The sofa is an important part of the interior, and you need to approach its choice responsibly. The most important thing is comfort, softness, reasonable price and versatility. The color and size should match the room's color scheme and living area.
To choose a sofa for the living room, it is not enough to be guided only by financial capabilities and visual preferences.
Basic criteria for choosing sofas for the living room
The first thing you should pay attention to is the quality of the product. There should be no dents, abrasions, uneven joints, fittings and decorative elements should not wobble, the pattern is even and matches the seams, there are no scratches.
If you approach the purchase with all responsibility, then the chosen furniture will delight you for a long time with its quality, appearance and comfort.
Modern Sofa Styles
1. Provence - suggests laconic upholstery with floral prints, stripes or checks. Monochromatic natural colors bring contrast to the interior.
2. Classic - furniture should be voluminous and have smooth outlines. Jacquard, tapestry and velor are used as upholstery.
3. Minimalism - this style is characterized by clarity of shapes and lines, and the absence of ornamentation on the upholstery.
4. Modern classics - distinguished by carved armrests, expensive upholstery and large dimensions.
5. Country - combine floral motifs and delicate colors.
6. Modern - most often sofas are black or white with chrome legs and armrests.
Choosing a sofa style
- Modern
Furniture in a modern style are models that emerged no later than 60 - 70 years ago. These include styles such as: hi-tech, kitsch, art deco, eclecticism, minimalism, loft and modern. They are united not by beauty and fashion, but by functionality.
Decorating a living room in a modern style does not have a wide variety of colors.
Modern sofas are a rather light style, simple shapes and various colors and sizes. They come in corner, round, semicircular, backrests and armrests of various shapes and sizes. If you want to emphasize your progressiveness and individuality, then in a modern style you will definitely choose your option.
The furniture here is functional, arranged comfortably and concisely.
- Classical
Classic is a more complex element of furniture; it can be called pretentious. This style is usually compared with high prosperity and established traditions. Thanks to the classics, it is easy to create a feeling of luxury in your home.
Timeless classics emphasize the owners' love for luxury and sophistication.
This furniture does not stand out; it is mostly traditional shapes and sizes. The filling and mechanisms do not differ from the modern style, but the appearance: patterns, upholstery, decorative elements are completely different. They are characterized by calm tones, retro prints, a curved back, and often have legs, armrests and a rectangular seat.
The furnishings are refined, in pastel colors, and the upholstery is made of expensive fabric, for example, velvet.
- Minimalism
Minimalism is always simplicity of form, convenience, nothing superfluous. Strict geometric lines without any inserts, balance of proportions and lack of decor, light colors.
The leading colors in this style are white and gray interspersed with shades of natural wood.
Mainly high-quality materials are used, such as natural wood, onyx, bronze, marble, chrome steel.
The upholstery material is presented in a light palette and is devoid of complex patterns.
Selecting a furniture set
It has been repeatedly said that the living room is a very important room in the entire apartment, regardless of its size.
The living room is a place where the whole family gathers to spend leisure time and receive guests.
In the living room, it is important to create the same interior that is conducive to pleasant gatherings and heart-to-heart conversations.
Furniture plays a special role in creating the intended interior, in particular, classic upholstered furniture for the living room.
A special atmosphere must be created in the hall, and therefore one cannot do without sofas and poufs - in this way the living room will not only be elegant, but also homely and comfortable.
The most affordable furniture option is one with a frame made of chipboard. The main advantage of such furniture is its low cost.
The quality of such furniture is also not the best, and during operation the furniture emits substances harmful to health.
Of course, not everyone can financially afford to purchase a set of upholstered furniture for the living room that is made from expensive natural wood, but it is important that at least the frame is made from a material that does not harm health.
An alternative to furniture made of wood is furniture with a metal frame. Of course, such furniture will not fit into every interior, but this solution is excellent for a modern or high-tech living room.
