Full sized furniture only adds to the problem, making the room look claustrophobic. Hardly a place to unwind after a hard day at school or work.

If you have a full-sized sofa in your apartment, starter home or dorm right now, there’s little you can do to reduce its scale, outside of taking a chainsaw to it and cutting it down to size (we don’t recommend this, by the way).

Finding a space-saving sofa is the better option. Manufacturers have been clued into the need for scaled pieces, particularly in an economy where many people are moving to smaller homes rather than larger ones.

If you’re imaging miniaturized sofas for your home, don’t. A sofa’s dimensions are only part of the equation. There are other tricks of the trade that can be used to make a sofa look smaller in a room without cutting the useful seating space.

Modern sofas already know some of these secrets. For example, many modern sofas, whether they’re recliner sofas, sectional sofas, sleeper sofas or lounges, have low backs that make the walls look higher than they really are. This gives the room a feeling of spaciousness without compromising comfort.

The same is true for sofas that have large arms.  The arms of a sofa have only one true purpose: to support your arms. They don’t have to be overstuffed affairs, which are often uncomfortable anyway. To make a room look larger, go with a sofa that has a smaller set of arms that still offers the support you’re looking for. And if space is at a premium, you may want to go with vertical arms that don’t extend beyond the edge of the sofa. Those extra inches can add up to another chair or end in the room – well worth the sacrifice.

This brings up an important point. The more straight lines your sofa, sofa recliner, sofa bed or lounger has, the smaller it will look in the room. For example, a sofa with a straight back will look less voluminous than one with a camel back. For a smaller look, you also want the legs to be visible rather than having them hidden behind a dust flap.

Modern style sofas are also perfect for smaller spaces. Since “form follows function,” they usually don’t have a lot of unnecessary embellishments that don’t add to the comfort of the sofa. By their very nature, they will almost assuredly make your small space look larger.

Having limited space doesn’t mean you can’t have an attractive, comfortable room that is both welcoming and spacious feeling, even if it’s not. The most basic rules in design can help trick the eye and create a space that looks much larger than it really is. Stick with these basics and you’ll find you have plenty of space to spread out, even if you’re living in less square footage.

Creating a modern look when decorating you home can be a lot of fun and stress at the same time. How do you know the difference between a normal sofa and a modern sectional sofa? Don’t worry; modern sectional sofas are available in many styles, colors and fabrics that will make choosing your modern sectional sofa trouble-free.

These modern sofas come in a variety of unique and beautiful designs. Modern sectional sofa designs will vary from anything unsymmetrical, artsy, arched, boxy to plain straight contemporary lines. For example, you will find some sofas with a slightly curved end and a comfy chaise, or if relaxation is the main aim it might include an extra arm padding and reclining massage features. Some other luxury and modern features are built in end tables, storage space, cup holders, adjustable head- and footrests and some even features lighting that is incorporated into the design.

The materials used for modern sectional sofas are usually fabric, leather, vinyl, suede, microfiber and microsuede. Some modern sectional sofa sets use a blend of two or more upholstery materials.

Modern fabric sectional sofas are perfect for families with young children where the sofa will be exposed to constant dirt and grime. The new fabrics used are treated with a shielding agent such as Scotch Guard or Teflon, making it very easy to clean spills and smears. Red wine can be easily removed with normal soap and water, whereas one part vinegar to one part water will take care of oily and greasy stains.

Modern sectional sofas also come with removable covers, making cleaning and caring for your modern sofa even easier. These sectional sofa cover can be washed in your normal washing machine for ultimate convenience. With these durable modern fabrics and sofa covers for your modern sectional sofa, you will be able to enjoy your sofa for many years to come with it still looking brand new.

Leather is another great option for your modern sectional sofa. They require a bit more loving attention but the atmosphere it creates is very stylish and comfortable. Your modern leather sectional sofa demands regular dusting and cleaning to ensure that it remains looking and feeling as good as new.

When you are changing your décor to create a more modern look you need to consider the following.

The modern sectional sofa you pick must reflect your personality. This will ensure that you feel comfortable and “at home” with the new style.

The design of the sofa must be perfect for the whole family. A white sectional sofa will not work very well if you have pets or young children who can easily spill juice or smear chocolate on it. If you are living on your own or the kids are grown up and moved out of the house, then it is safe to go for the white sectional sofa.

Be very selective when you buy a modern sectional sofa. Current fads tend to wear off in a year or two, so avoid buying a sofa just because it is in fashion. Try to stick with passive colors and simple designs that will allow you to easily change once the trend passes.

