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Living room setup with sectional


How to Style a Sectional Sofa to Perfection

Sectionals are equal parts comfortable and versatile, allowing you to create the perfect sofa configuration for your unique living space and lifestyle. They’re also typically the biggest pieces of furniture in a room, so how you style yours can help to make or break your aesthetic.

Fortunately, these expert-informed tips make styling this comfy piece of furniture a breeze, helping you determine everything from the right colors and upholstery material to the perfect placement.

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What Is a Sectional?

In a nutshell, sectional sofas consist of at least two sofa pieces, aka sections, that you can join together and use to create various configurations for your space. Below, professional interior designer and founder of Dōr Design House, Bri Ussery, shares easy tips for how to buy and style the perfect sectional sofa for your living space.

18 Sectional Living Room Ideas

1. Place it Against a Wall

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have a huge living space to enjoy a new sectional. If you have a small living room, you can often get sectionals to fit beautifully with the right furniture arrangement and sectional shape.

“If your living room is small, choose a configuration that doesn't take up too much floor space,” advises Rohr. “A good option is to place the sectional against a wall to save space; L-shaped and U-shaped sectionals are ideal for this purpose.”

2. Pair with Statement Art

Statement art is typically bigger, bolder, and/or more vibrant than other art pieces, making it a great fit for the large footprint of many sectionals. Placing a compelling piece of art above your sofa will create a strong focal point while helping to solidify your living room design.

“You can choose a big statement art piece to elevate the sectional, or you can opt for an asymmetrical art display to help balance the room,” recommends Rohr. And when it comes to art and design, there are no wrong answers so, “don't be afraid to get creative with your styling; mix and match different shapes and sizes.”

3. Use Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are an easy way to add texture and color to your sectional. They’re also relatively inexpensive compared to many other home decor pieces, so you can swap them out for new ones when a new season (or design mood) strikes.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. According to design expert Swanzy, “It is an absolute must to fill up the sectionals with pillows because sectionals tend to have a deeper seat than normal couches.”

Karen Rohr also shared some tips for styling sectionals with pillows:

4. Add Some Leather

Burrow Nomad Sofa in Leather

Review: Check our Burrow Nomad review here

Leather upholstery never goes out of style, and it comes in nearly infinite colors, so you should have no trouble finding a leather sectional that perfectly aligns with your aesthetic.

High-quality leather sectionals are also highly resistant to peeling, sagging, and cracking. And cleaning them is often as easy as simply wiping them down. This means they tend to last longer than many other upholstery types, so it’s a great investment for your next living room makeover.

5. Float the Sectional

Credit: CutlerSchulze

If you have an expansive living room you’re looking to fill or an awkwardly shaped living room, consider floating the sectional, aka placing the sectional at least a few feet from the wall. “In large rooms, we like to float sectionals in the center to create a buffer,” said Cutler. “Almost like a room within a room.”

Floating it off the wall also means you can add furniture pieces behind it to optimize your style. “If you are floating a sectional, you might want to consider adding a low console or bookcase to the back. Doing so can create a more attractive presentation, especially as you enter the room,” recommends Cutler.

6. Go Grey

We love a bold statement couch as much as the next person, but some spaces call for a more subtle sectional, especially since these sofas are often the largest pieces of furniture in a room. Grey is an amazing sectional color because it won’t overwhelm your look.

Grey sofas serve as sophisticated yet neutral foundations that will complement all kinds of color schemes and interior designs. You can pile on colorful throw pillows and blankets to give it a bolder look or more neutral pieces in rich textures to give it an organic, textural feel.

7. Frame a Space

Credit: Darlene Halaby, Design by SKD Studios.

Have an open floor plan? Sectionals are awesome when it comes to framing and defining uncertain spaces. “In a recent Newport Beach, California, project we used sectional couches to frame the living room from the dining room,” said Swanzy.

