The backless sofa is known also as the bench sofa. Just like the name, this sofa is unique for the absence of backrest on it. Commonly, this type of sofa is only functioned as complementary furniture since basically people just prefer sitting on the sofa with a backrest. Although the function seems not really important, its presence is just good particularly for the living room. It makes the room livelier and not monotonous with some types of sofa and furniture available there. So, what is the most recommended backless sofa to buy? Here they are.
Mr. Furniture Design Sofa Bench Retro
Modern and minimalist furniture seems to be more popular currently. But it doesn’t mean you cannot just be back to the past and choose the retro one. Yes, at least, the product from Mr. Furniture can just be considered. It features feet made from the teakwood, making it stronger and free from the termites’ attack. The upholstery foam is soft enough and it is really comfortable. Some colors are available including the magnificent purple.
Xionco Guise Series
Xionco Guide Series provides you simple and functional bench sofa with neutral colors. Sure, it is just very good to be placed in any type of room and situation. Some colors available are including black, grey, navy, and beige. So, if you are expecting a monochrome sofa to neutralize your room that has been full of colors. The upholstery can be folded to make the seat looks smaller but then once you are opening it; it looks like a small bed. The structure is solid from teakwood. Sure, it becomes very durable.
Livien Furniture Rattan Bench
Even if you only see this backless sofa slightly, you may simply conclude that this sofa looks very sweet and feminine. This sofa is basically a combination of modern and vintage design. It is minimalist due to the few details applied while it is also vintage for the design that looks classic. Moreover, rather than putting drawers, the producer prefers putting some baskets in the space under the bench area. For the girl’s bedroom or shabby-chic designed living room, the product from Livien is indeed a very good choice.
Addison 85” Daybed
Addison is known to produce sofas with various types and sizes. one of them is the 85-inch sofa under the Daybed series. Although the design is compact and simple, it looks elegant also with a set of cushions available. To build up the sofa, there are some fabrics used including cotton, wool, nylon, and polyester to make sure that it is not only comfortable but also strong. It features feathers as the filling inside.
Bevin Daybed Azure Herringbone
Its refreshing color, blue, just makes the daybed series from Bevin looks beautiful and comfortable to be placed in your living room. The upholstery is made from some types of fabrics including rayon, polyester, and nylon. Not only is it comfortable and durable but the blend of the materials also tends to make the sofa easier to clean. In term of design, it is simple but also classic at once. It makes the backless sofa is necessary for all types of interior design whether modern or vintage.
What are the names of backless sofas?
Normally, backless sofas are known as either a recamier or a divan. A recamier is considered more sophisticated than a divan, with a curved headrest and footrest that gives it a resemblance to a chaise. A divan comprises a flat mattress on a raised frame. Despite its origins dating back further than the recamier, the divan has a more contemporary look.
To differentiate them further, keep reading!
Recamier
Named after the French socialite Juliette Recamier, a prominent figure in the 19th Century social scene who famously posed on a recamier for a painting, the recamier is a backless A couch with a tall, curved headrest and a short footrest. Alternatively, sometimes recamiers are designed as backless sofas with scrolled ends, making them accessible for seating from either side. Today, it is also common to find recamier sofas that exclude the arms entirely for a sleek, modern appearance.
Divan
Originating in Turkey, the traditional divan is another example of a backless sofa. This long-celebrated sofa is essentially a low, slightly raised mattress (often tufted) that lacks a back or arms. A divan is typically positioned against a wall and is often furnished with extra pillows to provide an improvised back. Its extremely versatile design makes a divan a desirable option for rooms that require flexibility, such as an office doubling as a guest room.
How to Select a Backless Sofa Bench
Adorning your home, particularly your living room, can be a stressful endeavor. Understanding your preferences and those of your household members, as well as arriving at a consensus on the style you desire, is a crucial phase of the process, which is why researching decor and styles and sharing that information with your roommates is of utmost significance. When choosing such a significant piece like a sofa, it is best to come to an agreement with all parties involved.
There are numerous sofa models to choose from. If you seek something practical yet highly adaptable and ornamental, you may want to contemplate obtaining a backless sofa for your home or office.
