Well I’ve got some good news for you…

You’re not going to have to sit around guessing anymore.

Today we’re going to bring it all out so there will be no more guessing games. The discussion on sofas for small spaces is going to be moderately short and to the point, but no less informative than usual.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

Searching for Sofas for Small Spaces

It’s common knowledge that choosing a loveseat over your average sofa will save you some space. But there is more to it to than that.

Perhaps you’re wondering what else you can do to give your living room or family room that space saving look?

Surely dimensions aren’t all that count, right?

Right.

Actually there is a bit more that you can do. Or shall I say, there are certain features that you can look for in a sofa that will help you select one that isn’t as bulky looking in appearance.

In short, one that won’t overpower or intrude upon the space in your small living room.

How to Find Small Scale Sofas for Small Spaces

Sofas that generally have one (or all) of the following features can provide you with the small scale look and feel that you might be searching for…

• Clean straight and simple lines. Very few curves.
  
• No arms or typically straight (thin) arms.
  
• Legs which are visible (not hidden beneath [upholstered] flaps).
  

Something kind of like this sofa (below). It’s slightly wider (77.5″ W) than what I’d call small scale, but all the features are there…

Another great example is a futon (below). Although most are wider than the standard of what is considered small scale, they make up for it in the features that they have.

Have you ever noticed how simple they look? The straight lines, small arms, the legs on the futon that allot for negative (empty) space to flow beneath it? Futons make great sofas for small spaces because of their amazingly simple design.

They are definitely worth getting if you can allow for the extra space.

The wonderful thing about them is that you can also change the overall look of a futon by changing the futon cover. See how the same futon above looks with different colors (above and below)?

Granted, those may not be the colors you like but your choices are limitless.

You also have yourself a spare bed instantly and when the cushion begins to wear, it’s easy to replace with another one.

What About Size?

As for measurements, you’ll find that most sofas for small spaces range from 72 inches or smaller. One thing I should forewarn you about is to be careful not to go too small with sofas or you’ll end up with 2-seaters instead of 3-seaters.

Basically, it will end up being a loveseat instead of your average sofa since many loveseats tend to range around 62-63 inches wide.

But if you’re looking for something a little smaller than an average loveseat, there are settees and chair and a halfs that you can consider. Large settees and chair and a halfs tend to range around 40-50 inches wide.

I’ve created a diagram so it will be simple for you to remember. These are the measurements you may want to refer to if you’re trying to furnish a small living room…

Keep in mind, the list (above) is just a guide. Not all sofas, loveseats, chair and a halfs or settees that you come across will necessarily fit perfectly with measurements on the list. But they’ll probably be fairly close in size.

Also, if it hasn’t occurred to you yet, keep in mind that you can get a sofa over 72″ wide and still have a nice spacious looking living room. As I said before, this is just a guide… not a die-hard rule.

Consider getting any size sofa you want and incorporate the features we talked about above. Or throw all of these suggestions out the window if you feel the choice you have in mind works for you.

It’s all about individual taste.

But now that we’re talking about measurements, this brings up another good topic.

If you’re short on space and you really need to fit a smaller sized sofa in an area that a loveseat would only normally work with, don’t forget that you can specifically look for sofas without arms.

Chopping the arms off alone will get you a sofa that will seat 3 people if you get the right one. If you’ve never noticed, those arms can really take up a lot of space. So if the situation permits—go armless.

But, if you do go armless, just make sure an armless sofa will be comfortable enough for you.

What About Tradition?

As always small scale sofas lean toward modern or contemporary styles. This can be very disappointing when you’re a lover of the traditional look and feel.

And to us traditional lovers those straight lines can be very unromantic and lead a room to feel less intimate than we prefer. But keep in mind you don’t have to get a sofa with all of the features mentioned above. That will still allow you the leeway you need to go for that traditional look.

For instance, if you could find a sofa with legs on it and arms that still have curves but aren’t too thick, then you can satisfy your taste in traditional styles and still achieve that small scale look and feel.

What Does This Mean To You?

