If there were bread and butter of interior design, it might be living room layouts. As one of the focal points of the home, living rooms are not only high-traffic areas but should offer an inviting space to congregate and relax in good company. The sofa is the key to unlock your living room's potential.

Recently, we shared how to pick the right accent chairs and talked about 'why you shouldn't buy the furniture set'. We are big believers that mixed furniture is thoughtful furniture, but choosing layered pieces for a living room can be difficult. The sofa is usually the largest piece of furniture in the room and sometimes your home. They can set you back many thousands of pounds and be the most costly investments, so it's imperative to get it right (no pressure!)

We love sinking into a soft, cosy sofa at the end of a long day so thought we would share our tricks to picking the perfect sofa including some layout ideas - we do spoil you! We love these layouts in particular because they work in so many different spaces of all shapes and sizes, and they are pretty fool-proof. Once the sofa is on order, you have nailed the layout, then check out our guide to decorating above furniture!

categories of couch

There are countless styles and sizes of sofas on offer. To keep things simple we usually separate sofas into the following 2 categories:

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Sections

These sofas come, as their nickname suggests in sections. You may also know these as modular, corner or sectionals. More contemporary than singles, these sofas are usually found in medium to large living rooms.

We use them as a tool for separating up open-plan spaces to help them feel intimate without the walls, plus they are naturally social.

Singles

Singles are far from boring. Despite the nickname, singles usually come as a group! They allow a broader range of creativity as you can mix and match a larger number of fabrics, colours and textures in the same amount of space as a section sofa. Singles can feel less dense than a large sections sofa - this is because there is space to the sides as well as above even when the total number of seats are the same.

Only you will know what’s right for your space and how you’ll use it

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Sofa type - done. What’s next?

Thinking about the cushions or comfort level should be next on the list of priorities. Like a mattress for a bed, we all have our preferences for soft, medium to firm and sofas are no different. You may also want to consider the actual filling material as some can affect allergy sufferers such as down which contains feathers.

Choose your Cushions

There are many types of sofa cushions all have their place. When we talk about sofa cushions, we are referring to the structural cushions that support the user and not the decorative kind you add later! Think about the depth of your seat cushions, whether you plan to be sitting upright for a more formal setting or leaning back and chillaxing. Some cushion types are more prevalent than others - this is true for the UK. For example, if you are after bench cushions and cloud sofas, American makers usually have more choice. 

Separate cushions are usually a good idea if you have pets or children as the covers can be removed and washed versus fixed cushions and seats 
that cannot.

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Bench Cushions

These are our latest go-to (when we can find them!) These cushions span the width of the sofa or section, meaning there are no gaps for you or your loose change to disappear down! Bench cushions are great for those of us who like to snuggle next to each other or lie down on the sofa. There's not many around in the UK but search further afield and have your efforts rewarded.

Lumbar Cushions

As the name suggests, these are to support the lumbar or your lower back. For those plagued by back pain or prefer to sit more upright, these cushions are a godsend. Usually, in addition to a back cushion, they can be moved to your ideal position or removed altogether if you prefer. Choose down-filled cushions, and the slouchers among us will be happy too.

Arm Cushions

Some sofas come with optional arm cushions. Do you want the arms to be padded for perching or a pet to sleep on, or would you prefer them to remain clear? Usually, these cushions have a very soft filling allowing them to be draped over the arms nicely.

Scatter Back Cushions

These are an alternative to large square back cushions. They make the sofa appear cosy and inviting plus allow some variation in seating positions. On the downside, they can be a nuisance for us tidy freaks, who may feel like it looks permanently untidy.

Cloud Sofas

Top on Beck's list is a cloud sofa. Again more of an American phenomenon, we think that cloud sofas should have a place in your home. Their cushions are usually down-filled or foam wrapped with down, allowing you to sink in and feel as though you're floating on a cloud. Perfect for home cinemas and snugs, they are the ideal antidote to a stressful day. 

The only drawback is that these sofas can sag and lose their shape over time unless maintained. Consider choosing a sofa which has a mixture of foam and down-filled cushions to ensure some structure will remain over time. 

VARIETY MAKES A SPACE INTERESTING

Here’s some living room layout ideas featuring gorgeous sofas hot from our Pinterest Board. Check out our full board here for even more inspiration!

We’re always interested to here how you get on with your latest projects. Did you find the sofa of your dreams, or try a new layout that looks great?

Let us know in the comments below!

Sources, from Top to Bottom: 

Title and cover images: Harbour Hills South II project by Eric Olsen Design via our Pinterest Board

Sections Photo of the Aspen Project by Kate Marker via our Pinterest Board

Singles Photo from Studio McGee via our Pinterest Board

All Cushions Photos via our Pinterest Board. (The beautiful arm example is called the Howard sofa from the Egg Collective.)

Our allrounder sofa is the Harmony courtesy of West Elm