Where you place your sofa in the living room can have a huge impact on the overall space, either making it feel small and unwelcoming or bigger than it really is.
One of the most common mistakes that people make with their sofas, and other large furniture, is pushing it directly against a wall.
That’s according to sofa and interiors expert, Kayleigh Stafford at Snappy Sofas, who says that having your sofa directly against a wall in “uninspiring” and can make the room feel “boxed-in”.
“While you might think this would open up the room and create more space, it actually does the opposite and creates a boxed-in feeling. The space feels smaller and usually doesn’t work as well for your family,” she said.
“What’s more, while you might think pushing a sofa against the wall will give you more floor space, it typically results in an empty and unused space in the middle of the room that can feel very uninspiring.”
She says that you should instead, place your sofa a few inches away from the wall. This will create the illusion of space and depth and make your room feel more open.
If your room is big enough, you could pull your sofa out to the centre of the room and even use it to divide up a living and dining area.
Kayleigh added: “This helps each of your spaces to flow and creates a more connected space. Adding a large rug can define the living area and create a more unified look.
“The use of a footstool or pouffe in front of the sofa can also help to create a structured and conscious design for your living space.”
It’s also important to use any corners in your room wisely. For example, if your sofa needs to be positioned in a corner, then make use of L-shaped pieces to use the space best, she added.
Alternatively, placing your sofa at an angle or pairing it with matching chairs in a curved layout can help your room to feel more balanced – and is a great use of the space that you do have. The ideal sofa placement will ultimately depend on your space and traffic flow.
Kayleigh also says you should ensure it doesn’t block pathways or create awkward navigation.
With the above tips, however, you should be able to find the perfect placement for your sofa and in turn, create a spacious, functional and great looking space for you and your family to enjoy.