By utilizing the advice given you will be able to find the perfect sectional sofa to create a modern look that suites your personality.

Who doesn’t love lounging on a comfortable sofa the whole day? However, you may have to do a good deal of research and planning before picking up a good sofa set from the stores. This article will help you understand the different features worth looking at in a sofa. Unless you pay attention to these features, you may be stuck with a poorly made sofa that may start looking worn out and unshapely within a year.

Sofas are used as recliners frequently and so look for ones that are comfortable. You can try to sit on it to check if it suits your height and weight. You should also check whether the arms of the sofa are at the correct height for you. Decide upon the style of cushions for the sofa. Loose cushions can be removed and placed as you want them while attached ones will not give you the trouble of rearranging.

Look for the uniformity of pattern throughout the sofa. Many inexpensive ones have difference in pattern between the back of the sofa and the cushions. A well made sofa will have good construction and uniform pattern. Always ask the salesperson about the type of material used for construction of the sofa. Also, look for fabrics that last long. Velvets may look glossy but lose their sheen soon. Leather sofas last much longer and look attractive.

Always try to buy neutral hued sofa sets as eye-popping colors might look good in magazines, but can look outrageous in normal home decor. You could buy interesting cushions and other trimmings for your sofa instead of opting for loud colors. Lovely cushions in attractive shapes are available at reasonable prices in most stores and they help you change the look of your sofa seasonally. Buying slip covers for the sofa is a practical option if you have kids. Accidental spills on a sofa are very common and the sofa may get visibly stained. If you cover the sofa with an easily washable slip, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

Also, pay attention to the type of arms and legs of the sofa. For modern living room furniture, you could opt for the sofas that have straight arms. There are other options like curved arms, straight styles or you could even think of going armless. Legs too vary greatly and you can choose among heavy square legs, more delicate ones, curved formal ones and or skirted sofas.

Finally, decide upon the type of sofa you like based on the size of the living room. A large sofa might leave little room for walking and cleaning if you have small rooms. Again, a tiny sofa set might look out of place in a large room. Also, consider if you have place for sectional sofas in your house. Most importantly, never compromise the comfort and durability for attractiveness of the sofa. No matter how pretty the design of the fabric or how interesting the make of the sofa, you should never consider buying it if you do not feel comfortable sitting on it.

Small sectional sofas is definitely very popular among a lot of people. One of the reasons for this is the fact that they will help you to make your small living space to look cozy and comfortable without appearing tiny and cramped. This makes the small sectional sofas an excellent option for people that doesn’t have much space in their living rooms.

So, if you have a rather small living room, but still want a sectional sofa, you would be pleased to know that sectional sofas come in smaller sizes as well, catering for everyone’s needs. Saving you some space if you don’t have plenty of space to begin with.

If you have a living room that is not too spacious, you should probably not consider a sectional sofa that consists of more than 3- or 4-pieces. Typically a 3-piece sectional sofa is a good starting place when you start shopping around.

You are probably wondering what a 3-piece sectional sofa consists of? Generally a small 3-piece sectional sofa are simply a sofa or a loveseat, combined with one or two chairs.

The great thing about sectional sofas is the fact that you have the ability to place them however you would prefer, adding a personal touch to your living room. Centrally locating your sofa pieces within your living room could make the area feel more spacious while offering proper seating for conversation and intimacy.

The size of your sectional sofa will depend on the size of your living room, that is why it is important to take measurements before purchasing, ensuring your sofa pieces would easily fit into your small living area without overpowering it.

The measurements of small scale sectional sofas ranges from about 120 – 130″ wide and ends at about 157″ wide. A wise choice would be to find a sofa with components that are sold seperately, enabling you to add some pieces or knock off a few pieces to accommodate your small space. Also allowing you to fill space efficiently while giving you many different looks to choose from.

A small sofa usually measures about 72″ or smaller and their matching chairs are measured around 24″ each, adding up to 120″ wide. A loveseat would be around 63″ with chairs of about 31.5″ wide, adding up to 126″. If you have more space available you could just add another chair to your set.

The idea of choosing particular loose pieces for your small sectional sofa set not only allows you to create your desired size sofa set, but also allows you to mix and match, creating your own unique style and look. Especially nowadays with the new look of matching stripes, floral patterns and plain colors together.

You will also have to choose between a variety of fabrics. Sofas come in leather, suede, microfiber or cloth, giving you a variety of looks, designs and price ranges to choose from. The great thing about small sectional sofas is that it doesn’t always have to be big to offer you some great versatility.