Options for sofa mechanisms
Dolphin
The sofa with the dolphin transformation mechanism is so called because it resembles the movement of a diving dolphin. An additional section rolls out from under the main seat, is lifted by special fabric handles and pulled towards itself. This will create a full-fledged sleeping place.
The lower part of the berth quickly and easily “jumps out” when unfolded, which is how the mechanism got its name.
The bed is folded into a sofa in the reverse order. Such models come in corners, which is very convenient; they have additional discreet drawers for linen. You can choose any shapes, sizes and colors.
When selecting a sofa according to the type of transformation, you should pay attention to the design features.
Important! The color of the sofa should match the color scheme of the room.
Book
The main advantage of this model is its low price and versatility. The furniture has a linen drawer that can be easily folded out. The seat rises up until it clicks, after which it lowers in the already unfolded form.
Unpretentious design, proven over the years.
Note! It is better to place a sofa of this type against the wall with a slight retreat, otherwise the wall will prevent it from opening.
Tick-Tock (Pantograph)
The name corresponds to the ticking of a clock, which is pleasant for a person who is tired during the day. They are very soft and comfortable while sleeping. It unfolds according to the principle: the seat rises, extends and lowers to the floor, forming the first part, the back of the sofa falls into place. There is also a box for linen.
An improved version of the “book” mechanism.
Color solution
The color of the living room sofa depends directly on the style of the living room itself. The most classic and popular colors for sofas in the living room are: white, gray, beige, soft peach, mint, light brown, light green and lilac and their shades.
It is also worth remembering that white color can visually expand the space of a room, and warm colors give additional comfort and a feeling of warmth. As an image, they most often give preference to: cages, stripes, various patterns, floral images, ornaments.
Sofa shapes
Direct
This type of furniture is suitable for both large and small rooms. The price category is varied, from budget to luxury and expensive, it all depends on the material from which it is made. There are models with armrests, but also without them. It is simple and easy to use. Used as a seat and bed.
In addition to standard straight sofas, manufacturers offer original designs for every taste.
Additional Information! They are long and leave a gap between the wall and the sofa, which presents some inconvenience.
Corner
Corner sofas in the hall are the most comfortable, they save space in the hall because they can be placed in a corner. If the area of the room allows, then you can put the sofa in the center, which will also look great. Corner models are multifunctional and budget-friendly. They have a berth, a seat and a drawer for linen.
The distinctive characteristics of sectional corner sofas are spaciousness and versatility.
Round and semicircular
If you want to emphasize your individuality and add mystery to the interior, then a round sofa is just for you. Its disadvantage is that it will not fit into a hall with a small area, otherwise it will take up the entire space. Also, bedding will have to be selected in a non-standard shape. Such sofas for the living room are highly expensive, but they are unusual and individual.
Such models are not always practical, but they look very original in the living room interior.
Sofas in the living room interior: main types and their differences
For those who are faced with choosing a sofa for the living room for the first time, it can be difficult to decide due to ignorance of even the main varieties. Therefore, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with them and also understand their features in detail. After all, this affects not only the quality of the structure, but also its wear resistance and service life.
There are several criteria by which sofas are distinguished:
- In appearance: angular and straight designs. Of course, the sofa can be made in any shape, but most often such options are created using a modular design.
Straight sofa in the living room
This option is most often found in living room design. The fact is that it does not take up much space, so you can always move it or install it in the center of the room. That is, if you wish, you can independently change the design of the living room without purchasing new upholstered furniture. It is noteworthy that it can be used not only for relaxation, but also as a full-fledged sleeping place. The main thing is to take care of the quality of the filler so that your sleep is as comfortable as possible. All these nuances make straight sofas the most versatile for rooms of any size and shape. Therefore, it is not surprising that in large houses two sofas are installed opposite each other.
Corner sofas in the interior
Despite the popularity of straight sofas, corner designs are no less relevant. They are more functional, which is ideal for a small living room. After all, they can be converted into an additional bed for guests. This option is also relevant for those who prefer a small amount of furniture in the house and value free space.
