Upholstered furniture is the main element in arranging a living room, especially a living room, the purpose of which is to comfortably accommodate visitors, have a pleasant pastime for the whole family, comfort and coziness. A well-chosen sofa should first of all be comfortable and create coziness in the room.
This is a widely known fact, so most people who have decided to renovate their apartment on their own are wondering how to choose a suitable sofa for the living room in modern cramped apartments. How to choose a suitable sofa for a small living room? What other aspects, besides matching with the overall design and mood of the room, need to be taken into account?
Sofa in a small room
It seems that the most important thing in choosing a sofa is not to make a mistake with the size and find a color that is in harmony with the decor. However, a small living room makes its own adjustments. You can buy the first sofa you like, but it will crowd the living room and it will seem like there is even less space in it. Therefore, we will tell you the tricks that designers use when choosing furniture.
Options for a small room
Depending on how the model can be unfolded, there are several types of such furniture.
"Book"
The most common and compact option. It is distinguished by its reliability and availability. The disadvantages are that unfolding it requires considerable effort, and it is necessary to leave enough free space behind its back.
Sofa “book”
Click-clack
This design is an improved or modified “book”.
The main difference is that, in addition to the existing sitting and lying positions of the “book,” the click-klyak has half-sitting and half-lying positions.
Advantage - it contains several folding positions, which determines the comfort and ease of use. The disadvantage is still the same - it needs to maintain a sufficient gap behind the back.
Sofa “click-clack”
French folding bed
The folding structure rests on metal legs. Often equipped with additional components (pillows, bolsters), which must be removed when unfolding.
The main advantages are compactness and a wide range of mini models. Disadvantages: high risk of breakage and lack of a linen drawer.
Sofa “French folding bed”
Accordion
The operating principle of the design is a clamshell. Transforms into a high and comfortable sleeping place.
To disassemble it, the edge of the structure is raised and, after a click, pulled forward all the way. The advantage is reliability. The main disadvantage is the requirement of sufficient free space.
Sofa “accordion”
“Eurobook”
In demand due to its reliability and simplicity. To recline, you need to move the seat forward and tilt the backrest. Advantages: low price, durable design, compartment for things.
Disadvantages: regular use leaves dents and scratches on the flooring; when unfolded, the sofa takes up a lot of space.
Sofa “Eurobook”
American (Belgian) folding bed
The folding part first rises, then moves forward and is installed on the legs. Advantages: convenient for constant use, there are no additional elements, which simplifies its unfolding, equipped with a linen compartment. Disadvantages: when unfolded, it takes up a lot of space.
American folding bed
"Puma"
Similar to the “Eurobook” model. Among the advantages are ease of unfolding, compactness, complexity and thoughtful design, which ensures the safety of the floor covering. The main disadvantage is the high cost.
"Puma"
"Dolphin"
The mechanism is typical for corner models. In order to unfold this option, you need to pull the hidden strap. Advantages: ease of operation, reliability, equipped with a compartment for things. There were no shortcomings noted by consumers.
Sofa “Dolphin”
"Telescope"
The mechanism consists of a seat, a headrest and a soft element. When unfolding, you need to pull the hidden strap. The main advantage is compactness. Disadvantages: complex design, with regular use it damages the floor covering.
Sofa “Telescope”
Roll-out
To unfold this model, you need to pull the hidden strap and tilt the mattress or pillows back. Advantages: simple and durable mechanism, compactness, sufficient space for rest. The main disadvantage is damage to the floor covering.
Roll-out
Color solution
Don't forget about our perception of color. It is important not only the color combination with other objects and decoration of the living room, not only the psychological impact of color, but also the effect of approaching and moving away. Deep cold shades such as blue, cyan, aqua, violet visually distance the subject. Warm red, yellow, orange - bring you closer. This means that it is better to choose a cool shade of color for the sofa.
