fabric v leather

Fabric vs. Leather vs. Velvet – A Guide To Sofa Materials

Fabric vs. Leather vs. Velvet – A Guide To Sofa Materials

In this guide to sofa materials, you will learn that the type of upholstery you pick can have a huge impact on the feel of your living room. A comfortable sofa that already appears or feels worn in and ‘cushy’ may inspire relaxation but can also cause carelessness, and if stains won’t come out of your upholstery fabric, the last thing you may want is people eating and drinking on your sofa. For that reason, it is important to consider a number of these factors before you commit to buying anything.

The sofa you pick for your living room sends a message to any guests about the type of home you keep and even what kind of person you are. For example, black leather sends a sophisticated or luxurious message vs. a patterned fabric that will brighten the area. You may want to consider exactly how you want to be perceived, as well as what would make you happiest, and what is most practical for your living space. You might even need to make a compromise and consider what other people in your home may want also.

Considering the different materials, their features, and any positives or negatives is a good start on the way to finding a sofa you can feel at home on and fits in with your home. Let us help you discover the best sofa material for your home!

Types Of Sofa Materials And Why It Matters

a guide to sofa materials
Choosing Sofa Materials

There are many potential material options for your sofa, and their features can affect your choice, depending on how they fit your requirements and lifestyle. The three most common types of upholstery fabrics for sofas are leather, fabric, and velvet sofas. Choosing the wrong material can leave you dealing with issues like an uncomfortable sofa, stains, damage, or even not liking how it looks with your other furniture! This isn’t something you want to be unsure about, as the wrong choice will either leave you out of pocket or facing these issues every time you enter the living room- for years to come.

Fabric Sofa

The fabric sofa is often claimed to be both the most comfortable and the most versatile. The variety of fabrics and print options available in fabric sofas mean that you can find a couch that perfectly fits your unique style. In fact, you can even design fabric sofas yourself these days through the use of online sofa building sites and other technologies. You can also customise the feel of the fabric, including if you wanted a specific texture, raised pattern, and more!

Pros

  • Flexible – Choosing fabric upholstery offers the most options in terms of customisation as well as personalisation, so you’re sure to end up with a couch that feels like an extension of your own personal style.
  • Comfort – Fabric sofas are known to be the softest and most comfortable, sometimes even feeling ‘pre-worn-in.’
  • Cost – Fabric is usually less expensive than leather or even velvet options, even when fully customised. Allowing you to create your perfect sofa on a smaller budget.

Cons

  • Not easy to clean – In any home, accidents can happen. Spills, stains, dust, smells, and even pet hair can be difficult to get out of fabric once they’re in.
  • Making it last – Children, pets, and even sunlight can all drastically shorten the lifespan of the fabric. This type of couch is arguably the least durable of the three.

There are ways around these problems if you have your heart set on comfortable cushions or a particular fabric style. The quality and durability of these fabrics have improved in recent years, and patterned fabrics make it much more difficult to see stains or pet hair. But, if you would prefer a single block colour, especially if that colour is light, it may be a good idea to consider other options as well as fabric.

Leather Sofa

cream leather sofas
Luxury Cream Leather Sofas In A Large Living Room

Leather sofas are often considered to be the height of sophistication and elegance, making them an extremely popular material choice. Plus, leather has a number of characteristics that mean it is the easiest of the three fabrics listed to maintain. The leather surface is easy to keep clean and stain-free but is also long-lasting and is naturally resistant to damage.

Pros

  • Easy to clean – Leather is easy to wipe clean, meaning stains and spills are of no concern, even in the busiest of homes.
  • Durability – Leather is both a firm and durable material. Therefore, leather will last much longer than other fabrics due to the strength of the material.
  • Stain and scratch resistant – The thick leather material can withstand most issues that could arise from children or pets.

Cons

  • Price – Unfortunately, the benefits of leather do come at a cost. Leather is much more expensive than most other couch types. Depending on how long you will want the couch for, this may be worth it for your family.
  • Lack of temperature control – Leather also tends to take on the temperature of its surroundings, which can be quite uncomfortable. Sticking to a leather couch in the heat or getting a shock when the material is freezing cold on your skin in the winter may not be ideal.

Velvet Sofa

Velvet upholstery is currently very popular and is regarded as one of the most luxurious materials you can have for your home. This material is woven with two fabrics that have different thicknesses, which gives this material the depth and dimension it is known for. However, this double weave also causes some problems for the couch.

Pros

  • Durability – The thickness of the fabric, due to the double weave, helps prevent wear, making the couch a more durable option.
  • Aesthetically attractive – This type of couch is normally the top choice for artists and other creative types due to the appeal of its unique aesthetic and the appearance of grandeur that it provides, whilst still being less expensive than leather.
  • Comfortable – The thick double weave of this material make it extremely soft to the touch.

Cons

  • Not easy to clean – Keeping this material clean can be extremely difficult and require regular hoovering as dirt, dust, and pet hair tend to get trapped in and stuck to the layers of fabric.
  • Not hypoallergenic – The trapped dust, dirt, and pet fur can cause a problem for allergy sufferers, making this option less hypoallergenic than other couches out there.

Things To Consider Before You Buy

buying a sofa
Person Buying A Sofa

Before you commit to buying a new sofa, there are a number of questions you should ask yourself about what exactly it is you’re looking for. For example:

  • How long do you want the sofa to last?
  • Are there any factors, like children and pets, that could affect which sofa is best for your home?
  • How likely are you to spill things on your sofa?
  • Does the sofa need to be stain-resistant?
  • Is there a particular size or shape that you’re looking for?
  • Do you want a sofa that you sink into, or would you prefer one that is a bit firmer and gives more support?
  • Does it need to match a specific style, pattern, or theme that features in your living room?

Each sofa material will differ in each of these categories. It’s important to consider which upholstery choice ticks the most boxes out of the choices available to you.

Wear And Tear

In terms of general wear and tear, leather is often praised as the most durable and sturdy of the possible sofa fabric materials, and although this is often true, it does have its own limitations depending on what your home is like. Usually, both velvet and leather sofas will last a long time as they are strong in comparison to a fabric sofa. A leather sofa can last for decades if properly cared for, and the durable fabrics will protect against scratches or snags. However, if under constant pressure from children jumping on it or pets digging in their claws, the leather can ‘pop.’ Although it may still last longer than any other sofa, it is up to you to decide whether frayed material is worse than puncture holes in a leather sofa.

However, durability is about more than just how long something may last with kids and pets. It is also important to consider what your sofa may naturally change over time. And, as well as snags and other damage to the material, there are also other things that may affect the look of your sofa. For example, fabric sofas are not very resistant to direct sunlight, and over time the material may become hard and uncomfortable, or the colour may fade. This can be negated by putting the sofa somewhere else, but this isn’t always an option, and you may want to sit in the sun! Velvet sofas, on the other hand, because of the rich-textured fabric, tend to show up worn patches really easily.