Leather sofas are very contemporary. Yet they come in a wide variety of styles. The addition of a single leather sofa or a leather sofa set can transform the interior of your home. They will not only add a new dimension of dignified style to your drawing room rather they are perhaps the most comfortable kind of sofas you will be able to find out there.

The best thing about leather sofas is their versatility. By nature of the appeal that leather sofas have they can be incorporated into any kind of interior. Whether you live in a studio apartment or a mansion a leather sofa can work wonders for your interior.

When it comes to leather sofas the choices are literally unlimited. There is a wide variety of extremely classy choices that can very well make the decision of choosing a leather sofa set an overwhelming deal. The color spectrum for leather sofas is however generally limited. Black is perhaps the most popular and versatile variety that can go with all interiors. Then you have other classy colors like cream, brown, white, fawn, beige and the like. Generally the color range consists of sober toned down colors.

With regards to the styles you can go with a contemporary or even a designer sofa that looks more like a work of art. Then you have the Euro contemporary style or the old school traditional leather sofa.

Leather sofas have a lot of fringe benefits along with the sense of style that they bring in your home. Once bought they are extremely easy to maintain and will give you years of comfort. Cleaning leather sofas is extremely easy as compared to the cleaning of other fabric sofas. You will be able to find special leather sofa cleaning solutions in the market that make the job even easier. One brush of the solution on your leather sofa will get them looking as good as new.

The comfort level that leather sofas have to offer just cannot be argued. This is especially true if you go for ergonomically designed well manufactured leather sofas. Another appreciated aspect of leather sofas is the unique scent that they give off. This is something unique to leather sofas only.

The best of leather sofas will feature exquisite hand stitching that guarantees style along with quality. Although leather sofas with hand stitching are likely to be expensive they are also far more durable. Hence the return on investment will pay off in the long run as the sofa will last you for years to come.

Depending on the availability of space and your requirements you can go for a single leather sofa which can be a single or two-seater. Such sofas tend to work well with other furniture be it wooden or wrought iron. You will also be able to find longer leather sofas that have the capacity to seat four people in a row. Then you have leather sofa sets incorporating a multiple seater with a single seater or double seater. The varieties are endless with regards to the number of pieces you can have in your leather sofa sets. Hence you can rest assured you will be able to find leather sofas that meet your requirements.

Most people will agree that next to beds sofas are the most comfortable pieces of furniture that you will find in any home or hotel. While you can get your sofa from any furniture store only Ikea sofas can be store tested by you. In case you are wondering what store tested means well relax in your sofa at home. You can feel how the sofa feels right?

Well in most furniture and department stores you can look at the sofa and even sit down briefly to see if you will be comfortable. You will not however feel comfortable doing this. In the Ikea stores on the other hand you can sprawl or even lie down on the sofa. You have the luxury of sitting on the sofa and even discussing if you want to buy the sofa or the other accessories you can use.

The wide range of Ikea sofas that you will find will fit in with any style of décor that you have in your homes. You will also find that these sofas come in a variety of textures. So you can choose from a traditional sofa where your guests will sit down and comfortably talk the afternoon away. You could also see about buying one of those ultra comfortable sofas.

You know the ones that one where as soon as you see them all you can think about is sprawling on them. With these types of Ikea sofas you will soon have many great looking items arranged around. You will of course find these and many other types of sofas. For many people there are some sofa beds that you can look at. These sofa beds are ideal for when you have guests or if you have a small apartment.

As with so many of the Ikea products you will find these Ikea sofas to be very affordable. The sofas have different looks and textures to them. You will find two seater sofas and four seater sofas. There are leather sofas and corner sofas that you can arrange in your living room in a mix and match style.

The Ikea stores are great for buying products for your home. With these many lovely items you will be able to furnish your home in any way that you want. The choice of Ikea sofas will let you style the living room in a comfortable living space. You will love how your new Ikea sofas enhance the quality of living.

Do you have a small living room, dorm room or apartment that is in need of a sofa? Are you unsure of what to purchase in order to incorporate both comfort and spaciousness?

If you already have a small space, the last thing you probably want is a large sofa that makes the room appear even smaller. After a hard day at work or school, you want to relax in your home, not feel confined and claustrophobic in a small living area due to a bulky piece of furniture.

The difficulties inherent in a small living room are not insurmountable. There are various options to choose from in small-scale sofas. You do not have to forego style and comfort to save on space!