The darkness/lightness of the color is also very important. Dark color, despite the fact that it removes the object and makes it visually smaller, also absorbs light, thereby reducing the surrounding space. It is better not to make the sofa completely black, but black vertical elements are allowed. If, on the contrary, you make an object too light, it will appear larger. Therefore, it is better to choose a middle ground.
Material
Leather, both natural and artificial, including eco-leather, is definitely a bad choice. Although there are those who will argue with this, citing the main argument that patent leather reflects light well, this is not so. And there are three reasons at once:
- she scratches, and often severely. If in a large space constant rubbing and rubbing can be avoided, and for several years you can get by with conventional care products, then in a small room the sofa will need to be replaced or will require professional restoration, the cost of which can reach half of a new one;
- visually increases the size of the furniture. Even a small chair looks like a pompous armchair, let alone a full-fledged sofa;
- looks binding, visually weighing down the sofa. But individual elements, such as parts of the armrests or a contrasting leather insert along the entire bottom of the sofa, are always relevant solutions. At the same time, the same can be said about high-pile fabrics.
There are no restrictions on other upholstery fabrics, wood, metal inserts, etc. It all depends solely on the imagination of the designer developing the product.
Proportions
Another important point when choosing a sofa for a small living room is its proportional combination with other items. It is better to place the sofa on a large carpet and not hang too small images above it - the contrast in sizes will affect the visual proportions of the sofa.
Mechanism
There are only five of them:
- classic book. The form, known since time immemorial, is still relevant today. And all because if you sleep alone, then you don’t need to lay out anything, there’s plenty of space. Plus a spacious drawer for linen. And the downside is that both unfolded and folded, the external dimensions of the sofa are almost the same;
- Eurobook. The differences from a regular book are minor, but they still exist. And the main thing is the mechanism used. It was he who made it possible to get rid of the hollow between the halves that is so unloved by many, which is formed when unfolding. Although the disadvantage of this option is the same - the size;
- roll-out When folded, it is very compact, the sleeping place folds forward, so it will not be difficult to fit it into the existing decor of the room. But the advantages also come with disadvantages - the low height and very small thickness of the mattress;
- click-clack. The developers of this particular sofa will be especially proud of its versatility: there are several options for folding and unfolding. It also has a large niche for bedding. Minus - it cannot be placed close to the wall, as abrasion will appear on it very quickly;
- accordion. It unfolds and folds with one hand, while the sleeping place will be perfectly flat. With compact assembled dimensions, it will be as large as possible. Plus there is a spacious drawer for linen. The downside is that the mechanism is not the simplest, which can scare off the choice. However, this particular sofa option will be a real salvation for small rooms.
There are plenty to choose from, but the first three are the most popular.
Advantages and disadvantages
Often people use small sofas as the main furniture for small apartments. They are distinguished by their practicality, preserving usable space. This allows you to install products in any room.
This sofa can be found in any apartment
Tip Each piece of furniture has its own strengths and weaknesses. You should definitely study them before you start furnishing the room with furniture.
The advantages of small sofas with a berth include:
- Compact size . The furniture is fashionable and easy to install in a room of any size. It is suitable even for the smallest spaces. A small sofa will fully fulfill the tasks assigned to it, but take up little space.
- Functionality . The sofa is suitable for daily use for family TV watching or home dinner. Furniture can also only be used when guests or relatives arrive overnight.
- Variety of designs . The sofa can be made in any style. The main thing is to choose an option that matches the interior of the room.
- Reliable and simple folding mechanism . Even a child can convert the sofa into a sleeping area.
- Easy care . The small sofa is easy to clean. The main thing is to choose household chemicals that match the upholstery material.
Very light and easy to care for
Small sofas with a sleeping place have practically no disadvantages. But before purchasing, it is also better to study them in advance. The main weakness of the furniture is its poor quality construction. To avoid this, you need to study the seller’s work in advance, as well as read customer reviews about him. Before purchasing, the product itself should be carefully inspected for various defects and manufacturing defects.