Stains And Spills

It is also important to consider how easy it is to clean a sofa when considering how long it may last. If your sofa ends up with a lot of stains and smells, you may want to swap it out for a new one sooner rather than later!

Unsurprisingly, leather sofas are the quickest and easiest to clean, and the leather surface is naturally stain resistant. Often, soap and water can be used to wipe clean the material, or some people choose to use special creams. However, sometimes a stain may not come out, particularly if your leather sofa is a lighter material and you don’t clean it straight away.

Fabric and velvet sofa materials can be just as difficult to keep clean as each other. Although stains are more likely to show up on a lighter fabric sofa than a darker velvet sofa, velvet sofas attract more dust, animal hair, and dirt. Due to the depth of the velvet, owners of a velvet sofa need to regularly hoover the sofa to keep it clean.

Comfort

Believe it or not, not everyone wants a super soft sofa. Much like mattresses, different people will often have individual preferences, with some preferring a softer, more ‘comfortable’ sofa, whereas others may prefer a firmer sofa that offers more support. Your preference in this regard may influence which upholstery fabrics are best for your home.

Leather sofas tend to offer the firmest option out of the three sofa materials, although this may depend on how hard the leather itself is, as well as if the leather is real or fake. Plus, over time, the leather sofa will become softer as it gets ‘worn in.’

A fabric sofa, however, offers the softest option out of the three materials. In fact, fabric sofas are so soft that they are sometimes referred to as ‘pre-worn in,’ and a great for lounging for this reason. If you’re looking for the most comfortable sofa possible that you can sink into after a long day, the chances are that a fabric sofa would be perfect for you!

Finally, choosing a velvet sofa fabric would offer the perfect midground between these two options. Although the material itself is often soft and comfortable to the touch, the cushions can come in a range of different firmnesses. Some velvet sofas may be soft, but others can feel more firm and sturdy under pressure.

Design Choice

Although you may not think this is as important as other, more practical factors, what your sofa looks like is also something you should consider! Depending on the material you choose for your sofa, the way it will look and your design choices may differ, and most people want their sofas to match the rest of their house decor, as well as being durable, easy to clean, and comfortable. Some people may even prioritise the sofa’s design and appearance over these other factors as, at the end of the day, if you don’t like it, then you’re unlikely to buy it!

Of the three sofa materials, fabric offers the most options in terms of colour, patterns, and even textures! In fact, fabric sofas are often fully customisable and can be designed to fit the customer’s ideal mental image and specifications. On the other hand, velvet and leather sofas can only come in a specific, limited range of colours. Leather sofas are often found in black, white, and other neutral shades, such as brown or cream, whereas velvet sofas tend to come in rich, deep tones that still offer a pop of colour, like dark green, red, and blue.

The main design appeal of velvet and leather sofas in comparison to fully customisable fabric sofas is the unique texture and finish of these materials. The distinctive finish of leather or velvet is not something that fabric can duplicate, and so if you specifically like the look of one of those two materials, then it may be best for you to look further into that material as your chosen sofa option.

Try Before You Buy!

trying a fabric sofa
Person Trying A Sofa

There are many different factors to consider before buying a sofa. Depending on what you’re looking for, each material has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. However, although it is important to consider price, design, quality, and comfort, the best way to decide on your perfect sofa is simply to sit on it! Trying out these materials in-store, or even just seeing fabric swatches, alongside considering these factors, will help you walk away happy with your purchase, knowing that you chose the best sofa for you.

refresh your home with bampton sofas

5 Ways To Refresh Your Home With Bampton Sofas

5 Ways To Refresh Your Home With Bampton Sofas

No matter how much you adore your house, a time will come when you feel the need to shake things up a bit. Whether after a significant life event, like the birth of a child, or just an itch for some new energy in your house, people crave evolution. If the time has come to hit the refresh button on your home decor, the Bampton Sofas Collection is just the thing you’ve been seeking.  

The Chill Sofas Bampton Collection offers every option you could want, from neutrals to bold colours and varying size sofas and sets. The classic, stately design of the furniture gives way to the luxurious velvet upholstery, making Bampton the perfect statement piece or accent for any room.  

Here are five ways the Bampton Sofas Collection can make the magic happen. 

1. Meld Modern And Vintage Aesthetics 

bampton swivel chair homepage
Bampton Swivel Chair In Teal

Because this collection walks the line between modern and antique aesthetics so seamlessly, it can melt into any room and fill the exact role you need.  

Does your living room need a refresh? If you have vintage pieces that you can’t part with, the Bampton sofa is an excellent addition to your house. It carries an air of sophistication and class that can spruce up the energy of your space without totally changing the style.  

For example, if you have a vintage rug you can’t bear to part with, upgrade your sofa to the Bampton 3 Seater in grey or mink. Then, find a few eye catching throw pillows that match your favourite rug to tie it all together. The subtle nature of this sofa design allows it to shapeshift into the exact aesthetic of your living room, no matter the contrast of styles. 

2. Upgrade, Downsize, Minimise 

Do you ever look around and feel like you need more room to breathe? You’re not alone. Minimalism has taken the world by storm, promising many compelling benefits. But you don’t need to sacrifice quality to take advantage of the trend. 

Suppose your current seating is feeling a bit bulky. In that case, the Bampton Collection offers various size options, allowing you to upgrade your furniture while still downsizing and creating that much-coveted space. Consider the 2 Seater or even the Swivel Chair as ways to bring a renewed sense of expansiveness into your home while sticking with high-quality styles you love. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? 

3. Get Creative With The Space You Have 

Unfortunately, we can’t just snap our fingers and magically create the exact floor plan we want for our house. That means we need to make the most of the blueprint we have!  

Look around your home. Is there space that has traditionally gone unused? A corner of a bedroom that never realised its potential or a windowed nook that seems too small to be useful? The Bampton Sofas Collection has just the pieces you need to bring these forgotten pockets to life. 

A Bampton Swivel Chair will fit snugly in a corner and make a great addition to a bedroom, adding to the cosy, intimate vibe. You can turn that unused nook into a meditation corner or a little library with a few wall shelves and a Bampton Footstool. Add a few accent cushions for back support and style, and you’ll never want to leave.   

4. Add Versatility For The Whole Family 

Bampton Corner Sofa
Bampton Corner Sofa In Grey

Is your family growing? It may be time to upgrade your living room furniture. Having a seat on the sofa for everyone is a great way to stay connected with the ones you love the most.  

Picture this: It’s movie night, complete with popcorn and soda. The whole family piles into the living room for some much-needed time together. You recently upgraded to the Bampton Corner Chaise Sofa, so everyone can stretch out their legs while still cuddling close. That’s what we call a successful family night. 

With Bampton Sofas, you can mix and match to meet the exact needs of your home and your family. There will always be a seat for the ones who matter most. 

5. Play With Accents 

Pops of colour or bold patterns are an incredible way to spice up a room without having to overhaul all of your furniture and accessories. When playing with accents, you can pick a few specific items to edit or update. These small changes can bring a total refresh into your home! 

