How to Buy a Sofa for a Small Home

Given that we are based in London and that we do most of our trade here, we thought we’d put together a step-by-step guide for creating great looking interiors in smaller accommodation.

Because when all is said and done, that is how most of us Londoners are living.

This guide will look at everything from furniture to homewares and will also touch on decorating ideas. 

We’re starting, however, with perhaps the most important piece of furniture there is: the sofa.

1. Measure Everything
   
   Trust us: your eyes are not as good as you think they are.
   
   And what’s more, unless you have checked every angle and measured every entryway, there is no way of knowing whether the sofa will actually fit in through the door.
   
   So our advice to you is to get the measuring tape out and put in the effort. It'll be worth it.
   
   We also recommend paying close attention to the height of the lounge. A settee that sits under a window frame will save on space and create a nice place to hang out.
   
   For what it's worth, most mid-century modern sofas have shorter legs so we may be able to help you there.
   
   
2. Be Open
   
   If space is at a premium, look out for sofas with open sides and open backs.
   
   Long story short, this will allow more light to pass through which in turn makes the settee less domineering.
   
   Stick back or strung back sofas also have a really charming look that could set your décor scheme apart from your friends' (who you are DEFINITELY not in competition with).
   
   By all means accessorise and make it comfortable with cushions. Just think twice about buying a piece that is all back and sides.
   
   
3. Keep it light
   
   As a rule, dark wood looks better in larger rooms and light wood looks better in smaller rooms.
   
   Lighter coloured woods like elm and beech are also on fleek at the minute so you can kill two proverbials with another.
   
   
4. MidMod(ular)
   
   Older modular sofas may be slightly harder to find but they can significantly increase your options when it comes to the layout of your living room.
   
   Take the Ercol 427 chairs as an example.
   
   Put them all in a row and you have a sofa (with open sides, as recommended in point 1); split them up and you have enough seating for your guests.
   
   What is more, you won’t all have to sit in a row and talk across each other as you would on a conventional lounge. Clever.
   
   
5. Hide the Bed
   
   Sounds like a no-brainer and it probably is, but it’s worth mentioning because opting for a sofa bed can help your overnight guests get comfortable and save on valuable floor space in your home.
   
   Clic-clac sofa beds require the least amount of space. Fold out sofa beds may offer increased comfort levels but you’re likely to have to re-arrange your living room every time you want to use it. Just so you know.
   
   

That concludes our brief look at buying space saving sofas.

If you have anything you’d like us to discuss, why not get in touch and we’ll see what we can do you for.

Otherwise take yourself to our lounge collection and see what we have in store for your London home.