What to Look for in a Small Sofa

There is more to space saving design when it comes to seating in a small living or family room than choosing a loveseat. You might be asking yourself what other options are available. Surely, a sofa’s dimensions are not the only avenues that need to be investigated, right?

Correct! There is more to choosing a small sofa than just its size. Along with size, there are different sofa features that are available that make a sofa appear sleeker and less bulky.

It is important to have a sofa that would not overpower the space in your small living area.

What Makes a Sofa Appear “Small Scale”?

Besides size, there are different sofa features that make it appear sleeker and trimmer. In other words, perfect for a small space. These features include:

* Few curves with clean, straight, and simple lines

* Straight or no arms

* Legs remaining visible underneath the sofa, that is, they are not covered by upholstered flaps

Futons also have features that give this sofa a small-scale appearance. They have simple, straight lines, narrow arms, with no upholstered flaps. Although many are wider than what would be considered small-scale, their simplicity makes them a natural for small spaces.

By simply changing the cover of a futon, you have the ability to change its overall look. You can go with a more traditional feel by having a design of large flowers and leaves on a subdued color palate of dark brown and beige. Or, if your style leans toward contemporary, you could choose plain beige, black or any other neutral color.

With their sleek, simple lines, most futons naturally have a modern contemporary look. However, this can be curtailed into a more traditional look with the use of different designs in coverings.

The other wonderful feature of a futon is its ability to be changed into a bed. Once the cover begins to wear, it is easy to replace with a new one.

Taking Size into Account

Most sofas for small spaces range in size from 72 inches or smaller. It should be noted that if you go too small, you might end up with seating for two instead of three. That is, you’ll end up with a loveseat instead of a sofa.

If you wanted something smaller than a loveseat, you could purchase a settee or Chair and a Half. Chair and a Halfs usually range around 49″ or smaller and settees range between 40 to 50 inches in length.

Below is a list of measurements to help you remember approximate sizes of small-scale sofas as compared to loveseats and settees. Make certain to take measurements of the space you need to obtain seating for before making a purchase. This will alleviate any unnecessary headaches and hassles from purchasing the wrong size seating for your room.

* Small Scale Sofas: 72″ or smaller

* Loveseats: 63″ or smaller

* Chair and a Halfs: 59″ or smaller

* Settees: 49″ or smaller

Use the above list as a guide, not as a hard-and-fast rule. There are sofas, loveseats, Chair and a Halfs and settees that do not meet this criteria. However, the above measurements are the norm.

Also, it is possible to find a sofa that is over 72″ that would still afford your room a spacious feel. For example, if you discover a sofa that is over 72″ with a sleek appearance and no upholstered flaps, it may work perfectly in your room if space allows.

It basically comes down to your individual taste.

Another option for a sofa in a space that would normally fit only a loveseat would be to look for sofas without arms. This would allow seating for three instead of two. Sofas usually have large arms that take up a fair amount of unnecessary space. By eliminating arms, you would increase your seating area!

This may not be for everyone, as you may not find an armless sofa comfortable enough for you. However, due to its space saving potential, it is worth investigating.

A Word to Those Lovers of Traditional Furnishings

Small-scale sofas tend to appeal more to lovers of modern or contemporary furnishings than those who prefer traditional. This can be disappointing if you prefer traditional furnishings, but you need a space saving sofa!

If your taste leans toward traditional, the sleek, straight lines of contemporary furnishings may appear cold and sterile and would not lend to the homey warm feel that you enjoy.

You should keep in mind that it is not necessary to purchase a sofa with all the features noted previously. For example, you could purchase a sofa with arms and legs that have curves instead of the contemporary straight lines. If the curves are not too thick, then this may satisfy your desire for a traditional look while still saving on space.

Summing Up

Having a small living room, family room, dorm room or living room has its disadvantages when it comes to seating. You want to get the most “bang for your buck”, by having as much seating as possible while still giving your room a spacious feel. Not always an easy feat in a small space!

There are particular features in a sofa that would give it a small-scale look such as straight lines, small arms and legs that raise the sofa. You could even maximize your seating by purchasing an armless sofa. This would allow seating for three instead of two.

Even if you do not appreciate all the features listed above in a sofa, you can pick one feature and look for other features that you love. For example, if you have a traditional lean in furnishings, you could purchase a sofa with curved arms and legs, but have it raised off the floor by legs uncovered by upholstered flaps. This way, you achieve a spacious look (by the negative space left underneath the sofa) but retain your unique sense of style and taste in the sofa.

