Traditional Sofa Styles

Camelback

• This style of sofa is very formal and is characterized by an upward curve on the back of the sofa. Adding to its formal look, the arms and back of the sofa are very straight and it features one long seat cushion. According to Ava Living blogger Les Bernabi, the style originated in London with Thomas Chippendale, a furniture maker. The camelback sofa is often referred to as a Chippendale sofa, after Thomas Chippendale, although a Chippendale has visible wood stretchers underneath the seat.

English and Bridgewater

• Both the English and Bridgewater styles are traditional and the most commonly seen sofa styles. More casual than the camelback, they have arms that are rolled and lower than the slightly reclined back of the sofa. While the English style has a rolled back and exposed casters, the Bridgewater style has a high back and is usually skirted, according to Ava Living blogger Les Bernabi. Both the English and Bridgewater styles are very popular because they are comfortable and can go with most interiors.

Chesterfield

• Chesterfield sofas originated in England around the mid-18th century and continued to evolve into today's style into the mid-19th century, according to Unsolved Mystery: The Obscure Origins of the Chesterfield by Apartment Therapy. Characterized by large rolled arms that are the same height as the back of this deep sofa, Chesterfields usually have tufting with deep buttons and are made of leather. This sofa has no removable seat cushions and is sometimes trimmed in nailheads for decoration. The distinctive look of a Chesterfield sofa gives a cozy, masculine and traditional feel to any room.

Tuxedo

• The tuxedo-style sofa can be identified by its straight back and arms that are the same height. This style has one long seat cushion and usually one to three cushions along the back of the sofa. Tuxedo sofas can also have a back and arms that are slightly curved. Named after the popular New York resort, Tuxedo Park, during the early part of the 20th century, this style is more linear than the other traditional sofa styles.