And you can use thoughtful styling elements to further define the space. For instance, if you want to turn your sectional frame into a cozy reading nook, you can take advice from Swanzy, who “added lamps in the corner of the sectional so our client could cuddle up and dive into a great book.”

8. Add a Rug

Speaking of defining spaces, placing a rug under your sectional is an easy way to do just that. Rugs also have a knack for making a room feel more complete, warm, and intentional. When pairing a sectional and a rug, you have a few options.

A popular option is to choose a small, vibrant rug that fits right in the middle of an L-shaped or U-shaped sectional. This is a fun way to add colors and patterns to your look without taking up too much visual real estate. You can also purchase a very large neutral rug that sits under all of your sectional’s legs. Doing so will help make your living space feel warm, cozy, and welcoming.

9. Use a sectional to anchor your space

Credit: CutlerSchulze

A sectional’s large size allows it to anchor your entire design. You can use it to soldifiy an already well-honed aesthetic or as a stylistic reference point that can inspire the rest of your look.

For instance, if you have a minimalist style sensibility, then a sectional featuring a pared-back silhouette and long airy legs can help punctuate your look. And if you’re at a loss for how to design a space, consider investing in a sectional that already has a strong design point of view, such as a luxe velvet sofa, that you can use to inform your aesthetic.

10. Embrace Flexibility with a Modular Sectional

Inside Weather Modular Bondi Sofa

Review: Read our Bondi Modular Sofa review here

Modular sofas are customizable by design, allowing you to pick the perfect configuration for your space, whether you want an expansive U-shaped sectional or a smaller L-shaped couch. But the right configuration for you largely depends on your existing space and lifestyle.

“No matter what arrangement you choose, make sure the sectional fits well with your space, and avoid compromising the good flow or closing too much of the area,” advises Rohr. For example, if you have a sectional in a living room that connects to the kitchen, you probably don’t want to configure your sectional in such a way that it blocks the path between these two rooms, since people naturally tend to flow to and from them.

11. Make a Statement

Looking for ways to make your living room makeover pop? Consider creating a statement-making focal point out of your sectional. You can easily do this by choosing upholstery in a bold color or vibrant pattern.

Or you can opt for a sectional in a more neutral color, such as beige or gray, then dress it up with all kinds of fun throw pillows and blankets. This option is perfect for anyone who wants to make a major style statement but isn’t keen on the idea of committing to a bold design style long-term.

12. Pair it with an Armchair

Interior Define Sloan Sectional with armchair.

Sectionals basically epitomize cozy, so they’re a great match for armchairs, which also have a special ability to create a relaxing environment. Armchairs work particularly well for L-shape sectionals since they can turn the L into a U-shaped seating arrangment.

But you can also pair an armchair with a U-shaped sectional, transforming the U into a circle that serves as a welcome invitation to enjoy conversations with loved ones.

13. Create a Pit

Kova Pit Sofa.

Review: Check out our review of the Kova Sofa here

If you really want to step up your relaxation game, consider creating a cozy pit out of your sectional. Pit sectional sofas feature at least two lines of seat cushions that are parallel and adjacent to each other as opposed to a single line of cushions.

The result is a bed-like appearance that will make movie nights that much more comfy and inviting. And if you don’t want to commit to a 24/7 pit, you can invest in a large modular sectional that allows you to create the ideal arrangement for any given situation.

14. Add an Ottoman

A potential drawback of L-shaped sectionals is that there’s only room to put your feet up on one side. Fortunately, this is a super easy fix—all you have to do is place an ottoman on the other side to create a makeshift chaise lounge.

Not only will an ottoman increase the comfort factor of your sectional, but it also provides additional styling opportunities. You can incorporate an ottoman in a different style than your sectional to create compelling contrast, or you can match the ottoman to add cohesion to your look.

15. Embrace Beige

You can pretty much never go wrong with beige living room furniture. The timeless hue is at once neutral and sophisticated, and you can incorporate it into virtually any aesthetic, from minimalism to maximalism and everything in between.