They don't have much space to sleep
The disadvantages of small-sized sofas include a sleeping place after unfolding. Usually it is small in size. Only 1 adult can comfortably fit here. Therefore, it is better to think in advance before purchasing. Who will sleep on this furniture and how often.
Kitchen + living room
If you remove the wall separating the living room and kitchen, you can create a large and bright space. But this option is not suitable for everyone, although every year it gains an increasing number of fans.
Kitchen-living room design
. A bright accent can be not one, but several shades.
When combining the living room and kitchen, the result is a room with several windows, and the space itself will be filled with plenty of light and air flow. This way you can get a dining area that is complete according to its parameters. But there is no such thing in a regular, separate kitchen, and the main thing is not to forget about the table - there should be at least 70 cm of space for everyone.
Ideas for the kitchen-living room
What to look for when choosing a small sofa?
There are different models of compact sofas, complemented by a sleeping place. It is important to know how to choose the right product. The main thing is to take into account the functional features of the room. This guarantees a long service life of the furniture, as well as ease of use both folded and disassembled.
The main thing is to choose the right design
The main selection criteria include:
- Frame . It should be made of plywood or natural wood. They eliminate the risk of rapid wear of the structure.
- Upholstery . Be sure to touch the material before purchasing. A good fabric should have a dense structure and not separate into threads. It is best to choose from the following types of canvases:
- jacquard;
- cotton;
- tapestry.
A good fabric should have a dense structure
- Mechanism . The design can be equipped with any layout method. It must be of good quality so that there are no difficulties during operation.
- Filler . Today, synthetic polyester or foam rubber are mainly used to stuff sofas.
The cost of a small sofa is also affected by the presence or absence of armrests. A person chooses an option for himself, based on his budget and the characteristics of the room in which it will be installed.
A sofa with armrests will cost more
Before buying a compact sofa with a sleeper, you need to pay attention to its strengths and weaknesses. The first include:
- compact dimensions;
- variety of shapes and colors;
- suitable for different interiors and styles.
It is important to choose a model that fits all styles
The disadvantages of the product include a relatively small sleeping area, which cannot replace a bed. You also need to carefully choose the upholstery. It must take into account the specifics of the room.
VIDEO: Very comfortable models of small sofas
Choosing a sofa for your interior
Small options with a berth
Divide the space into zones
This arrangement of furniture is an excellent option if the rectangular room is wide enough.
For ease of movement between the sofa and the coffee table, the distance should be at least 40 cm. To emphasize the division of the room into separate zones, you can use soft poufs in a neutral color.
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Correct opening of the door in the living room
In or out?
Opening the door in the living room
. If you don’t want to attract attention to the door, it’s best to choose invisible models that don’t have platbands. If you additionally paint it to match the tone of the walls, they will be completely invisible.
But in or out? There are no special rules - everything is purely individual, depending on the layout, furniture, and what the general interior of the room is like. The main rule here is that doors should open easily and not interfere with movement. Also, the canvas should not block access to the wardrobe. Often, you even have to move the doorway in the wall.
1. Normal door location. It does not block the passage, but it has its own disadvantage - it will close the cabinet when opened.
2. Not the best option. It won’t block the corridor, but it will close the entrance to the room and visually take up a lot of space. It is better to mount the model like an accordion or book.
3. Bad decision. To open the door, you have to step back. And this is so inconvenient, especially if the corridors in the room are so narrow. Therefore, the choice falls on the folding type of door.
4. This is already the most convenient option - the doors do not interfere with the entrance/exit, and from the point of view of compliance with fire safety standards, everything is fine.
What is better for a child: a bed or a sofa?
If the child is healthy, has correct posture, plays sports, and spends a lot of time playing outdoor games, a sofa bed is quite suitable for him to sleep. If you have problems with posture, choose a bed with a mattress recommended by an orthopedist.
