How to choose a sofa for the living room: main selection criteria, photos of beautiful designs

Must-have living room furniture

A modern living room must include the following furniture:

Upholstered (sofa, corner, armchairs and chairs)
Modular (racks, walls)
Bedside table for plasma panel, home theater
Coffee table

Even this simple furniture can brighten up your living room or turn it into a bland room. Therefore, you need to know how to choose the right furniture for your living room.

What is included in a set of upholstered furniture?

As a rule, the living room is divided into several zones. One of them is a recreation area, which is characterized by comfort and convenience. A sofa with armchairs is best suited for arranging a soft area.

When buying upholstered furniture, adhere to the following recommendations

When choosing upholstered furniture, take into account the size of the room. If you have a small room, then a double sofa will suit you. If the room is large, then feel free to take a four-seater sofa along with a set of armchairs.
When arranging a small living room, a modular sofa is an excellent solution. Its parts can be placed in the right places depending on the situation, transforming them into armchairs or cabinets.
If the dimensions of the room do not allow you to place armchairs, then you can take 2 double sofas from the store and place them at a right angle. Or place 1 two-seater sofa and several bean bags next to it. They take up little space in the room and are very comfortable as they take the shape of the body.
If you want to organize a seating area in the middle of the room, then when choosing, pay attention to the backs of the products so that there are no rough seams or plywood there.
If you decide not to select furniture yourself, trust a specialist - any large furniture store or studio has consultants or designers who will help you. For example, in the Emozioni Di Casa salon, the range of Italian-made living room furniture is very wide, you will definitely be advised by a professional interior designer, so it will not be difficult to make a choice.

Basic models and designs

Upholstered furniture in the form in which it is recognizable today appeared around the 17th century in France. The past centuries were not wasted in vain - a lot of samples and designs arose, various types of products were developed. Among them are known:

Various sofas. There are straight and angular models of different shapes and sizes. Some of them have the ability to transform, when individual modules can be connected using methods.
Sofa beds. Models that fold out to form a bed for one or two people. They appeared in the mid-20th century as a result of a decrease in the living space of apartments.
Sofa. Varieties of sofas with low backs and armrests. Widely used in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Ottoman (or ottomans). Wide trestle beds with a small back (usually without it at all), intended primarily for lying.
Canapes. Small elegant seating sofas with up to 3 seats.
Armchairs. Structures that resemble a sofa, but are designed to seat one person.

Sofa bed

Canapes

Armchairs

Sofa

Ottoman

Sofa
All of the listed models (except for sofa beds) are traditional, classic types of upholstered furniture. All the time they were relevant, they were made using the same technology. Change the decor, a little – the shape of the back and armrests. Modern manufacturers use a different approach: excessive “decoration” and carved elements have given way to simple, functional designs. Traditional types are often produced by well-known companies; these are elite and very expensive furniture. The current approach to manufacturing is based on the use of one design or another. Exist:

Wireframe views. They are ordinary structures consisting of a hard base and a soft layer, covered with furniture fabric.
Frameless. A somewhat simplified version: these are bags of a certain shape, based on soft filler. There are more stable and durable models that are filled with polyurethane foam (PPU or, as they say in everyday life, foam rubber). Others are filled with soft granules that are less stable and quickly lose their shape.
Modular views. They are a structure made of identical (most often) blocks that can be connected in different ways. The modular option can be assembled in the most suitable way for a given room, and when rearranging furniture, it is enough to change the placement method.

Frame

Modular

Frameless
The most popular types of upholstered furniture include a sofa bed and a chair bed. These are universal products that can change their shape using a transformation mechanism. Both types, when folded, are a sofa and an armchair, and when unfolded, they are sleeping places for two and one person, respectively. The transformation mechanism connects the back and seat, changing their position relative to each other. There are several varieties:

click-clack;
Eurosophy;
junior;
sesame;
Eurobook;
American folding bed;
tango;
breeze;
accordion;
coupe.

