Creating amazing living spaces
We love helping our customers create amazing living spaces, especially when it comes to helping them find a sofa they love. It’s why we recently commissioned some research into the nation's living room habits to help us understand how we interact with our homes. We asked our Instagram followers what design dilemmas they’re facing in their homes, and put some of those questions to our brand ambassador George Clarke.
Sue, Northumberland I have a 27 foot lounge with 3 sofas but I want to create a better flow so it's cosy and functional. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
George “Just as a well-designed kitchen features the golden triangle of sink, refrigerator and stove, all within easy access, a considered living room contains key elements to facilitate relaxation time, space for entertaining and room for home working, whatever its dimensions.
The key when rearranging is to consider comfort, ease of movement and flow. Avoid placing furniture around a room’s edges, which can result in too much empty space at the centre, and instead opt to delineate your scheme, pulling pieces into a more intimate arrangement, anchored by a rug and punctuated by a mix of coffee table, side tables, intimate armchair arrangements and layered lighting.”
Joe, Wales We’ve just bought a house and I’m keen to give everybody a great seat in the living room. What seating would be best?
George “With the majority of us claiming a certain spot on the sofa as our own, it’s more important than ever that every seat is the best in the house so that no-one feels shortchanged. The key is a living room setup that accommodates multiple needs across all generations, from spots for kicking back, to seats for resting, scrolling or watching TV. In cases like these, more is more. A generous approach pays off, so opt for seating that is both roomy and versatile.
Modular sofas with flexible configurations work well, as does a selection of moveable accent furniture, including lightweight side tables that can be pulled into place for a spot of home-working, or task lighting that can be directed with ease. Deep ottoman sofas are ideal, as they often have wider seats and offer additional storage, whereas a smart sofa that has plugs and USB ports available is ideal for when you need to stay charged. What you choose depends on your lifestyle.
To keep a busy space full of people clutter-free, trays can accommodate reading or drawing materials, while open shelving within easy reach works well for craft materials, books or magazines. With 40% of us regularly putting our feet up on the sofa, size matters too, so opt for a well-proportioned seating arrangement to act as a natural anchor in a scheme.”
Suzanne, Milton Keynes I’m about to embark on a living room refresh and want to opt for a timeless style that will look great for years to come. What should I be investing in?
George “Invest in what you love and you won’t go far wrong. Sofology’s research shows that more than any other room in the home, the living room is the place where comfort and character collide. While functionality is prioritised in other areas in the house, such as how to configure a compact bathroom, this room is a space where people value comfort and individuality above all else.
According to Pinterest, the word ‘cosy’ is the most searched-for sitting room term on their site, from ‘cosy living room ideas’ to ‘cosy reading corners’ - up 85% year on year. It’s an indication that we are prioritising the idea of characterful appeal over a sense of impersonal luxury. That translates into bolder colour choices as we lean into ‘new neutrals’ within our schemes, from soft pinks to forest greens, while being more experimental with creative expression, whether painting the inside of a doorway in a contrasting tone, opting for hand-drawn motifs on walls or replacing the traditional carpet with terrazzo flooring, warm wood or a chunky, textured rug.
Individuality is key, with many of us citing personal style as a key factor in our decision making. The result is that living rooms are brighter and bolder than before – and at the heart of each is a sofa designed to embody everything that our home symbolises: cosiness, character and comfort.”