In general, it should be noted that corner sofas have a number of significant advantages that should definitely be taken into account in the selection process. First of all, this option has a larger number of seats. This is an ideal solution if you like to receive guests and do it often. In addition, a corner sofa always looks quite original and often becomes the main accent in the room. Especially if it is used to divide space in a studio apartment. Please note that corner sofas can be of different shapes, namely the letter “G”, “P” and “C”. Thanks to this, you can choose the best option for a room of any size. Even after its installation, you can use the transformation mechanism, which allows you to change the appearance of the living room, as well as the functional purpose of the sofa. And, of course, this option allows you to do without soft chairs, which is one of its main advantages.
An important role in choosing a corner sofa is played by its size. Keep in mind that in addition to the length of the sofa, the depth and height of the backrests can also vary. For spacious rooms, a large sofa would be more appropriate. It doesn't have to be placed against the wall. Interior designers recommend using it to zone the space. Small corner sofas look better in small apartments. In this case, they can be not only a relaxation area, but also a sleeping place for guests. It is also often used to separate the sleeping area from the rest of the room. Due to this, the room immediately becomes more comfortable.
- According to the type of construction, sofas are either stationary or modular. Each option can be the best solution for your living room. Therefore, be sure to take into account their features and your own preferences in interior design.
Modular sofas for the living room
Recently, modular sofas have become increasingly popular. They consist of several elements that can be selected individually, taking into account the characteristics of the living room. As a result, it is possible to make the most intelligent use of the space of the entire room, regardless of its size and layout. Please note that free-form modular sofas allow you to change the configuration of the sofa. That is, if necessary, you can swap its parts, supplement them with other sections, etc. If desired, parts of the sofa can be used separately. Thanks to this, the interior looks new. But keep in mind that modular sofas should not be chosen for a permanent place to sleep. They are more suitable for relaxation or as additional space for guests.
Stationary sofas
A stationary sofa is not the most practical option. The fact is that it is assembled at the factory and securely fastened, and the design does not imply any changes. Therefore, the client only has to choose the color, size and texture for the upholstery. However, there is also a positive side to such a sofa, as it is well suited for constant sleep. For this reason, it is mainly chosen for small apartments, where one room is a bedroom and at the same time a recreation area.
- There are quite a few varieties of sofas in style. Therefore, it should be chosen based on the overall design of the living room.
The Bridgewater style sofa is significantly different from other designs. It is characterized by low armrests, which most often have a rounded shape, as well as removable seat and back cushions. It is believed that this option looks the most casual, so it is chosen more often than others. "Bridgewater" looks good not only in a classic interior, but will also complement a classic living room. Also, such a sofa can often be seen in country and art deco style rooms.
Chesterfield sofas are extremely popular. Its main feature is the curved armrests. Basically they are equal in height to the back. However, manufacturers are increasingly experimenting, creating new, interesting variations. Most often, this option is chosen for a loft-style living room. However, depending on the design, the Chesterfield sofa will be appropriate in a classic style, as well as shabby chic. As for the upholstery, velvet or leather is often used.
Sleeper has always been very popular. This sofa does not have armrests and is perfect for a permanent sleeping place. Due to the absence of these details, the sofa does not take up much space and is an ideal solution for a small living room. Perhaps most often it is chosen for a modern interior or a living room in a high-tech, minimalist style. But keep in mind that in this case the sofa should have a neutral color.
The mid-century style sofa has a rectangular shape and thin wooden legs. Most designs have a soft back, which is especially comfortable for relaxing. Most often, this version of the sofa can be seen in the Scandinavian interior of the living room, as well as in the Art Nouveau or classic style.
The next version of the sofa is “tuxedo”. It must have straight and high armrests and a back. However, they must be located on the same level. The legs in this case are extremely short and wooden. The upholstery can be any, but leather is more popular. It is noteworthy that “Tuxedo” looks good in a Scandinavian, modern style living room, and also perfectly complements the interior in the minimalist and loft style. In addition, the designers note that this particular option will be appropriate when mixing styles in the design of the living room.
