Choosing the right sofa for a small living room can seem like a daunting task. Firstly, it has to do what all good sofas should do – provide enough space to comfortably relax and sprawl during those Netflix binges. However, choosing a sofa that is too big means smaller rooms can become overwhelmed.
If this sounds familiar, then don’t worry, this handy guide will help you find the perfect sofa for a smaller room.
#1 Don’t be tempted by “just a little bit bigger”
Okay, we understand. It is easy to gaze at that three-seater beauty in the showroom and think, “you know, it’ll be a squeeze, but it might just work.” If you are thinking this, then the chances are it won’t work!
Too big a sofa and no matter how it looked in the showroom, it is going to look out of place in a small room. Drawing up a floor plan roughly to the scale of your living room and then adding cut-outs that represent various sizes of sofas will give you a great idea of the size of sofa that is suitable. Alternatively, use masking tape to trace the area where your intended sofa will sit, this gives you a real feel of how it is going to look.
Try to stay within this size, and you won’t go far wrong.
#2 Consider a corner sofa
For smaller rooms, corner sofas are often the perfect choice. Because they fit neatly into the corner of a room, they have less of a “footprint” than traditional sofas. In smaller rooms, opting for a corner sofa can free up valuable floor space and make the whole room appear more spacious.
Corner sofas come in a range of configurations, so there will be a perfect option for even the smallest room.
#3 Choose a sofa with built-in storage
Balancing storage needs and comfort in smaller rooms can be tricky. If this balancing act is something that you are attempting, then opting for a sofa that fulfils both tasks might just be the perfect solution!
These can really transform smaller spaces into bright and airy rooms just by combining two tasks into one piece of furniture.
#4 Remember to take access into account
This won’t apply to everyone, but if your small room also has restricted access and smaller doors, then check that the sofa you opt for will physically be able to fit into the space before you buy.
It is worth remembering that many sofas will break down into sections, so if it does look like too tight a squeeze, all may not be lost. There are also “modular sofas” that come in separate sections that fit easily into the tightest of rooms.
#5 Let the light shine through!
In rooms where space is at a premium, light can play a big part in creating the illusion of space and airiness. One great and simple way of achieving this is by choosing a sofa that is raised on legs.
As simple as it sounds, this one tip makes rooms look bigger by exposing more floor area and letting more light circulate.
The choice of fabric can also help here. Lighter colours reflect more of the light and can give rooms a more spacious feel. A word of warning, though, lighter fabrics may not be the wisest choice for families with pets or young children.
…And relax
So, there it is, choosing the perfect sofa for small living rooms isn’t as daunting as it first appears. Just following a few simple tips and applying a bit of common sense can let you chill in comfort in even the smallest of spaces!