The Bampton Collection comes into its own here because it allows you to play with accents in a few different ways. Firstly, the grey or mink furniture options build a fantastic base from which to play. These colours are rich, neutral, and partner beautifully with a wide variety of colourful accents. From this subtle, solid foundation, you can express your wildest self with bold patterns in throws, tapestries, quirky wall art, or even funky accent furniture pieces. 

Alternatively, the Bampton Sofas Collection can serve as an incredible statement piece in a space! Available in Indigo and Teal, these velvety showstoppers can pull all the attention and be a fabulous centrepiece in your living room. Opting for a bold furniture colour allows you to keep it simple with other decors without losing the bright, liveliness of your home.  

Feeling funky? You can even mix and match colours within the Bampton Sofas Collection. Pair a neutral sofa with a colourful footstool or swivel chair and let your inner style shine through! 

Refresh Without A Total Redo 

bampton sofas
Bampton 3 Seater Sofa In Teal

By making smart, simple changes to your furniture or accessories, you can shift the energy of your beloved home to match what feels true to you at the moment. Life will keep evolving and unfolding. Your aesthetic can keep up without breaking the bank with intentional upgrades through the Bampton Furniture Collection from Chill Sofas. Check out your options today and start this season’s refresh off right! 

sofa for small living room

Which Sofa Is Best for a Small Living Room? Top 5 Choices

Which Sofa Is Best for a Small Living Room? Top 5 Choices

Outside of your bedroom, your living room is likely where you will spend most of your time whenever you are at home. So naturally, you want this space to be one that you love. If you have a small living room, it can be challenging to know how to style it. Small spaces can be notoriously difficult to decorate, but it isn’t impossible.  

One of the most integral factors in a small living room is your sofa. If it’s too big, it could overwhelm the small space. If it’s too small, it might not suit your needs. As with most things, it’s all about balance. With that in mind, we have compiled our top five options for which sofa is best for a small living room.

The Top 5 Sofa Choices for Small Living Rooms

The priority when selecting furniture for small spaces is sizing. A corner sofa or sectional sofa may not be appropriate, as it will fill up the room. However, that doesn’t mean you have limited furniture options—you just need to know where to look! 

That’s where we come in. We advise 2 seater sofas for small spaces. They are big enough to be functional without being domineering. Listed below are our top recommendations for various styles to ensure your small living room is how you want it.  

1. Finlay 2 Seater Sofa 

finlay 2 seater sofa
The Finlay 2 Seater Sofa

First on our list is the Finlay 2 seater. We describe the Finlay as the perfect marriage of style and comfort, and we are sure you will agree. The deep buttoning back offers a traditional feel that would be perfect for a room with classic decor. The soft fabric finish is the epitome of comfort, too, so you can expect some relaxing evenings ahead. 

Despite being a compact, small sofa, the seat cushion is deep and wide. You can sink right into it, but the spring seat construction will mean it bounces right back. You don’t need to worry about the Finlay losing any style points over time—it’s an item built to last!  

Dimensions 

  • Height: 44cm 
  • Width: 111cm 
  • Depth: 50cm 

Key Features 

  • Deep buttoning back 
  • Super comfortable, large cushions 
  • Classic appearance 
  • Foam seat filling with Dacron wrap 
  • Fire backfilling 

2. Sherborne 2 Seater Sofa 

sherborne 2 seater sofa
Crushed Velvet Sherborne 2 Seater Sofa

If your choice of furniture leans more to the luxury side of things, the Sherborne 2 Seater could be the one for you. This velvet sofa is the epitome of style, available in either black, silver, or mink. The scroll arms and crushed velvet design combine contemporary and classic together, suited to almost any decor. 

The scatter-back cushions provide additional comfort and style to this small sofa. Despite its size, it certainly makes a statement! A statement piece can be an excellent way to draw the eye to a focal point in a small space—just be sure that you pair it with other, smaller items to avoid overcrowding the room. 

The Sherborne speaks volumes, and this is especially true when you consider the colour options available. The black and silver make for a subtle yet effective choice. The mink can add a unique pop to your small living room, bringing it to life.  

Dimensions 

  • Height: 40cm 
  • Width: 136cm 
  • Depth: 60cm 

Key Features 

  1. Luxurious crushed velvet 
  1. Three colours available: black, silver, and mink 
  1. Matching scatter-back cushions included 
  1. Foam seat filling with fibre wrap 
  1. Fibre backfilling 

3. Putney 2 Seater Sofa 

putney 2 seater sofa
The Putney Fabric 2 Seater Sofa

If you appreciated the deep buttoning of the Finlay but were looking for something a little bigger, look no further than the Putney 2 Seater Sofa. The square arms and multiple scatter cushions give this sofa a strong presence in any small living room. This is a homey sofa, where cosy comfort is the priority.  

The Putney is available in both beige and grey. It isn’t a statement piece, but in a small space, that could be a blessing. By blending in with the rest of your decor, it could make your room feel even bigger. It also makes matching it with surrounding furniture easy, as beige and grey go with just about anything which is why this sofa is best for a small living room.

Dimensions 

  • Height: 45cm 
  • Width: 132cm 
  • Depth: 62cm 

Key Features 

  1. Larger than comparatively small sofas but remains compact 
  1. Subtle yet effective 
  1. Durable, sturdy design 
  1. Foam seat filling with fibre wrap 
  1. Fibre backfilling 

4. Marlow 2 Seater Sofa 

Marlow 2 seater sofa
The Classic Marlow 2 Seater Sofa

The Marlow 2 Seater Sofa is best for a small living room as it offers a contemporary take on the classic scroll-arm sofa, the Marlow is all about cosiness. It is compact but makes a statement without appearing overpowering. This is especially true thanks to its muted colouring, available in both mink and grey. It would be right at home among the traditional, classic decor. 

Accessorising the Marlow is easy, too, thanks to its subtle appearance. If you want to create a more bold appearance, the addition of bright scatter cushions could work wonderfully.  

The wooden feet also promote that classic feeling, especially paired with the scroll-arms. It is the perfect option for anyone with a small living room that wants to maximise their comfort. 

Dimensions 

  • Height: 43cm 
  • Width: 112cm 
  • Depth: 54cm 

Key Features 

  1. Classic, scroll arm design 
  1. Wooden feet add durability 
  1. Minimalistic but effective, cosy design 
  1. Foam seat filling with fibre wrap 
  1. Fibre backfilling 

5. Frinton 2 Seater Sofa 

Frinton 2 Seater sofa
The Frinton 2 Seater Sofa

The only leather sofa on our list, the Frinton 2 Seater has a classic black design with wooden feet. It also possesses a traditional scroll arm and deep buttoning at the forefront of the seat. The Frinton has abundant design features without ever feeling overpowering. Thanks to its subtle colouring, it can fit in with almost any existing decor. 