Varieties of cabinet furniture for living rooms, current colors
All these mechanisms provide a certain type of transformation, turning one type of furniture into another. Initially, click-clack was used, but then other options were developed. The use of furniture with such capabilities allows you to solve the problem of lack of space: at night it turns the living room into a bedroom, and during the day - vice versa.

Modern examples of upholstered furniture are noticeably inferior to classic types in terms of durability. Today it is not customary to change upholstery, springs, or repair load-bearing structural elements. When upholstery material loses its appearance, owners prefer to replace sets of upholstered furniture for the living room with a fresh set.

American folding bed

Breeze

Eurobook

Eurosophist

Click-clack

Coupe

Sesame

Tango

Junior Accordion

How to choose the color of a sofa for the living room interior

Before choosing the color of the sofa and armchairs, you need to decide on a color plan. iDezz has identified 5 main plans that combine the color of upholstered furniture and shades of other surfaces in the room.

1.Monochrome plan

In this regard, the color of the sofa and the walls are the same, only the shades are different. The following options are possible:

The walls are pale blue, the sofa is blue
Walls - beige, sofa - brown
The walls are purple, the sofa is lilac
The walls are soft orange, the sofa is bright orange

2.Neutral plan

This plan combines walls decorated in a neutral color and a sofa in some other neutral color. The following options are possible:

The walls are white, the sofa is black
Walls - beige, sofa - gray
The walls are gray, the sofa is white
The walls are white, the sofa is beige

3. Neutral sofa in a colored interior

To maintain balance in an interior with bright colored walls, place a neutral sofa. White, black, gray and beige are non-garish tones that go well with any wall color. For example, in this plan they combine:

The walls are bright blue, the sofa is white
The walls are green, the sofa is beige
The walls are bright orange, the sofa is black
The walls are red, the sofa is white

4.Colored sofa in a neutral interior

A brightly colored sofa can be the only element that accentuates attention in a faceless interior. For example, the design includes:

The room is white and gray, the sofa is bright red
The room is white, the sofa is bright brown
The room is gray, the sofa is yellow
The room is black and white, the sofa is orange

A bright element makes a neutral interior spectacular. This technique is suitable for modern designs and baroque style.

In this color plan, the sofa can be supported by other elements:

Curtains
Lampshades, chandeliers, lamps
Floor carpets
Ceiling
Walls
Floor vases, paintings

5.Combined plan

In accordance with the combined plan, a colored sofa is introduced into the interior of a different color. For example, like this:

The walls are red, the sofa is blue
The walls are purple, the sofa is green
The walls are yellow, the sofa is blue
The walls are brown, the sofa is blue

Before choosing a color plan, decide what you want the interior to look like - bright and eye-catching or discreet and soothing. If you want to make an impression with your living room, then go for the 4th or 5th color plan. If you are looking for a comfortable, discreet and balanced interior, then the first 3 plans will suit you. Now you know how to choose the color of your living room furniture!

Mechanisms for transforming sofas

If you are going to sleep on the chosen sofa, then you should pay attention to the transformation mechanism.

There are models that fold out in a variety of ways, but they can be divided into two large groups:

those that unfold parallel to the wall;
folding out perpendicular to it (the back serves as a headboard).

Let's consider the pros and cons of the most popular transformation mechanisms.

Book. This old mechanism works like this: the seat raises and lowers after a click.

Pros: unfolds quickly.
Cons: the sofa cannot be moved close to the wall.

Eurobook. To unfold sleeping sofas of this design, you need to pull out the seat and fold the backrest back into place.

Pros: strength, quickly unfolds, smooth surface of the product. Such sofas are good in the living room interior both for permanent use and for occasional use - for guests.

Dolphin . The second half of the berth is removed using a loop from under the sofa.

Pros: Easy to unfold once you get used to the mechanism.
Cons: no drawer for linen.

Accordion . The seat is raised until it clicks and pulled forward.