A beige sectional will add warmth to your look while offering a blank canvas for your living room design You can pair it with funky side tables, colorful throw pillows, and a vibrant area rug to create an eclectic look. Or you can pile on other neutral colors and textiles for a soft, organic appearance.

16. Go Low-Profile


Few pieces of furniture are more inviting than a great low-profile sofa. Featuring low-slung backs and an often deep-seated design, low-profile sectionals are endlessly comfortable and relaxing.

Plus, they’re super on trend and come in a variety of different styles. You can opt for a low-profile sectional with soft rounded edges for an organic, cloud-like look. Or choose a sectional with sharper lines and airy legs for a more futurustic feel.

17. Pair it with a Circular Coffee Table

Have a small space that you want to makeover with a great sectional? Consider adding a circular coffee table to the mix. “A circular coffee table is perfect for small spaces. It will fit in the small nook of the sectional, keeping circulation open,” advises Rohr.

But you can absolutely enjoy the benefits of a circular coffee table in larger spaces as well. Tucking it into your sectional’s nook means you’ll have even more room to play with other home decor elements and pieces of furniture.

18. Go Bold with a Chesterfield

Ms Chesterfield Sofa by Interior Define

What’s better than a classic Chesterfield sofa? A classic Chesterfield sectional! These pieces combine the ornate details for which Chesterfields are so beloved, like button tufts, with the comfort and flexibility of a gorgeous sectional.

Incorporating a Chesterfield sectional into your living room design also means you’ll have an instant statement piece around which you can create the rest of your style. These beauties are killer conversation pieces and can help elevate your design from good to unforgettable.

22 Sectional Living Room Ideas That Will Inspire You

By

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 10/07/22

Marisa Vitale for Amy Peltier

If your living room is large enough in size to accommodate a sectional, you're in luck! Sectionals are great for hosting guests for game nights and movie marathons, and they're super comfy to plop down and nap on, too. If you've been wondering just how exactly to station a sectional in your space, you'll want to keep reading. These 22 sectional setups are worth exploring as you consider sectional layout, color, size, and much more.

What to put in the living room from furniture: decoration and arrangement 0 Comments

The living room is the center of communication, the place where people spend most of their time, where they invite friends and acquaintances, which means that the design of the living room should be cozy and welcoming. To do this, you should carefully consider every detail and, first of all, furniture. It should not only provide comfort, but also set the stylistic direction for the entire interior.


As a rule, upholstered furniture is placed in a medium-sized living room: a sofa with armchairs, as well as a coffee table and a rack for TVs and equipment. If space permits, they try to install a multifunctional cabinet or wall with space for equipment.

Correctly determine what is required from the furniture. She must:

If you focus only on style and design, and not on convenience, it will be difficult and unpleasant to stay in such a living room for a long time.

And if you choose a furniture set, focusing only on its appearance, you can lose in practicality.


Living room Magnum

Choose a style

The style should be decided first of all, the choice will depend on it. Before you equip the living room, it is advisable to study the advice of experts, see professional design photos.


If the living room is small, it is recommended to look at modern, minimalism, hi-tech. They use a small number of pieces of furniture to ensure full functionality. They do not clutter up the space, which is very important for a small room.

Consider dimensions and shape

Before buying, you need to measure the room. Even if a large table or sofa fits in a room, they will take up too much usable space in it. If it is planned that a lot of people will gather in the living room, there is no need to greatly increase the size of the sofa, you can arrange additional places in it: armchairs, ottomans. An oval table will save the situation instead of a rectangular one. With the same dimensions, it will fit more harmoniously into the space and the corners will not interfere. Equally important is the shape of the room. Somewhere you will need to save space, and somewhere, on the contrary, deal with the unfilled space. The approach to choosing furniture will be different. If the living room is small, it is appropriate to put a sofa there without armrests, which you can sit on from any side. For rooms of complex shape, for example, with additional corners or a bay window, it is more convenient to replace the sofa with several armchairs.

