Having a living room without a sofa is like having food without salt. It looks dull, feels incomplete and is simply outright distasteful (pun not intended). In short, you cannot have a living room without a sofa in it. But deciding on the “right” kind of sofa requires tremendous effort. You need to figure out important components such as the desired shape, room layout, size, functionality, colour among other things. So if you’re wondering about how to choose a sofa for the living room, you’ve come to the right place. Here are top-5 things you need to keep in mind when buying/renting a sofa:
Tip 1: Size Up the Measurements!
First-and-foremost, you need to analyze how much space you wish to allocate to your sofa. Basis the space, you’ll need to understand whether to buy a bulky one or a single-seater, whether it should be narrow and long or short and wide, whether it should be a low-seating sofa or a high seating one, etc. So measure the space available and pick a sofa accordingly. Handy tip: Remember to factor in space for accessories such as a coffee/center table, side tables, bookshelves, lamp etc. The end game is to ensure that the area doesn’t look too chaotic or cramped.
Tip 2: Time for Orientation Determination
The second most important thing to remember is the sofa orientation. Once you’ve dedicated space to it, understand which way your sofa should be facing. Should it be set against the wall or should it be next to the windows? Should it be facing the fireplace or be placed next to the open bar? Is there a focal point in the room towards which all the furniture is directed (like Stevie the TV from F.R.I.E.N.D.S or a huge painting perhaps?). Expert tip: Ensure that the seating arrangement is such that it falls in perfect harmony with the existing layout of the room and the space gets enough natural lighting for a flawless setup.
Tip 3: Let its Purpose Take “Shape”
Ask yourself this basic question: “What’s the primary purpose of the sofa and by extension, what its shape should be like?” Is it just a seating add-on (in addition to poofs, smaller stools, chairs, recliners etc.) or will it be the only seating solution that will entertain and house guests? Should you go for a rectangular shaped sofa or the more popular L-shaped one? Once you determine its purpose, you’ll notice that a lot of the spacing and practical issues will iron out on their own. For example, some people may want a multi-functional sofa that can double up as a bed. In such a case, Furlenco’s Lana Sofa-cum-Bed is the perfect solution. Simply rent this L-shaped sofa and enjoy those long weekends binge-watching Netflix shows without breaking your back!
Tip 4: Go for Cohesive Upholstery & Style
Let’s move onto the aesthetics. Depending on the décor and style of your home, you can choose the sofa’s upholstery material. Typically, a classic-styled home calls for a leather sofa whereas if you’re looking for something more casual and boho, you could opt for a patterned, bold coloured fabric sofa (linen, cotton, synthetic microfiber are some fabric examples). Conversely, you can experiment with polar opposite styles as long as they complement each other. For example, a Victorian sofa in a minimalistic setting or a traditional Indian batik sofa in a bohemian setting.
Tip 5: It’s All about Palette & Pattern
Finally, pick on a synchronized colour and pattern so that the overall look-and-feel of your living room feels complete. If you have neutral coloured walls and mostly monotone furniture, you could go bold with a bright coloured sofa like olive green or hot pink. And if you wish to stay away from starkly contrasting design themes, play around with the colour and designing of throw pillows and cushions.
What has your experience been like when it comes to how to choose a sofa? Share your tricks of the trade, we’re all ears!