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Living room + office
It is not always possible to place a full-fledged workplace or table in a small room. Often it can be placed in the living room or bedroom. Regarding the size of the table - if the work involves the use of a laptop, 50-60 cm is enough, if they install a stationary computer - choose a table at least 70 cm in depth.
Living room design
. Here the work desk seems to be hidden, all thanks to the same color as the wall, but the chair acts as a bright accent.
What’s the best way to put a table in the living room? You can highlight such variations on the theme.
1. In the farthest corner. If you rarely work in the living room, this is the optimal solution. We intend to make it invisible - match the color of the walls, place a shelving unit or a screen nearby.
2. Near the window opening - if you work at home all the time, this is the right decision. And if it has an extension like a window sill, it’s great to work with a stationary computer.
3. Built into a cabinet. If you intend to maintain a decent appearance and hide the “creative” mess, this is a super solution, close the doors and everything is in order.
Desk in the interior
Frame features
Small-sized sofas for small spaces are laid out every day. Therefore, you need to make sure that the frame can withstand such a load. And to this add the weight of a person who will sleep on the sofa. If it is a double model, it should be able to withstand more than 100 kg.
A wooden frame is suitable for this. It is made from oak, walnut or birch. Budget models use coniferous wood, but they may not withstand high loads. If your budget is limited, it is better to buy furniture with a metal welded frame. Bolts are not suitable for fastening.
Why do you need a corner sofa?
The traditional approach to purchasing furniture dictates the following rule: “tiny apartment - miniature furniture.”
A narrow table, a folding bed, folding chairs - we get the interior in which the ascetic commanders of the past lived and worked. But an apartment, our everyday abode, should provide maximum psychological comfort and relaxing bliss for complete rest. And if we consider the living room as the center of home warmth, then the corner sofa simply must become its center, and there are five reasons for this.
Corner sofa is very comfortable for family gatherings
- On a classic straight sofa they sit decorously, side by side, like children at a desk. The corner sofa sets the image of a certain circle, turns those sitting to face each other, and works to subconsciously unite the household.
- It is the largest piece of furniture in the room, which means it, and not the TV, defines the atmosphere of the living room. Here is the center of family life, where ideas regarding vacations, significant purchases, or going to college are generated.
- It perfectly zones the room. The space that it covers with its “wings” is the living room itself, and everything behind it can be used for children’s games or for placing large plants.
- It is more comfortable: it allows you not only to lean back with taste, but also to stretch your legs on the soft surface.
- A modular corner sofa, if its sections are not rigidly fastened together, allows you to change the decor of the living room completely free of charge. It is enough to move the short module to the other side. Our subconscious will perceive this as a serious renovation of the interior and will be satisfied.
Of course, a corner sofa will leave less free space, but it will do a great job of creating home comfort.
TV in the living room
size and location
Placing a TV in the living room
. Here everything goes according to the principle - the larger the diagonal, the more beautiful the TV will look on the wall.
Location
. It is better to mount it on the opposite wall from the sofa - this will be reasonable and quite logical for the living room. And modern models can be placed as close as possible to the sofa.
Cabinet or bracket?
This is at the discretion of the TV owners - the main thing is to install it carefully so that wires and sockets are not visible. After all, they are the ones who port even the most modern and thoughtful design.
Height from floor
. According to designers, the most optimal height is a meter from the floor to the middle of the TV screen. This is the approximate eye level of a viewer sitting on the couch.
Diagonal size
. Here, much is determined by the financial situation of the owner - if funds allow, it is worth buying from 50 inches or more. Diagonally smaller models will simply get lost against the general background of the wall.
Film projector as an alternative
. If the walls in the house are not so smooth and white, you need to install a screen on the wall. It can be lowered/raised either manually or equipped with an electric drive. In the latter option, it is necessary to provide for power supply in advance, and as always there are no hanging wires. It is also important to determine the location for the projector. Here it is important to determine whether this will be a portable version or whether you mount the projector on a mount. It is also worth choosing thick curtains for the windows to enjoy the colorful picture.