Choosing upholstered furniture

The traditional set is a sofa and armchairs. If you plan to use the sofa as an additional place to sleep, you should choose a reliable folding mechanism. If the sofa is needed only for sitting, this function will be superfluous.

Upholstery materials are very important. Leather looks great, but not everywhere is appropriate. Velor requires special care.

Armchairs can be replaced with a second double sofa and placed perpendicular to the first. It is convenient to use a modular sofa, consisting of 3-4 autonomous sections.

If there is a lot of space in the living room, you can put upholstered furniture in the center, making sure that its back is neat and attractive.


Cabinets, shelves, walls

Not a single living room can do without these items, because in order to maintain order, you need to have a place to store things. But what is better to put in the living room? Not so long ago, the most common option was the wall. Today it is also used quite often, but modern walls are strikingly different from the “classic” ones - they are smaller, sleeker and lighter. Shelves are roomy and original, besides their open shelves do not visually reduce the size of the room. Modular furniture is a good solution in the living room. A set of small shelves, bedside tables in the same style will create an elegant and functional interior. Shelves with glass and mirror surfaces will organically look in a small living room.


Need a coffee table

Interior designers say that when deciding how to equip a living room, it is hardly possible to do without a coffee table. It is useful not only for laying out on it all the necessary, but small items, such as a remote control, newspapers, magazines, but also for arranging tea in the living room.

The average height of the table is 50 cm, other dimensions, shape, material of execution are determined only by the tastes of the owners.

If the living room is decorated in a modern style, an oval or round table would be a good solution. Furniture manufacturers today offer many original options; they easily become a bright accent in the room.


Living room Country

TV set and other pieces of furniture

In 95% of living rooms there is a TV, however, more and more often it is placed on the wall to save free space, this is greatly facilitated by flat screens. If the TV is installed on a cabinet, the main condition will be its compliance with the size of the TV. And the material of the cabinet can be any, if it fits into the chosen style. A convenient and practical addition is the wheels, which allow you to slightly move or rotate the cabinet.

If the living room is combined with the dining room, and there are more and more such layout options, you can’t do without a table. When space permits, it is more convenient to put an oval or round table: it is convenient and safe. A practical option is a transformer that serves as a table only when it is required, and when it is not needed, it is assembled to the size of a small bedside table.

An interesting solution is to equip the living room with a bar counter. It will not only fulfill its main function without taking up additional space, but will also help to zone the room. An additional plus of this solution is the presence of additional reclining countertops.


Furniture color

Traditionally, upholstered furniture is chosen in muted soft colors. However, the color of the furniture can be any, the main thing is that the color scheme fits the style and purpose. In a small living room, light colors look more appropriate, they somewhat expand the room visually. There are no restrictions for a spacious room, you can choose any shades, including rich and bright ones.

It should be noted that many styles are strictly related to color solutions. So, Provence is not characterized by dark tones, preference should be given to light pastel shades. If the Scandinavian style is chosen, preference should be given to white and blue.

Minimalism is characterized by clean and bright colors.

Contrasting solutions, such as black and white, look impressive, but on a white background, all the dirt will be very noticeable, so you need to get ready to spend more time and effort on cleaning.

If the living room is planned to be used as a multifunctional room, then the ideal option is neutral tones. So that such colors do not seem boring, you can add bright accessories to the interior, for example, rugs or sofa cushions.


Selection of furniture for a small living room

Small spaces can also be elegant and stylish. There are several proven tricks on how to equip a living room in a small area.

  1. 1. In small living rooms there is not enough space for roomy walls and shelving. A more complete use of the height of the room can help the situation. For example, the rack can be arranged up to the ceiling. Or make ottomans openable and use their interior space for storing things.

  2. 2. Shelves or coffee tables with a transparent surface create the illusion of space and expansion of boundaries even in the smallest rooms.

