Throw Pillows, Blankets, and Beyond: Styling Tips for Larger Sofas

Larger sofas are increasing in popularity, just in time to get cozy with loved ones this Christmas (yes, it really is time to start thinking about the big day!). Larger sofas come with their perks; they provide more space for hosting guests, create a focal point for the room, and they make the perfect companion for cozy movie nights.

However, they can also be daunting to style!

Don’t worry, we’re here to help you make the most out of larger sofas. A well-styled sofa can pull together all the elements of your space whether that’s décor on the walls, the colour of the space or the overall aesthetics.

Quick links:

• What is Minimalism?
• Incorporating Patterns in your Interior Design
• Adding Accessories to your Living Space

What is Minimalism?:

It can be easy to get overwhelmed and over-excited when it comes to dressing your sofa, but the ‘less is more’ rule definitely applies here. The minimalism trend focuses on simplicity and purity, and was originally thought of as incorporating neutral tones and shades, enhanced with subtle patterns.

Minimalism is very similar to modern interior design and involves using the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. It's characterised by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with colour used as an accent. Spaces that fall within a minimalist design aesthetic are typically defined by smooth lines, limited accessories, a neutral colour scheme, and natural materials.

A major benefit of choosing a minimalist interior design for your home is that you create a relaxed and calm environment. Just think of a room filled with too many items; it will be cluttered and chaotic which, we’re sure, isn’t the look you’re going for!

Incorporating Patterns in your Interior Design:

Styling a sofa goes way beyond aimlessly throwing together a few cushions and hoping for the best. It is important to look at the fabric of your sofa before purchasing the perfect pattern as a collaboration of different styles can become overwhelming and cluttered for the space. For example, sofas that have patterned fabric, such as lined corduroy, would be best complemented by smooth fabrics and minimal patterns. On the other hand, smooth fabric, such as cotton-lined sofas, would thrive with bold pattern complements such as cushions and throws.

Our Doris Reversible Corner Sofa is the perfect example of a smooth fabric to give you a clean canvas. Stunning reversible corner sofa from our Doris line, enrich simplicity with its luxurious finish and attention to detail. The corner-blocked wooden frame provides stability and high-density foam with polyester filling, providing relaxation. The Doris line allows you to create your perfect sofa suitable for any space simply by connecting separate modules to fit your perfect vision.

On a larger sofa, it’s easy for design choices to become isolated, so it’s crucial for planning to come into play. One way to ensure the look of your sofa appears more put together is by using repeated fabrics, colours, and patterns across its whole span in the accessories you choose.

Keeping your overall theme neutral provides you with the perfect canvas for adding your own personality to your sofa.

Adding Accessories into your Living Space

As your living room is one of the most prominent areas of your home, it’s only natural that you want to inject a lot of your personality into it through your sofa. It's the centrepiece of the living room and gets a lot of use, so choosing a sofa that looks good and feels cozy is important. But don't underestimate the potential that styling can bring; a sofa will look bare without accessories and cluttered with too many.

1. Throws

Adding a throw or blanket is not only a really easy way to dress your sofa, but it's handy for cozy evenings, and it can add a pop of colour to your space, or if it's neutral, can soften an otherwise contemporary design scheme. As we approach the colder seasons, a chunky wool throw helps to keep your sofa trendy while enhancing organic minimalism.

2. Cushions

As we know, a cluster of patterned cushions can be too much and appear harsh on the eyes. We recommend choosing a patterned cushion and pulling the colours out with simple, smaller cushions to place around it. Different cushion shapes can trick the eye, it all depends on how you place them. For example, use a rectangular cushion in front of two square cushions to give the illusion of different height levels.

Our Verona Chenille Corner Sofa is the perfect example of mixing cushion sizes and patterns!

The Verona collection features a classic and timeless button-tufted design on its scroll arms. A classic twist on an otherwise modern sofa, this feature makes the Verona an elegant and sophisticated choice. Its Chenille fabric is durable and easy to clean, with legs that have an elegant chrome effect finish, making the sofa look very modern and incredibly light. The fibre-filled back cushions provide comfortable support and deep foam filled slab seats rest upon a solid wood plinth base. An excellent addition to your living room that is made to last.

3. Plants

Yes, you read that right! Did you know that you can dress your sofa by dressing the space around it? Adding a medium or large plant to the side of the sofa balances your space and creates a light ambience. A side table next to your sofa is great to keep everything within arms-reach whilst you relax, making plants the perfect pairing.

Now, it’s time to sit back and relax, and marvel at the space you’ve created!

Check out our range of sofas to find your serene serenity.