What is a backless sofa?
A backless sofa is a type of sofa that, as its name suggests, lacks a back. Various types of backless sofas exist, such as divans and recamiers. Backless sofas are usually placed against a wall and adorned with pillows and cushions to make them more inviting and offer additional support to your back when seated on them. However, they can also be positioned to “float” in a room and be separated from walls as a sort of bench or bed.
Did you know that divans are not of European origin? They originated in the Middle East, specifically in the Ottoman Empire, where bent mats were reclined against walls to provide more seating space in public gathering places such as government offices. They were subsequently introduced to Europe in the 18th century, and their popularity spread worldwide. They can be placed directly on the floor or on a low frame to elevate them.
Then, there are the recamiers. The first version of the recamiers design featured curved armrests on both sides, without any back support. However, contemporary iterations have replaced the original curved shape with straight lines. They are named after Madame Recamier, a French socialite who posed on a backless sofa in 1800. That portrait brought the model to fame throughout France and later across Europe and the world.
One advantage of backless sofas is that they can also serve as a guest bed when you require sleeping accommodations. They are convenient if you host overnight guests and have no space for a guest room.
Why opt for a sofa without a back?
Sofas without a back are flexible and useful, even though they typically need to be placed against a wall. They allow for creativity with cushions and pillows and are practical as they can serve as both seating and a bed.
If you are limited on space – for example, if your living room is small and you lack a guest room – or if you desire something unique, then considering a backless sofa is a good idea. Over time, design has evolved, offering a variety of options in the market to meet your style and requirements.
How to select a sofa without a back?
The first step is to determine your preferred style but be open to experimenting. Although you may have a modern living room, this does not mean you have to stick to modern furniture. A classy, romantic recamier could be the perfect addition to bring character to your space.
Another crucial aspect to consider is size. It wouldn’t be wise to purchase a large divan if the room it is intended for is small! Or imagine carrying it upstairs only to find it doesn’t fit through the door – what a disappointment that would be! Measure the room where you plan to place the backless sofa and sketch potential layouts to have an idea of what to look for.
The material used is also important. This is closely tied to the style you want for the room and the overall decor. Leather upholstery is a great choice for a durable piece, but if you want something more informal and relaxed, select a soft and comfortable fabric spacious enough to accommodate plush pillows. Special considerations should also be made if you have children or pets.
If the backless sofa will be placed in a frequently used room, consider getting one with a strong frame, whether it’s metal or wood, and durable, resistant upholstery such as microfiber or leather. If it will primarily serve as a decorative piece, you can opt for more “delicate” materials like silk or brocade.
Finally, consider pillows and cushions. These will provide support and enhance user comfort. You can choose matching or contrasting fabrics and colors to make the backless sofa a standout piece in your room.
Where to position a sofa without a back?
This is an important consideration before committing to a specific piece of furniture, especially a sofa. Deciding where to place the backless sofa can be challenging, but the first question to ask is: do you want the sofa against a wall or in the middle of the room? Placing it against a wall allows you to add several cushions and pillows for back support. If placed away from the walls, it will resemble a bench. Regardless of its placement, it will still function as a bed when needed. Take some time to think about the final room layout.
As peviously mentioned, creating a sketch is a good way to visualize your living room. If you are more visual, you might want to use painter’s tape to translate the sketch into your actual living room floor. This will help you determine if there is enough space to move the furniture and try out different arrangements before making a final decision.
Additionally, you can position your backless sofa against a wall with windows. This would be an ideal spot for a leisurely afternoon of reading and tea or to enjoy the view of your garden or apartment.
Our selection of the top best backless sofa
- Sutton 72” Daybed, Oyster
A timeless style made with contemporary materials, this beautiful daybed features an alder wood frame wrapped in a durable fabric blend of polyurethane and acrylic in oyster color. Its polyurethane filling and feather wrapping ensure maximum comfort, while brass nailheads highlight its elegant lines. The dark walnut legs and pale oyster upholstery create a chic contrast. The downside? Your guests will never want to leave!