We’ve talked about what features you can look for to get that small scale look in your small living room…

• Straight lines
  
• Small arms
  
• Legs to raise the sofa
  

You also know that the measurements of sofas for small spaces typically range around 72 inches or smaller. You know that the average loveseat will range around 63 inches or smaller and that you can even get a chair and a half for 59 inches or smaller. And finally a settee for around 49 inches or smaller.

And if space is really an issue for you and you want a 3-seater sofa, you can even go armless.

All of the above choices leave you with limitless opportunities to find the sofa that’s right for you—and that’s even if you like traditional styles.

Yes, you can use all of the suggestions mentioned above but the great thing is that you don’t have to. No one said you couldn’t simply choose one feature and go with it, right?

Why not focus on the most important feature. The one feature that will accentuate your living room but not sacrifice the things you love.

For instance, what about simply looking for a sofa that has legs? A little negative (empty) space beneath a sofa alone can do wonders.

The point is that you can still get what you want and adhere to that small scale look that you need.

Your needs don’t have to sacrifice your wants and your wants don’t have to sacrifice your needs. You can have both and save space at the same time.

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A Quick Look at the Product

This Ready-To-Assemble product looks a lot like a conventional sofa. It takes about 15 minutes to assemble and comes with detailed instructions. Cushions are provided and they measure 27 inches deep and 22 inches wide as per industry specifications.

The sofa is fully upholstered under the slipcover and it comes with a solid hardwood frame that ensures durability. The product is covered under a lifetime warranty. Simplicity Sofas specializes in designing sofas for compact spaces. Their ‘Safe Space’ design concept will guarantee lots of room for your feet.

Easy Installation

Using the Twill Periwinkle sofa from the Lorelei Collection as an example, you’ll discover that the Simplicity Sofa arrives via UPS Freight. At 123 lbs. it’s well packed and will typically arrive undamaged. And fifteen minutes or less assembly only requires the addition of the arms, legs and cushioning.

Putting the Sofa Together

Upon unpacking the sofa, you’re left with 4 simple instructions that will help you put it together in no time.

Step 1

Step one instructs you to tip the seat frame over on its side and screw the four legs into the pre-drilled holes.

Step 2

Step two instructs that you insert the arms into the holes on the side of the seat frame.

Step 3

Step three instructs that you pull up the attached back frame and align with slots. Then push down to lock the back frame in place.

Step 4

Step four instructs that you place the cushions into the chair… and voila, you’re done!

The results are a nice looking blue sofa you can lounge in.

What You Can Expect

When it comes to choosing a good RTA piece, this product is a good buy as it is ideal for small spaces. You can use it as a TV couch or an apartment sofa. Either way, it will fit just fine. Simplicity Sofas are also comfortable and look good with almost any interior design.

Ideal for Light Seating

Although you may find the sofa a little narrow for maximum comfort it is ideal to entertain guests or catch up on a sitcom. Unless you want to lie down to get 8 hours of sleep, this sofa is quite comfortable. The dimensions of the Lorelei are 80″W x 32″D x 35″H which is average for sofas this size. You may need to adjust the back cushions once in a while as they tend to shift around a bit. But when you are lost in conversation, you won’t even notice.

An Easy Fit

Sometimes it’s just impossible to get furniture in through the doorway without sawing away some of the parts. Simplicity Sofas are perfect for tight spaces as it doesn’t have arms and the backing is flexible. This is why a RTA sofa makes a lot of sense if you’re living in a small apartment or studio.

A Quick Fix

You won’t have to spend hours trying to figure out the instructions. In just about 15 minutes you can have a brand new piece of furniture just where you want it. It doesn’t take extraordinary physical or mental ability to put this sofa together!

Customizable Cushions

You have the option of ordering either firm cushions or soft seating. That choice is completely dependent on your preference. However, if you require down-blend cushions, you will be charged $150 extra as this is not part of the package. Furthermore, you can buy a pillow set for about $40. This is not included in the price of the sofa.

Re-cushioning and Cleaning

Time can do nasty things to furniture. But in this case the sofa can get a new lease on life with new cushions. All you have to do is unzip the existing ones and replace it with brand new cushions. It’s as easy as that. Further, if you have kids around then pillow staining will be one of your worries. Just send the seat cushions to a good cleaner and get them to work their magic. It can be easily cleaned and washed.

