Sofas for Small Spaces: How to Get That Small Scale Look and Feel

Looking for sofas for small spaces? Tired of trying to figure out what to look for? Don’t know where to start?

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…

Small Scale Sofas for Small Spaces

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…

Sofas for Small Spaces
Small Scale Sofas	72″ or smaller
Loveseats	63″ or smaller
Chair and a Halfs	59″ or smaller
Settees	49″ or smaller

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.

Need to Know…

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.

Bookmark this page...