15 Sofa Arm Styles (Design Guide)

Sofas are something that most people keep in their living rooms. It offers a comfortable place to sit and offers plenty of seating for multiple occupants.

There are plenty of different sofa types, though, and you need to consider these different armrest options carefully to find a choice that suits your personal style.

Types of Sofa Arms

Panel

When you look at a sofa from a front view, sometimes you’ll notice that the arm has a smaller, similar design in the center. This is what is often referred to as a panel. These open up the opportunity for additional embellishment around the panel.

Ruched

Ruched sofa arms are a type of rolled sofa armrest with the design itself coming up and rolling over while the ruched style is in the fabric fold itself.

Ruched patterns create almost ruffles in the arm. These can be fairly uniform or rather uneven depending on the design.

Sock

Rolled couch arms have plenty of different style options. You can purchase them with pleats, ruches, panels, and more.

However, you don’t have to choose extra details. If you want a simple rolled armrest with no extra folds or features, opt for a simple sock arm style.

Pleated

Pleated arms are another type of rolled sofa armrest. As such, the design comes up and rolls out. The pleated definition refers to the design of the fold of the fabric as it does so. When you look at the front of the sofa, the arms have folds or pleats.

Pad

Essentially, a pad arm is a doubled version of a rolled armrest. From the front, you’ll notice that these arms look like the rolled style, but with an added panel in the center.

This exaggerated design offers additional padding to add comfort to the sofa.

Saddle

Saddle arms get their name because they have an appearance similar to a saddle on a riding animal like a horse.

Rather than coming away from the sofa, these arms only slightly protrude, usually thanks to extra padding in the armrest. They’re very comfortable, especially if you’re a fan of couch naps.

Track

A track arm (or straight arm) is a low, flat armrest on a couch. This blends the traditional presence of an arm on the couch with a modern twist.

It’s also sought-after in smaller homes and apartments because it reduces the space that the couch takes up, opening the space up.

Modern English

Modern English sofa arms take inspiration from track armrests but soften the design a bit.

Rather than low, sharp angles, they tend to come up a little higher and curve a little more. This condenses the space that they take up without reducing the inviting atmosphere they provide.

Key

Key sofa arms are a very modern design choice with sleek lines and minimalist as far as the amount of space they occupy. They come directly up and out of the sofa.

However, they rely on sharp angles rather than a gentle bend like a rolled arm design provides.

Shelter

Shelter arms are praised for their comfort since they tend to cradle the person sitting. They come up and out of the sofa at a gentle angle.

As such, they offer a softer look than a track or key designs but they take up less space than a traditional rolled arm.

Modern Tuxedo

Modern tuxedo sofas offer a contemporary and singular design. Oftentimes, sofas are in visually separated pieces like the backrest, arms, and cushions.

The modern tuxedo design puts all the arms and back of the couch into one for one clean piece, either angled or gently sloped.

Modern Scroll

A modern scroll arm is close to a track design. The difference lies in the edge when the armrest turns down.

Whereas a track arm has a sharp curve, a modern scroll design curves downward. This is inviting and warm but doesn’t take up excessive space.

Modern Slope

Many sofa arm styles come directly out of the couch at an angle. You often see a clear distinction between the parts of the couch such as the armrests and the back. Modern slope arms extend from the back, sloping down from the couch’s full height and into a comfortable arm.

Track with Nails

We’ve previously mentioned the track arm style. This has the addition of nails near the edges of the arm and gives it a tailored look.

A track arm with nails gives the design a traditional feel.

Paris Club

Paris club sofa arms are common in leather couches and their faux cousins but they can be found on any couch material type.

These arms come up but don’t roll out or angle to the side at all. They may have a panel or they might feature just the shape without additional designs.

Sofa Arm Styles Infographic

For more related ideas check out our couch colors design gallery.