Pros: wide place to sleep, regardless of the size of the sofa.
Cons: difficult to fold, hinges may become loose over time.

American and French folding beds. The main part of the berth is hidden under the seat.

Pros: good sleeping place with a thick mattress, metal frame of the models, wide seat. As you can see in this photo of sofas in the living room interior, models of this type have a very attractive design.

The French folding bed is simpler and is not recommended as a permanent bed.

Roll-out mechanism . The lower part of the sofa is rolled forward.

Pros: durable mechanism, accessibility.
Cons: low sleeping place, wheels can leave marks on the carpet (it’s better to immediately replace them with silicone wheels).

Wall or shelving in the living room: tips for choosing

In many living rooms you can find such an object as a wall. Previously, this furniture looked bulky and unaesthetic, however, now you can order sophisticated and stylish models. An alternative to a wall is a rack. It is just as functional, but does not clutter up the space. Typically, the rack is installed in small apartments in order to save living space. And the walls are chosen by residents who want to make the living room luxurious and more attractive.

A practical option for the living room is modular furniture, the elements of which can be easily moved and transformed into other objects. Thus, you can shape the interior as you wish. With the help of modules you will create comfort in any room.

Tips to help when choosing a wall or shelving:

A wall with hanging shelves and translucent facades visually increases the size of the room and makes it brighter.
Shelving is an excellent choice for furnishing a library in the living room.
By choosing racks with secret compartments, you get the opportunity to hide some things from prying eyes.

Frame

Modular furniture, like other types of interior items, is formed using a special frame. To create it, different materials are used:

wood is safe, reliable and highly environmentally friendly;
metal is durable and resistant to various mechanical influences;
Composite materials make it possible to obtain inexpensive interior items, however, their service life is not considered to be too long.

Some types of upholstered furniture are created without the use of a frame, and the most popular is the chair cover.

Armchairs and chairs

If space allows, be sure to add these pieces of furniture to your living room. The following tips will help you choose comfortable and multifunctional armchairs and chairs:

They should not be too low, as this will harm your posture. The optimal height is 40-42 cm.
The chair should be soft, but not very deep. So that you can get up from it without much effort.
The number of chairs is calculated not only based on the number of guests and family members, but also on the width of the table. A chair with armrests takes up a space of 70 cm, and without armrests - 65 cm.

TV stand or home theater: tips for choosing

It is impossible to imagine a modern living room without audio and video equipment. It is convenient to place the TV, speakers and other equipment on the cabinets.

To choose the right cabinet, remember 2 useful tips:

Choose cabinets that have drawers with shelves. You can put some things in them and free up space in the room.
A stand on wheels is convenient because you can position the TV in a way that suits your guests.
Walls that have space for a plasma panel are now popular. The main thing is that the size of the compartment matches the dimensions of the panel.

Why are there discounts and prices for good upholstered furniture vary significantly?

Some buyers already at home realize to look at the accompanying documentation and the address of the official website of the furniture company. When entering the site, they discover that this is not a “discount” at all, but a real “robbery”.

If, before buying in expensive stores, buyers were interested in which sofa is better to choose in 2020, what fashion trends are prevailing, they would not buy the remnants of the old collection.

When discounts are announced, it is always important to clarify the real reason - a small defect, an outdated model or a seasonal sale (spring, autumn).

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The dismantled remains of sets are actually sold at a significant discount in order to make room for more respectable furniture - this is the task of sellers and managers.

The authority of the manufacturing country is not always worthy of buying a product at exorbitant prices or because of an advertisement for a 2020 sofa model. Analogs of popular and practical classic models are usually released under license with the same quality requirements after a couple of years.

Note! The dismantled remains of sets are actually sold at a significant discount in order to make room for more respectable furniture - this is the task of sellers and managers.

The general appearance of the sofa, its price, country of origin and upholstery color are not the most important criteria for purchasing. If we talk about what you need to consider when choosing sofas, it is its functionality.