  3. 3. Armchairs and sofas without armrests look more open, lighter. To make it more convenient to use them, you can supplement them with pillows.

  4. 4. Low furniture with clear contours creates the illusion of free space. So that at the same time the living room does not seem too empty vertically, it is appropriate to supplement it with a high floor lamp or hang an original panel on the wall.

  5. 5. Experienced designers advise choosing furniture with legs, it looks lighter and even visually expands the space.

It is most convenient to start decorating a living room with drawing up a diagram or using a special computer program for interior design. Only after all issues with functions and style are resolved, you can select specific options.


15 options with photos, designers' comments

RBC-Nedvizhimost talks about the basic rules and mistakes when arranging a room for relaxation and receiving guests

Photo: JRP Studio\shutterstock

The living room is a space for the whole family not just a place to receive friends. Here they dine, work, read books and watch movies. To create a welcoming environment for any type of activity, you need to take into account many design nuances.

How to furnish a cozy and stylish living room.

Style

www.adv.rbc.ru

The design of the living room can be done in a variety of styles. The most common are classic, modern, Scandinavian, minimalism, country and Provence.

Design of a living room in a classic style

“In the interior of a living room, the type of furniture, decor, details, and overall color scheme are important. Often, a person may like elements from completely different styles - for example, classic decor and modern furniture. In such cases, there is a risk of making the interior absurd, even though today few people follow exclusively one design style,” said Anna Budnikova, architect-designer, co-founder of the M-A SPACE studio.

Hi-tech living room design

There are also visually similar styles that combine with each other. For example, modern, Scandinavian, minimalism. “Our customers prefer modern style in living room design or Provence style. The first one is multifunctional, universal, practical. It is characterized by color contrasts, the principle of "nothing more" applies. For Provence, details that are usually characteristic of country houses play a key role. Due to them, the overall comfort and “warmth” of the space is created, ”summed up Budnikova.

Minimal living room design

Tips

Zones

Zoning plays one of the most important roles in living room design. “You can separate the zones with glass sliding partitions or low pieces of furniture so as not to overload or reduce the space. Furniture should not be dark in color. Bright colors are acceptable - for example, for a children's area, but only if they support the overall gamut of the living room and do not hurt the eyes, - said Anna Budnikova.

“You can create a themed living room with places of interest - for board games, a musical group (piano is better than a piano) with a place for singing; large table for activities with children and work. In a separate area, you can place a fireplace group with firewood around. The dining area will be decorated with a transparent glass cabinet with porcelain and faience,” advised Irina Dymova, interior designer, board member of the Association of Interior Designers and Decorators (ADDI).

Divide your living room into themed areas

Light

Ambient Light

The living room is the perfect place to watch movies and series in the evening. “With the help of a background lighting system that synchronizes with music or the image on the TV so that the viewer is completely immersed in what is happening on the screen, you can enhance the experience of your favorite films,” said Natalia Neverskaya, head of corporate communications at Signify in Russia and the CIS.

Don't forget about background lighting

Local lighting

We all like to read comfortably on the sofa, so the seating area should be equipped with local lighting. “Floor lamps are suitable for this, as well as table or portable lamps that do not require connection to an outlet - thanks to the built-in battery, they can be placed anywhere in the room. By the way, the presence of a variety of lighting effects will allow you to choose the right shade for your mood,” Neverskaya advises.

Portable lights can be placed anywhere in the room

LED strip

An excellent lighting design tool is the LED strip, which can emphasize the graphic character of individual elements of the living room. It can be placed along the contour of the ceiling, along the shelves with books or around the TV, creating the effect of floating in the air, advises an expert from Signify. According to Neverska, so that your original design details of the living room do not go unnoticed, you should use the accent lighting technique.