Wide Choice of Fabric

When it comes to interior design, fabric plays an important role. Simplicity Sofas are available in 50 different fabrics. You will not have to worry about finding one that suits your personal taste. Choose a fabric that compliments your room’s design theme. That way the sofa will blend in with the other furniture. Also remember than the fabric you choose will dictate how good the sofa actually looks.

Conclusion

It’s difficult to find a piece of furniture that is perfect. This sofa doesn’t promise to be perfect either but it will guarantee a comfortable light seating experience. If you are looking to furnish a small space then this product is a good RTA piece to invest in. Good looks, low maintenance and easy installation are its main advantages.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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But the question is what exactly is a small scale coffee table?

What’s considered too big or too small? Where do you draw the line? What features can you look for that aid to that space saving look and feel?

Well, if you’ve found yourself in the predicament of looking for a small coffee table and these are some of your questions, rest assured, we’ll be talking about them and answering them today.

What Features Should You Look For?

At the very least, you probably already know that you can get a drop-leaf or extendable coffee table to save space. You get the best of both worlds since they offer you more room to accommodate more people if you need it but still meet your demands to save space.

But say you’re looking for something else. What if these type of coffee tables just don’t do it for you?

Well, one thing that you will hear quite frequently is that glass can do wonders. Since glass is transparent it lets light and visuals pass through.

This means it doesn’t block dimensions of items that surround it, thereby allowing your space to feel as open as possible. In short, it can satisfy your needs while providing your living room with the illusion of space saved. So this is a feature you’ll always want to consider.

Do Shapes Count at All?

What about shapes? Do they ever factor into to saving space?

I’m glad you asked. In a way, yes they do.

In all honesty, the best shapes change for each circumstance. That simply means that coffee tables are best sought after on an individual basis. What works for one room may not work for another.

But having said that I do have other things I’d like to mention. So, if you’ll humor me for a minute I’d like to tell you about certain shapes that I think might be great to consider and why.

Shapes that I think might work wonderfully for small living rooms are the following…

• Round
  
• Oval
  
• Miscellaneous circular shapes (with no angles)
  

And as for the reason why…

Scottie Coffee Table

Well, an obvious reason is that often enough they look smaller than their counterparts.

However, I also think these shapes work wonderfully because coffee tables with curves tend to be less intrusive.

They often feel light and airy.

If you take a look at one, you’ll notice that the lines are soft and subtle.

The discreet curves don’t call great attention to themselves while they still manage to catch your eye, which means they still make great focal points in spite of their subtlety.

Whereas, rectangular shaped coffee tables feel big and heavy to me.

They have hard lines and rough angles and due to their acute and loud formation it can sometimes lead them to dominate a room and scream for too much attention.

And because of that, I believe they can sometimes make a room feel quite a bit smaller in size.

So, it leads me to believe that circular shaped coffee tables are able to work in harmony with small living rooms a little better than rectangular and square shaped coffee tables.

Now, keep in mind this is all my personal opinion.

And there are situations in which round shaped coffee tables won’t work as well as rectangular or square shaped coffee tables. Because as I said, the right coffee table is a based on individual circumstances.

But I figured it was a good idea to mention my thoughts on the matter, because you might find yourself wondering where to start.

But now that I’ve said that, I’m going to contradict myself and offer you public knowledge of what coffee tables are generally said to work best for small spaces.

The two types are…

• round coffee tables
  
• square coffee tables
  

Like dining tables, oval and rectangular shaped coffee tables are said to work better for bigger places. But that just goes to show you, that it really is just a matter of individual circumstance.

So don’t put too much emphasis on any of it. Take the information that was mentioned and go with what you feel is best for your living room.

To better help yourself, it’s a good idea to use measurements of a coffee table you’re considering and then mimic the size of it by laying down several sheets of paper in the area where the coffee table will be so you can see if it’ll work in your home.

What Exactly is a Small Scale Coffee Table?

Speaking of measurements, say you just want a basic idea of what sizes are actually within the appropriate range so you can understand what a small scale coffee table is.

Well I think I can help you with that.

Milo Cocktail Tables

Let’s use 2-piece coffee table sets as an example.

If you don’t know what those are, they are simply two small (square) tables grouped together to make the size of one large coffee table (see Milo Cocktail Tables to your right).

