How to choose the size of your sofa
Let's be clear: size does matter. A lot. Especially when you want to fit a three-seat sofa with chaise longue into a 40 m2 flat. It might not be the best option – so before you buy your sofa, measure your living room so you know exactly how much space you have. And if your room is tricky, like if it has a lot of pillars or a radiator in the middle, include them in your measurements and bear in mind that things like that really narrow down your options. Ultimately, you need to think about every element of the living room that could pose a problem.
Optimum distance from the TV
When you buy a TV, you have to think about where you'll be watching it from. If you're not far enough away, a 60" TV will be outside your field of vision and you'll have to turn your head or eyes to see everything (so you'll always be missing something). If the TV is too small, the surroundings will distract you from the screen and you'll miss bits of your favourite series. You'll also have to bear that distance in mind when you're placing the sofa in your room and, therefore, when you're measuring everything we were talking about before.
- Product information page
Do you want a coffee table?
Whether you've got one already or you're buying a new one, there are a few important things to bear in mind. The sofa should, at most, be double the length of the table so that they are in proportion. The height of the table shouldn't be 10 cm either higher or lower than the sofa cushions, otherwise it'll be awkward. Furthermore, make sure you have about 45 cm between the sofa and the table so there's room for your legs and you can reach it without getting up. Lastly, if you want side tables, as well as having enough space for the table, add around 15 cm so that they aren't right up against the side of the sofa, which also needs to be taller than the side tables. If not, you could hit your head when you lie down.
Much more than a sofa
There are countless types of sofas, and you probably know that a sofa offers loads of options – it's not just a seat. Some have a chaise longue to put your feet up after a hard day, others have footrests that you can use when you need them and then put them away, and others have hidden spaces to store blankets, toys, crochet projects and sheets, while the most versatile are sofa beds, which allow your guests to extend their stay as long as you want or let you lie down together as a family to watch TV.
But all that means you have to measure more things to make sure it'll all fit. For example, there needs to be enough space to walk between the chaise longue and the TV bench (at least 45 cm). If you're buying a sofa bed or a reclining sofa, you need to measure it when it's fully open, and leave a bit of space around it. How much? Enough so that you can get by, unfold it and fold it again without risking lumbalgia.
How to choose the perfect rug for your sofa
Well, after measuring everything including the stairs and looking at endless types of sofas, coffee tables and TV sizes, did you think that was it? "It's nice and the sofa is really comfortable, but I don't know, there's something missing", you're thinking.
We think what you're looking for subconsciously is a rug. It's something that's often underestimated, but in reality, the living room rug is vitally important. It not only helps decorate by creating different spaces, it also acts as brilliant acoustic and thermal insulation. So you can't take choosing one lightly. We've got a set of tips that you can follow to get the perfect rug for your living room and sofa.