If this is a sofa for guests, it does not have a comfortable place to sleep, only an inexpensive metal support of the “folding bed” type. It’s not worth buying something like this for a teenager’s bedroom; for a good night’s sleep, it’s better to buy a comfortable roll-out sofa on a wooden base.

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Externally, the folding model is no different from the sofa for the bedroom-living room, which is equipped with an orthopedic mattress and a convenient transformation mechanism. It is this “filling” that makes up half the cost of the product.

How to choose a coffee table for the living room

This is an incredibly comfortable and necessary piece of furniture for the living room. When choosing a coffee table, consider the following:

If the living room is a living room, then it is better to choose a coffee table on wheels, which will not be difficult to move to another place.
The average table height is 50 cm.
In a small living room it is convenient to place a coffee table in the form of a cube, inside of which you can store a variety of things.
Choose oval and round tabletops with natural textures and curved legs. Thus, the host hints to the guest that he is open to communication.

Above we have described the furniture that is usually included in the living room. But you don’t have to limit yourself to just that. If the size of the room allows, you can complement the decor with other items. Most often, these are a dining table, a chest of drawers and a bar counter.

Filler

How to choose a good sofa? Undoubtedly, maximum comfort is achieved on a soft, but at the same time elastic surface of the product. According to experts, the density coefficient in different areas of the sofa should be different. The back, armrest and seat should be more rigid. The last element is subject to the greatest wear. In this regard, its density should be maximum. However, you can do more than just sit on the sofa. Very often this piece of furniture is installed in bedrooms. How to choose a sofa bed with the optimal stiffness coefficient? Recently, the most popular among consumers are products containing foam rubber or polyurethane inside. Preference is also given to models equipped with spring blocks.

Dining table in the living room interior

According to experienced designers, you can combine almost any room in the house. The main thing is that they do not contradict each other. It is most logical to combine the living room with the dining room, an integral part of which is the table. The following tips will help you avoid making mistakes when choosing a dining table:

It is better to choose round tables or models with rounded tabletops. If there is a lot of space in the living room and guests want to dance, it is important that they do not bump into sharp corners. In addition, a round table can accommodate more people than a rectangular one.
For multifunctional living rooms, an excellent solution is a transforming table. Just check the parts and fasteners for quality before purchasing.
If you are looking for a durable table that can withstand heavy loads, then choose a model that has metal guides and elevator-type mechanisms.

Thanks to tips from iDezz, you now know how to choose quality furniture for your living room! After all, there is nothing better than sharing your impressions with family and friends, sitting in comfortable chairs or lying on a soft sofa.

The best folding sofas

When choosing a folding sofa that will often be used for sleeping, you should check the filling of the mattress. The ideal option is independent spring blocks, which are located separately from each other. This system allows the mattress to take the shape of the body and distribute the load evenly. If you don’t plan to sleep on the sofa often, you don’t have to worry too much about the filling.

Anderssen Dreamcatcher

★★★★★ editorial assessment

97% of buyers recommend this product

The sophisticated and refined features of a count's bedroom or living room can still be recreated today with a folding sofa from the Dreamcatcher series. It is considered outstanding not only because of its design, but also because of the peculiarities of the upholstery pattern - the cover is decorated with quilting in the form of a web of a dream catcher amulet, which protects against bad energy.

The frame of the sofa is made of solid wood and high-quality plywood, the seat is supported by independent spring blocks, and polyurethane foam is used as a filler. The upholstery is expensive jacquard. The model unfolds like an accordion and is equipped with a set of decorative pillows.

Pros:

Removable cover;
Independent spring blocks providing an orthopedic effect;
When disassembled, it turns into a three-person bed;
Reliable wooden frame;
Soft armrests;
Extra wide ottoman.

Minuses:

Expensive;
Produced only to order.

When disassembled, the sofa measures up to 315 cm in length and 220 cm in width, creating a spacious bed. The design does not have a linen drawer, but with this design this is forgiven. The model is intended for decorating a living room or a very spacious library.

