Can I Put a Big Couch in a Small Living Room? The Dos and Don’ts
It’s usually the case that small rooms equal small furniture. But there’s one big exception: the sofa. When it comes to your comfort, you’ll always want the biggest couch your living room can take — it’ll make relaxing and entertaining so much easier.
The bigger dilemma may be whether a big couch in a small living room is going to make your space look cramped, or smaller than it actually is. So should you prioritize a large sofa in a small living room? Our verdict: yes you should. While you have to be careful how you choose your other furniture, these stricter rules don’t always apply to a couch.
“Fitting a large sofa in a small space might sound like a tricky Tetris puzzle, but with a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of modern ideas, you can turn your cozy space into a stylish haven,” says Seattle-based interior designer Nishtha Vashist.
It may feel slightly illogical to the uninitiated, so we tapped up designers for their best advice on how to make a large couch feel like it fits into any size room — the solution hangs on layout, color and style.
Is a big couch a good idea in a small living room?
(Image credit: Simon Wilson. Design: Knight Associates)
Often, the biggest couch possible is a good idea in a small living room, but it depends on a few conditions. First up, think about what it is you want from the space. Will opting for a big sofa mean you have to sacrifice other living room furniture pieces, like a coffee table? Will it look good?
Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs, advises getting practical at this stage.”Consider who’s going to use the space, how they’re going to use it, and plan your design around this,” she says. “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 you make important decisions about the size and scale of big pieces and whether the room will feel spacious or restricted.”
“I think everything comes down to scale,” says Lauren Sullivan, interior designer at Well x Design. “With decor, 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.”
Designer Meredith Owen also warns against forgetting the practical side of things, too. “When people are planning furniture for a space they often forget about traffic flow from one room to the next,” she says. “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. 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.”
Pay attention to how the couch works with the other, non-negotiable elements of the room, too. “Try to avoid overlapping openings, windows, fireplaces, TVs, bookcases, or any other focal points in a weird or awkward way,” says Samantha Struck of StruckSured Interiors. “Make sure you can still navigate the space and walk through it with ease.”
How do make a big couch look good in a small living room?
(Image credit: Timothy Kaye. Design: Mckimm)
There are several ways to make a living room sofa not feel oversized when decorating a small space. Here are some tips by interior designer Nishtha.
1. Float it freely: Don’t let that sofa touch the wall. Floating it away by a couple of inches may seem counterproductive, but it will actually make your space look bigger. This can be achieved in a few ways while stopping your couch sliding – if you have it on a rug, you should be fine, but you can also buy these sofa wall spacers on Amazon that will help, too.
2. Go vertical: Utilize vertical space to draw the eye upward. Incorporate tall bookshelves or vertical artwork to make the room feel larger and more balanced with your couch.
3. Keep it light: Choose a couch in a light, neutral color to make the room feel airy and open. Pair it with light-colored walls and sheer curtains to let natural light flood in, enhancing the sense of space.
4. Play with proportions: Use smaller, stylish furniture pieces around your couch to complement its size. A sleek coffee table, a couple of chic armchairs, and petite side tables can balance the large couch without overwhelming the room.
5. Create an optical illusion: Use mirrors strategically to reflect light and create an illusion of more space. A large mirror behind or across from your large couch can make your living room look double its size!
6. Consider a minimalist approach: Keep decor minimal and clutter-free around the couch. A few well-chosen accessories like throw pillows and a cozy blanket can add character without making the room feel cramped.
What style of sofa should I choose for a small living room?
(Image credit: Egor Piaskovsky. Design: JL STUDIO)
A great way to make a small living room look bigger is with a sofa frame with a low arm. “Or you can even go armless, which opens the sofa to the room,” says designer Lisa Sherry. “It may seem counter-intuitive, but a sectional might perfectly define the space and create an all-inclusive seating area.”
“When using a large sofa in a small space, I try to use a sofa that isn’t so tall in height, and with minimal cushion lines,” adds Tom Lawrence-Levy of interior design studio Natural Asthetik. “This way, the sofa never blocks your eyesight when you walk into the home, and the minimal lines make the area look more clean and integrated.”
When is it better to use a smaller couch?
(Image credit: Gabriel Vorbon. Design: folistudio)
There are some cases where a big couch just won’t work for your room — but that doesn’t mean you’ll have any less of a cozy living room.
“Today, so many rooms are multi-functional; it’s how we live,” says Lisa. “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.”
(Image credit: Rebecca Smeyne. Design: MK Workshop)
“So much is dependent on the room’s layout,” says Meredith. “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. Many smaller scaled chairs/sofas are wonderfully comfortable – the secret is that it’s all about the cushion.”
For alternatives to a bigger couch, Lauren recommends one larger piece grouped with some smaller pieces, or a few groupings of smaller seating options. Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors also recommends looking for studio-sized offerings with slim and compact profiles for a small living room layout. “If you’re still limited on space, you can always use two chairs and an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table,” she says. “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.”
Which type of large sofa is best for small living room?
Usually in small living rooms, every element should do double duty to make the room multifunctional. In that case, it’s best to choose an L-shaped sofa that can be used for socializing with friends, and lounging.
A modular design with moveable elements, like a separate ottoman, will be more versatile. Curved designs can soften the look of a boxy small room, but they’re also not as space efficient as more linear styles.
Will a big couch make the small living room feel even smaller?
Quite the contrary. Many designers agree that scaled-up furniture can make a room feel larger and create the illusion of grandeur. One big couch will anchor the space and boost the dimensions of the room. You just need to ensure that the sofa doesn’t block any natural light.
3 big couches we love
Belffin Velvet Reversible Sectional Sofa
Dimensions: 62.2″D x 106.7″W x 35.8″H
Price: $649.99
This large, green sectional made with velvet fabric is a great piece to add to any room, especially if it’s a small one. It’s comfy and a great place to lounge around in. The frame is made of high quality wood, that ensures the piece is durable and stable.
Price: $853
Dimensions: 43.50″D x 32.28″W x 29.30″H
This fluffy, bread-like sofa is filled with elastic sponge with its feet fitted with anti-skid footpads. It comes equipped with two pillows and provides a great lounging experience to the user.
Dimensions: 37″D X 16″H x 26″D
Price: $1,798
This smart, modern sofa has a lovely retro flair, and will easily add personality to a small living room. It offers plush comfort and can be customized to suit any room’s color palette. It easily seats three people and its legs are removable.
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