- Bevin Daybed, Azure Herringbone
This sleek daybed boasts a sturdy yet delicate brass frame and a stunning herringbone pattern in azure blue. Filled with feathers, the cushion and armrests provide maximum coziness, while the rayon, polyester, and nylon blend upholstery offers easy cleaning and durability. It’s the perfect addition to a relaxed and modern room.
- Louis VI Style French Antique Daybed
This daybed is perfect for romantic, vintage-loving history enthusiasts. An authentic 19th-century piece, this Louis XV daybed adds elegance to a timeless room. The beautifully carved walnut and olive green velvet upholstery have gracefully withstood the test of time. A matching olive green velvet pillow roll enhances its whimsical, nostalgic look. A historical piece that evokes a time when life was slower than today.
- Addison 85” Daybed, Natural
This stylish and functional daybed exudes sophistication. Its modern design incorporates slanted armrests, a heavily stuffed pillow-top seat, and two additional cushions in a contrasting pattern, creating the perfect piece for a chic and cozy room. The alder frame has been kiln-dried for added strength and durability, while the upholstery is a mix of cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, and rayon. The filling, a combination of feathers and down, is environmentally responsible, and the wooden frame was crafted with care. The entire piece utilizes American-made finishes and technology for a high-quality product.
- Anne Day Chaise, Key Lime Velvet
A sustainable wood frame and durable, easy-to-clean polyester and velvet blend upholstery make this backless sofa the answer to your seating needs. Its cozy cushion, filled with springs and down, also doubles as the perfect bed for unexpected guests. Designed by environmentally conscious Kristin Drohan, this piece meets the highest standards of US manufacturing for well-built and durable furniture. The sunny yellow upholstery adds a touch of spring to your room.
- Donovan Daybed, Ivory Linen
Your guests will be raving about this elegant sofa. Featuring an alder frame with espresso brown tapered legs, ivory white Belgian linen upholstery, and feather and down filling, this handcrafted, modernized sofa effortlessly complements any decor, adding a touch of elegance to the room.
- Andrew 54″ Day Chaise, Navy
Designed by the talented Kristin Drohan, this chic chaise is made of sustainable maple wood, one of the toughest woods available, further strengthened by kiln-drying. Corner blocks provide additional stability to the frame, and the eight-way-hand-tied springs, made of recycled metal and combined with down filling, offer a bouncy comfort. Manufactured in the USA with high-quality materials, this sofa ensures durability.
- Lynn 72” Daybed, Sand Twill
Crafted by hand to satisfy even the most discerning tastes, this lovely daybed encourages individuals to enjoy long afternoons sharing secrets or engaging in casual conversations in effortless comfort. The frame is constructed from kiln-dried, walnut-colored solid wood, while the upholstery features durable and easy-to-clean sand-colored polyester twill fabric, ensuring longevity and retaining the cushion’s shape. The tufted sides of this armless sofa contribute to the overall comfort it offers, and it comes with two bolster cushions for added coziness.
- Bel Air 84″ Bench, Black Velvet
This comfortable and inviting double-seater provides the perfect opportunity for relaxation at home or in the office. The striking X-shaped alder wood base immediately catches the eye, followed by the luxuriously plush black velvet upholstery cushions. The thick polyurethane foam covered with feathers makes it an appealing piece of furniture for unwinding after a long day, making it ideal for a modern and stylish room.
- Chesire Skirted Daybed, White Linen
A romantic yet contemporary addition to your living room or bedroom, this skirted armless sofa is constructed with a hardwood and plywood frame and features thick polyurethane foam padding covered with down and cotton for enduring comfort and enjoyment. Its beautiful snow-white linen upholstery is accented with steel nail heads to highlight the elegant curves of the scalloped armrests. It comes with two bolster cushions for increased luxurious comfort and is handcrafted in the USA by expert furniture makers, ensuring a lifetime of durability with meticulous attention to detail and top-quality materials.
As you can observe, there are numerous styles and materials to select from. The most crucial thing is to choose the one that fits your personal style. Be sure to explore our other posts for additional tips and inspiration to enhance your living room’s decor.