Many of us now live in small houses which means small rooms and the need for compact seating. A sofa is often the focal point of a living room and you’ll want to find a sofa that complements your interior design but does not sacrifice comfort. Fortunately there’s a compact sofa to suit every living room, regardless of whether your preference is sleek, leather, mid century or traditional. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect couch for small spaces!
Remember to also check out our recent article on How to Find the Right Size Sofa for Your Home!
Step 1: Get your measurement tape out
The first thing to consider when choosing a small sofa for your home is the size of the room itself. This will help you determine the appropriate dimensions for your small sofa. It might be worth drawing up a rough plan with the dimensions of your small space, to get a better idea of what will fit. Consider the width and depth of sofa you’ll need, as well as how much space you have in your sitting room for other furniture.
Step 2: Think about the size and shape of the small sofa
When looking for a small sofa, there are a few things you’ll need to take into account. Firstly, think about who will be using it – if it’s for a family, you’ll need something that can comfortably seat everyone, whereas if it’s for a single person, you may be able to choose something a little smaller like a loveseat. You’ll also need to think about the type of activities the sofa will be used for – if it’s going to be used mainly for relaxing in front of the TV and the occasional movie night, then you’ll need one with plenty of comfortable padding, but if it’s going to be used for sleeping when guests visit you may want something firmer.
Even small sofas come in a range of different sizes and shapes – you can get a tiny ‘loveseat’, which are perfect for two people to sit on, or small sectional or modular sofas that seat more people. Most small spaces won’t accommodate a corner sofa, however it really depends on the depth of your room. If you have long legs, a sofa with good depth is a must have for sitting comfortably. It’s best to decide on the dimensions you’re looking for first, as this will narrow down your options quite a lot.
Loveseat sofas
You might want to consider a loveseat. Loveseats are typically smaller than standard sofas, and if you select one with arms on each end, it will save space. If the love seat also has an ottoman or coffee table, it can add depth and substitute for a sofa.
Check out loveseat sofas in the homefitter ‘Sofa Searcher’ database with +2,000 sofas!
Sectional or modular sofas
Another good option for small spaces are sectional or modular sofas. These have several parts that connect together to form one long piece of furniture instead of numerous smaller pieces that require more room when separated.
Step 3: Consider the style of the small sofa
Once you’ve decided on the size and shape, then you should choose a style that suits your needs. Dark fabric upholstery is great to prevent stains from showing. Plain and simple styles are perfect to make small spaces look larger. Choosing a sofa should depend on more than just how comfortable it is — it should also match the style of your home and make you feel at ease when you’re sitting on it.
Sofa styles
Small sofas come in a range of different styles, from modern to classic, Scandinavian to vintage. Each style has its own unique look and feel, and it’s important to choose one that will suit your needs and the style of your home.
Modern sofas
Modern small sofas are typically sleek and stylish, with clean lines and minimalistic designs. They’re perfect for people who want a contemporary look in their home, and they often come in neutral colours so that they can be matched with any décor. Mid century sofas are also considered a modern style and often come with tapered legs.
Classic sofas
Classic small sofas are usually more traditional in style, with ornate details such as button tufting and curved arms. They’re perfect for people who want a sophisticated feel in their living room, and they often come in bold colours for a unique look.
Scandinavian sofas
Scandinavian small sofas have a minimalist look with clean, simple lines. They are not just beautiful to look at, but they are also highly functional.
Vintage sofas
Vintage sofas are perfect for people who want to add some character into their home, and they can often be found in retro design. They generally have unique details such as mismatched cushions or faded fabrics.
Colours
The colour of the sofa you choose is another important factor for small-scale sofas. If it’s too vivid, it can have an overpowering effect on the room and can look gaudy and out of place. So keep it light, keep it neutral and make sure the colour is in harmony with your walls.
The most popular sofa colour options are shown in the graph below, according to our ‘Sofa Searcher’ database. Grey-coloured sofas are the most prevalent, accounting for about 40% of sofas in the UK.
Filter by more than 13 colours and dimensions in the homefitter ‘Sofa Searcher’ database to find a small sofa in a colour that suits your preferences!
Materials
When selecting a small sofa for a room with limited space, it is important to focus on the upholstery. The most common options are fabric, leather or velvet sofas. Remember to also check out our recent article on How to Choose The Right Sofa Upholstery Fabric.
