12 couch alternatives that are cute and cozy AF, from $24

Bye-bye, big seat 👋

Three couch alternative seats on a pink and blue background
(Image credit: Future)

When you’re living in a small apartment or rental, having a whole damn sofa might not be the best thing for your place. Maybe you already have a couch, but don’t want another full-sized seat hogging more space. Luckily, there are loads of couch alternatives out there.

I actually have a chaise lounge in my rental, as my living area splits out into two zones. Having different seating options really helps makes the most of both spaces. Other seating options like benches and ottomans are also fab, as they can double as storage solutions (woo, versatile queens!). And of course, I can’t forget about bean bags — aka the comfiest seats that are easy to move around.

Quick Menu:
1. Benches
2. Ottomans
3. Chaise lounges
4. Bean bags
5. FAQs
6. What to consider
7. How we chose
8. Where to buy

I’ve scoured the internet and rounded up a range of these couch alternatives, looking for ones that have plenty of style and versatility. I’ve also made sure that they’re highly rated by shoppers who have bought them and totally fallen in love.

Hold on tight — things are about to get real cozy…

These couch alternatives are totally perfect for small spaces

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Ready to get started? I’ve split this out into four sections, so you can easily scout out the kinda couch alternative that you’re feeling.

The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.

Bench couch alternatives

As well as being a great space-saving solution for the living room, these would also work well in the hallway.

Ottoman couch alternatives

You could place these on the sides of your room as storage, and then pull them around your living area when guests are over.

Chaise lounge couch alternatives

All day long, all day long, on the chaise lounge! If it’s good enough for Wet Leg, it’s good enough for me, bb.

Bean bag couch alternatives

Because sitting on a bean bag is like sitting on a cloud (or what I imagine that feels like, anyway).

FAQs

What can I replace a couch with?

If you don’t want a traditional couch in your living area, there are plenty of seating options that can replace it. Bean bags, ottomans, chaise lounges, and benches are all popular alternatives that are still sizable and can sometimes double as storage space.

How can I fill my living area without a couch?

If your space looks a li’l bare without a whole couch filling it, don’t stress. As well as seating like accent chairs and bean bags, coffee tables, rugs, and side tables are all great ways to give your room character.

What to consider when choosing a couch alternative

Thinking about saying buh-bye to couch life? Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at alternatives…

Comfort: Look for one that’s going to offer proper cushioning and support.

Size and space: Choose a piece that fits in with your available space and complements the overall room aesthetic.

Durability: Make sure that it can withstand regular use, and that it’s sturdy and well-constructed.

Functionality: Evaluate versatility and additional features, such as storage compartments and convertible designs. 

How we chose these couch alternatives

I’ve looked through plenty of websites to find a range of couch alternatives in different shapes, dimensions, and styles. These are all highly rated, with ratings that are four-star and higher, plus plenty of rave reviews. Shoppers have bought these couch alternatives and have loved having them in their spaces.

Where to buy couch alternatives

Feelin' inspired and want to shop some more couch alternatives? Here are some super sites to search through:

Eve Smallman
Content Editor

Hi there! I’m the former content editor at Real Homes and I'm now a freelance journalist.. I've been a lifestyle journalist for over five years, previously working as an editor across regional magazines. Before this, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University a degree in journalism, along with an NCTJ gold diploma. For Real Homes, I specialized in interior design, trends and finding the best viral buys.