We can easily use those as a starting point since each of those are about half the size of a small (rectangular) coffee table.

Measurements for one of the Milo Cocktail Tables range around 20 inches wide and deep and 18.5 inches tall.

In the past I’ve said that a good small scale coffee table is about 24-30 inches wide. Well, now we can even adjust that starting point at 20 inches.

So, a great place to start would be a coffee table ranging from 20-30″ in length and width or in diameter.

Generally speaking, 20 inches might be a little too small, so you’ll only want to go for a size like that if you’re absolutely sure it would work for your living room. Otherwise, a good starting point would be along the lines of 24 inches.

Keep in mind, these measurements will only work for round and square shaped cocktail tables.

Small Scale Rectangular and Oval Coffee Tables

If you’re looking for small scale rectangular or oval shaped cocktail tables, then a good size would be around 30-40″ in length. A good depth/width range is 18-21 inches.

Now that that’s all said and done, I’ve created a nice selection of small scale coffee tables in hopes that it will all be a no-brainer for you and you’ll find something you like.

Now you won’t have to guess what a small scale coffee table is. You know. So even if you can’t find what you’re looking for here, you can go just about anywhere and find the perfect space saving coffee table.

And don’t forget. If you can’t find actual coffee tables that are small enough, you can resort to looking for end tables that fit the measurements that you need.

All and all, I’d say that ain’t half bad.

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I know if you’ve read the previous discussion on Sofas for Small Spaces that it’s no fun hearing me repeat myself.

However, it’s worth it so that there will be no mistake about what to look for.

What’s Considered a Small Scale Chair?

It’s not always required that you get a so-called small scale chair, but when you need one what should you look for? Well, just like sofas there are certain features that could aid in giving your living room that spacious look you’ve been dying for.

Let’s go over what those things again.

• clean (straight) lines
• thin arms
• legs (with no [upholstered] flaps)

You can even go armless, which will often shave off several inches and allow you to get more seating space from a chair that’s just as wide as one with arms.

However keep comfort in mind.

Some of these suggestions might be good to follow, but there’s no need to follow them religiously. You want to make sure you actually enjoy sitting in the chair.

For instance, a chair without arms could be highly uncomfortable to you.

So, if you can’t go for something armless, instead you might find it a much more suitable compromise to simply get a chair with a little height on it (i.e. legs).

In my opinion, if you only had one feature to choose from, adding legs would be the best choice. I consider it to be one of the most important features. Simply because a little negative (empty) space beneath a chair really opens up a small living room.

Does Size Matter?

And what about actual size? Is there a size that you can go for that would be considered small scale?

The answer is yes.

Like always all it takes is a little math and simple observation and you’ve got your answer.

So let’s get started. In a previous discussion we talked about small scale sofas.

Did you know that a small scale sofa is typically 72″ or smaller? And an average size loveseat is 63″ or smaller?

Well, if you think in terms of those two measurements, you can easily come up with a small scale chair size. All it takes is a little division.

A sofa is basically 3 small chairs put together, whereas a loveseat is basically two chairs put together.

See where I’m going with this?

To come up with the size of a small scale chair all we have to do is divide a small scale sofa (72″ wide) by three and an average loveseat (63″ wide) by 2 and we’ve got a nice a nice idea of how big and how small a chair should be.

And now we have a size range to work with. We now know that a small scale chair would be around 24 – 31.5″ wide. Twenty-four inches is a good place to stop at in terms of small.

Most people need a little space left over once they’ve sat down and 24″ would allow most people several extra inches of space.

A Picture Isn’t Always Worth a Thousand Words

Searching for small scale chairs can be an enjoyable task. That is, as long as everything goes smoothly. So to keep things going smoothly, make it your task to become a measurement guru.

So many people look at photos and accept that the photo says everything there is to know. It’s okay if you get lucky… but if you’re one of the unlucky ones, that can be a costly mistake.

Particularly if you’re ordering something online and you can’t ship it back without dealing with a major expense like a restocking fee and a return shipping charge.

So, make it your business to know the dimensions of a piece of furniture first. And then make it your business to make sure it will fit in your living room by testing those measurements out in the place you plan to put your piece of furniture.

