19 June, 2021

One, Two, or Three Cushion Sofa, Which is Perfect for My Family? – According to LiLu Interiors

In a conversation with a client this week, I realized that the question of which sofa style is best - one, two, or three cushion - rarely comes to the average person's mind.
However insignificant it may seem, deciding how many cushions your sofa includes actually has an impact on the ease of maintenance, uses, and style of room it's in.
So, this week we're breaking down the most important factors to consider when you're trying to decide whether to go for the one, two, or three cushion sofa, to make certain you pick the best sofa for you family.

Bench Seat or One-Cushion Sofa

Ease of Maintenence: The bench seat (or one-cushion sofa) can be relatively easy to maintain for a few key reasons. For one thing, this style of sofa is easy to vacuum since there are fewer cracks and crevices in the sofa. For this same reason, if people are eating on your sofa, there is a much lower number of places for crumbs to possibly get lost in. Also, you can easily turn these cushions to get even wear.
It is also important to consider that the bench seat must be turned regularly. If it isn't, the seams will become out of line with the cushion filling. If the cushion is made with down, it might be quicker to form a depression than a two or three cushion sofa would be.
Best uses: The bench seat is great for naps since it has no separate cushions. It can easily double as a day bed if need be. It is good for entertaining, because it doesn't define a sitting area for each individual person, encouraging a flow of both movement and conversation in the room.
Style: A one-cushion sofa can fit so many different styles. It's pared-back and simple, which creates a tailored look that can easily fit both traditional and modern spaces. In addition, this style of sofa can create the visual image of a larger sofa because there is only one seat!
A. Rudin #2719 is a great example of a bench seat sofa, and here's the sofa in a room designed by Lilu.

Two Cushions

Ease of Maintenance: With a two-cushion sofa, you can easily flip the cushions, because they often mirror each other. This way, it's easy to keep up on an even wear.
Although, because there are two cushions instead of one, the cracks in which crumbs can so easily fall are added to the equation. In my home, the tiny remote that comes with an Apple TV box gets so easily stuck (and lost) between our two cushions.
Best Uses: The two-cushion sofa is great for entertaining, especially if you mainly are inviting adult guests into your home. This sofa is great because even if there are fewer or more cushions, people are generally inclined to sit two to a sofa, so a two-cushion sofa provides the perfect space for two people, giving them a sense that they each have their own space. This type of sofa is good for entertaining smaller groups.
Style: A two-cushion sofa definitely has more of a traditional feel. This sofa is best suited for traditional or transitional spaces, not so much modern ones.
In this beautiful room, we used an A. Rudin #2612, a lovely two-cushion sofa.

Three-Cushion Sofa

Ease of Maintenance: As mentioned, the more cushions in a sofa, the more cracks and crevices a sofa will have, leading to potential build-up of dust, crumbs, and easy to lose items! Also, all three cushions are rarely the same size in a sofa with three cushions, making them harder to rotate and get even wear.
Uses: If you love to entertain larger groups of people, or have young children around the house often, a three-cushion sofa is a great option. These sofas are great for both book clubs and family room TV watching because many people can share while still maintaining their own individual space.
Style: Three cushions make a sofa look a bit smaller. If you don't want your furnishings to be overpowering in the room, a three-cushion sofa may fit perfectly. These sofas look best in traditional-style spaces.
Here is A. Rudin #2858, and a room we used it in!
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Comments on One, Two, or Three Cushion Sofa, Which is Perfect for My Family? – According to LiLu Interiors
  1. Suzi Rugg says:

    Love this guide, this is so informative. I think depending on size, I prefer a 2 cushion sofa since usually 2 people will sit most comfortably. But a sectional I think I prefer 3 since it’s where you can flop!

  2. Heather says:

    What a great explanation of cushion options! Super helpful for clients to understand the differences!

  3. Anne DeCocco says:

    What great information to help readers decide! The 2-cushion sofa always gets my vote.

  4. Amie Druehl says:

    Very helpful guide! I really should just move to a one cushion option because I rarely take the time to rotate my cushions…ha!

  5. LINDA MERRILL says:

    Great tips and explanation of the pros and cons of the various cushions – particularly thinking about how individual cushion and restrain socializing by keeping people in boxes.

  6. Janet Lorusso says:

    This is a great guide, Lisa! And you are right, generally people don’t even think about this or know that they have options. I have 2 cushion sofas and they work really well for us.

  7. Mary Ann Benoit says:

    What a great guide, I had not thought about this before. So interesting that a 3 cushion sofa looks smaller!

  8. Samantha Regan says:

    Great points! Especially about the 3 cushion sofas for entertaining and with kids – makes so much sense!

  9. Sheri Bruneau says:

    What a great topic to write about! We have a bench sectional in our main TV area and you are so right about having to rotate the cushions! It’s very clear where the Mister sits!

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