Some styles of sofa arms get their name based on their appearance like the scroll arm which is shaped like a paper scroll. Other couch arms are named for the designer or an esteemed buyer like the Chesterfield or roll arm which was allegedly purchased by an English Earl of Chesterfield named Philip Stanhope for his country home.
There are 12 main styles of sofa arms and 8 popular styles you'll see in furniture stores. From there you'll find hundreds of variations as furniture designers and custom woodworkers are always creating new pieces to match consumer demand and trends.
For example the scroll arm has the standard parallel and symmetric style we’re used to seeing that has a balanced look. If we go back in time a bit or you go to a museum with a furniture exhibit you'll see pieces with asymmetric scroll arms from when the Rococo Style was popular in the mid 18th century.
The 8 styles of couch arms you’re likely to see when shopping for furniture include:
- The Cabriole or Curved Arm
- The Scroll Arm
- The Tuxedo Arm
- Pleated Arms
- The Roll Arm aka the Chesterfield arm or the English Rolled Arm
- The Lawson or Low Arm
- The Shelter Curved Arm
- The Charles of London Arm
If you’re curious about the history of these 8 style of couch arms, the rooms they match, and their uses, here’s some more details on each with fun facts. At the end of the post you'll find an infographic with each of the styles so you can see what they look like.
The Cabriole/Curved Arm
The cabriole curved arm style originates from the Sheraton style, and is designed to flow from the back of the sofa to the sides and front creating a sloped S-shape with exposed wooden arms. The arms typically have some tufting/cushioning on the inside.
A sofa with cabriole arms is designed for elegance which makes this style of couch arm ideal for formal sitting rooms and intimate conversations. If you plan on sitting longer and need something more comfortable, but equally elegant, an open scrolled arm with gilt detailing may be a better fit.
Covered scroll arms (meaning there is fabric and padding vs. open wood) have more padding than a cabriole making them more comfortable for long periods when you rest your arms or back on them.
Fun fact: The name cabriole comes from the French expression “to jump like a goat,” which is meant as a compliment for its graceful curves.
The Scroll Arm
The scroll arm is named for its appearance, a downward curving spiral that looks similar to a rolled-up piece of paper or an outward spiraling half-moon. The top forms an offset cylinder that appears to roll over itself like a scroll (or a cinnamon roll). The style can be open or exposed meaning made from wood or a gilt frame, or fully upholstered making it visually and physically softer.
A scroll arm can extend from the back of the sofa, creating a more formal look, or be lowered to arm height when sitting for a more relaxed setting. Both versions are normally paired with a well-cushioned seating area and sides making the scroll arm ideal for versatile spaces like the living room, den, or library where you spend time deep in conversation, napping, or enjoying a book in comfort.
Fun fact: The scroll style can be found in European furniture from the Renaissance onward and is considered a classically inspired style that was influenced by the classical columns of Greece and Rome.
The Tuxedo
The tuxedo sofa arm gets its name as it looks reminiscent of a starched suit's collar with its clean, geometric design. The couch features squared arms that extend from the back of the couch and out toward the front forming a box shape with three sides. This sofa arm uses minimal upholstery to help ensure an upright sitting position. This sets the tone for a formal sitting room.
Tuxedo sofas originated from a time in the arts known as the Art Deco period (1920s-1930s). This style period focused on using shapes (like the squares in the tuxedo arm), symmetry, and color as a form of expression. This is why a tuxedo sofa often comes in a variety of colors, ranging from pastel to jewel tones.
Due to the tuxedo sofa arm creating a box-y geometric look with clean lines, it’s great for homes with modern, minimalist, and art deco design aesthetics and clean lines. The tuxedo couch’s basic shape allows the arms to be flat enough to rest a drink or plate on top of without the need for extra furniture, when the arms and back are wider.
