Decorating a new room can be so much fun! Starting from the walls, to the furniture to all the accessories you might need to make your space look perfect. Remodeling or buying a new place is exciting, but it can be also really stressful.
We want our place to look amazing and we want to be proud of the design we chose. That is why you need to be careful when choosing all the bits and pieces.
Buying the furniture is the most important part because that’s what everyone first notices when they go into the room. The couch is usually the focal point of the living room, and that piece of furniture should be the one you should put the most thought into.
Let’s talk about the things you need to pay attention to before buying a new sofa so that you can choose the best one for you and one that will reflect your decorating style.
Size
The first thing you need to think about is the size of your living room.
If you have a big living room, you will need to decide how much of the living space you want your sofa to fill. If you want to include a simple sofa or a coffee table, then a simple couch or one with a slight L-shape is probably the best one for your space.
If you want the sofa to be the focal point of your space, then you should look for shapes that will take a bit more room and provide a lot of seating. The same goes, if you have a bigger family or if you plan on entreating guests frequently in your home.
For people that have a small living room, chances are you will need a smaller couch. You should know that when it comes to small spaces, any sofa or couch is going to be in the spotlight. Because of this, it is important to get something that’s practical, but also something that has a strong design that complements and carries the rest of the space.
How will the couch be oriented?
If you want to decorate and organize your space you need to start with analyzing your lifestyle. What do you do in your own home? Do you want to get home and just sit on the couch and watch TV? Do you want to look out of the window? Depending on your answers, you should make sure that your couch faces that direction.
If you are a person that loves hosting wine or game nights, then you need to create semi or a full circle around a central table.
Another thing you need to ask yourself if you have a big family is about their habits. Does your family use the living room to read, relax and lounge? If yes, then you need to surround your couch with cushions and chairs, so that you can create multiple seating areas. Create those areas so you can enjoy them individually, or as a large group.
Shape
The next thing you need to think about is the shape and actually determine which shape of the sofa will suit the room best.
After you’ve figured out the function of the sofa, you need to figure out the shape that will help fulfill that function and purpose. Open areas that need to be divided are a great space for clean L-shaped sofas. The couch will separate the dining room from the living room.
Round shapes are better for smaller spaces that are meant to serve as a gathering area. They could also be perfect for a media room.
For people who want to implement more tables and chairs in their living room, desiredliving.com.au advises you to get a chaise or a daybed that can be a good alternative to the traditional sofa.
This type of furniture provides as seating for multiple people, but it is still compact enough to work as a more sophisticated version of a futon.
Materials
When buying a new sofa, it is important to know that aesthetic is something to be considered, but functionality is the key when it comes to choosing the right material for the couch.
There are many people who would love to choose a plush, white suede couch. They really are gorgeous, but they are so dangerous. Suede is not the right choice if you have small children or pets that will cause serious damage.
It is better to opt for a leader, especially in darker colors because they are always in style, the material wears well with age and they are relatively easy to clean.
Another material that is good for you is an outdoor fabric. There are many companies that manufacture fabrics that are stain and water-resistant and they will not get damaged from the sun. There are furniture companies that offer sofas and love seats that are classic and with simple designs that they can be used both in and outdoors.
Color
Neutral, bright or printed? That is the question when it comes to color! If you want to personalize a piece of furniture, reupholstering is a relatively inexpensive option.
Don’t be afraid to choose a “loud” sofa that has fun or unique print. It will add a personal touch to your design and it will transform the overall feel of the entire room.
If you don’t want to experiment with bold patterns and colors on your couch, then you can choose a cool ottoman that will double as a coffee table.
Make sure to have at least one bold and colorful print in your living room to give a subtle sense of diversity in your space. Compliment that furniture with classic chairs and couches.
Picking the right couch for your living space is not a hard thing. First, you need to think about your budget and how much money you want to spend. Buy something that will complement the space and something that will be durable. Don’t go for things that are in style right now and that will be forgotten in a few years. Buy something classic that will look amazing for years to come.