Sofa Database Click-Klyak

4.9

★★★★★ editorial assessment

93% of buyers recommend this product

An extensive collection of fashionable sofas with a click-clack folding design has a somewhat unusual design. The frame not only folds out like a book, turning into a double bed (205x135 cm), but also has movable sections at the legs and headboard. They can be raised or laid out as desired - whichever is more convenient. The series offers many color options with rich and non-marking patterns.

Advantages:

Large box for storing bed linen;
Simple and reliable mechanism;
Folding “ears” can withstand loads of up to 120 kg;
Decorative pillows included;
Removable cover, easy to care for.

Flaws:

At first there is an unpleasant smell - it disappears within a week.

A compact model that can turn into a fairly spacious bed, suitable for both a nursery and a small living room.

Porto Textile Azur

4.8

★★★★★ editorial assessment

90% of buyers recommend this product

A classic two-seater sofa, complemented by a wide ottoman, turns into comfortable furniture to accommodate several people. The model has a dolphin folding mechanism, which is easy and convenient to use. The side seat lifts up to reveal a spacious storage compartment. The upholstery is plain matting in non-staining colors.

Advantages:

Convenient folding mechanism;
Availability of a spacious linen box;
Very affordable price.

Flaws:

Small selection of colors.

Porto is a surprisingly good model for the money. Suitable even for a relatively small living room and can sometimes serve as an additional bed.

Borovichi-Mebel Lira

4.7

★★★★★ editorial assessment

88% of buyers recommend this product

This compact two-seater sofa has no armrests, which significantly increases the length of the bed. The transformation mechanism is extremely simple - a Eurobook. When unfolded, the dimensions are 186x139 cm. The sofa has a multi-layer filling of polyurethane foam, felt and synthetic padding to provide ideal rigidity.

Advantages:

Lack of armrests when unfolded;
Decorative pillows with removable covers;
Easy to transform and compact.

Flaws:

Not a particularly reliable combined frame made of wood and plywood.

A good option for regular use, and at an affordable price.

Living room furniture color

An important point is what color of furniture to choose for the living room. And here, too, no special rules apply. Traditionally, upholstered furniture is purchased in non-marking colors: dark brown, brown and black, but you can often find very cozy beige, sand and white armchairs and sofas. But it is worth remembering that the spectrum does not end with these colors.

Important! For the living room, you can choose furniture of almost any color, but only if the furniture in the chosen color scheme suits the style and matches the purpose of the room.

Scandinavian style is dominated by white and blue

Art Deco will appeal to those who love bright colors, but the fact is that they quickly get boring. Bright colors are pleasing to the eye, but it is impossible to relax in such an environment - that is, the living room will not fulfill its main function. Therefore, if the living room is planned for hosting parties, then bright colors will be appropriate.

Interiors with a combination of black and white look impressive, but before choosing furniture for the living room, you need to think twice. Black and white interiors look stylish in photographs, but in reality they are not very practical, especially when it comes to white furniture. Any dirt, even small ones, will be clearly visible on a white background, and as a result, the living room will require serious cleaning. Black furniture, although more practical, is not the best choice for a small living room. It is known that dark color creates a depressing atmosphere and visually reduces space.

Fashionable sofas 2015

The first place in popularity in 2020 is occupied by a corner sofa in the interior (photo below). It can fit into any environment and even into rooms with irregular angles. Preference is also given to the classics - models of simple rectangular shape.

In the interior of the living room, sofas should be conducive to pleasant, relaxed communication. This is greatly facilitated by another fashion trend - buying models with round shapes. For small rooms, it is worth purchasing a model with raised edges, which saves space.

For upholstery, choose fabrics in bright colors (lilac, green, blue, violet) or calm, classic black, gray and white. Unusual designs (mosaic, floral print, stripes, etc.) are at the peak of popularity.

