Decorating
Decorating Myths Busted: You Don’t Always Need a Three-piece Suite
Shopping for a sofa and matching armchairs? Not so fast. There are lots more interesting options when it comes to living room seating
You’ve chosen the colour scheme for your living room and it’s time to start buying furniture. And what’s top of the list? For many of us, it’s a sofa and a pair of matching armchairs. But hold it right there. Do you actually need two armchairs, or would a second sofa be more useful? Do you even need a sofa at all, or is there another solution that would make better use of your space? Before you sleepwalk towards the standard living room seating choice, check out these alternative ideas.
Play around with colour
Even if you do decide to go down the traditional sofa and armchairs route, there’s no law that says they have to match. I love how this designer has combined blue and white furniture and furnishings, keeping the proportions of each colour the same on either side of the room.
Even if you do decide to go down the traditional sofa and armchairs route, there’s no law that says they have to match. I love how this designer has combined blue and white furniture and furnishings, keeping the proportions of each colour the same on either side of the room.
Go for a flexible design
Modular pieces let you create your own combo of sofas and chairs, and switch them around as and when you need to. So you can have individual seats when guests pop round or a giant sofa when you want to stretch out on your own.
Modular pieces let you create your own combo of sofas and chairs, and switch them around as and when you need to. So you can have individual seats when guests pop round or a giant sofa when you want to stretch out on your own.
Bag it up
If you have kids, swap a pair of armchairs for a couple of beanbags so they can sprawl in comfort while they play computer games and sit as close to the TV as they like without blocking the grown-ups’ view.
Browse more tips on how to style the seating area of your living room
If you have kids, swap a pair of armchairs for a couple of beanbags so they can sprawl in comfort while they play computer games and sit as close to the TV as they like without blocking the grown-ups’ view.
Browse more tips on how to style the seating area of your living room
Put it to the floor
If beanbags aren’t for you, how about a pair of floor cushions? Relaxed, comfy and easily tidied away when you want your floor space back.
If beanbags aren’t for you, how about a pair of floor cushions? Relaxed, comfy and easily tidied away when you want your floor space back.
Save on seating
Busted your budget on your dream sofa but can’t bear to go without armchairs? Rattan or wicker designs make an inexpensive alternative to upholstered pieces and can look every bit as good.
Busted your budget on your dream sofa but can’t bear to go without armchairs? Rattan or wicker designs make an inexpensive alternative to upholstered pieces and can look every bit as good.
Swap your sofa for chairs
Channel an old school members’ club vibe by relegating the sofa to the corner of the room – or ditching it altogether – and making a cluster of armchairs the main seating area.
Channel an old school members’ club vibe by relegating the sofa to the corner of the room – or ditching it altogether – and making a cluster of armchairs the main seating area.
Mix and match
A cowhide armchair and cube, a leather wingback and a French-style buttoned footstool make a quirky grouping that gives this space an informal, laid-back feel.
A cowhide armchair and cube, a leather wingback and a French-style buttoned footstool make a quirky grouping that gives this space an informal, laid-back feel.
Keep it open
A sofa would crowd this bijou space and block sunshine from the French windows, but these neat armchairs allow light to flow around them. A pair of rattan stools leave room to spare and their textured finish, along with the nautical stripes of the chairs, helps create a relaxed coastal feel.
A sofa would crowd this bijou space and block sunshine from the French windows, but these neat armchairs allow light to flow around them. A pair of rattan stools leave room to spare and their textured finish, along with the nautical stripes of the chairs, helps create a relaxed coastal feel.
Lie back and relax
These statement loungers aren’t just ultra-stylish – they also allow you to watch TV, read or snooze in a super-comfy supine position. OK, they’re not so practical when you have visitors, but when they look this amazing, who cares?
Share your favourite tips for styling your living space in the Comments.
These statement loungers aren’t just ultra-stylish – they also allow you to watch TV, read or snooze in a super-comfy supine position. OK, they’re not so practical when you have visitors, but when they look this amazing, who cares?
Share your favourite tips for styling your living space in the Comments.
If you have the space, positioning a second sofa opposite the first creates a lovely symmetry and makes the room look less cluttered than a pair of armchairs would, while still providing plenty of seating.
See more examples of symmetrical styling