Are you planning to shop for new living room couches? If you have checked the market, it’s no doubt that you’ve known that choosing the right couch for your living room can be overwhelming. With a huge number of choices available, you might find it confusing to get the right one.
Like any other furniture, there will be an endless choice when you want to buy one. You might think you understand well what you want, but once you browse it online or walk into a shop by yourself, the shapes, styles and custom alternatives can become overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to pick your perfect couch for living room. Save yourself the time to get confused in the market by using these tips to get a clear idea of what living room couches you want and need exactly before starting the hunt!
Expert Tips to Pick the Perfect Couches for Living Room
First of all, you have to consider the size. If you have a larger living room, you’ll want to decide exactly how much space of your living room to accommodate the couch. At this point, you need to consider whether you want to include other chairs in your living room too.
On the other hand, if you have such a small living room, you’ll want to get a smaller couch. With less room, your couch will be the focal point of your space. So, pick the one that is practical and has a strong design to become the spotlight of your living room.
Next, when choosing living room couches, you have to determine which shape will suit your room best. An L-shape couch is perfect for open areas which need to be divided. A rounder shape, on the other hand, is a little more conducive, serving a perfect gathering for a small space.
In addition, you shouldn’t forget to take the upholstery materials into account as well. Aesthetic is truly important, but functionality is key when picking the right couch for your living room. After that, you can select a style that is able to complement your home interior perfectly.
Inspirational Living Room Ideas with Couches
Now that you have known some approaches to get your perfect couch, you’ll want to know some ideas to arrange your couch perfectly in the living room. Since your living room couches should work properly with the other elements inside the space, it’s important to go with balance.
For instance, you can pair a blue Lawson-style couch with a single armchair sofa in grey to complete a nautical interior scheme. Then, in all-white home décor, you can introduce a dark grey couch along with pale wooden furniture to keep the room feels bright and airy.
All in all, picking the right couch in the market can be a daunting job. However, you can use the tips and ideas above to help you make a decision on the best couches to buy. So, we hope you can benefit this expert guide to pick the right living room couches.
Arranging a comfortable sofa in the living room is just as essential as having a bed in the bedroom. But how do you pick the perfect sofa and position it in your living room? Here we’ll explain how to discover your ideal sofa and the considerations for arranging it in your living room.
Sofas and room layouts: Which sofa is suitable for my living room?
Before focusing on the right sofa arrangement, you must first find a suitable sofa – which can be challenging! Several factors come into play when choosing your new favorite spot. The following questions will assist you in finding the perfect sofa for you and your living room:
How much space is available?
What is the sofa going to be used for?
How many people need to be seated on the sofa?
What interior design style are you aiming for?
Do you have a preference for leather or fabric sofas?
Answering these questions will make it easier to select the right size and shape for your new sofa. If you don’t want to limit yourself to a specific model, simply combine multiple seating options into one:
Combining two sofas
A common living room arrangement involves pairing a two-seater and a three-seater sofa. When combining them, it’s best to position the three-seater on the wider side and the two-seater on the narrower side of the living room.
Depending on the room, they can be placed facing each other or perpendicular to each other. A coffee table or a rug in between will help tie them together!
The only downside to placing both sofas facing each other is that the TV can only be placed in front, meaning you’ll always have to sit sideways to watch television.
Combining sofa and armchair
The combination of a sofa and an armchair is a popular choice in German living rooms. For a comfortable conversational atmosphere, it’s best to position the sofa and armchair opposite each other.
If the armchair is too large for your living room, consider using a pouf instead. Some models are available with additional storage space, serving as both seating and storage at the same time.
Tips for arranging living room furniture: Where to position the sofa?
Once you’ve found the right sofa or arranged your seating area, the next step is to correctly position the sofa in the living room. The following 6 tips will guide you on the proper placement.
- Positioning the sofa
In a modern living room, the sofa no longer needs to be placed against the wall. It can also be placed in the middle of the room. This is especially beneficial in large rooms, as having the sofa against the wall wastes unnecessary space in the middle of your living room.
Placing a sofa in the middle of the room is an excellent option when various areas in your living room flow seamlessly into each other (e.g., kitchen, dining room, and workspace). The sofa can then act as a visual divider, separating the different areas from each other.
Therefore, placing a sofa in the middle of the room is suitable for small apartments as well, such as to separate the sleeping area from the rest of the room. This arrangement is also ideal for a combined living room-dining room. In this case, ensure the sofa is not too large, as it may overly limit the space. If you want a larger sofa in a small living room, placing it against a wall is typically a better choice than in the middle of the room.
