Loveseats have been used since the 17th century to provide an intimate seating arrangement for couples. By default, they tend to be small, only able to seat two people; this makes them an ideal choice for a date. The term "loveseat" in itself can actually signify a number of seating options, like an S-shaped sofa that allows people to be face-to-face on the same couch.
However, the most common one is what first comes to people's minds in the first place: the two-seater sofa.
So, What Is A Loveseat?
Since it's a general term and it's more than just a two-seater, what exactly is a loveseat in the first place? A modern loveseat is really a small couch designed to seat two people. Loveseats usually look like regular couches with smaller seats, and they’re usually used in small spaces where a larger sofa would take up too much room. Some people use them to add seating in small bedrooms. Some loveseats have removable seats that can be switched to create armrests while the other becomes the seat.
In the past, loveseats were very different from what they are today. At the time, the word “loveseat” usually referred to a large stuffed chair with two seats on either side of it. Each seat faced the other.
Today, they can be extra seating and/or add to a more comfortable vibe in entries, bedrooms and other home areas where people get together.
Where Did the Loveseat Get Its Name?
The word 'loveseat' comes from the phrase 'two people seated closely together.' It was invented in the 17th century and was intended for women who wore giant hoop skirts and wanted to sit comfortably. The day they first appeared, the seats had an "S" shape, with faces turned towards one another and held together closely enough for couples to hold hands.
Named for the way its users cuddled up to each other, the loveseat quickly became popular. It had romantic associations from the 17th century and was used as a venue for romantic encounters.
History
Back in the day, they had neither cushioning nor upholstery like today's models do. Instead, they were incredibly simple and largely made of wood. The seats were bigger than regular chairs, meant to let women who were in particularly large dresses sit without trouble.
The slimming silhouette of the 18th and 19th centuries eventually created more room for women to sit closer to each other on chairs. Seating arrangements became more intimate as they were able to converse privately. At the time, decency was very important for social norms. This means that the seating arrangement helped courting couples have close conversations while still being appropriate.
By then, loveseats were an elitist status symbol.
In the 19th century, which was essentially the Industrial Revolution, wealth spread amongst more people. As a result, loveseats became far more popular. In the 1940s, the Boudoir style then influenced loveseats, found in advertisements that needed a romantic feel.
Conclusion
Loveseats are a piece of furniture with romantic undertones that date back hundreds if not thousands of years. The term used to refer to a more general range of seating. Today, it is mostly symbolic of an intimate two-seater sofa.
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