Minimalism requires bright and pure colors, but be sure to follow moderation

Overall, deciding how to choose the color of your living room furniture is not that difficult. If the room is intended for relaxation, the furniture should be designed in soothing colors: light green, soft blue, dark blue. In the living room for friendly gatherings, it is better to place furniture in “energetic”, bright colors (red, orange, yellow).

If the living room will perform several functions at once, then neutral tones are an ideal option. Beige, olive, cream will neither distract attention from work nor interfere with relaxation. Neutral shades may seem boring, but this is not such a big problem, because you can add bright accents to the interior: sofa cushions, rugs, vases, etc. At the same time, you can easily and quickly “refresh” the room at any time by changing decorative elements .

Neutral shades can seem boring

Choosing the type of small sofa

Model in classic style.

This is a timeless option. It assumes strict lines and the absence of unnecessary details. Sometimes armrests stand out (quilted upholstery or bolsters). The color scheme is calm, with or without a neutral pattern. The most commonly used colors are beige, light gray, cream and other colors.

Designer model.

This sofa creates a new, unique image in the interior. It can have any shape, not match the style of the room, and at the same time it will be a successful and original solution.

The sofa is the finishing touch.

With the help of bright upholstery colors (red, orange, rich shades of blue), even a tiny sofa with 2-3 seats can be made the center of the entire living room. An important point: the rest of the furnishings should be neutral, as in this photo of sofas in the living room interior. Sometimes it is possible to repeat the color that creates the accent in one of the chairs or curtains.

A model with an original texture or ornament.

A large and bright pattern or ornament will be appropriate only if the rest of the furniture has a neutral color.

For a spacious living room, an interesting option would be two identical sofas. They can be placed opposite each other or perpendicular to each other. Choose soft colors, but the shape of the models can be any (rectangular, semicircular, etc.).

Advice: regardless of the size of the room, you should not place the sofa so that the front door remains behind the guests, as this causes internal tension. All doors must be visible.

Choosing furniture for a small living room

You can make the interior of your living room elegant, no matter the size of the room. But for a small living room this is more difficult to arrange, since a lot of things need to be placed in a very limited area. In this case, you need to follow the recommendations on what upholstered furniture to choose for a small living room.

If the room is small, this does not mean that you need to choose small furniture for it. It is better to buy a comfortable large sofa, regular, sectional or corner, but in a light color. It will fit well into the interior and become the main design element.

It is better to choose upholstered furniture for a small living room without armrests

It is not always possible to remove dark furniture from a room, but you can make sure that it does not spoil the overall impression of the room. To do this, light colors should predominate in the setting, and then dark furniture will create contrast, give the room depth and not seem heavy.

It is better to choose upholstered furniture without armrests. Such armchairs and sofas seem more open and light, so they take up less space in the interior, although they are less comfortable. But this drawback can be easily corrected with the help of bolsters and pillows.

It’s a good idea to use more glass in the interior of a small living room.

There is another trick on how to choose upholstered furniture for the living room. Among all the models, it is better to choose a modern one: low sofas with simple and clear lines. Then there may be too much free space on the walls that can be taken up by a large painting.

Important! A common mistake that owners of a small living room make is to install a bulky typical “wall” there to store all their things.

Color spectrum

The choice of color is one of the most controversial issues. When it comes to taste preferences, any recommendations are useless. However, given the huge selection of colors for upholstered furniture, it is necessary to ensure maximum consistency of the product with the rest of the interior elements. This primarily concerns the color of carpets or flooring, wallpaper, curtains and other areas of the room.

What furniture is best to put under a TV, popular designs

Sometimes the choice of shade is limited. For example, a leather sofa does not allow for a large number of color options. If you plan to use furniture with fabric upholstery, there are more design options. The main task of the design is a harmonious environment that excludes gloomy, dull tones. It is also recommended to stick to the “golden mean” and not create too bright, flashy spots in the interior, since such a design has an irritating psychological effect and does not allow you to relax and unwind. Also, you should not resort to contrasting solutions - harmony is needed in everything.