A simple yardstick and a several pieces of paper to imitate the dimensions will do wonders for you.

The Two Different Dimensions

Keep in mind that chairs with arms always have inner and outer dimensions. That simply means the width on the inside of the chair is a few inches smaller than the width on the outside of a chair (or the width of the chair as a whole). So, if you get a chair that’s around 24″ wide and it has arms, this will typically mean the seat will be even smaller.

So always be on your best Ps and Qs about inner and outer dimensions so that you won’t mistakeningly get a chair that’s too small.

Honestly, the likelihood of this happening is slim since most small scale chairs of this size will likely be armless. But it never hurts to mention it in case it’s a possibility.

What Does This Mean To You?

We’ve talked about features that will help you open up the space in your living room: Clean, straight lines, thin arms or no arms and legs that help raise the chair off the ground.

Although we don’t have to follow this guideline and actually get a chair this size, we’ve learned what an actual small scale chair is. We took a small scale sofa and an average loveseat and threw in a little math and came up with 24-31.5″ as a good small scale range.

It’s also clear that paying particular attention to detail, such as measurements can make all of the difference since many mistakes have been made by simply trusting a picture to say everything.

Lastly, it became obvious that we need to also pay close attention to inner and outer dimensions, so that we don’t risk getting a chair that’s too small.

And once we’ve done those things we can trust our experience to be that much more gratifying.

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And just like sofas, there are certain features you can look for to get that space saving look.

The product line of end tables are a great example of a large portion of furniture on the market today.

They’re universal. They work in just about every type of home there is—small or large…

You’re not required to avoid them in search of a selection tailored specifically for small living rooms. Instead, it’s just a matter of knowing what features to look for when you’re faced with selecting a set of end tables.

Save Space with the Pass-Through

The best way to give your living room the impression of more space with end tables is to focus on simplicity. Otherwise known as negative space, and what I like to sometimes call pass-through.

It’s likely that you will naturally choose a small end table (set) when you’re hunting for furniture for your small living room. However, it never hurts to explain exactly what to look for in great detail, by some chance you might be overlooking something.

It will help you be more attentive to your needs.

As I was saying, you’re going to want to focus on simple looking small end tables with a lot of pass-through. In case you’re wondering what pass-through is, the quickest way to tell you is to show you…

So let’s get a clear understanding of what it is…

Pass-through is the negative (empty) space that is above, below and sometimes along the sides of an end table. It’s basically all of the empty space that the table doesn’t take up.

The less positive space an end table takes up, the more negative space it will have around it. This results in simple looking end tables that don’t obstruct the view.

End tables that offer a lot of negative space will either end up saving you actual space or provide the illusion of space saved.

What Kind of End Tables Could Work Against a Small Living Room?

Having explained what pass-through is, the type of tables that tend to obstruct your view and may contribute to making a small living room feel even smaller than it is are…

Well, let me show you…

See what I mean?

So we can understand—an end table that has very little pass-through, typically works against small living rooms feeling as open and spacious as possible.

But stop. Before you cross off end tables (like the one above) altogether, you should know that these end tables may be invaluable in a small home.

So, it doesn’t mean you should avoid them because they obstruct the view and you have a small living room. So before you form any specific thoughts against them, let’s talk about those reasons right now.

Consider that you might need the extra storage. If you haven’t noticed, almost all end tables that have the look and feel to them (like in the picture above) look like this for a specific reason…

…And that is to offer you storage space or provide you with some other multipurpose feature, such as additional lighting, more book space, extra space for magazines, multimedia items and so forth.

In certain circumstances you might find this far more beneficial than getting an end table that is more simplistic in appearance. And let’s also remember that sometimes too much simplicity isn’t a good thing.

So maybe you’ll simply want these type of end tables because you know that they would look best in your living room and really bring out the beauty and intimacy in it.

Good, Better, Best; Never Let it Rest…

Have you ever heard the saying…

“Good, better, best; never let it rest ’til your good is better and your better is best.”

—Unknown Author

My sixth grade teacher taught us that in school. It’s a good phrase to remember in any situation and we’re going to apply it here.

There are several different types of small end tables you can choose from. We just talked about end tables that obstruct your view but we’re going to talk about small end tables that offer pass-through again.

