Loveseat vs. Loveseat with Console: Which Living Room Furniture Option is Right For You?

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It's smaller than a sofa but bigger than a chair. What is it? A Loveseat, of course! These smaller versions of sofas can be dated all the way back to the Victorian era and were used for the sole purpose of accommodating women with larger dresses.

In fact, they weren’t even called loveseats until the 19th century when it was marketed as such. Once the name change happened, this was when it was used for sitting next to another person without the puffiness of a dress in the way.

Nowadays, loveseats can be seen in many households as either primary or secondary seating. Couples use them to snuggle up to that special someone, or, with the introduction of the loveseat with console, they can be used to enhance your relaxation at home. 

Because loveseats have been around for so long, creativity started to take form, which is when the loveseat with console became a popular demand. But, even though the added console was added to the original design, it might not be all it’s cracked up to be.

How does a regular loveseat compare to a loveseat with a console? What are the pros and cons to each of them? Let’s dive in!  

In This Article…

1. How Much Space Do Loveseats Take?
2. What is the Price Difference Between a Loveseat and a Loveseat with a Console?
3. Does a Loveseat with Console Offer More Seating Space?
4. Which Loveseat Is More Comfortable?
5. Which Loveseat Offers More Style Choices?
6. Pros and Cons Breakdown: Loveseat vs. Loveseat with Console

1. How Much Space Do Loveseats Take?

To begin, one of the most significant differences between a standard loveseat vs. a loveseat with a console is that the two take up different amounts of space. 

While a regular loveseat takes up at least two-thirds of the space a sofa would, a loveseat with a console is known to have a longer width. The console in the middle of the loveseat may not be as big as a cushion, but it does take up quite a bit of space and almost widens the frame to the length of a regular sofa.

If you’re currently shopping for a loveseat, chances are you might not be able to fit a sofa into your room and are looking for something smaller. While a loveseat with a console is still smaller than a sofa, it might prevent you from fitting your desired piece in a small room.

It is important to consider the size and dimensions of a product before purchasing, or else you could end up with a furniture frame that looks too big for your room, or doesn’t fit at all!

To learn more about Measuring Your Space, take a look at this article.

2. What is the Price Difference Between a Loveseat and a Loveseat with a Console?

Taking a look at the price, there are differences between a loveseat vs. a loveseat with a console. The price of furniture depends on the amount and quality of materials used in the construction of the product. 

Because of this, a regular loveseat will normally be less expensive than a loveseat with a console. Interestingly, the price of a loveseat isn’t too different from the price of a sofa, even though one has more materials than the other. 

At La-Z-Boy, for example, the cost of a loveseat is typically $20-$50 less than the price of a sofa. However, if your loveseat is reclining and you’re looking for a console upgrade, it would most likely be the same price as a sofa. 

If you’re looking to save money, a regular stationary sofa might be your best bet. A reclining loveseat is also a good choice to save money on a console upgrade, but reclining furniture will always be more expensive than stationary furniture, due to the added reclining mechanisms in the construction.

To learn more about Stationary vs Reclining Furniture, take a look at this article.

3. Does Loveseat with Console Offer More Seating Space?

As funny as it sounds, a loveseat with a console occupies more space while providing less seating capacity compared to a standard loveseat.

Not only does this only allow users to sit in one position on a designated seat, but the addition of the console makes a loveseat lose the ability to… well, “love.” Or, at least appreciate the person you're sitting next to.

While this may sound a little dramatic, some individuals may care about wanting to cuddle with their significant other on their furniture piece. If a console gets in the way of that, it may not be enjoyable for people if their love language is physical touch.

The console in the middle also prevents users from sitting in the middle of the frame. A regular loveseat can sit two individuals comfortably, but if there’s space, it can potentially sit a third person in between the cushions.

This means a regular loveseat may have more seating options or positions than a loveseat with a console. The question of if you can sit comfortably is another thing to consider, however, which is why it is important to figure out who will be using this furniture piece the most.

4. Which Loveseat Is More Comfortable?

So, adding a console adds more value to your loveseat, but does it add more comfort to your seating experience?

Well, no not really. What we mean by this is that even though you can add more comfortable seating upgrades to both options depending on where you shop, adding a console in the middle of your loveseat can help enhance your comfort.

At La-Z-Boy for example, our loveseats with consoles have cup holders, extra storage and a wireless charging port to charge up your electronic devices. 

This upgrade enhances the comfort level by providing people with the option to use their loveseats in versatile ways. With a regular loveseat, one person might be limited to a single activity like watching TV. 

However, with a loveseat that includes a console, individuals can enjoy multiple activities simultaneously. 

For example, while one person watches TV, the other can comfortably read an e-reader or engage in another activity. Not to mention you never have to worry about it running out of battery. 

If you’re someone who values comfort over finding a more social furniture item, you could be investing in a furniture frame that offers movie theatre-esque seating. 

This added factor, as well as including a power upgrade with headrest and lumbar support can give you all the comfort you're looking for and more!

La-Z-Boy knows a thing or two about putting a theatre room together. Check out our article on How to Incorporate Movie Theatre Style Seating in your Home.

5. Which Loveseat Offers More Style Choices?

Finally, as for which loveseat has more style, this one can be a little tricky. While both options can be stylish depending on who you’re asking, sometimes a regular loveseat can offer more versatility.

Because regular loveseats can be both stationary and reclining, that means they can have more customization options than a loveseat with a console. For example, at La-Z-Boy, some fabric and leather options might not be as compatible with reclining pieces as they are with stationary items. 

However, on the other hand, reclining furniture relies more on comfortability, as discussed in the last section, while also offering stylistic elements too. For example, you can request a power bundle upgrade, which allows you to make your cup holders light up in the dark. 

Ultimately, your selection boils down to your priorities and what matters to you the most in terms of comfort, functionality, and space.

Pros and Cons Breakdown: Loveseat vs. Loveseat with Console

Now that we’ve seen some of the pros and cons to a loveseat and a loveseat with a console, here is a summarization of what we’ve discussed in this article. 

Keep in mind that some of these pros and cons are subjective, meaning you can make your own decisions based on the information presented.

What's Next?

With every furniture decision you make, closer you are to completing your living room. Whether you choose a regular loveseat or a loveseat with a console, putting together furniture can be difficult if you don’t know what you're doing.

If you’re struggling in this department, do not hesitate to reach out for help! La-Z-Boy sure knows a thing or two about putting a room together.

A design consultant or an interior designer will be able to help you out with any questions or concerns regarding your living room. Our designers are always eager to lend a helping hand, especially when choosing the furniture style and seating for your living room. 

To speak to one of our consultants or designers today, visit us at any of our local Ottawa & Kingston locations. You can also book an appointment online before coming in.

If you’re interested in learning more about our La-Z-Boy loveseats, take a look at some of these best-selling articles:

• Best-Selling La-Z-Boy Reclining Loveseats
• Review of La-Z-Boy’s Loveseats w/ Console
• Best-Selling La-Z-Boy Stationary Loveseats

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