A camelback sofa is named for its distinctive backrest, which rises from each arm to a central hump before dipping down again, echoing the silhouette of a camel's back. It is a traditional, classic shape, often paired with rolled or scrolled arms and exposed wood feet.
The curved back gives a camelback sofa a more sculptural, formal presence than a straight backed sofa, and it works particularly well in a classic or traditional living room. It is one of several defined silhouettes within classic sofa design, alongside styles such as the Chesterfield. See our sofa styles guide for more on traditional sofa shapes.