t overwhelm a small space or studio apartment.
The seat cushions are both stain resistant and removable for easy cleaning, making this the perfect loveseat for homes where your sofa is your home base for everything from eating to lounging to working from home. It has a solid wood frame and is available in four colors, including Light Gray, Dark Gray, Venga Blue, and Cream.
Brand: Rove Concepts Price: $2,249 Dimensions: 82” L x 37” D x 34.3” H
Forget the basic sofa beds and futons of your college days. The Bristol Sleeper Futon has a sculptural, sumptuous look, with sloping, geometric armrests and a bench cushion for a high-style home decor look. Available in four velvet and felt fabric options and brass metal or brushed steel legs, this versatile pull-out bed gives you the option to create a guest bedroom anywhere.
“I love the Bristol Sleeper Futon from Rove Concepts. By day it functions as a comfortable sofa and at night you can easily convert it into a double bed. It also comes in lots of different fabric and finish options,” says Simpson.
Brand: West Elm Price: $1,699 - $2,799 Dimensions: 68" L x 36.6" D x 32.7” H
Your coastal grandmother dreams can come true with West Elm’s Hargrove Sofa, a simple, elegant sofa with a solid, kiln-dried pine frame and ash wood base and legs in a light Dune finish. Available in dozens of fabric choices, including cozy chenille and breezy linen, this small space sofa is relaxed yet tailored, modern yet classic. It even includes two throw pillows for those Sunday afternoon naps.
It also comes in two additional sizes, if you happen to have a little more room in your home. Simpson says, “West Elm’s Hargrove Sofa is another favorite. It comes in three different sizes, the smallest being 68” wide, so you have some flexibility in choosing the best size for your space. I love the simple, clean lines, and the exposed wood base which adds a beautiful warmth to the design.”
Measurements can be deceiving and for anyone who’s ever called a sofa repairman, you know that there’s an entire business model relying on your inability to know whether an apartment sofa will fit through your front door. That’s why McDonald says, “When designing for my clients with smaller spaces, the first thing that I do is ensure the sofa can fit through hallways and then into the room. I want to ensure that whichever sofa I select will fit through the entry doors, hallways, elevator, and stairwells.”
Particularly in city apartments or older homes, this can be a struggle. McDonald adds, “It's something my clients don't often think of, but I have seen too many homes where people are struggling to get the oversized sectional into an elevator or up a narrow staircase — this happened to my neighbors this week!”
Budget
Sofas are one of the biggest living room furniture purchases you will make and, if you’re in a small space now, but don’t plan on being in one forever, it can be painful to sink major dollars into a tiny sofa. There are two ways to accommodate this dilemma. The first is to buy a modular sofa that you can add onto later.
The second is a bit more straightforward. “I ask my clients if they will be residing in that smaller space for five years or more. If so, they can go with a more high-quality sofa. If it's less than five years. I tend to suggest budget-friendly sofas as the clients may possibly be living in a larger space that will require larger furniture in the future,” says McDonald.
Sofa Dimensions
The #1 tip when choosing a small sofa or small sectional sofa is to choose the right size. You want to maximize your space and seating, but you want a room with a sofa, not a room that is a sofa. “When it comes to the size of your sofa, the right size sofa should anchor the room, not consume it. To keep your sofa proportional to the room, the length of your sofa should not be more than 2/3rd the size of your space. For example, if your room length is 120” long, then you want to keep your sofa at around 80”,” says Patrician. Also be aware that if you’re opting for a reclining sofa, you need to account for the space it’ll take up when fully reclined.
Choosing the right sofa size could also mean making the most of your square footage by opting for a proportional sofa, but pairing it with complementary furniture. “Make sure the sofa fits proportionally within the space. Many people make the mistake of picking the largest possible piece of furniture to seat more, but this can look clunky and too oversized. A smaller sofa paired with a chair or two can accomplish the same thing but look better in a small room,” explains Megan Torres.
But don’t think that more is more, or you could end up with a cluttered space that feels even smaller. Castro recommends, “To avoid making the space feel crowded, don’t try and bring in multiple pieces of smaller scale furniture. Instead, opt for a standard size sofa and fill in any other corner with a minimal chair. This will allow you to maximize seating in your room, without making the space feel tight with lots of pieces.”
Sofa Style
With size and budget nailed down, now comes the fun part. Styles for small sofas, small sectionals, chaises, settees, and more are limitless, but not every style is going to work in every room. Some looks are better reserved for large, grand spaces, while others let a small space show off and appear bigger than it actually is. You can have a ball with color options, fabrics, and upholstery, but Joyner recommends, “When choosing a sofa for a small space, keep your lines clean. Forget the rolled arms and high back, go for a sofa that is super tailored.”
Speaking of rolled arms, another reason, beyond aesthetics, to leave those in larger rooms is the amount of square footage they take up. “While most of us can determine the correct size of couch needed, it is important to note that many sofas have large, rolled arms. These arms can take up to 12 inches in space of which could be otherwise used for an end table. As a result, selecting a slim armed sofa provides more seating space,” says McDonald. If it’s not adding to the comfort, let it go.
A light and airy look with clean lines will take up less visual space in a room, which is exactly why so many small space sofas have a mid-century inspired look. Megan Torres says, “One tip is to pick a sofa that sits up higher on thin legs. Visually, this will make the room look larger and the sofa will look lighter. Or, look for a sofa with a bumper on one end, rather than an arm, as this helps to open up the room.”
There are also options that allow you to look beyond the standard sofa, and some of these options can give you a charming, vintage look, or a clean-lined, modern sofa style. “Apart from size, you might want to consider functionality. If you’re limited on space maybe you want a sofa that can also double as a guest bed. In this case, look for a sofa where the back lays flat, similar to a futon style or a sofa that has a pull out mattress,” explains Simpson.
Additionally, “Try choosing a fabric color that blends in with the walls so it doesn’t feel like it’s taking up a huge chunk of the room. If your walls are white or simply a light color, opt for a lighter color sofa so it visually feels like it's blending in with the rest of the space,” says Castro. Add in color and pattern through throw pillows, blankets, art, and more. Let your sofa serve as the backdrop and the foundation of the room.
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Small Space Sofa FAQs
Which type of sofa is best for a small living room?
With a small living space, versatility is key. Your living room sofa may need to serve as a workplace during the day, lounging spot in the evening, and a guest bedroom on the weekends. “The best type of sofa is one that is multi-purpose such as a sofa that converts to a bed at night,” explains Simpson. Consider a futon, sleeper sofa, or at a stretch a sleeper sectional for your small living room.
Can a corner sofa work in a small living room?
There’s no one straight answer! Castro says, “There are many modular corner sofa options out there. Corner sofas maximize seating and look visually appealing in rooms that have a lot of wall space.” A corner sofa can help open up your room and give you more floor space, while also maximizing spaces to lounge and making it more comfortable for a group to sit down.
However, Simpson offers a differing opinion. “It really depends on the size and configuration of your space. Sometimes a corner or “L-shaped” sofa can feel constricting in a small space if there are arms on each end. In some cases it’s better to go with a chaise style sofa that feels a bit more open and airy,” says Simpson.
Heather Bien is a Washington, DC-based writer whose work appears on Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, Martha Stewart Weddings, mindbodygreen, and more. She previously worked in interior design and still can't resist redecorating every chance she gets.
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