The modern living room is the site of many enjoyable activities. However, whether you’re curled up with a book in front of an open fire or playing with your whole family on the Wii, life in the living room would be impossible without one item of furniture, the humble sofa.
It’s fair to say that over the years sofas have become the focal point of the living room. The days when living room furniture was entirely formulaic, almost as if it had been ordered direct from Goldilocks herself (an armchair for dad, a similar one for mum and the sofa for the baby of the family), have long since gone.
While the living room chair is still popular, it doesn’t exude the warm, cosseted feel of a sofa. This is one of the reasons for the marked increase in the number of people seeking quality, stylish, comfortable and practical sofas for their living spaces.
Of course, because of this popularity, the different types of sofa design that are available have also dramatically increased and finding the right style can be an issue for those who may not have the artistic appreciation of a designer. In many cases, however, the actual styling of the sofa may be a secondary consideration compared to how the sofa is to be used within the family home.
This is an important point to bear in mind. If you are intending to place your new sofa in the front room (and therefore expect it to suffer heavy usage from family and friends) you will need to consider this when you are making your choice. Alternatively, if you are placing the sofa in a different room, where it may only see infrequent use, then this too will influence your decision.
A key point to consider is who is likely to be using the sofa and how often. A sofa that is in a home with several young children or babies will have to be far more robust (and ideally easy to keep clean and in good condition) than one that is being used by a couple with no children or whose children have left home.
Factoring in how often your sofa will be used, by whom and the potential for spillage, wear and tear and other mishaps, should all play a part in deciding whether a sofa is the right choice for your situation.
So, what are some of the most common styles you should consider for your home, if, for example, you are looking for quality, value and style, combined with a design robust enough to withstand the rigours of a young family?
In this situation a super-comfortable fabric sofa would be an excellent choice, as many fabrics are now extremely hardwearing and specially treated to ensure they are practical in a family home. An alternative is one of the many styles of leather sofas available; these are equally durable, but have the added attraction of being able to be cleaned easily.
Alternatively, if you are fortunate enough to have a second downstairs living room, perhaps used primarily for entertaining guests and need a nice, copious sofa to fill the void then a sectional sofa is an ideal style.
The sectional design affords plenty of seating for visitors, usually in front of a television or games console (or around a central feature such as a fireplace) and as such they are an ideal solution for someone seeking a second sofa in a room for entertaining.
For a look of refinement and class, then can’t beat the timeless look of a Chesterfield sofa. This elegant, classic design dates to the 19th century and comes in a beautiful leather finish, which requires a little effort to keep in pristine condition. These are bespoke, tailored designs that have withstood the test of time and which add an air of class to any living area.
Finding the right sofa as your focal point for a living area is a matter of personal choice; situation and style may sway your thinking but you can be sure that the perfect sofa is out there waiting to take pride of place in the centre of your living room. All you need to do is find it!
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