If black feels a little too dark for your tastes, we also offer the Frinton in a rich brown. It immediately adds warmth to any room, completing a small space and complementing what’s already there. If you prefer leather to upholstery or velvet, the Frinton is the one for you.  

Dimensions 

  • Height: 48cm 
  • Width: 119cm 
  • Depth: 64cm 

Key Features 

  1. Sleek faux leather design available in black or brown 
  1. Sturdy wooden feet 
  1. Studded lining with deep buttoning 
  1. Foam seat filling with fibre wrap 
  1. Fibre backfilling 

Which Sofa Is Best for a Small Living Room? Factors to Consider

From our guide, you can probably tell our stance on which sofa is best for a small living room: the 2-seater. It is both practical and comfortable, and it won’t overwhelm your small space. However, style alone isn’t the only thing you need to consider when buying your sofa.  

Colour

You might initially feel creatively stifled by your small living room, but it could turn out to be a blessing. One of the best things about small spaces is how effectively you can implement colour themes. Details like that can get lost in a bigger room, but it is all right in front of you to enjoy with a smaller one!  

What’s the significance of this? Well, it gives you options. A common myth online and in various design magazines is that if you have a small living room, your sofa should feature muted colours to make the room feel larger. Frankly, this just isn’t the case. 

Your sofa can be whatever colour you want it to be, even if you favour the bold and bright! The key is that your sofa matches and complements the tones running throughout the rest of the room.  

If your living room decor has a muted palette, a bright red sofa will feel out of place. It could make the room feel even smaller, with all attention drawn to the sofa, sucking the life out of the rest of the room. 

Shape 

Whether you prefer a sturdy, square shape or a smoother scroll arm, there are certain things you should keep in mind before making a purchase. Number one? Make sure your sofa has elevation from the floor. It will add dimension to your room and create the illusion of more space. 

Furniture that touches the floor can drag the rest of the room down with it. In small spaces, you want to feel light and airy at all times. It goes for your sofa too, which is the centre point of the room. 

Finishing Touches 

Clutter begets messiness, no matter how stylised your ‘clutter’ may be. When decorating a small space, try your best to keep it simple.  

It doesn’t mean resigning yourself to a life of minimalism, but be mindful of what you are throwing into your home. 

How does this apply to your sofa? Well, mainly through cushions. Scattered cushions can add a lot of character to your sofa when used correctly, but they can just appear noisy when done to excess. This is especially true if your sofa already has many design features, which could appear overcrowded if covered with cushions.  

How to Choose a Suitable Sofa for Your Living Room 

sofa is best for a small living room
A Comfortable Cream Fabric Sofa

There are several key considerations you need to make before investing in any sofa.  

First and foremost is how much use you expect to get out of it. If you spend a significant amount of time in your living room, you need to prioritise comfort. If you mainly use your living room for entertaining guests but scarcely spend time in there otherwise, you can prioritise style over practicality.  

You should also be smart about the costs. Sofas can be expensive, but the ones built to last means more value. A good sofa can last you years, so that initial expense may seem high, but it is always worth it. Purchasing an expensive sofa once is superior to purchasing cheaper sofas every few years. 

Finally, and most importantly, make sure that you love it. It’s going inside your house, after all! Don’t purchase something solely because of current trends or low cost. Follow your instinct and invest in something you truly love—you will thank yourself later! 

Conclusion 

We have covered many ground rules regarding which small sofa is best for a small living room to give you a head start and recommended our top five picks. Ultimately, however, the choice is yours. The best sofa for you is one that suits your needs perfectly, whether that’s style, practicality, or a mixture of both! It’s your room, so it’s your choice. Try to have fun with it and remember: A small space doesn’t have to be limiting.  

Fashionable or Practical

Fashionable or Practical: Can a Sofa Be Both?

Fashionable or Practical: Can a Sofa Be Both?

Lounging, relaxing, lazing, entertaining, sprawling, playing, jumping—what you do on your sofa is your own business. But no matter what you do, you want a versatile and comfy sofa that looks great in your room and will last for years. 

Can you find a sofa that does it all? That’s the perennial question of the curious homeowner. Today, we are going to investigate that inquiry. 

The difference between fashionable or practical can seem vast without a deep dive. Does a happy medium exist? Are you willing to make sacrifices for style in exchange for comfort? What are your lines in the sand? 

Finding the perfect furniture means knowing yourself and your needs. But of course, learning a bit about the technical details can’t hurt.  

So, let’s check out the facts and get you on the right path to your dream comfy sofa that looks as wonderful as it feels. 

What Should You Look For in a Fashionable Sofa?  

fashionable black leather sofa
Stylish Black Leather Sofa In Modern Room

When it comes to a fashionable sofa, you need to consider the whole room. A sofa will most likely become the statement piece of the room. Good interior design means having a focused theme where everything fits together. 

Colour 

If your room is full of beiges and tans, you have a few choices. You can either look for a bright red sofa that will pop and draw the eye right it. Or you can find one that blends in and becomes a part of the scenery.  

If a power clash is your style, take the risk and go bright and bold. Fashion means making conscious decisions. As long as you pick a colour that makes you happy and brings joy to the room, you’ve done it right. 

The colour of your sofa will influence everything else around it. Stick with complementary colours if you want your walls, furniture, and other home decor items to work together seamlessly. Or look for opposed primary colours if you want every item to pop. Either way, it’s up to you to make your home a work of art. 

Accents 

A sofa does not stand alone. Cushions, blankets, and pillows all add depth to the full image of a sofa. Every time you toss a throw over the sofa, you change the layout of the room. Accent pillows can throw off a carefully planned design.  

Find a sofa that allows for change. If you like to decorate for the holidays, you need a neutral sofa that can blend into the decorations.  

Material 

Today, fashionable sofas are nearly all velvet or leather. The timeless elegance of leather is hard to beat. Plus, the more time you sit on the leather, the more it fades and wears in beautiful patterns. Leather cushions are also some of the most comfortable on the planet. You’ll melt right into them. 

Velvet exudes luxury and makes your home have airs of royalty. It takes more to upkeep, but the sparkling glamour of velvet is impossible to beat. 

What Should You Look for in a Practical Sofa? 

practical grey sofa
Working On A Grey Fabric Sofa

A practical sofa is what most people end up with, even if it started as fashionable. Furniture takes a lot—it will get stomped on, slept on, and sat on for hours. A functional sofa can stand up to anything and everything you throw at it. 

Size

How many people will be using this sofa? A family situation will call for size very different from a couple’s first flat together. 

It may be enticing to purchase an XXL size for maximum comfort and fun. But if it takes up the entire space of the room, downsizing is in order. Could a two-seater accomplish the same goal? 

Make sure your choice is at least as long as your body. When the desire for a nap strikes, there is nothing worse than stretching out and coming up against the armrests! 

Material

As you might expect, material choice is just as crucial for functional sofas as fashionable ones. Easy to clean upholstery is a must-have.  

