In Search of the Perfect Small Scale Sofa

So, you're shopping for a sofa that won't overwhelm your tiny studio apartment or you're looking for seating to fit inside an alcove. The problem is, you keep coming up short (bad pun intended — sorry). Most furniture stores tend to favor large sizes, especially when it comes to anchor pieces like sofas and beds. But if you know where to look, you can find moderately sized sleepers, settees, and loveseats that will work in a small home.

Small-Scale Settees

Jayson Home & Garden: This Chicago-based and online store has a nice balance of sofas made with kiln-dried hardwood frames, most of them under the $3,000 mark, and they carry several settees for small apartments. Shown: 61-inch Carlisle Settee, $1,795.

Small Sleeper Sofas

Crate and Barrel: The majority of their sofas are made with FSC-certified, kiln-dried hardwood frames. Their sleeper sofa line includes the 53-inch Troy ($999), which they describe as "a blend of oversized armchair and contemporary compact sleeper."

Modular Sofas for Mixing and Matching

Bo Concept: This Denmark-based furniture store has multiple locations in the US, and they focus on moderately sized pieces. Their Carmo Sofa (shown here) is designed such that the sofa can be broken apart into chairs. It comes in 34-inch modules that start at $972.

Mid-Century Style at Mid-Range Prices

Room & Board: Their sofas are made in the USA with hardwood frames, they offer 200 upholstery options, and most couches come in several different sizes and lengths. Shop online or in Room & Board stores throughout the US. Shown: 60-inch Jasper Sofa, $1,200.

Affordable Minimalism

MUJI : This Japanese (and US) store is known for its minimalist, "no-brand" aesthetic. They have affordable upholstered furniture in stores and online, including apartment-sized pieces that are oh-so-basic. Shown: 51-inch Compact Sofa, $328.

A Tufted Two-Seater

GUS*Modern: This Toronto-based furniture company makes simple sofas that range from apartment-sized settees to large sectionals. Most sofas come with metal bases and look like updated versions of mid-century designs. Shown: 63-inch Jane Loveseat, $1,800.

Modern Armless Options

Blu Dot: Launched out of Minnesota in 1997, Blu Dot now sells its furniture through a national network of retail dealers, a store in Soho, and an online shop. The 67-inch Clyde Sofa ($1,100) can be paired with their Bonnie Sofa to make a sectional.

Bright Color on a Budget

CB2: Like their sister store, Crate and Barrel, CB2 uses FSC-certified, kiln-dried hardwood frames. The quality isn't quite as high as C&B, but the pricing is more affordable. They have simple, modern styles that can go as low as $600 or as high as $1,500. Shown: 61-Inch Parlor Sofa, $999.

High Style on a Small Scale

De La Espada: This high-end store carries cutting-edge pieces by Autoban, SCP, and other European design houses. Their 214 Bergere Sofa by Autoban ($5,975) measures just 50 inches long, but feels like a more substantial piece thanks to the high back and solid wood box frame.

Classic Modern Small Space Style

Design Within Reach: They have a variety of modern sofas ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 — upholstered furniture brands include Finn Juhl, Cassina, Herman Miller, Knoll, and Modernica. Shown: 66-inch Knoll Piero Lissoni Divani Two-Seater Sofa, $8,358.