LED strip highlights individual living room elements

Furniture

Easy chair

Easy chairs are a fundamental part of the interior, they look good as a pair, side by side, at an angle or straight, it’s good to place a small coffee table between the chairs — it’s convenient to put a glass or a mug on it, the manager noted " Design Bureau No. 1" Sergey Petrov. According to him, the chair should be as comfortable, cozy and spacious as possible. In the living room, chairs with a tilted back or even with a recliner look great - a footrest that comes out from under the bottom, which makes the chair a couch, the designer believes.

Upholstered armchairs look cozy side by side (Photo: jafara)

Straight-back hard chair

Older people and guests with mobility issues love hard chairs because they are easier to get up from. “Yes, and often you need to sit down for a short time - not to fall into a chair, but to sit up straight. In addition, the suit wrinkles less on hard chairs. Such armchairs bring great variety to the interior,” Petrov explained.

Hard chairs suitable for older family members (Photo: Hofpils)

Sofa

Probably the most influential and significant element of the living room interior is the sofa. “Do not be stingy, carefully choose soft filling and upholstery, try to sit on it when choosing,” advises Petrov. “The sofa should give you incredible pleasure and comfort, wrap you up and look perfect.”

Choose a quality sofa - it is the main element in the design of the living room (Photo: Hofpils)

Small sofa, canape

The small sofa has an aesthetic function. It brings even more variety and layering to the interior of the living room, creates additional comfort, the head of Design Bureau No. 1 believes. According to him, this is a good way to fill the voids of a large living room.

Canape will help fill the gaps (Photo: jafara)

Stools and benches

Stools, benches and chairs are good to use in pairs near a sofa or coffee table, Petrov noted. According to him, you can put them under a table, a console or a shelf on the wall. Banquets are easily used as tables, they are mobile, multifunctional and perfect for a party.

Banquettes can be used as party tables (Photo: Followtheflow)

Spare chair

Spare chair is usually waiting in the wings away from the main furniture or in the back of the living room. “The main thing in it is its light weight and ease of movement. Such chairs are needed when you suddenly have a lot of guests, and you do not want your dining group to look like a densely stocked collection of chairs every day. Spare chairs can often be in the image as an interesting object or artifact - that is, even defiant and contrasting, ”Petrov summed up.

Make sure you have a spare chair (Photo: Photographee.eu Related)

Mistakes

Illiterate zoning

Incorrect zoning is one of the most common mistakes in living room design. When it is inevitable to fit an office or a nursery into the living room, it is important not to block the passages and not allow “transit” zones, said Anna Budnikova from the M-A SPACE studio. According to her, the zones - recreation, kitchen, work, children - need to be isolated, but there should be a direct connection between them.

Do not block passages in the living room (Photo: New Africa)

TV against the light

A common mistake is placing the TV screen in front of a window or against the light. “You need to place it perpendicular to the window to avoid glare. For example, it is placed along the long wall of the living room, opposite the sofa. In the combined kitchen-living room, you can provide a monitor with a swivel screen so that it can be viewed from the kitchen. In rooms with elongated proportions, we sometimes recommend placing a cabinet with a TV in the middle of the room, thereby zoning the “long” space,” Budnikova specified.

However, in this case, you need to think about the direction of people's movement, so as not to block it, the designer emphasized. According to her, one-room apartments and studios are quite popular today, so the issue of proper space zoning is important.

The TV should be placed perpendicular to the window (Photo: MAX 3D Design)

Wrong climate

Another global mistake in the design of the living room is the incompatibility of interior design with the climate, Sergei Petrov is convinced. “In cold climates, for example in our latitude, wood, wool, velvet and suede have historically been used. In a warm climate, for example, in Sochi, wicker furniture, stone flooring, and cotton look more appropriate,” the designer believes.

It is better to give up wicker furniture if the climate is cold

Monotonous furniture

The mistake that most living room interiors have is the lack of variety of seating furniture and its dull arrangement, Petrov clarified. According to him, upholstered furniture, chairs, banquettes and a bar area should be selected and arranged in such a way as to contribute to the maximum and varied pastime - from intimate conversations to lively conversations at a noisy party.

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