Viscount Gogo and Lorette, a woman on a chaise longue, illustration from the Journal pour rire, Journal Amusant, No 125, May 22, 1858.
Cover Viscount Gogo and Lorette, a woman on a chaise longue, illustration from the Journal pour rire, Journal Amusant, No 125, May 22, 1858.

Pull up a chair and fall in love with these loveseats as you discover what makes them the most romantic forms of seating

Over the years, the loveseat has taken many forms. The first loveseat ever made can be traced back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and was only referred to as a normal seat. In fact, it was made for the woman whose billowed dress could not fit in a smaller chair. It wasn't until the 19th century that people began associating this seating system with romance. 

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The loveseat is also known widely as the British two seaters. It can be described as a small-scale sofa that offers enough space to fit two people. However, it isn't necessarily made just for couples. Nowadays, you can incorporate loveseats into homes especially those with limited spaces.

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Photo 1 of 3 Photo: Bain News Service / Wikimedia Commons
Photo 2 of 3 Photo: Charles Hindley & Sons / Wikimedia Commons
Photo 3 of 3 'Love Seat' by Ralph Morton (Photo: Ralph Morton / Wikimedia Commons)

Another form of the loveseat soon was popularised which was later named the tête-à-tête. This elegant serpentine-shaped seat for two, which also takes many names, first became known in the 18th century in France. It is visually different; it is crafted with a settee, two side chairs, and two armchairs.

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Photo 1 of 3 Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
Photo 2 of 3 Photo: Kristýna Kysilková / Wikimedia Commons
Photo 3 of 3 Photo: Polylogos / Wikimedia Commons

This allows two individuals to sit closely and converse in private (which earned its other names such as courting chair and gossip chair) without ever touching. Because of its features, it became popular during the Victorian period, a time when strict social rules were followed. Needless to say, this piece of furniture was often used in courtship.

Then there's the chaise longue (often mistakenly spelt as "lounge"), which is commonly linked with the woman and her irresistible charm. However, history states that it didn't always start that way.

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Photo: Rijksmuseum / Wikimedia Commons
Above Photo: Rijksmuseum / Wikimedia Commons

One would say that the design of the chaise dates back to ancient Egyptians who lounged on a klinai which resembles both a daybed and a chair.

Later in 16th century France, the chaise became popular as the well-heeled had French artisans craft this piece of furniture using rare and expensive materials. Soon enough, the chaise was incorporated in more homes across Europe.

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Photo: Jacques-Louis David - The Yorck Project / Wikimedia Commons
Above Photo: Jacques-Louis David - The Yorck Project / Wikimedia Commons

What seemed like a romantic form of seating—with its curves and reclined backrest—became a piece that would later create allure in a woman's boudoir. And renowned painter Jacques-Louis David captured this aura when he painted Madame Récamier while reclining on a chaise with her bare feet (which was shocking at the time as women were often seen covered up in public.)

Regardless of the era, these loveseats remain as some of the most iconic pieces of furniture as it tells a story that we can only remember through the details—in the intricately decorated cresting, the sculpted foot, and even the upholstery—which are all inspired by artists and their predecessors.

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