If you’re preparing to buy a new sofa, you’ll want to take steps to ensure that the sofa you choose matches the décor you’ve chosen for your home. A well-chosen sofa can pull an entire room together, but a sofa that is clearly out of place in your living room or den will simply be an eyesore. Taking the extra time to ensure your sofa matches your décor will be well worth the satisfaction you gain from having a properly furnished room that looks amazing. Here are a few things to consider that will ensure your new sofa meshes with your décor.
Style: You Wouldn’t Wear a Blazer With Shorts…
…so don’t buy a modern minimalist sofa if the rest of your furniture is from the Victorian era. Different styles of furniture have different features that can accent other furniture pieces quite well – as long as you stay within the same style. If you’re placing your brand new, bright red fabric sofa next to the antique Queen Anne dressing table you inherited from your great-grandmother, your room décor is going to clash. Try to stay within similar time period-based styles when choosing your furniture – so if you have mostly contemporary minimalist furniture, opt for a contemporary minimalist sofa.
Colour: Match With Other Furniture, Contrast With Décor Items
As important as style is, it’s equally critical to consider the colour of the sofa you ultimately buy. A well thought-out colour scheme can put the “living” in living room, and having a sofa that works with the other colours in the space can add more light and give your home a distinct ambiance. Keep in mind that your sofa will be a mainstay in your space, and if you want to change the colour scheme it will be much easier to swap out accent pieces like throw pillows and lamps than to swap out a sofa. Choose a sofa in a versatile colour that works with multiple schemes. White, cream and tan are all neutral colours that can be easily augmented with accent pieces. If you do opt for a distinct colour like red or yellow, choose something that is a muted colour or slightly off-colour. These sofas add a subtle character without being overpowering or clashing with the rest of the room.
Size: Choose a Sofa That Fits Your Space
Remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Goldilocks entered the bears’ home to sit in a chair and take a rest – the first chair was too large, and the second was too small. When choosing a sofa, it’s important to keep the Goldilocks Principle in mind. What’s the Goldilocks Principle? Always choose the one that’s just right. Even the right style and colour of sofa can still look out of place if it’s too large or small. A sofa that is too large can make a small space feel crowded, while a sofa that is too small will look lost and adrift in a large space. Also consider the size of your other furniture, and keep your sofa about the same size as your chairs and tables. When your sofa is “just right” you’ll find that it pulls the rest of your room together.
Buying a new sofa is a great opportunity to make a big impact on your home’s décor, but if you’re not careful, you might end up creating a space where furniture clashes with other furniture or décor items. Keep style, colour and size in mind when you’re shopping for a new sofa. By understanding how these three factors impact your space, you’ll be well prepared to find the sofa that works for you.