Obsessing over sofas
us in our living room by Amy Highton Modern Nest Photography
So our living room is quite small and the only way I manage to keep it feeling spacious is to not fill it with too much furniture. Our current sofa has taken a lot of abuse from us and isn’t the go-to seat anymore. We need every seat in our small space to matter. Therefore, I have been dreaming of and researching sofas. I thought it would be fun to share the ones I’ve had my eye on.
Firstly, I should try and explain our tricky layout. well it’s not super tricky but there are a few small angles and windows that make furniture placement difficult. Along the north wall is a sliding door that looks out on a patio and lovely tree so I don’t love the idea of putting a sofa in front of our bit of trees and sky. On the south wall is a low window that is only 2 feet off the ground. And if I placed a sofa along that short south wall (about 80 inches long) it would stick out and cover part of the fireplace. Not to mention that it would probably be a fire hazard having a sofa that close to a flame. So that is how I landed on a small sofa in the middle of the room. I quite like the current layout as the fireplace is the focal point and the sofa placement clearly delineates the living room from the dining area. Here is a funny little drawing of the current layout. It really doesn’t capture the windows but at least you can see the angles.
I found this photo that shows the couch position more clearly…. awkaaard but it works.
The current sofa sort of sits half way into the living room and halfway into the front door but with the funny angles I don’t find it too awkward. There is still room to slip behind the sofa into the dining room. I think the lack of arms on the sofa helps. Anyway so if I am good with the current layout it’s then about finding something that fits within the roughly 86” long of the current sofa with the goal of added comfort. So join me for some couch dreaming….
1.
My love for HAY reaches new heights every year. I can’t quite fit the 2.5 seater low soft mags in our small living room but if I could I think I would buy it tomorrow. This cozy chubby sofa has my heart. I’ve measured again and again and if i bought this sofa i would only have less than 2 feet from the sofa to the wall and I just think it’s too tight. It’s 6 inches too long. But maybe I will just make it work one day, hahaha.
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2.
A dear friend has this sofa and I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable it is. The foam feels really dense yet cozy at the same time. I’ve been really impressed by the quality of my Hem rug and a few of the items i’ve purchased for client projects. I also like the leg detail on this sofa when you can see the back of it, which you can in this space. I wish this beige colour came with the lighter coloured frame rather than the black.
3.
I can’t get this sofa to ship to Canada but if I could I think i would take a chance on these lovely linen sofas with removable covers. I like the classic modern lines of this Aria sofa and the flexibility of adding modules to it later. This green colour and the baby blue both caught my eye. While I often lean towards neutrals in furniture and adding colour in art or accessories, these particular sofas make me want to consider colour.
4.
This sofa caught my eye right away for it’s unique yet simple wood frame. But mainly because it makes particular sense for my small living room layout. Whatever small sofa I choose, the back of the sofa faces our dining room. So to look at a lovely wood shelf rather than a fabric back is appealing. I love the idea of a shelf in the back of the sofa as a fun opportunity for styling. I’m picturing some stacked books, a couple pretty objects and a portable lamp. I’ve been waiting for our local shop to get this sofa in so I can sit in it. I worry that it might not be super comfortable.
5.
I sometimes toy with the idea of a sectional in this narrow room with some odd angles. If I was to consider a sectional I’m pretty sure it would be this one from Ikea, the Jattebo. Feels very HAY to me. Love the green and the beige and the thick corduroy. I still need to sit in it in person. Has any tried it out yet?
What did I miss? I could probably list 5 more and don’t even get me started on something custom.