While leather is easy to wipe down, it can be expensive. Velvet picks may look great but won’t stand up to stains. If you go with fabric, find cushions that can stand up to multiple washes to stay looking fresh. 

Try protecting your sofa with a cover-up to make cleaning spills as easy as tossing a blanket in the wash. A cover-up may not be the chicest look, but you’ll forgive that next time soda spills. 

Alternatively, you can try upholstery protectors, like Scotchgard, to treat the fabric and make it less susceptible to stains.  

Functionality

For most people, a sofa is never just a place to sit.  As soon as you invite one too many guests, it becomes a bed too! Find something wide enough to accommodate all body types that is as inviting as it is comfy. 

Look for choices that you can rearrange. Detachable sectionals are fun ways to innovate and move around your furniture. You won’t always have the same layout, so look for furniture that can adjust with you. 

Pro Tip: A cushion that looks the same facing up and down will keep your stains and spills a secret for much longer. 

Fashionable Or Practical Can A Sofa Be Both? 

stylish leather sofa with velvet cushions
A Chic Leather Sofa With Velvet Cushions

There is hope. You can find both fashionable or practical sofas that don’t cost an arm and a leg either. Look at the crossover between both styles and fixate on that. 

It might seem wise to be sensible and buy cheap, but cheap products wear down and break much faster than more expensive ones. A quality leather sofa will be a mainstay in your home for years. The initial investment could be high, but you will save in the long run.  

It all comes down to personal preference. For some people, fashion comes through usefulness. For others, comfort is a style statement. As long as it makes coming home something you dream about, you’ve done it right. 

Chill Sofas has sofas for every situation. From massive comfy corner styles to modest two-seaters to your new favourite leather or velvet chairs, we have something for you. Don’t waste another second—start relaxing now! 

Traditional Sofas

The Top 5 Favourite Traditional Sofas From Our Collections

The Top 5 Favourite Traditional Sofas From Our Collections

The more connected the world is, the faster information moves throughout it. With so much progressing rapidly, fashion and style evolve far more quickly than they once did. It feels like every moment there’s a magazine, fashion show, or online blog claiming they know the next best thing to come. Unfortunately, with all this movement, it can be hard to keep up.

When you invest in furniture, you want it to stand the test of time. And not just in durability, but in style. Opting for vintage-inspired aesthetics is a great way to show off your unique taste while confidently resting in the knowledge that your furniture will look great, regardless of trends, for years to come. Here are our top 5 favourite traditional sofas from our collections to get your home decor creativity flowing. 

Luna Velvet Tub Chair

luna velvet tub chair
A Lunar Velvet Tub Chair In Pink

Can’t get more vintage than the 18th century, can you? Well, why not try a replica of this traditional sofa. It is believed that tub-style chairs date back over 250 years. The Luna Velvet Tub Chair brings a classic touch of elegance to every room it graces without neglecting its funky side. A play on the classic tub shape, this armchair is simple yet striking with its curved shell back and thin wooden legs that play against each other at subtle angles. 

Available in three beautiful shades, from pastel pink to inky blue, the Luna Tub Chair goes great in a sunny reading nook or minimalist office space. The lush velvet material of the traditional sofa harkens back to the retro vibes of the 70s and is as comfortable as it is attractive.

Beau 2 Seater Sofa

beau 2 seater traditional sofa
A Beau 2 Seater Sofa In Ink

When you want classic furniture that can accompany you down an ever-evolving path of style, there is no better choice than the Beau 2 Seater Sofa. This vintage-style piece of furniture blends seamlessly into its surroundings as if it was always meant to be there, no matter the trend you’re embracing at the moment.

With clean, simple lines and a slight yet sturdy build, this classic-looking sofa is a subtle nod towards a traditional sofa aesthetic in any setting. Pick a colour that speaks to you and matches the scene, from neutral grey to dazzling emerald, and enjoy this vintage-look furniture for years to come.

Marlow 2 Seater Sofa

marlow 2 seater traditional sofa
A Marlow 2 Seater Sofa In Mink

There is nothing that screams “traditional sofa” louder than a scroll-armed sofa. Roll or scroll arms in furniture have been prevalent for centuries and have yet to die in popularity, landing them a firm place as one of the best furniture choices on the market. The Marlow 2 Seater plays off of this beloved English look with a contemporary finish. 

Elegant and inviting, this traditional sofa doesn’t sacrifice comfort for style. The outward scrolling arms give an air of sophistication, mirrored by the wooden feet slyly protruding to the sides. The unique silhouette makes it an excellent centrepiece, while the grey colour makes it subtle enough to adapt to the surrounding style. 

Amberley 3 Seater Sofa

Amberley 3 Seater Sofa
A Luxurious Amberley 3 Seater Sofa

An iconic furniture choice dating back to the mid-1700s, Chesterfield sofas are a bold statement piece that will never go out of style. The Amberley 3 Seater Sofa, does this behemoth style justice by paying homage without losing a sense of modern aesthetics.

The Amberley sofa features the classic Chesterfield shape, with the back and arms of the sofa the same height and prominent roll arms. It looks like furniture you’d gush over in a magazine, with deep buttoning and a velvet finish. The vibrant teal of the material brings this vintage style up to date and offers an opportunity for funky, unique aesthetics to really shine. If you’re looking to make a statement, you can’t go wrong with the Amberley 3 Seater!

Radley Corner Chaise Sofa

Radley Corner Chaise traditional sofa
A Large Radley Corner Sofa In Grey

Looking for a family room addition that has style even piles of children’s toys can’t diminish? Look no further than the Radley Corner Chaise Sofa. This massive piece of furniture can fit the whole family but never loses its classic appeal.

With bold simplicity and the studded detail on the arms and front boards, this traditional sofa has the elegance and allure of old Hollywood. It’s a family room piece that feels as if it has been pulled straight out of a dimly lit, smokey room full of studio executives and dazzling movie stars. The scatter back cushions and silky material makes it luxuriously inviting for all who enter the room. 

Conclusion

When shopping for traditional sofas, you want something that will stand the test of time. Whether you race to keep up with trends as they bubble to the surface or stick to your own unique taste, the addition of classic furniture can enhance the spaces you inhabit for years to come.

L-Shape Sofas

Tips For Buying An L-Shaped Sofa And Mistakes To Avoid

Newport Large Corner
Sale!
Newport Large Corner Sofa
£749.00
Select options
Oakley Corner Sofa
Oakley Corner Sofa
£749.00
Select options
Hadley Corner Chaise sofa
Sale!
Hadley Corner Chaise Sofa
£899.00
Select options
Radley Corner Chaise
Radley Corner Chaise Sofa
£1,049.00
Select options

Tips For Buying An L-Shaped Sofa And Mistakes To Avoid

L-shape sofas, sometimes called sectional sofas, are a popular seating choice for living rooms in 2021. They’re great for comfort, offer a good amount of seating and come in all sorts of different styles, colours and fabrics. However, there are a few things you’ll need to know in order to make the best purchase for you!

