How Big Should Your Sofa Be? - Seek My Seat (2023)

FAQs

How do you know if a couch is too big for a room? ›

Your sofa should not occupy the entire length of a wall and there should be at least 18 inches of space on either side of the sofa, a good rule to use when figuring out if a sofa or sectional couch will suit your space.

The sofa should be about two thirds the size of the entire room. If you decide to add in a coffee table too, that should then be two thirds the size of the sofa (if no chaise) or one third to half the size of the sofa if it has a chaise.

Factor your height into the purchase, as well as whether you prefer low seating or a more upright position. After that, try to allow for at least three feet of space around it for traffic. “We often use a 72″ mid sofa because so many older homes have a 12-foot-wide living room,” they say.

In general, the width of a small sofa (A) is 72 inches or less, the width of a standard sofa (B) is 84-88 inches and the width of a grand sofa (C) is 96 inches or more.

There's no limit to what types of big couches can go in small spaces (well, aside from couches that actually exceed the size of the room). Even couches that expand from wall to wall are fair game. If you're working with an unconventionally sized room, consider looking at custom couches.

A sofa with legs creates more visual space which appears as more space in the room and makes the room look bigger. In the same way, a lower sofa will make the ceilings look higher and create the illusion of a larger room.

Measure Your Furniture

For Sofas, measure the width (D) and diagonal depth (E). The diagonal depth can be measured by using a straight edge from the highest point of the back frame to the front of the arm. Then measure from the bottom back corner of the sofa up to the point that bisects the straight edge.

On average, a typical sofa lasts between 7 and 15 years.

While the general range for sofas is between 72 and 96 inches, the average length is roughly 84 inches long. Sleek, armless sofas may be on the lower end of the scale, while traditional couches with thick rolled arms are likely to be on the higher side. Meanwhile, loveseats are typically between 48 and 72 inches long.

It's common for people to believe that sectionals are out of style. They think that sectionals are an old-fashioned piece of furniture and no one has them anymore. This is not true, however, because sectionals have always been popular in the US and Canada and they're also prevalent in Europe, Asia, and Africa as well.

How far should a couch be from a TV? ›

The Ideal Distance From TV to Sofa

Generally speaking, you should place your TV around double the distance of the screen size away from your sofa. This sounds a bit confusing but it's quite simple. If you have a 60-inch TV, your sofa should be placed double the distance away - so 120 inches, or about 3 metres.

Settee/Loveseat Sofa

A loveseat's dimensions will vary from 52 inches to 72 inches long and can easily accommodate two people.

What are standard sofa dimensions? The standard three-seat sofa is about 84” (152cm) wide, 40” (102cm) deep, and about 33” (84cm) tall. Loveseats, on the other hand, tend to be even smaller, at 52” (130cm) wide and 33” (84cm) deep, with a height that's about equal at 33” (84cm).

Standard sofa sizes for a two seater couch are usually 63 inches in width, 38 inches in depth and 34 inches in height. The dimensions of a loveseat are typically a few inches shorter in width, measuring around 58 inches. The height and the depth of the loveseat are usually the same as a two-seater sofa.

General Rules:

Make sure your rug is at least 6″ wider (8″ is ideal) than your sofa on both sides. Typically run the rug the length of the sofa. Give 30″ to 36″ of a walkway between large furniture pieces (if your living room allows for it) if not then at least 18″-24″. That will help to inform your rug size.

Light colours tend to work best so stick to pale tones such as white, cream, and grey to keep your room scheme light, airy and open – especially effective in spaces with minimal natural light sources. Light shades will make any small living room ideas feel fresh and inviting – cosy, and yet not closed in.

Scale your furniture to fit the size of the room. Place larger pieces of furniture against the walls to maximize the open space and make a small room look bigger. Also, don't block pathways. If furniture and accessories block the view into a room, it will look cramped.

“Just add a few oversized, overstuffed pillows with different prints, colors and textures to give it some depth and coziness. Think leather, linen, and fur. Also, try draping a lightweight neutral throw blanket over the arm of the sofa.”

That means you'll want to shop toward the end of winter (January and February) or the end of summer (August and September). Retailers will be discounting their old stock during these months to make room for the new styles. Presidents Day and Labor Day weekends are especially good times for sales.

Invest in eye-tricking furniture

If you're buying new pieces for your smaller living room, know that anything with legs holding it off the ground will let the eye see the floor continuing under that piece of furniture, tricking it into thinking the floor (and therefore the room) is bigger than it actually is.

How do you place furniture in a long and narrow room? ›

Furniture pushed up against a wall in a narrow living room emphasizes the length of the space. Instead, pull all of your furniture away from the walls and float a seating arrangement in the middle of the room. It helps even if your furniture is only a few inches away from the walls.

The best way to calculate whether or not your sofa will fit through your door is to measure the door - along with the hallway and any stairs or lift you may need to navigate - and then check these measurements against the height and width of your sofa.

Tape It Out Before You Buy

If you have trouble visualizing the size of the piece in your space, one easy trick is to measure out the width and depth on the floor with masking tape or painter's tape. You can also place a piece of tape on the wall to get an idea of height.