When opting to position the sofa in the middle of the room, ensure that important pathways are not blocked. Typical pathways include those from the kitchen to the dining table or between two doors in an adjoining room. You certainly don’t want to create a zigzag through the space.
- Sofa and windows
In modern apartments, there tend to be many windows and large window fronts, creating bright and open living spaces, but also limiting furniture placement. Here are some considerations for arranging the sofa in such a living room:
Ensure there is enough space between the sofa and the window to allow for easy closing of curtains or blinds.
Opt for a sofa with a low backrest to prevent blocking the window views.
Keep in mind the need for adequate window coverings to ensure privacy and prevent glare on the TV screen.
Consider whether you want to position the sofa closer to the window to take advantage of the outside view.
- Sofa in front of the heater
Ideally, avoid placing the sofa directly in front of a heater. This is important because the heat distribution in the room can be impeded, and it may take longer for the room to feel warm during winter. Additionally, the sofa could be damaged by the heat, and there is a potential fire risk, especially with very hot electric heaters.
However, if you still choose to position the sofa in front of the heater, ensure that there is a sufficient distance. Ideally, there should be at least 50 cm between the sofa and the heater. Under no circumstances should the gap be less than 20 cm! For added safety, installing spacer bars is advisable to prevent the sofa from accidentally moving closer to the heater.
- Sofa and carpet
A carpet beneath the seating area can enhance the coziness of the living room. When arranging the sofa and carpet, the primary aim is to create visual harmony. Therefore, ensure that the sofa, coffee table, benches, etc.:
Can all fit onto the carpet.
Are all positioned around the carpet.
It is generally best to avoid partially placing the seating furniture on the carpet, as this can create an unbalanced look. Additionally, a larger room benefits from a larger carpet.
- Sofa and TV
The television is a central feature in many living rooms, which can influence the placement of other furniture. As a rule of thumb, avoid positioning the TV directly opposite a window, as it can cause glare on the screen and disrupt the viewing experience. Instead, consider placing the TV next to a window, with its back against the wall.
Also, ensure that the distance between the sofa and the television is approximately 2-3 times the diagonal length of the screen. The distance between the TV and the floor should not exceed about 1 meter. If you have a sound system, aim for a distance of at least 2.5 meters between the TV and your preferred seating area.
- Couch and coffee table
To enhance comfort in the living room, adding a coffee table is a great idea. The ideal placement of the table is within easy reach of the couch, yet not so close that it hinders standing up easily. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain a distance of about 45 cm between the table and the sofa.
It’s important to consider the appropriate height and shape of the coffee table, which should complement the sofa. The seat height should always be the same or higher than the table’s, and the shape of the coffee table should depend on the size and shape of the sofa. Rectangular, square, triangular, round, or oval coffee tables are more suitable based on the sofa’s specifications. Typically, round tables work better with smaller sofas, while rectangular or oval tables complement larger sofas.
Arranging the sofa in the living room: The correct orientation
The best way to arrange the seating area depends on its primary purpose. For instance, if the main goal is to create a cozy spot to watch TV, position the sofa facing the television directly. In contrast, a corner sofa is ideal for focusing on multiple areas simultaneously, such as the fireplace and the window sill.
Those not constrained by the alignment of the sofa and television have the option of setting up the seating area at an angle. For this, placing the sofa diagonally in the middle of the room or directly in front of a corner is the best approach. Utilize the corner space optimally for lamps or plants.
When combining multiple seating options, ensure that all individual elements face each other, fostering interaction. Avoid positioning the sofa so that your back faces the door for a more inviting atmosphere. Ideally, the seating area should be visible from the front or side upon entering the room.
Small living room with a large sofa: What to do?
If you desire a spacious and comfortable living room but have limited space, don’t worry. With a few tips and tricks, you can still achieve your dream of a large sofa. In this case, it’s crucial to ensure that the rest of the living room is not overcrowded and is furnished thoughtfully. This involves the following:
Utilizing light colors in the furniture and wall design.
Maximizing natural light, if possible.
Avoiding additional large and bulky furniture.
Using a wall-mounted mirror to visually expand the room.
Opting for a glass coffee table to create a more open feel.
Placing the sofa with its back against the wall.
Arranging the sofa in the living room: Simplified
You are now equipped with all the necessary knowledge to select and position your new sofa in the living room. It’s time to put this into action: begin your search for your ideal sofa and find the perfect spot for it. With this, you will have a personalized haven of comfort tailored to your needs and your living room.
Do you have any further questions? The team at Polster Möbel Fischer is ready to assist you in selecting and arranging your new seating area. Schedule an appointment now and visit one of our branches.