Below we share our guide to sofa arm styles to help you find the best type for your interior design.
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 options carefully to find a choice that suits your personal style.
Table of Contents
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 arms with the arm itself coming up and rolling over while the ruched design 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 an extra design. If you want a simple rolled arm with no extra folds or features, opt for a simple sock arm.
Pleated
Pleated arms are another type of rolled sofa arms. As such, the arm 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 arm. From the front, you’ll notice that these arms look like rolled arms 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 arm. They’re very comfortable, especially if you’re a fan of sofa naps.
Track
A track arm (or straight arm) is a low, flat arm 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 arms 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 sofa 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 arm 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 arm design. The difference lies in the edge when the arm turns down.
Whereas a track arm has a sharp curve, a modern scroll arm 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 arms 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.
Veronica Pannell is an avid reader and researcher who has been writing about interior design and home improvement since 2018. Her favorite design style is eclectic, and she's always on the lookout for the latest new and exciting design trends.
When you stated that modern scroll sofas invite warm feelings without taking up much space, I thought of my current living room and how it’s currently just a mish-mash of different furniture that was handed down to me by my parents. While it does function as a place to sit and relax in, a lot of space could have been used better since the furniture is quite bulky. With the hopes of making my living room more inviting to stay in, I’ll definitely look for Sofas with this style from any furniture stores I can find.
Veronica - Author
When you stated that modern scroll sofas invite warm feelings without taking up much space, I thought of my current living room and how it’s currently just a mish-mash of different furniture that was handed down to me by my parents. While it does function as a place to sit and relax in, a lot of space could have been used better since the furniture is quite bulky. With the hopes of making my living room more inviting to stay in, I’ll definitely look for Sofas with this style from any furniture stores I can find.