Let’s discuss the three choices that you have…

• the good
  
• the better
  
• and the best
  

On an individual standpoint there is always a choice the stands out among the rest as the best choice. However, keep in mind that what I point out as the best choice in this discussion is what would be considered the best choice from a general standpoint—not from an individual one.

The choice that I choose as best may not be the best personal choice for you due to many reasons that go beyond the scope of this discussion.

But you’re going to need a place to start. You’re going to want to know what is a common top choice and why. It keeps things from getting confusing.

So let’s do this!

I’m going to show and tell again. First let’s show…

Good	Better	Best
Winsome End Table	Malmo End Table	Four Tier End Table

Now let’s talk.

I think the reasons why I chose what I chose are fairly obvious, but let’s not assume anything and talk about why.

The Good
The Winsome End Table symbolizes all four-legged small end tables that have a bottom shelf or some sort of lower shelf.

So basically, any four-legged end table with a bottom shelf is considered a “good” choice. The reason it is only considered a “good” choice is because you can do better in terms of simplicity and pass-through.

Although the table offers a lot of pass-through itself, the bottom shelf may obstruct the eye and serve as a visual hinderance.

Having a four-legged table without a bottom shelf would make it a more simplistic design and give you more pass-through. That would result is appearing as though you’re saving a bit more space and allowing the eyes to follow through past the table (to the wall).

The Better
The Malmo End Table symbolizes all four-legged small end tables. It is a slightly “better” choice than the above choice because it doesn’t have the bottom shelf and offers your living room a bit more illusionary space.

The reason it’s only it’s not the “best” choice is because in terms of appearances, there’s still more pass-through space that can be offered.

The Best
The Four Tier End Table symbolizes all (round) pedestal-style small end tables that are typically supported by a bottom base, pole in the center and a flat surface at the top.

It is the “best” choice because it allow the eyes to flow through it seamlessly. There is a load of pass-through going on. You can easily see the wall behind it. The construction is light, airy and carefree and yet it still serves its purpose.

The curves and circular shapes are also a plus in my eyes, as I feel that curvy tables often look a lot less intrusive and bulky. They also simply “look” lighter in weight.

What About Other Choices?
Having said all of that, those aren’t the only choices you’ll come across when you’re looking for end tables. There are other selections, but the tables above serve as the 3 basic shapes that you’ll run across the most.

Other small end tables of different shapes are similar enough in construction, that you can use the 3 shapes above to sub-categorize them under as good, better or best.

Features Can Make all the Difference

We’ve talked about pass-through, obstruction and small end tables that would generally be the best choices for a small living room. Now, let’s talk about features worth considering.

The first, best and most obvious feature that will often make a living room look and feel more spacious is glass end tables. Or any type of small end table that mimics the look of a glass end table. It can be made out of plastic or something else. As long as it’s transparent or translucent, you get the same benefits.

Glass end tables are perfect because they offer visual pass-through. Since you can see right through them, even the positive space that they take up doesn’t obstruct the eyes from seeing behind them.

This feature can make almost any end table worth considering.

I’ve already also said that round or circular features, in my opinion, can also give the impression of having more space. Circles and curves of nearly the same size as square and rectangular shaped tables often don’t seem as big and bulky.

Tables with curves even look lighter, like they weigh less, if you ask me. Whereas tables with angles look heavier.

And what about colors and stains?

I don’t think that anyone can argue with the fact that light paints and stains look and feel happier and darker ones tend to give a more brooding impression. And most of us have heard that painting walls with light (cool) colors can make a room feel bigger.

But what about end tables? Couldn’t that also apply to them?

Is it possible that end tables painted white or coated with lighter stains may actually allow the eyes to pass over them much easier? And is it possible that end tables with darker colors and stains tend to obstruct the view more?

Could be. Perhaps this is true for everyone or simply subjective and only pertains to each individual experience.

Having said that, it could also be true that even though lighter colored furniture looks happier and lighter, sometimes it doesn’t look as expensive as darker furniture. And I could also say that even though darker furniture may look heavier and more intense, it could also feel cozier and more intimate.

So, it’s pretty clear it’s just a matter of each person’s taste and interests. No one choice is wrong. It’s simply a matter of making the choice that’s best for you.

