Shop for Living Room Seating Online
How to Choose Living Room Seating
Size Restraints & Budget
When selecting living room pieces, the goal is to create a harmonious space. To ensure that sofas and chairs don't seem too large or too small for the rest of the room, avoid dramatic contrasts in furniture size. Couches and armchairs with seats about the same height from the ground will automatically look more coordinated. However, to accommodate a large family or many guests, seating options of several heights and depths help your layout pull double duty for both tall and petite.
To create clear walkways and plenty of leg room, leave space between each piece of furniture. While extra long or oversized plush sectionals are great for making large rooms feel luxurious and cozy, consider narrow furniture on a smaller scale for tight spaces like apartments. Groups of loveseats or armchairs can be a versatile and budget-friendly alternative to the traditional sofa. In open floor plan homes, backless benches are a great option to separate living spaces from dining rooms without interrupting the eye's movement across the room.
Choosing the Style
Living room seating comes in many shapes, sizes, and designs to fit any decor. Warm, inviting pieces with plush upholstery and curved lines complement spaces with a traditional feel. Less padding, cleaner lines, and exposed legs give chairs and sofas modern appeal. To relax like royalty, chaise lounges, S-shaped slipper chairs, or classic wingback chairs add drama and personality to formal sitting rooms. To instantly pull a look together, try adding sets with matching symmetrical arrangements to create focal points. Position two identical chairs on either side of a fireplace or rectangular end table to draw the eye.
Picking Colors
For living room seating that is both versatile and full of personality, try mixing solid, neutral colors with bold shades or patterns. As the largest and most expensive pieces in most living rooms, couches are typically quiet, simple shades. These classic colors blend with any design scheme and continue to look great as fads change. Stylish poufs, stools, and accent chairs are great for adding loud colors, unexpected shapes, or contrasting patterns without requiring as much financial investment. However, don't feel constrained by these common combination ideas. Because they are so rare, sofas with bright colors and dramatic prints make an instant statement.
Selecting Fabrics & Materials
Leather is a common fabric choice for couches, chairs, and benches alike. Leather pieces with smooth finishes and clean lines give rooms a sophisticated feel, while those with natural wear and scuff lend charm and character to rustic decor. While less durable than leather, fabrics like linen, brocade, and microfiber offer more variety and, usually, much better deals and a lower price tag. Although they are less comfortable than upholstered furniture, wooden or metal chairs can add very surprising details to ho-hum living rooms.