Sofa Secrets: How to Choose the Right Arm Style
Discover which sofa arm shape and height will best fit your room style and seating needs
Laura Oglethorpe
November 10, 2016
Houzz Contributor
When you’re shopping for a sofa, one of the main decisions you need to make is the kind of arm style you want. That’s because the shape and height of the arms have a major impact on overall style and comfort. Here are questions and answers to consider when searching for the right arm shape and height for your lifestyle.
Do You Lean on Your Sofa Arm?
Before you start thinking about which style of arm you should get, think about how you plan to use your sofa. Will you want to lean against the arm or lie with your back supported by it? If the answer is yes, consider choosing a sofa with a taller arm, which will provide more support.
Before you start thinking about which style of arm you should get, think about how you plan to use your sofa. Will you want to lean against the arm or lie with your back supported by it? If the answer is yes, consider choosing a sofa with a taller arm, which will provide more support.
Which Arm Height Should You Get?
When talking about arm height, the important measurement is “inside arm height.” This is the distance from the top of the seat cushion to the top of the arm. The larger this number is, the more support the arm will provide.
When talking about arm height, the important measurement is “inside arm height.” This is the distance from the top of the seat cushion to the top of the arm. The larger this number is, the more support the arm will provide.
Lower arm heights (6 inches or shorter) are less ideal for leaning against. These lower arms are great if your sofa is going to be in a more formal place where there’s not much lounging going on or if you tend to sit upright on your sofa.
That said, you can’t help what you fall in love with. Don’t stress if you find an amazing sofa with a lower arm style. A strategically placed pillow can help make up for a shorter arm. In fact, you can put a pillow that’s up to 12 inches taller than the top of the arm and feel supported when you lean on it.
A medium arm height is anything between 7 and 9 inches. It provides enough support for leaning your body against and is often the ideal height for resting your head on, especially if it’s a rounded arm.
An inside arm height that’s especially high, anything 9 inches or taller, will provide greater back support. These sofa arms provide a cozy corner to curl up in and are especially nice if you like to sit up straight while putting your feet up on the sofa.
Arm height and room design. Comfort isn’t the only factor to consider when deciding on an arm height. You also need to consider the design of the room. Lower arms work well in small spaces or if you’re worried that taller arms will block the view of a window or other feature.
Taller-armed sofas work well in big rooms with high ceilings.Taller arms also contribute to a more formal look.
Which Arm Style Is Right for You?
Besides the height of a sofa arm, the arm’s style will also make the piece appear more formal or casual. There are three main types of arm styles you’ll come across when searching for a sofa: English roll arm, rolled arm and track arm.
Besides the height of a sofa arm, the arm’s style will also make the piece appear more formal or casual. There are three main types of arm styles you’ll come across when searching for a sofa: English roll arm, rolled arm and track arm.
English roll arm. The English roll arm is low and set back with a slight roll. It’s by far the most traditional style arm and will dress up a space. Worried about these sofa arms looking too traditional? Update the style by using tapered legs.
While English arms lend an air of formality to a sofa, especially when they’re paired with a skirt, they can be just as at home in a cottage or beach house. Since this style arm is generally on the low side, it’s not the most supportive.
Rolled arm. The rolled arm is also a traditional shape, but it’s more casual than the English roll arm. When paired with a slipcover, rolled arms create an even more casual vibe. They can help make a transitional space feel comfortable and relaxed.
If you want to dress up a rolled arm sofa and make it more formal, choose a fancier fabric like a velvet or add a nailhead trim. Rolled arms are a good bet if you want a comfortable spot to lean, because they’re usually fairly tall and their rounded shape is comfortable even without a pillow.
Track arm. Track arms are straight, without a roll, meaning they’re extremely versatile. They can work in a modern space, a traditional space and anything in between.
Track arms can come in different heights and a variety of widths. When placed in a room with traditional elements, like a wingback chair or classic art, a track arm sofa can work to modernize the space.
If you have a modern space already and want to keep everything streamlined, track arms are usually your best bet.
Feel Free to Mix Styles
There’s one last important thing to remember about arm styles: They don’t have to match from piece to piece. Feel free to mix a traditional English rolled arm sofa with a more modern track arm chair in the same room. This will create a transitional space with a collected-over-time look.
More
Sofa Secrets: How to Choose the Right Sofa Back
Forever Furniture: A Buyer’s Guide to the Sofa
There’s one last important thing to remember about arm styles: They don’t have to match from piece to piece. Feel free to mix a traditional English rolled arm sofa with a more modern track arm chair in the same room. This will create a transitional space with a collected-over-time look.
More
Sofa Secrets: How to Choose the Right Sofa Back
Forever Furniture: A Buyer’s Guide to the Sofa
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For lying down and watching TV: a low, pillow-covered arm. "Pillow-covered" is the actual name of a style of couch arm. Some look horrible, but some can look really nice.
Thanks for sharing. The descriptions for different arms look useful.