So What Does This Mean to You?

We talked about tables that are most likely to accentuate a small living room and tables that are prone to work against your small space. We covered what to look for so that you can empower yourself as a small space enthusiast and not be left questioning what’s best.

And in spite of the fact that some small end tables may not be generally considered the best choice, it’s always important to remember what’s best for you may not always be what’s generally thought of as the best choice.

As I said above, there’s no wrong answer. Accentuating your small living room is important, but you’ll remember I mentioned that too much of a good thing isn’t always good.

Yes, small end tables of simplistic style and design are great but so are bulkier side tables that offer additional benefits of storage or some other advantageous feature.

There are no die-hard rules. Just observations you can choose to apply to a situation if they suit the circumstance.

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But the question is why would you need one anyway?

Well, the truth is that sometimes they actually save space in the right home.

A nice amount of seating in one specific spot can be the perfect solution in the right living room. And if you ever find that having it all in one place is too much you’ll be able to mix things up a little if you need to.

What Exactly is a Small Sectional Sofa, Anyway?

You might find yourself clueless and asking, “What exactly is a small sectional sofa?”

What’s too large? What’s too small? And these are all good questions.

Well, the obvious answer is that what’s too small and big for you might not be what’s too small or big for someone else. Your own living room or living area will generally dictate the size that you’ll need. But of course this isn’t always the case.

For instance, say you plan to place a sectional sofa in the middle of your living room and you’re looking for something that won’t be too large or too small. This is a time in which knowing what’s too big or small might count a lot.

It’s always good to have a starting point.

So, let’s find out what that starting point is…

Typically a 3-piece sectional sofa is a good place to start in terms of the number of pieces.

But when you’re considering measurements, we’re going to want to get a bit more specific. The obvious is that if you’re trying to furnish a small living, you’re probably not going to want a sectional sofa over 3-4 pieces.

Having said that, have you ever really looked at a 3-piece sectional sofa set? Believe it or not, mere observation will pretty much tell you everything you need to know.

If not, now would be the time to take a good look…

Now that you’ve taken a look, what do you see?

Not sure?

Then let me tell you. If you take a close look you’ll notice that most sectional sofas are simply a sofa or loveseat and one or two chairs combined.

And normally even if you hadn’t picked that up looking at the picture, the description of the item will usually tell you.

Understanding that simple fact will make understanding what a small scale sofa is a piece of cake.

Why?

Because now we have a way to come up with measurements through simple means. All we have to do is take the measurements of a small scale sofa or loveseat and one or two chairs, add them together and then we’ve got the measurements of a small sectional sofa.

So let’s do it. We know that…

A small scale sofa is 72″ (or smaller). And then we simply divide that by 3 to come up with the size of a small scale chair which would be 24″ wide.

Or we could stake an average size loveseat which is 63″ wide. We could then divide it by 2 and come up with a small scale chair of 31.5″ wide.

We now have the dimensions we need to understand what a small scale sectional sofa size would be…

So now we know the starting point of a small scale sofa. We know that the following measurements below represent the perfect size for a small scale sectional sofa set…

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…

The stopping point also gives you some leeway, so that if you find a sectional sofa that falls between 120 – 157″ wide, you’ll have some room to work with. But I wouldn’t push it too far.

In all honesty, I consider…

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

And now that we’ve discussed measurements, let’s talk about how to choose a small sectional sofa set.

How to Choose a Sectional Sofa Set

If you’re looking for a sectional sofa, I believe the best approach to look for a sectional sofa is at a place where you can choose each piece individually or as a whole.

That way you can knock off a couple of pieces or add on a couple of pieces and make it smaller or possibly even larger. It gives you a safety net, by some chance a whole set is too big or not big enough.

And let’s not forget that having the ability to choose individual pieces also allows you the opportunity to choose pieces of different colors. So you can mix and match colors to create a look all on your own.

One chair could be beige, the other black and the other could be white.

Granted, most of us like single color sectional sofas, but for those of you who like it funky, you might like the idea of mixing and matching different colors together.

What Does This Mean To You?

If a small scale sectional sofa wasn’t clear to you before, it should be clear now. We’ve talked about measurements.