It is impossible not to note the sofa in the Lawson style. His armrests are always slightly lower than the backrest. In general, this option is often called everyday. Therefore, it perfectly complements the living room in Scandinavian and European design, as well as in the loft style.
- Sofas are classified a little less frequently by the number of seats. The fact is that compact designs for small living rooms most often have two or three seats. In turn, large sofas are designed for at least five seats. However, there is no specific standard by which this can be calculated. It all depends on what parameters a particular manufacturer chooses to work with. Therefore, we recommend that you calculate in advance the maximum possible size of the sofa in your living room, compare it with your preferences and choose the best option.
- In terms of price, sofas can be of economy, medium, medium-high, high and premium class. This pricing is influenced primarily by factors such as filler, frame and upholstery material.
Choosing the size of the sofa and its location
Size plays a very important role; you cannot block off the entire space in the room or, on the contrary, select a small sofa for a room with a large area.
Practical type of furniture: due to its compact size it fits in a small living room or studio apartment.
- For a small room, it is better to choose a corner sofa and place it against the wall or in the corner.
- In a room where there are few closets, you can buy a sofa with a shelf for books and save space.
- A sofa with a sleeping place is suitable for one-room apartments or for people who often receive guests.
- Several small sofas in the living room will provide a large family with space for evening gatherings.
Today, designers have stopped limiting their imagination, since modern furniture manufacturers can bring any idea to life.
Furniture is everything: upholstered furniture for the living room
The style of a modern hall interior has two strong rules that are used by leading designers in 90% of cases. This is a monitor for viewing (it can become a TV or home theater) and sofas and armchairs in all their rich variety. First, a place for the sofa and monitor is selected, and only then the arrangement of the rest of the composition is played out. The main thing is that the design of upholstered furniture for the hall should be:
- Fashionable
- Stylish
- Functional
- Correct color scheme
A soft corner below the podium of a multi-level living room is an excellent solution that allows you to accommodate a large number of guests
The composition of furniture in the living room can be built around the fireplace, but at the same time be quite bright and eye-catching due to its deep, rich shades
Black and white furniture: futuristic sofa and legendary armchair by Gaetano Pesce
Choosing the color scheme of the sofa
The choice of colors is an indicator of the taste of the owner of the house. Bright colors pair well with neutrals, but if you want more color, a sofa in another bright color would be a good complement.
Multi-colored patterns on the upholstery will appeal to retro lovers.
Solid colors can be diluted with furniture with a pattern, and vice versa, curtains and wallpaper with patterns will include black, red, green, blue and other colors in their ensemble. The right choice of color can emphasize the style of the room, while the wrong color will ruin a good interior.
Expensive material that will give the atmosphere a touch of luxury.
White color goes well with almost all colors and suits any interior. Bright colors can dilute and calm a white sofa, but it will also fit perfectly into an interior with neutral colors. But white also speaks of the owner’s cleanliness, so if you do not keep your home clean, it is better to abandon the snow-white color.
When choosing a color palette, you need to rely on your own preferences.
Animals in the apartment also require constant care for white upholstered furniture. But at the same time, white is able to normalize the mental state and calm the nerves. Too much white on the contrary will lead to disappointment and bad mood. When choosing white, you need a golden mean.
In design, you can achieve harmony by combining warm (or cool) tones of upholstery with neutral finishes or with each other.
Stylish living room design with sofa
A beautiful, thoughtful interior design always raises many questions and generally makes a positive impression. After all, often all the furniture, including sofas, are located in suitable places. Therefore, for those who are just planning to adhere to a certain style in the interior, we recommend choosing absolutely all the details taking this into account. Thanks to this, the living room will look harmonious.