In this article, we’ll give our top tips for buying an L-shape sofa, then we’ll cover some of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when buying a sofa. Lastly, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about buying sofas in general.

Tips For Buying A Sofa That’s Sectional Or L-Shaped

purple corner sofa
A Purple Fabric Corner Sofa

L-shape sofas are versatile and can fit with a wide variety of room styles and shapes. As long as you’re buying a high-quality piece from a reputable brand, it’s hard to go wrong. However, there are some steps you can follow to make sure you’re getting the best use out of your new purchase.

Our best tips for buying an L-shape sofa are to:

Choose A Specific Type Of L-Shaped Sofa

Many buyers don’t know that there are different types of L-shape sofas to choose from including:

  • Angled corner or sectional sofa – This is the most traditional option if you’re shopping for an L-shape sofa. A high-quality corner sofa is an immensely versatile piece.
  • Chaise L-shape sofas – Sectional sofas don’t necessarily have to be huge. Instead, you could choose an elegant chaise sofa which provides all of the same benefits as their larger counterparts with a much smaller frame.
  • Recliners – Some L-shape sofas offer seats that recline for ultimate comfort.
  • Modular Sofas – One of the most modern types of L shape sofas are ones which come in distinct parts, or modules, which allow you to customise the shape of the seating area and even convert the sofa into one large rectangle – perfect for lounging or even sleeping extra guests.

Style Your Sofa With The Room

grey l shaped sofa
A Grey Fabric Corner Sofa In An Open Plan Room

L-shape sofas can work anywhere within the room; however, you’ll need to decide where exactly they will look best. For example, large rooms look great with an L-shape sofa in the middle, however, small rooms look best with a sectional sofa along a wall.

Some of our other best style tips include:

  • Fitting your L-shape sofa around a coffee table.
  • Using Coolors to build a custom colour palette for your living room in order to choose a sofa colour.
  • Pairing your sofa with cushions, throw pillows and blankets that fit with your colour theme for extra comfort and style.
  • Pairing your sofa with other pieces, such as a stylish accent chair.
  • Using Pinterest to look for inspiration.

Choose A Piece of Furniture That Doubles As Storage

One of the many benefits of an L-shaped sofa is that they are large enough to offer plenty of extra storage (as long as you choose a model designed for this purpose.) If you’re conscious about needing extra storage space in your living room, you can choose a sectional sofa that comes with built-in drawers or even seats that lift to reveal an area underneath. Some sofas even have extra storage under the arms.

Measure With Tape

Most homeowners or interior designers will use a tape measure to ensure that a piece of furniture will fit into their living space. However, one of our best tips is to actually use pieces of tape on the floor to mark where the sofa is going to sit.

By outlining the shape of the sofa onto the floor, or marking its height on a wall, you’ll be able to get a much better idea of where best to place your new purchase as well as a better idea of its overall measurements and depth.

Mistakes To Avoid When Buying An L-Shaped Sofa

woman sitting on a yellow corner sofa
A Fabric Corner Sofa In A Small Room

In order to ensure you don’t make a mistake when purchasing an L-shaped Corner sofa, you should avoid:

Choosing The Wrong Size For The Living Room

L-shaped sofas come in many different sizes, from smaller 3 seaters and corner seaters right the way up to huge 10-12 seats.

Of course, you won’t be able to fit a 10-seater sectional sofa into a small living room. However, many people err on the small side when it comes to buying a sofa for a larger space.

You should bear in mind that your sofa will be the focal point of your living room and will be the main seating area. In addition, you want to fill the space you have without adding too much clutter. So, don’t be afraid to choose a large model for larger spaces.

Assuming The Sofa Needs To Sit In The Corner

Another common mistake when buying an L-shaped sofa is assuming that it needs to sit along a wall or fit into the corner of a room. Of course, this can be an option if the room is particularly small, or if the room is square-shaped, however, it isn’t always the best idea for larger living spaces.

Fitting a sectional sofa into a corner of a large area will only accentuate the blank space in the room. Instead, you can put the sofa in the middle of the room, using the L-shape to create a distinct area. This separates the living area into neat sections and makes sure there are no large gaps that leave the space looking empty.

Not Measuring Properly

Not many furniture buyers would make the mistake of not measuring their living space in order to check whether their new sofa will fit comfortably. However, many people do forget to take the measurements of their front door, hallway, or doors to their living room.

In order to avoid sending your purchase back or even damaging your home, you should make sure to measure the height and width of anywhere your sofa will need to pass through when moving it into the house.

What Should I Look For When Buying A Sofa?

There are hundreds and thousands of sofas to choose from both online and in stores. It can all be quite confusing, and you may find it difficult to make a decision. However, to make the best choice for you and your space, make sure to look out for:

Something That Matches Your Interior Style

When buying any sofa, you’ll need to think about the style of the space it will be going into. You’ll want to make sure that it fits with the rest of your designs in order to keep a coherent theme.

For example, if you’re going for minimalism, you probably wouldn’t want to buy a patterned sofa. In addition, if you’re designing an industrialist room, a leather or distressed sofa would work best.

You should also consider the other items in the room such as wall art, existing tables, decorations etc. If you have a lot of plants in the room, choosing a green or an earth-tone sofa would mix well. However, this wouldn’t work for rooms painted with pink walls or brightly patterned wallpaper, as this would clash.

You can check out some furniture design blogs to get more style inspiration.

A Fabric That Matches Your Lifestyle

You’ll also need to consider the fabric of your new sofa. This comes down to individual preference but will also depend on your lifestyle as well as the occupants of the space.

For example, if you are a family with pets that will be lounging on the seating or children who are likely to be messy, you probably won’t want a white sofa or one with velvet or velour fabric. Fabrics like this are much harder to clean and tend to trap odours compared to, for example, a leather sofa.

A Good Warranty And Returns Policy

If you’re buying furniture, you need to be sure that you’re purchasing from a brand that offers a good warranty. You should expect your sofa to last for upwards of 10 years and its warranty should reflect this.

You’ll also want to look out for the furniture company’s return policy. If anything arrives broken, the quality isn’t what you thought, or the sofa simply doesn’t suit your living space, you should be able to return your purchase within a reasonable amount of time.

How Do You Know If A Couch Is Good Quality?

woman checking quality of sofa
A Person Checking The Quality Of A Pillows Materials

There are two key characteristics to look out for in order to determine the quality of any sofa you want to buy:

It Comes From A Reputable Brand

Whilst a cheap deal from an online company you’ve never heard of may seem like a good idea at first, you should think twice about making this type of purchase. Remember, when buying any item of furniture, brand quality is of paramount importance.

A high-quality brand will pride itself on making high-quality sofas that last the test of time. So, always make sure to research the brand thoroughly before you buy.

It Has High-Quality Materials And Construction

You will always be able to tell the quality of a sofa or a piece of furniture by looking into the materials used as well as the construction process.