We know that a small sectional sofa ranging around 120-130″ wide would be the perfect size if you can’t afford more space. However, if you have a bit of leeway, you can move the stopping point up to 145″ or even 157″ wide.

You also know that the best place to look for a sectional sofa set is a place in which you can choose individual pieces. That way you’re not forced into purchasing an entire set, which might be too big for your place. Instead, you can select as many or as little pieces as you need for the space that you have.

Lastly, if you want to get creative, you can even mix and match chairs of different colors if you want a funky or unique look of your own.

But like always, remember you’re not limited to the scope of this discussion. What we talked about today was a way to help you if you needed it, but not to hinder you if prefer something that is outside of the scope of this discussion.

A sectional sofa that’s larger or even smaller than the measurements said above is a wonderful choice as long as you feel it’s the right choice for you.

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Above you can check out the clips of what my living room, kitchen and coat closet look like. The living room clips above are what my living room looks like before I get my sectional sofa.

Below you can check out the video clip of my living room with the new sectional sofa I purchased (Canyon 3 Piece Modular Sectional Sofa).

Photos of the sectional are also included below. The thing is huge but absolutely gorgeous. I’m not sure if the photos and clip give a real impression of how it looks, but it’s the best I could do.

Decorating my living room may be considered quite costly for budget-minded folks. So far it cost about $2070 to decorate it.

• Shelving, wall standards and brackets were purchased at Lowes. Everything cost about $300-350 total.
• EZ Anchors and screws were purchased at Home Depot.
• Sectional sofa was about $1800 with shipping included. Shipping was “free.” However, we all know they sneak shipping in the price of the items you buy. It’s never truly free. But I’d rather know up front than have to work to find out how much I’ll have to pay for something with shipping included.
• Bob Marley Beaded Curtain cost about $70 with shipping included.

And the journey continues. Stay tuned for more videos.

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The Slide Away Bed

The Slide Away Bed is a comfortable sofa by day and lounger or bed by night. It’s alternative to traditional Murphy Beds that fold up and pull down.

Due to its compact ability and space saving advantages, this makes it great for most, if not all small spaces. Consider studio apartments, dorms, guest rooms or home offices–rooms in which placing a sofa and a bed together wouldn’t be a practical solution.

The wooden side cabinets and upper shelves also benefit space conservative homes by providing additional storage space for books, knickknacks, family photos and other small memorabilia. The Slide Away Bed is available in several finishes: cherry, mahogany, maple and white. Additional finishes may also be available for cabinets.

If you’re interested in purchasing this space saving sofa bed for your small home, you can get it through the Slide Away Bed website. Currently ships to the US and Canada. Shipping will also be available for Caribbean residents in the near future.

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The Misfits Modular Sectional Sofa is definitely the sofa of the 21st century. This sofa was designed by Ron Arad, who has an extensive background in design. This modular sectional sofa is made with comprised of five individual pieces. Three of these pieces have backrests, while the other two are considered poufs. These pieces can be arranged together or left standing alone.

Each individual piece is made with an internal frame and a flame resistant polyurethane foam covering. The pieces also have black footings that are screwed in to the metal frame and are made of polypropylene. The upholstery is only available in wool, and can not be removed.

The Misfits Modular Sectional Sofa would be a great addition to any hotel room, office, lounge, or recreational area. These unique sofas are available every where in the world, so no matter where you live you can enjoy the remarkably unique Misfits Modular Sofa.

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The Tetrad Flat modular storage shelving system is truly a unique product. It is a unique shelving unit made up of ten separate wooden blocks and metal backing. This shelving unit is like a life size jigsaw puzzle. The wooden blocks can be stacked in any order, or left standing alone.

You can choose white or natural birch color for the blocks, and white or multi-color for the background. The multi-colored background comes in green, blue, brown, white, grey, and yellow. You can stack multiple shelving units together to give yourself an even bigger modular storage shelving system, and more pieces to play with.

The price of the Tetrad Flat shelving unit is $1325 per unit. This does not include shipping and handling costs. The modular storage shelving system will usually be shipped in six to eight weeks. This unique shelving unit will be a great addition to any home, and will surely be the talk of your all your friends and family.

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