Fabrics
Good fabric options include velvet, cotton, linen, polyester. As an example, a velvet sofa in a small room brings a luxurious feel to but also comes with a distinct surface.
Have a look at the fabric sofas and velvet sofas in the homefitter ‘Sofa Searcher’ database with +2,000 sofas!
Leather
For a leather sofa, smooth leather and faux leather are good options as they are not as bulky as traditional leather upholstery. This will help you to maximize the feel of the space in your room.
Try and filter by leather & coated fabric sofas in the homefitter ‘Sofa Searcher’ database!
Legs
Tall sofa legs can be a great way to create space underneath a small sofa. By having tapered wooden legs, it can help to make the space underneath the sofa even larger. This can be a great way to free up space in a small living room and create storage options. Think about the colour of the sofa legs too. Dark wood legs works great with a dark floor and vice versa.
Arms
When it comes to small sofas, having thin and flared arms will both increase the capacity of the sofa and free up space in small living rooms. This is because the arms take up less width overall, meaning that you can fit a larger sofa into a smaller space. Additionally, the arms create a visual focal point that draws the eye away from the small size of the sofa, making it appear more spacious.
Cushions
When it comes to finding a small sofa for a room with limited space, many people worry that they will have to compromise on comfort. But this doesn’t have to be the case! If your sofa has low back cushions, consider purchasing additional cushions to make the sofa even more comfortable.
Reversible cushions can help create a versatile and stylish living room. By having a section of the sofa that can easily be switched out, you can change the entire look of your living room based on your mood or current trend. This can be a great way to add some personality to your space, and it also makes it easy to update your look without having to replace all of your furniture.
Step 4: Multi-functionality of small space sofas
Small sofas are perfect for small rooms. Not only do they take up less space, but they can also be used as beds when needed. And if you eventually move to a bigger house, small sofas can be easily repurposed in other rooms.
Small sofa bed or sleeper sofa
Small sofas may come with increased functionality such as a pull out mechanism for a convertible sofa bed. This is perfect choice for people who are looking for a space-saving option for smaller rooms that also provides comfort and style. Give your guests a cosy bed without having to have a spare bedroom. Consider a small sofa bed option with storage options to easily pack away pillows and bedding.
Check out the sofa beds in the homefitter ‘Sofa Searcher’ database and filter by dimensions to find a small sofa bed that fits in your living room!
Repurpose for another other room
A small sofa can easily be repurposed in a future house or apartment. Perhaps your family grows and you need a compact sofa for a play room, or you want some comfortable seating in a home office. A small couch could even be added to your bedroom if it’s big enough!
Step 5: How To Find A Sofa For Small Spaces
When looking for a sofa for a small room, it can be difficult to find the right size and style. Often, retailers do not provide the required filters such as ‘loveseats’ and ‘dimensions’ on their websites, making it difficult to find what you are looking for. Additionally, many small sofas are not marketed as such and are only labelled as ‘two seater sofa’, which can make them difficult to find.
Luckily, homefitter has done the hard work of collecting and standardising data on +2,000 sofas in the UK in our ‘Sofa Searcher’ database. In our database, you can insert the measures of small living space as described in step one and instantly find a new sofa that fits your small room. To narrow results further, apply a seating capacity filter and sort by price to find the best sofas at a great price.
Best small sofas
At Made.com, they have a range of beautiful small sofas that are perfect for small living rooms. Their ‘Haru’ sofa has a stylish and retro look, and it can be easily converted into a bed when needed.
At Habitat, they have a range of stylish small sofas that will make your living room look great. The ‘Evie’ sofa has a sleek and modern design.
At IKEA, they have a range of affordable and simple sofas that can be used in smaller spaces. Their ‘Glostad’ sofa has a contemporary look, and it is perfect for tight spaces due to its slim design.
Conclusion
In summary, measure the dimensions of the room where you plan to place your sofa. This will help you determine the size and shape of sofa that will fit best. Consider the style of your home and choose a sofa that will complement your existing furnishings. If you need a multi-functional piece of furniture, there are many small sofas on the market that can serve as both seating and a bed. Shop around for the best options for your budget and find the perfect small sofa for your small space!
Find the perfect sofa for your small living space using the dimensional filters in the homefitter ‘Sofa Searcher’ database with +2,000 sofas!