A "Davenport" Can Be Either a Sofa or a Desk (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a davenport and a sofa? ›

In some parts of the U.S., a davenport is an especially fancy sofa, while in others it's one that can be converted into a bed. The name comes from a 19th century Massachusetts furniture maker, A.H. Davenport and Company.

The term "davenport" for a large upholstered sofa began around 1900 when the Cambridge, Massachusetts, furniture manufacturer A.H. Davenport Co. created an iconic boxy sofa. The term can also mean a sleeper sofa.

Most commonly in America, the word “davenport” refers to a large, boxy couch, or can refer to any piece of upholstered furniture that is large enough to comfortably lie on. Though in Britain and antique stores that specialize in Victorian furniture, a Davenport is a style of writing desk.

"Davenport was the name of a series of sofas made by the Massachusetts furniture manufacturer A. H. Davenport and Company, now defunct. Due to the popularity of the furniture at the time, the name davenport became a genericized trademark, like aspirin." from Davenport (sofa).

The term "couch," believed to be derived from the French word "couche," is used to describe "a piece of furniture with no arms used for lying." On the other hand, Merriam-Webster defines a "sofa" as "a long, upholstered seat usually with arms and a back, and often convertible into a bed."

The word “couch” comes from French word “coucher” and once meant a low, bed-like piece of furniture that did not have arms. And the word “sofa,” which comes from Arabic, was something more like a bench with arms and a back. Today, the American public uses either word, whether or not the piece of furniture has arms.

a large couch or sofa, sometimes convertible into a bed.

Couch is predominantly used in North America, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland, whereas the terms sofa and settee (U and non-U) are most commonly used in the United Kingdom and India. The word couch originated in Middle English from the Old French noun couche, which derived from the verb meaning "to lie down".

Couch in particular shows a high concentration in the North West, where it is used by 32% of our respondents, as well as in Scotland (42%). Furniture (N: 6306) couch (17.05%) settee (24.58%) sofa (58.37%)

The main feature of the Ghost sofas is the removable cover, an oversize housse whose shape is underlined by the visible stitching, allowing it to be put on and taken off in a flash.

What is a fancy name for a couch? ›

studio couch. tête-à-tête. lounger. sofa bed. banquette.

It was called a 'sopha' for a long time still, but the word 'sofa' was settled upon when a dedicated item of furniture came to wealthy homes in England via France in the 17h century.

In the Tug Hill and Adirondack regions in New York, a davenport may refer especially to a couch which, like a modern futon lounge, converts on pivoting hinges from a sofa to a bed. In other areas of North America, the word davenport is used for a futon-style sofa with storage under the seat area.

In Canada, a chesterfield is a couch or sofa; that is, a large, cushioned seat that can fit more than one person. Note that if the couch can seat exactly two people, that type of couch is typically referred to as a loveseat.

Davenport is the economic engine of the larger Quad Cities metro area that is home to several successful Fortune 500 companies including Kraft Heinz, Sterilite Corporation, Nestle Purina, Sears Manufacturing, and John Deere.

A one-person couch is typically called an armchair.

Couch is predominantly used in North America, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland, whereas the terms sofa and settee (U and non-U) are most commonly used in the United Kingdom and India. The word couch originated in Middle English from the Old French noun couche, which derived from the verb meaning "to lie down".

The only technical difference between a sofa and a loveseat is the size. A 2-seater sofa and a loveseat are both designed for two people but are proportioned slightly differently.