When it comes to furnishing the living room, the first item that usually comes to mind is the sofa. An integral element of every living room, it’s probably where you’ll be lounging on after work and on weekends. Our 5-step guide can help you decide on the perfect sofa design for your home.

Step 1: Consider Your Lifestyle

Before jumping into the sofa design, consider how the sofa will be used day-to-day. If you have a large family or have guests over often, a cosy loveseat might not be sufficient. Nap a lot on the sofa? Look for one with a deeper seat. It’s important to consider your lifestyle to ensure that your sofa needs are met.

Step 2: Decide on the Size & Orientation

When it comes to sofa design, size matters! Not just the size of the sofa itself, but also the size of your living room. If you have a large living room, you need to decide how much of it you want your sofa to fill. Conversely, if the communal area is not as spacious, a smaller sofa can help to create an illusion of a bigger space. The size of your living room will also determine the possible configuration and design of your chosen sofa (e.g. a couch, a sectional sofa, or an L-shaped sofa etc). Knowing these details would help eliminate options that do not fit your requirements.

Step3: Select the Material

Now that you’ve decided on the basic details of the sofa, it’s time to think about the type of material for the sofa. From leather to fabric, there are plenty of upholstery options that you could consider when customising your sofa. Instead of prioritising aesthetics, pick a sofa that is functional for your lifestyle needs. If you plan to keep pets or have young children, a sofa made of a material resistant to water and stains  might be worth considering. Plus, don’t forget to do some research on the maintenance levels required for the material and how you can upkeep it in the long term.

Step 4: Set the Style

Picking a sofa design can be challenging because there are so many colours and concepts available. Don’t forget to consider the other furniture pieces in your living room, such as the side chairs, coffee table and TV console. Traditionally, the furniture pieces should complement to form a cohesive look, but if your style is eclectic, go ahead to mix and match!

Step 5: Elevate Your Sofa

Now that the sofa frame is all set, don’t forget about the seat cushions! These come in many shapes and sizes so pay attention to the seat depth, height as well as the cushion filling – these are important factors to take note of so that your chosen sofa can provide enough support while seating everyone comfortably. Sitting is believing so remember to take a seat (pun intended) as you go sofa shopping so that you can gauge the comfort level of the sofas!