As for the sofa, not only the shape is important in this matter, but also the texture and color scheme. Because in a cozy living room it often becomes the main and most important object. Most often it is installed near a wall or under a window. This is an ideal solution for small rooms. In addition, in this case the central part remains free, and the living room visually looks larger. But in this case there are no special rules, since everything depends solely on the size and shape of the living room.
But other solutions in living room interior design are also popular. You can often see that the sofa is installed in the center of the room. This is relevant if it is necessary to visually divide the room into zones. For example, in a large living room you can often see a seating area, a workplace or even a dining table. That is why a sofa is used as a separation.
In a large living room, sofas are often placed opposite each other. It always looks luxurious. Especially if they have beautiful upholstery, like velvet or velor. Of course, this placement option will not make the room larger. However, this is very convenient if you often have guests in your home. Everyone will be comfortable, and such a living room is literally designed for friendly gatherings and large companies.
Of course, the process of choosing a sofa for your living room can be difficult and sometimes tedious. To avoid this, try to carefully study the varieties. After all, thanks to this knowledge, choosing the best option will be much easier and more enjoyable.
Materials for making sofas
Leather sofas
Leather will never go out of fashion; it will always look rich and elegant. Leather furniture is always of high quality, it does not tear, does not wear out, and is very durable. This model is not capable of spoiling the interior. When choosing, pay attention to the manufacturer and quality. The main thing is that all materials are natural and firmly bonded, otherwise the leather sofa will have to be replaced within six months.
Wear-resistant, but has poor breathability. Not comfortable for exposed parts of the body.
A natural wood frame is more durable and skin-friendly than chipboard. There are also non-standard models that use a metal frame, but such products are easier to repair than products with a wooden frame.
Traditional models are a winning option for any room.
Natural wood
Living room sofas made of natural wood are, first of all, environmentally friendly, the pleasant aroma of wood purifies the air and the quality of the material can truly give its owner a rest.
They consist of separate sections, with which you can easily change the arrangement of furniture.
Wooden armrests and patterns cut into wood look very presentable and speak of good taste. Prices for natural things are always high, but the appearance and quality will not make you think about repairs or doubt your choice.
As a rule, the interior of a living room is built around a sofa, and what it will be like depends only on the character of its owner.
You need to approach the choice of a sofa responsibly, only then will it last a long time and be pleasing to the eye. It is better to choose budget and multifunctional models; if you are willing to spend more, then choose high-quality and natural materials.
Fashion is everything
The fashion of 2015 is dictated by the combination of incongruous things. Turn on your imagination, experiment! A special style among designers is the complete rejection of any type of typeface. A modern living room is a competent selection of individual pieces of furniture and their successful combination.
Modern trends do not imply any restrictions in the combination of different materials. You can place velvet, leather, denim, distressed prints and clear patterns next to each other.
The variety of materials for furniture is unlimited. You can combine modern plastic and aged wood, cold metal and warm textiles, airy glass and natural stone.
A spectacular combination of snow-white fabric, bare brick and wood
Strict background tones of decoration and bright ethnic motifs in upholstered furniture
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Leather
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Stylish, practical and luxurious. Designers advise using leather furniture for the living room in shades of brown, black, gray and cream. The combination of glossy and matte surfaces will be especially fashionable.
- Eco leather
. Furniture made from comfortable and attractive eco-leather is becoming fashionable. But, compared to natural material, eco-leather is not durable.
Black and white living room interior with industrial style elements, built in a modern key, but using aged materials
- Fish skin.
This year's innovation in the interior is finishing upholstered furniture with fish skin. This is a very durable material that can be painted in different shades.
Furniture upholstered with fish skin is easy to recognize: such skin resembles snakeskin, and the upholstery consists of individual uneven strips. Its color can be any, even the brightest
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Tree. This year gives preference to wooden furniture for the living room. The perfection of nature has no equal. Untreated wood fibers under transparent varnish look particularly sophisticated and touching.
Advice!
If you decide to go with natural wood, do not oversaturate such a room with bright colors - it will turn out tasteless and tacky.