Bottom line, you don’t have to sacrifice your style in home décor to achieve a spacious feel in a small space.

A sectional sofa for a small space probably appears to be an oxymoron. How could there possibly be a perfect meeting of the two?

Well, the honest answer is that in the right home, a sectional sofa could actually save you space! Centrally locating sofa pieces within a small living area not only lends to proper seating for conversation and intimacy, but could also make the space feel more spacious.

If seating in one specific spot is not to your liking, with sectional pieces you have the ability to place them however you prefer. This would lend your own personal creative touch to the living room.

Small Sectional Sofas Explained

Now that you know that small sectional sofas are available, you may be asking yourself a few questions. For instance, what would be considered too large or too small for a small sectional sofa?

Good question!

Generally, your living room or living area would dictate the size needed for a small sectional sofa. This is why it is important to take measurements before making a purchase to ensure the sofa pieces would not overpower the small living area. And I will be discussing the measurements of small sectional sofas more in depth below.

However, before going any further, the primary question should be answered, and that is what would be considered a small sectional sofa?

When looking at the number of pieces that make up a small sectional sofa set, 3 pieces are usually the starting point. When furnishing a small living space, anything over 3 to 4 pieces would typically overwhelm the space. You want to make small rooms appear larger and cramming furniture into a tight space would not be conducive to a spacious feeling.

Measurements for a Small Scale Sectional Sofa

Now that we know what makes up a small sectional sofa, we can get down to business on measurements. To get an idea of what makes up a sectional sofa set, all that is necessary is taking the measurements of a small scale sofa or loveseat and one or two chairs, and then adding them all together.

And once you’ve done that, voila! You have the necessary measurements to define what makes a small scale sectional sofa set.

Let’s go over the measurements now…

A small scale sofa is generally 72″ or smaller.

To come up with a small scale chair, you would simply divide the measurements of a small scale sofa (72″) by 3 and then you have the size of a small scale chair, which is 24″ wide.

Or, let’s consider option number two…

A small scale loveseat is generally 63″ wide.

To come up with a small scale chair, you would simply divide the measurements of a small scale loveseat (63″) by 2 and then you have the size of a small scale chair, which is 31.5″ wide.

Add those numbers together and here is what you get…

72 + 24 + 24 = 120″ wide
63 + 31.5 + 31.5 = 126″ wide

Now you have a starting point for the scale of a small sectional sofa.

A starting point for a small scale sectional sofa set is 120 – 126″ wide.

As for the stopping point, you can simply add on an additional 24-31.5″. The stopping point is simply the size that you wouldn’t want to go past for risk of the sectional sofa being too large.

I took the liberty of adding 31.5″ to 126″ wide sectional sofa to come up with the stopping point of 157.5″ wide.

Having a stopping point gives you some leeway. By finding a sectional sofa that falls between 120 – 157″, you have room to work with in your small space. Remember to take measurements first because a 157″ sectional sofa may be perfect for one living area, but considered too large for another.

Also, a few simple guidelines on sectional sofa sizes to consider may help.

120-130″ would be perfect for a small scale solution.
145″ would be a nice mid-size range for small homes.
157″ would be a great size if you can afford the space.

Now that we know the specific measurements for a small scale sectional sofa, how should you go about choosing one?

Choosing the Ideal Small Scale Sectional Sofa Set

When looking to purchase a sectional sofa, it would be a wise decision to locate a home furnishing store or website that sells each piece individually or as a whole. That way, if a set is too large you could subtract a couple of pieces and if a desired set is too small, you could add an extra piece.

The ability to choose particular pieces allows you to mix and match, therefore, creating your own unique signature “look”.

One place you can find a nice selection is at Marketplace.Furniture-for-Small-Spaces.com. It will link you up to a nice variety of small scale sectional sofas that can be customized according to your space, style and needs.

To Sum Up

Measurements of small scale sectional sofas have been clearly defined. Sectional sofas in the range of 120-130″ wide would be ideal if you do not have the additional space. If space allows, you could increase the stopping point of the sectional sofa to 145″ or even 157″ wide.

Locate home furnishing establishments that allow you to purchase a sectional sofa as a whole or piece by piece. That way, if the sofa you desire is too large, you can knock off a few pieces to accommodate your small space.

In addition, if you wanted to be creative, you could mix and match different colors and patterns. This would lend a unique personal “stamp” to your home décor.

Having said all of that, remember that nothing is ever “carved in stone”. The bottom line and the deciding factor is what is best for you and is most conducive to your lifestyle and taste in home furnishings.