Neoclassical style in the living room
Delicate and at the same time modern neoclassicism is a trend that is highly demanded among customers. To describe it in a few words, it is a modernized version, an interpretation of the classics. Wall moddings or watercolors, delicate shades, intricate sconces and lamps.
Living room in neoclassical style
. Cheerful colored pillows will be appropriate in both classic and neoclassical styles.
Signs of style
. The neoclassical style itself is characterized by such parameters as the symmetrical arrangement of furniture, as well as the placement of accessories. Stucco molding and complex forms of furniture, curtains draped on the window - this is inherent in neoclassicism.
Living rooms in neoclassical style
Typical errors
We have collected the most frequent ones, which have already become classics:
- place a sofa in the middle of the room. When unfolded, it will be incredibly uncomfortable, even if it is used for sleeping from time to time, as a backup option. The exception is non-folding sofas, without a mechanism;
- models with additional decor or non-functional, often bulky elements are a frankly bad choice. There is no payload in them, and they “eat up” space both visually and actually;
- When choosing, you need to be especially careful with dark, and especially with shades of black upholstery. What looks great in a store and looks great in a picture is like a saddle on a cow indoors. Don’t get carried away, although the option with separate elements can look very advantageous;
- Finally, another misconception of the vast majority of us is the corner option. When folded, it is very compact, and when unfolded, on the contrary, it turns into a huge sleeping place, of course, if you have chosen just such a form factor with narrow armrests and an appropriate mechanism. But the way it looks in a small space is something. It’s cumbersome, ponderous, as if it was moved out of the living room during renovations and everyone can’t wait for it to be finished. Therefore, if in a month or two you don’t want to put your sofa on display at a used furniture flea market, don’t even consider this option.
Basic forms
First you need to decide on the purpose of using the sofa. Whether one person will rest on it, or for a large family, it depends on which form is best to choose.
- Frameless. This type of upholstered furniture does not have a rigid base inside and is filled with a variety of fillings. It is distinguished by its relatively small size and low rise, but there are models for a company of 5 people.
- Simple straight sofa. It has a large number of variations of models that will fit into any interior. Often equipped with folding mechanisms.
- Angular. It is designed for a large company and can perfectly become the central object of the apartment.
If the room is too small, then it can occupy it entirely, but there are models of compact sizes. As an option, you can complete a straight sofa with poufs in the form of a corner.
- Sofa. Compact furniture with a spacious seating area, sometimes equipped with drawers for linen. There is no folding mechanism, but one person will lie down quite comfortably.
- Couch. Small sun lounger for one person. It has no armrests and looks more like an unfolded chair. A good option for relaxation, but not suitable for sleeping. This sofa can perfectly complement the main furniture.
Colors
Beige color in the design of a rather large living room
It’s impossible to say with one voice – yes, only light shades in the interior. You can use a variety of original and bright ones, both in classics and modern neoclassics.
Beige
– the shade will help visually expand the room. This is its main task - to bring the illusion of space into the room.
Compatibility
. It will pair beautifully with most dark/cool tones. Plus, it will allow you to add bright accents to the interior itself - textiles or furniture, decor. Plus, it perfectly calms the psyche.
Warm beige
used when decorating interiors in a classic style; cold shades, such as gray, will fit perfectly into modern interior options.
Beige color in the living room
. As a rule, warm shades of beige are used for design in a classic style. But cooler, grayish tones will look better in modern interiors.
A selection of beige living rooms
Gray color in the interior of a rather large living room
Gray color in the living room
. Gray is the calmest and most neutral color.
For example, black shades will absorb light, and if used incorrectly in the interior, the room will be gloomy. But the abundance of white will make the room faceless, so to speak uninteresting. At the same time, gray tones and shades are a neutral zone between them.
A selection of gray living rooms