Hardwood frames are the most durable, but most sofas are made from engineered wood. Avoid MDF or particleboard; furniture-grade plywood, engineered hardwood, or solid wood are all better choices.

"Even though there are cheap options for lounging areas in your space, a couch is one piece of furniture that, if you want to keep it for a long time, you should definitely spend some bucks on," they told Insider.

First, fabric tends to be an overall softer, warmer material than leather; just like your leather car seats, leather sofas can feel hot and sticky in the summer and cold in the winter, and leather sofas tend to feel firmer than fabric sofas.

L-shaped sofas are a great choice for those who want a large, generous seating area. Offering plenty of room for everyone to sprawl out, L-shaped sofas are a good option for living rooms of all shapes and sizes. One of the most important things to consider when buying an L-shaped sofa is the size of your living room.

Sectionals are in this 2023. Aside from their multiple functions, sectionals can help zone your open-concept living space. For a small space, a sectional can help get rid of cramped or awkward corners. Sectionals with soft edges make up a relaxing area.

Some of the most popular interior design trends for 2023 include the return of bold color, natural stone surfaces, closed floor plans, mixed metal finishes, luxe living, statement lighting, and 60s and 70s influences — particularly in furniture design.

A Chesterfield is a timeless, classic option if you're looking for a piece that has presence and depth. You can find them in any number of coverings from linen to velvet and leather. Chesterfields are typically heavily tufted sofas where the back and the sides are all the same height.

How far from sofa should 65 inch TV? ›

A 60'' TV– You should sit between 5 and 7.5 feet away from the screen. A 65'' TV– You should sit between 5.5 and 8 feet away from the screen. A 70'' TV– You should sit between 6 and 9 feet away from the screen. A 75'' TV– You should sit between 6.5 and 9.5 feet away from the screen.

For example, if you are customarily watching from approximately 12 feet away—or 144 inches—you want a screen that measures at least 72 inches diagonally. Bear in mind that the most common TV sizes are 42, 50, 55, 65, and 75-inches (measured diagonal).

Off-Center TV Placement

There's no rule that says the TV needs to be in the center of the wall. If your living room is more typically used for conversation rather than screen time, it might make sense to prioritize a cozy furniture arrangement then add in a TV where it fits.

Three Seater: 84-inches wide by 40-inches deep, and a height of 33-inches. Standard Sofas: A range of 70-inches to 87-inches wide, with the most common width being approximately 84-inches. Sectional: Will vary based on configuration and number of seats.

A $300 to $1,500 couch is usually a small 2- or 3-seater with lackluster (often mass-produced) craftsmanship. Your new sofa may not last more than five to ten years (more if you take good care of it), but it should provide a comfy starting point for your family. Mid-Range ($1,500 to $3,000).

Distance between seating: at least 30-36″

The ideal seating arrangement encourages intimate conversation while offering enough walking space (and personal space, too) between those seated. The maximum amount of space you want to leave between seating is about 8 to 10 feet.

Basically, how many people do want to comfortably sit in the room? Three-cushion couches are perfect for—you guessed it—seating three. While the two-cushion sofas get can be two or four seaters, generally speaking, it's unlikely someone would sit between guests on a two-cushion couch.

There's no limit to what types of big couches can go in small spaces (well, aside from couches that actually exceed the size of the room). Even couches that expand from wall to wall are fair game. If you're working with an unconventionally sized room, consider looking at custom couches.

Oversized sofas are typically 90 inches wide for a sofa and 71 inches for a loveseat . They can be up to 40 inches deep.

Measure the length and width of the room. Measure the height of the walls. Measure all doorways, windows, radiators, fireplaces, or any other architectural features. For windows, it is also important to measure the height from the floor to the bottom and top of window.

Does big furniture make room look bigger? ›

Scale your furniture to fit the size of the room. Place larger pieces of furniture against the walls to maximize the open space and make a small room look bigger. Also, don't block pathways. If furniture and accessories block the view into a room, it will look cramped.

It is also good to avoid large, heavy pieces of furniture. Not only do they use up too much space in a small room, but they also draw all the focus to that part of the room.

Yes, the diagonal distance between a lower and upper corner of a door frame is greater than 54 inches, so another wider material could fit in the defined space, but not sheetrock, you are limited by the size of the product and not the opening size.

Generally, a couch that is no wider than 28 inches and no taller than 29 inches should fit through a 29 inch door. However, it is always best to be sure by measuring before attempting to move the couch.

Choosing an ultra-light grey (that is almost off-white) is a great way to make your rooms appear slightly bigger than they really are. Because light grey matches with everything from bold red to chocolate brown, it's an excellent option for renters who have unique furniture and décor.

Let Furniture Float

Don't push all your furniture up against the walls. Pull your sofa (or other seating) out at least 12″ from the wall. That's right; your couch doesn't have to be against the wall. It will make the space seem more inviting and cozy instead of creating a big bunch of weird dead space in the middle.

1) Light and dark flooring

Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring. These attractive, light and neutral colours give a room an open and airy feel, making it appear larger, whilst also drawing in the natural sunlight from outside.

Lighter paint colors like off-whites, light neutrals, pales, and pastels give the illusion of larger, brighter rooms.