A high-quality sofa will have:

  • A solid, hardwood frame rather than particleboard or plastic.
  • Metal springs.
  • Extra strength, good-quality materials in the frame itself.
  • Arms which don’t move when rested on.
  • Sofa cushions which don’t immediately sink when sat upon and regain their original shape once you move.
  • Meticulous seams and stitching that doesn’t come loose when touched.
  • Flame retardant materials and fire-safe guarantees from the manufacturer.

Reputable brands will always have this information available. If you can’t find out these details about your sofa, this should be a red flag that it might not be the best quality.

How Do You Arrange An L-Shaped Couch?

good quality grey l shaped couch
A Grey Fabric Corner Sofa In A Modern Room

An L-shape sofa can slot into many places in your living room depending on the size of the area and the style you’re looking to achieve.

For example, your sectional sofa could fit:

In The Centre Of The Room

If you want your L-shaped sofa to be a real statement piece, you can place it in the centre of the room, not touching any walls. This draws the eye directly to the seating area and paired with a coffee table in the middle of the L, it becomes the focal point of the living room. This leaves the potential to add features such as bookcases, dressers and console tables to the walls of the room for extra storage and decoration.

Against A Wall

If your living room is on the smaller side, the best area to place an L-shaped sofa is likely along a wall. This allows the benefit of extra seating that comes with a sectional sofa, whilst making sure that it doesn’t overcrowd the living room.

However, for large spaces, we don’t recommend placing your sofa directly in the corner of the room, as it’s a much better use of space to leave a gap between the sofa and the corner for an item such as a side table. This avoids clutter in the rest of the room and ensures you still have a space to place vases, lamps or plants.

As A Room Divider

Let’s say you have a particularly large living room or one with an interesting shape such as an L. In this case, you can use an L-shaped sofa to act as a room divider in order to split the space up into distinct sections. This helps you to make the best use of the space and prevents the centre of the living room from looking bare. It also means you can use another section of the living area for a different purpose, such as adding a table with chairs to create a dining area.

What Is The Best Quality Sofa Brand?

grey l shaped sofa
A Grey Corner Sofa In Front Of A Fireplace

There isn’t exactly one true answer for the question, ‘Which is the best quality sofa brand.’ This is because certain brands will fit with certain buyers’ criteria and of course, this will vary from person to person.

There are hundreds of sofa brands on the market, all making claims to be reputable and high-quality, which makes it difficult to make a choice. So, here are some of our best tips on what to look out for in order to tell if a furniture or sofa brand offers the best quality:

A Brand With A Showroom

A sofa brand that guarantees high quality will be able to show you some previous examples of their work or some prototypes in their showroom.

It can be tempting to buy a sofa online without viewing it, but in order to be sure you’re making the right choice, it’s always best to view and test the sofa in person.

One With Great Reviews

Reviews and recommendations are the best way to determine the quality of a brand. So, you should always check feedback from independent review sites and never simply take the seller’s website at face value.

You can do this on sites like Trustpilot or Feefo.

A Brand With Good Customer Service And Terms

With any piece of furniture, you should check the standard of the company’s customer service and terms before you buy to ensure they offer:

  • A good length warranty in case of breakage.
  • A dedicated customer service team that’s easy to contact.
  • A reasonable returns policy.

Not Necessarily A Large, National Brand

You should bear in mind that purchasing from a large corporation does not necessarily mean high quality. Of course, there are plenty of great national furniture stores that have sold millions of sofas and have been operational for decades.

However, this doesn’t mean it’s a mistake to purchase from a smaller local brand. When you purchase from a local seller, you are a real priority, you can speak with the manufacturer directly and benefit from a personal service. With larger sellers, sometimes you risk becoming a number in the system.

Conclusion

Now you should be an expert on purchasing a sofa and should also feel more informed about whether or not an L-shape sofa is for you. You’ll also understand more about how to choose the best L-shape sofa for your living room and how to avoid some of the most common mistakes that L-shaped sofa buyers make.

When in doubt, always remember to consider your living room style, shape and lifestyle use to choose the right colour, size and fabric of your sofa. In addition, make sure to purchase from a reputable retailer and test your sofa in person to ensure you’re buying a quality piece that will stand the test of time.

Choose the Right sofa

How To Choose The Right Sofa Colour

How To Choose The Right Sofa Colour

Choosing the right sofa is a big commitment! They can be expensive and also become the focal point of any living area. So, you want to be sure you’re making the right choice for yourself.

The main concern of any sofa buyer in 2021 is, ‘How do I choose the right sofa colour for my living room?’ Whilst there is no ‘right sofa colour’ overall, there are certain colours that will work better than others depending on your design style, existing furnishings and future redesign plans as well as who exactly will be using the space.

So, in this article, we’ve covered all of those considerations and more to help give you inspiration on how to choose your new sofa.

Choose A Style For The Space With The Right Sofa Colour

couple choosing sofa colour

If you have a particular style in mind for your living room or sitting space, this is a great place to start! If you can narrow down the look and feel you’re trying to achieve, you’ll be able to do some research and look at some examples to see what sofas other designers have chosen on sites like Pinterest or other interior design blogs.

As an example, you could choose one of the following styles:

Traditional – Rich colours, Burgundy, Gold-lined, Patterned

Traditional and classic furniture is designed to add opulence and a touch of old-world charm to a living room. If you’re looking to achieve this look, your space will have elegant touches such as mirrors, gilded frames, stylish panelling and wooden accents like mahogany furniture. Take this range of beautiful and elegant accent chairs.

When choosing a sofa for a traditional or classic space, you should consider rich, deep colours such as burgundy, orange, green, or even a more neutral colour paired with a coloured pattern. You can also accent your sofa with ornately patterned throw pillows and cushions. These types of sofas tend to be made of velvet or other fabric and can also have elaborate designs on them in yellow or gold.

Farmhouse Or Cottage Style – Neutral Tones, Pastel Pink And Blue

Farmhouse interior design is about blending traditional, rustic touches such as light, exposed wood, ‘shabby-chic’ finishes, clean lines and farmhouse furnishings to create a light, airy and warm atmosphere despite often being fairly neutral in terms of colour.

When thinking about a farmhouse sofa, you should think about warm shades of cream, as this is a common design choice for farmhouse-style rooms. However, a pastel would also not look out of place. A blush pink accent tub seat would suit a cottage-style living space with a warmer colour palette, whereas a pastel blue sofa would suit a more coastal cottage style room which is designed to be cooler, fresh and reminiscent of sea breeze.

Industrial – Brown Leather, Burnt Orange, Olive Green

An industrial style living room is a modern and popular choice for 2021. Industrialism is centred around the look and feels of a factory or industrial space with paired back design, as well as features such as brickwork, wood, exposed metals and copper finishing.

A great sofa colour for an industrial living space that would complement this type of style is brown, especially brown leather, burnt oranges, darker shades and even olive greens. For an industrial finish, you could also choose a sofa with brass or copper feet, wooden bottoms or exposed steel beams.

