If the kitchen is the beating heart of your home, then the living room is the warm embrace that envelops it, offering a comforting sanctuary where shared moments and cherished memories unfold. Selecting the right furniture to optimise this space is crucial, and at the core of getting it right is choosing the perfect sofa.
With a myriad of options available, making this important decision can feel a bit overwhelming. That's why we sat down with Metricon's expert interior designer, Felicity Tragardh, to glean insights into what you need to know to turn your sofa dreams into a plush reality.
Who is the sofa for?
Determining who will be using the sofa is the first crucial question you need to ask yourself while on the hunt, according to Felicity. "Is it primarily for adults, or will it be subjected to the playful antics of kids, dogs, and cats? This consideration will guide whether you opt for a gorgeous white linen, embracing an overstuffed Hampton-style sofa, or veer towards the practicality of hard-wearing, easy-to-clean leather."
If your intended audience is less likely to adorn the sofa with crayons or claws, Felicity suggests exploring a few key options. "Are you inclined towards a classic linen look, or perhaps you want to introduce some tactile appeal with boucle? The latter is particularly popular at the moment."
And as for the colour palette?
"I always recommend going for a nice and simple lighter shade for your main living space sofa, which you can then enhance with coloured cushions," she suggests.
"However, keep in mind that cushions sit better on fabric. They tend to slide around on leather, making it a bit trickier to style a leather sofa. If you opt for a large modular sofa, throws are excellent for breaking them up and adding a touch of softness to the space."
Felicity recommends embracing bold colours for a statement piece. "A gorgeous emerald-green velvet sofa can be absolutely stunning, although it might not be the most practical choice for your primary living space. However, it could become the star of a formal sitting room where its dramatic presence can truly shine."
Position makes perfect
After settling on the ideal sofa for your home, the next consideration is placing it in the optimal position within your living space.
"Essentially, you should assess the room's size, the number of bodies the sofa needs to accommodate, and factor in other furniture sharing the space, such as sideboards or dining tables," Felicity advises. "Think about whether you are leaning towards something modular with a chaise, or are you more inclined to choose two separate sofas?"
The style of the sofa also plays a significant role. Again, it hinges on who will be using it and how. "Consider the armrests—do you prefer them thin to save space, or would you rather have wide ones where you can even place a timber top to integrate a side table? And what about the legs? Opt for raised ones if you want to clean underneath, or go for a lower profile to prevent things from rolling underneath.
"Some sofas even come with built-in storage, or you could choose a sofa bed for a spare room, making it a versatile option for inviting guests while serving as an additional lounge when not entertaining," adds Felicity.
Once you've nailed down the sofa configuration that suits your needs, positioning it within a room becomes more intuitive. "In our spacious open-plan living areas, you can use the back of a sofa to create a sort of partition between the family room and the kitchen/dining area," suggests Felicity.
"Alternatively, you can flip it around and open up the room as much as possible. It all depends on how much floor space you want and how you want the room to flow. And if you're big TV lovers, you'll want to leave at least two meters between the sofa and the screen."
"If you have an open-plan living area on an upper floor, it's even more crucial to consider the positioning of your sofa. You need to ensure the end isn't too close to the balustrade for safety reasons," Felicity advises.
Invest in the best
Felicity’s modular sofa at home is still going strong 25 years on because she understood that it is a focal point of any home and must stand the test of time despite heavy usage.
"It's like anything in life; if you invest a bit of money in it, chances are it will be of better quality and last longer," she notes. "You should view your sofa like you view your bed because you'll be sitting on it almost as often as you sleep. When you're selecting a mattress, you want to ensure it's comfortable, supportive, and durable. The same holds true for a sofa."
If you opt for a modular set-up like Felicity, it can enhance a sofa's longevity. "Because they are adaptable, you can change it up to fit a different layout if you end up moving home. It can adapt to the room and move with you."
For more sofa inspiration, head over to our Image Gallery here.