Pleated arms
The pleated arm is defined by a series of vertical pleats in the fabric to create an elegant look that adds texture to your sofa’s arms, making it an artistic centerpiece of the room. This arm style is primarily focused on the upholstery of the sofa arm and is usually combined with a roll arm. The roll arm’s rounded shape creates a naturally easy surface for pleating!
This type of arm creates an organic look through the manual manipulation of fabrics, creating a pattern that can fit into a bohemian-style living room through the textures and shapes of the pleats which aligns with the relaxed and free-spirited boho-style. If you love the extra layers of fabric and pattern, pleated arm couches can be reupholstered to add a pleated drape over the lower exposed opening on the bottom front of the couch.
Roll Arm/Chesterfield/English Roll Arm
The roll arm sofa style, also known as the Chesterfield or English rolled arm, is typically overstuffed for comfort with the arm curving outwards in a half-moon shape, and is roughly the same height as the back of the couch. The sofa arm style gained popularity after the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Stanhope, ordered it for his home in the 1700s, which gave way to the Chesterfield style of decor.
Typically, a Chesterfield rolled arm is upholstered in leather or velvet and appears to be the same height as the back of the sofa. If the roll arm is a chesterfield, the leather makes it an excellent option for a man cave or a den, thanks to its masculine look.
Separate from the Earl’s commission, the roll arm is a staple feature of the Chippendale sofa style, which originated during the Georgian period in England (named after a series of Kings named George). If the arm is not a chesterfield, it will likely be the same height as the back of the sofa or lower.
Chesterfield arm sofas are perfect for spaces where you relax or lounge as they’re filled with stuffing or padding. This makes them perfect for dens, clubs and lounges, as well as hotel and ski lodge lobbies. Chesterfields are made for comfort, so loading them up with pillows and throws works perfect for a maximalist or boho home aesthetic.
The Lawson/Low Arm
The Lawson style was created for comfort and features arms that are lower than the back of the couch and that are stuffed for comfort in either a squared or rolled style. The distinction from the roll arm/chesterfield is that the Lawson roll arm is lower than the back of the sofa, instead of being a continuous line.
This sofa style is designed for lounging and relaxation, making it perfect for living rooms where family and friends gather to spend quality time together (or take a nap). If you have a habit of leaning on your elbows while reading on the couch, watching TV, or scrolling on your phone, this arm style offers the cushion needed to help prevent feeling sore later.
Fun fact: The Lawson is named after the man who commissioned the first of its style, Thomas W. Lawson, a wealthy business tycoon.
Shelter Curved Arm
The shelter arm features a high padded arm that curves inward from the back of the sofa. This style is designed to be cozy by creating a cocoon-like atmosphere. The shelter style can be combined with other arm styles, like the tuxedo, to create a more geometric look. The key is that the shelter style implies a well-cushioned arm that connects to the back of the sofa!
If you prefer to lean on pillows rather than the arm of the sofa, this couch arm style is perfect for your living or sitting room. Shelter curves are also ideal if you like to relax with your feet up on the couch and rarely use the armrests. The tall sides will support the pillows, and because the arm is fully upholstered and cushioned, there are no hard edges so it allows the person resting to fully sink in.
Charles of London/Saddle Arm
The Charles of London or saddle sofa arm is low, plush, rounded, and does not extend all the way to the front of the sofa cushion. This sofa arm typically angles out from the sofa, resembling little wings. The saddle arm creates a more organic shape compared to the geometry of some other styles, like the Tudexo.
This sofa arm style is ideal for spaces that require a minimalist look without compromising comfort. These arms normally contain enough plush filling to serve as a pillow for an afternoon nap in your living room or a game room. It can also be relaxed or enhanced with pleats and detailing to create an elegant yet comfortable space making it perfect for sitting rooms, waiting rooms at banquet halls or wedding venues, and anywhere else you need to match comfort with elegance.
There’s no shortage of couch styles, but there are 8 popular arm types that stand the test of time. Now you know the differences between them and how they’ve developed variations from the renaissance to modern day couch designs.
