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Inred med soffor och soffbord

9/3/2021

Furnish with sofas and coffee tables

Where to place the sofa, what shape should the coffee table be and why are still lifes an important part of interior design? We guide you through how to choose furniture for your living room.

The sofa is usually the largest piece of furniture in the living room, so it's a good idea to use it as a starting point when decorating the rest of the room. Think about how the sofa will be used by you and your loved ones - for some, a deep sofa with a reclining position is important, while for others the material of the sofa may be crucial because of a pet.

Starting from the sofa

A sofa that takes up space, perhaps in a strong colour, needs to be balanced with the rest of the interior. For example, armchairs that also draw attention or a colour scheme that integrates the sofa. A neutral sofa is often easier to decorate with and can be varied by changing the cushions. The sofa can also be given a new look by replacing the rest of the furniture. Working with light against dark is effective, like a light-coloured seating area in a dark room.

Editorial Splash 1 - Inred med soffor och soffbord
Croissant lounge chair from Gubi. A shapely armchair can either become part of a sofa group or form its own sitting area.

Placement of the sofa group

The sofa group can be placed in many different ways, mainly based on the shape of the room. You need to take into account doors, windows, walkways, a possible fireplace and other furniture that you want to accommodate. By placing the group in the centre of the room, you create space in an open floor plan and the seating group becomes a natural room divider. Frame the group with a large and generous rug, and the seating should be no more than three metres apart to allow for easy conversation. Two sofas opposite each other will facilitate conversations. The TV often determines the position of the seating, but consider how important it is that all seating is prioritised. If you combine armchairs and a sofa group, they can either match each other or break off in style. Two completely different armchairs can lift the sofa group and rounded armchairs can balance out a tight sofa.

Editorial Splash 2 - Inred med soffor och soffbord
Cocktail table from House of Finn Juhl. An elegant coffee table with an original shape can become the central point of the sofa group.

Furnish with a coffee table

The coffee table should preferably not go beyond the outer edges of the sofa to feel balanced. It should also not be too small. The shape of the table is important to create a harmonious composition in the sofa group. For example, a round coffee table fits a corner sofa because it breaks the straight lines.The coffee table should not be the same height as the seat of the sofa. A higher coffee table can be practical if you use it for food and drink, otherwise a lower coffee table is preferable as it adds a restful feeling to the sofa group. The table should be placed at a distance that makes it easy to move between the table and the sofa. If you have room for a side table, it can be both practical and complete the decor of the room.

Still life on a coffee table

On the coffee table, you can create still lifes using your personal favourite objects and trying to create a cosy atmosphere. Uneven numbers usually give the best results. Consider different heights and shapes and play with different materials. A still life is often the last personal detail that makes the sofa group a place where you feel comfortable and want to socialise.

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