Bright armchairs and poufs are constant components of the eclectic living room interior
Deep blue velvet upholstery is a deservedly popular choice.
The geometric shape of sofas, armchairs and poufs can help create a holistic interior.
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Textile. Timeless warm textiles are always at the peak of popularity. Pleasant to the touch, with a variety of textures and finishes, fabric upholstery will fit well into any living room interior.
With the help of white textile furniture, interesting effects of faded and dusty furnishings are created
Designer sofa in an eclectic interior in neutral tones
An English-style interior most often involves the selection of furniture upholstered in fabric with a floral pattern, contrasting or merging with the background
How to properly place a corner sofa in the living room
Each housewife, choosing a place for a sofa, will install it in the hall near a free wall. However, not every designer will do this. After all, the purpose of living rooms is always the same: receiving guests, a library, storage compartments, a workplace and a bedroom. The following tips will help you correctly arrange furniture in the room:
- Draw a plan of the living room on a scale of 1:20. It is recommended to mark windows, balconies, sockets, radiators and take into account the opening direction of all doors.
- Cut out furniture models from paper. Arrange them in accordance with your wishes or on the advice of the designer in the drawing of the hall.
Convenient location of the corner sofa:
- It is not recommended to place such furniture close to the window and radiator;
- if the room is a walk-through room, then the sofa cannot occupy part of the doorway.
What goes with it in the interior?
The chosen sofa should be a highlight in the design of the room. A classic or modern model is most harmonious. And before you decide on its color, you should make sure that it matches the interior of the room as a whole.
Interesting! Upholstered furniture can harmoniously blend into the design of the room if the living room design is combined with a corner sofa.
Experts advise sticking to the following color schemes:
- creating a unified palette in the room;
- decorating the room with a contrast between its color and upholstered furniture. For example, blue walls and an orange sofa.
Expert opinion
Olga Kovalenko
Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.
The selected model should look harmonious in the layout of the room, be as functional as possible and not overload the room.
Traditional linear sofas
As a rule, furniture of this type comes in combination with two armchairs. If the chairs are not provided by the selected model, you should think about purchasing additional furniture units.
Linear sofas are the most famous in the design and user environment. They can be presented in the form of furniture with a transformation function (euro book, folding bed, accordion and many other options for folding structures).
Choosing upholstery for sofas
The choice of upholstery material plays not only a decorative role, but also a practical function. The textile base differs in a number of parameters:
- Porosity.
- Resistant to moisture and shrinkage after washing.
- Resistance to sunlight (this criterion is especially important for the ornaments and colors of sofa fabric).
For apartments with children, it is very important to use upholstery with a high content of natural fibers that do not contain allergens. At the same time, the durability of textiles is important for thrifty housewives.
Note!
- Living room in an apartment: the simplest ideas and fashionable interior design options for living rooms of different sizes (150 photos)
Modern living rooms - an overview of original design options. TOP 150 photos of ready-made solutions + rules for the ideal combination of color and style
- Living room interior - 160 photos of fashionable ideas for decorating the living room with stylish interior elements
The most optimal and popular materials for sofa upholstery are the following types of fibers:
- Mat. Durable textiles obtained by special weaving of natural and synthetic fibers. Some of them provide increased tensile strength, others are exclusively natural, environmentally friendly fabrics.
- Tapestry. Relief weaving of threads, which allows you to create incredibly beautiful upholstery fabrics. The relief is soft, but at the same time has a fairly strong structure.
- Genuine Leather. Used exclusively for expensive designer styles. It adequately meets all the requirements for safety and durability, and gives the furniture an extremely stylish design.
- Leatherette. This is a synthetic fabric used as a substitute for natural fiber. It has a more pleasant tactile sensation, but at the same time, an affordable price for the consumer.
Today, thanks to the efforts of designers and production technologists, more and more advanced upholstery options are entering the furniture market. They are universal in their performance, quite durable, and have a pleasant external decor.
