Is it sometimes okay to use large furniture in small living rooms?

Many of us live in apartments or houses where space is limited. But many of us also love entertaining so what should we do in order to have enough seating to entertain but at the same time not feel overwhelmed. Or even when not entertaining…how might we best outfit our living space to enjoy quiet nights at home watching TV, reading, or enjoying our FairGo casino login.

Sometimes it works well to have a large sofa in a small living space. It can achieve a cozy and sociable look but at the same time be practical. But having a huge couch in a small space can also go horribly wrong. So, when does it work and when does it not?

The experts weigh in. Can a large sofa go in a small living room?

Many experts believe that a very large couch gives the feeling of luxury and relaxation. According to interior designer, Samantha Struck “A large couch in a small space can make it extra cozy -stuffy, but in a good way.

For people really wanting that ‘lived in’ look where you sink into a space and it evokes security and comfort, an overfilled room is great!”  And according to interior designer, Lisa Sherry “There are no small rooms – only small thinking. Large or small, a beautiful room is about balancing scale and proportion, and that doesn’t mean big rooms get big sofas and smaller rooms get Lilliputian sofas. When thoughtfully imagined, a large sofa in a more modest spaces feels cozy, comfortable, a just-right fit. The living room sofa also becomes the focal point of the room. And,surprisingly, a few large-scale pieces can make the space feel larger.”

Most interior designers say that it depends on the circumstances as to whether a large couch will work in a small living room space. Proportions are the key factor.

Interior designer, Lauren Sullivan says that “Everything comes down to scale. With décor, it can be fun to play with scale and sometimes break the rules – but when it comes to furniture pieces, I believe it’s important that they don’t overpower a space.”

Marie Flanigan, interior designer agrees when she says “A big couch in a small room can create an intimate and cozy space, and it can also help maximize seating options. You should always keep scale in mind when selecting sofas for certain spaces. You don’t want a couch that completely dominates a room, but instead complements the room’s flow and has comfort.”

You also shouldn’t forget about practicalities. Designer, Meredith Owens says “When people are planning furniture for a space, they often forget about traffic flow from one room to the next. It’s important to not fill a room with over-scaled furniture so you have adequate space to move around or the flexibility to entertain.” She goes on to say “I’ve used larger sofas in cozy studies before – typically this just enhances the feeling of comfort as long as it’s not overpowering the room.”

How to make a big sofa work in a small space?

First of all, decide what you want from the room. If you choose to have a large sofa, will you have to forgo on other pieces of furniture, perhaps a coffee table? Does your space need a coffee table or can you go without it?

According to Emme Deterding, creative director of Kelling Designs, it is at this stage you need to start thinking practically. She says “Consider who’s going to use the space, how they’re going to use it and plan your design around this. While the room is empty, laying newspaper to mimic the size of the furniture pieces you’re looking to put in will help you visualize just how much room everything will take. It’ll also help to make important decisions about size and scale of big pieces and whether the room will feel spacious or restricted.”

It is also necessary to think about how the sofa will work with other important elements in the space as well She says “Try to avoid overlapping openings, windows, fireplaces, TVs, bookcases or any other focal points in a weird or awkward way. Make sure you can still navigate the space and walk through it with ease.”

Once you’ve thought the practicalities through, Lisa Sherry says it is best to “Consider a sofa frame with a low arm or even go armless which opens the sofa to the room. It may seem counter-intuitive, but a sectional might be a perfect fit, defining the space and creating an all-inclusive seating area. Embrace a neutral palette, meaning paint colors and fabrics – this creates unity and calm in a space. Add texture to create quiet nuance and interest: pillows and throws are amazing accents. And bring the outside in. If privacy is not a concern, consider forgoing your usual modern window treatments to open up a room.”

Tom Lawrence-Levy of Natural Asthetik says recommends “When using a large sofa in a small space…try to use a sofa that isn’t so tall in height, and with minimal cushion lines. This way, the sofa never blocks your eyesight when you walk into the home, and the minimal lines make the area look clean and integrated.” He goes on to say “I find having a large sofa that isn’t too busy in a smaller space, makes the space feel larger, and also more functional.”

When is it better to use a smaller sofa?

Sometimes a large sofa will not work in the space. However, that does not mean that the room can’t look cozy. Lisa Sherry asserts that “Today, so many rooms are multi-functional: it’s the way we live. A large sofa in a modest space can be wonderful, but it is a commitment. If the idea doesn’t support your functional living needs, look for a plan B. Even with a generously sized sofa, the room should be easy to maneuver and elegant.”

Meredith Own says “So much is dependent on the room’s layout. If your Sofa is the only thing that fits or it blocks the natural flow of traffic – it’s too big. Let your room dictate the scale of your furniture, not the other way around. Smaller seating is nice for occasional use, or smaller rooms that are tight on space. There are many smaller-scaled chairs/sofas that are wonderfully comfortable – the secret is that it’s all about the cushion.”

Laura Sullivan, when speaking about alternatives for larger sofas, recommends using a variety of different seating options, perhaps one larger piece together with a couple of smaller pieces. Marie Flanigan lso suggests looking for smaller pieces, perhaps designed for studio-type living. “If you’re still limited on space, you can always use two chairs and an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table. When a couch dominates a space and leaves no room for pieces like a coffee table, side tables or accent chair, it is likely too big. Small spaces can still live like bigger  spaces when furniture selections are scaled appropriately.”