Minimalism – A White, Black Or Grey Sofa

For a minimalist space, you’ll need to think about using clean lines as well as allowing light to naturally flow throughout the room. Minimalism is all about choosing shades and tones that blend together as a whole to create a bright, airy and uncluttered space. So, choosing a sofa shade such as grey, white or in some cases black would work well with a minimalist interior.

However, some interior designers instead choose a bright sofa colour such as a deep orange or dark blue as a single focal point of an otherwise minimal room. So, this option can also look great, working to create a real feature in the living space as long as the rest of the interior is minimal.

Maximalism – Bright And Bold Colours, Vivid Greens, Pinks And Blues

Recent years have seen an increase in maximalist interior design. Whilst minimalism is all about clutter-free, neutral and functional living space, maximalism is the exact opposite. Therefore, with a maximalist interior, your imagination really is the limit. You can pair multiple colours, textures and patterns in the room décor with different ones for walls, flooring, rugs and of course, your sofa.

A sofa to suit a maximalist room will be bright and colourful. Whether you choose a more vivid shade or a pastel one, any colour is likely to work well. So, you can think about choosing pink, green, blue, yellow, or even a patterned sofa. – Don’t be afraid to think bold when it comes to this type of design style.

Consider The Décor of the Room

grey living room sofa

Whichever design style you choose, or whether you’re choosing a mix of different inspirations, you’ll also need to think about the other items and décor within the space. Whether you want to match your sofa to the interior design of the living room or stand out with a real statement piece, the first thing to do is take stock of what’s already present.

Wall Colour

If you already have an idea about what colour you’ll be painting your walls, this can be a great place to start when it comes to choosing a sofa colour.

If you’re sticking to a neutral tone such as white or cream, this is a versatile blank canvas that pairs well with almost any colour. If your walls fit this description, it really is your choice as to whether you’d like a neutral sofa to match, or to choose a really bold sofa colour as a statement piece. The sky truly is the limit! You can even match colourful accents within the room to your sofa colour to create a theme.

However, if your walls are wallpapered with a pattern or painted with a specific colour, you’ll need to think more carefully about your colour choice. For patterned walls, find a specific colour within the pattern (perhaps a highlight colour) and match your soft furnishings including your sofa to this colour. This will keep a consistent colour palette and avoid things looking too busy. For a painted wall, you can use a tool such as Coolors to build your own custom colour palette and test colours that work well together.

Flooring

Similarly to wall colour, a cream or neutral carpet is very versatile. It pairs well with the most stylish 3 seater sofa colours if you’re opting for a light, airy room or even a farmhouse or cottage design style.

It’s more unlikely that you’ll be choosing a coloured carpet, (unless you’re opting for maximalism) however you could have wooden or vinyl floors that can range in tone. This can be something that’s hard to get right when choosing a sofa colour, so always make sure to request a material swatch from the seller in order to test your options and see how they work together. Remember, the colour you can see on your computer doesn’t always quite match up with the fabric in person. You can also find the name of the exact colour you’re looking for on the Pantone Colour Chart to make sure what you’ve ordered will fit.

If you have a wood floor, it’s also likely that you’ll have some kind of rug. Similarly to patterned walls, you should match your sofa to one colour within the pattern to keep a consistent colour palette. However, if your rug is white or neutral, you can choose a bolder, statement colour for your sofa.

Décor And Features

In addition, you should think about any other items within the room. Do you have art on your walls such as framed photos, posters, canvasses or any prints? Do you have a lot of gold or brass picture frames, or even flowers and plants?

It can be easy to veer into making your living room look too busy or cluttered if you have too many stand-out pieces. So, if you’ve got quite a lot of different colours within your wall features as well as other pieces within your living room, choosing a grey sofa or a white sofa is guaranteed to blend well.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for more of a stand-out piece that complements rather than blends into your wall colour theme, you could choose some bright colours. For example, if you have a lot of hanging plants, or prints and photographs of plants or nature, a green sofa or even shades of pink or yellow could work well. In addition, if you’ve got a certain colour curtain, it can work well to match this shade with your couch or even the throw pillows on the sofa.

Think About The Occupants Of The Space

family sofa

When choosing sofa colours, you should also consider the purpose of the space as well as who is going to be using it.

If you have children or pets, you might want to opt for a dark sofa. Naturally, you don’t want to spend a good chunk of money only to end up with a stained fabric that traps odours. For this reason, for those worried about mess and spillages in the home, it might be best to avoid a neutral colour, as well as white, cream and pastels.

It’s also a good idea to take into account the material of the sofa. In this case, choosing a sofa that’s easy to clean such as a leather sofa would likely be a better choice than a velour or velvet sofa, for example.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a sleek, minimalist room with a stark, white sofa that’s ok too – just as long as you don’t have pets that might be lying on the furniture or family members who like to eat their dinner in front of the television.

Choose A Sofa That Will Work Well In The Long Term

Buying a sofa is a big investment – and one that doesn’t always come cheap. When it comes to sofas, you really do get what you pay for. So, if you want something that’s going to stand the test of time, you should expect your budget to reflect this.

So, if you are buying a sofa for the long haul, this means you’ll want it to work well with numerous different colour schemes. It’s likely that you’ll be redecorating your living room or sitting room at least once during the time you live in your home. Therefore, if you’re not sure about your redecorating plans or don’t feel like the most confident designer, choosing versatile colours like grey, beige, cream and other natural tones. These colours tend to work well with any decor.

However, if you’re a seasoned designer or have a real knack when it comes to interior design, you can be bold with your colour choice. Also, don’t forget, you can always update your throw pillows, cushions and other soft furnishings to match a new colour theme if you decide to redecorate.

Conclusion

grey sofa with colourful pillows

At this point, you should have a better idea about how to choose a sofa colour for your living area. Just remember to choose a design style in order to look for inspiration, build a colour palette that includes your wall, floor and room items, as well as thinking about how the space will be used and how it might be redecorated in future.

By following all of these steps, you simply can’t go wrong! Now you can start your search for the perfect sofa!

Match a Sofa Shape to Your Room

How to Match a Sofa Shape to Your Room

How to Match a Sofa Shape to Your Room

When it comes to choosing a sofa, you’ll likely be thinking about the colour and the material in order to make the best decision. However, you will also need to think about its size and how to match a sofa shape to your room so it fits your needs and style. Remember, ‘Shape’ refers to not only the number of seats on a chair as well as the width and dimensions but also the shape of the design itself including the backboard, the arms and the cushions. With this in mind, there are lots of options you can choose from – but how can you narrow them down?

In order to help you make the best use of your space and choose the best sofa shape for your living room or any other area in your home, here are our best tips.

Consider Living Room Size

man measuring
Measuring A Room Size For A Sofa

To match a sofa shape to your room you will firstly need to think about the size of your living room in order to choose the most appropriate sofa shape for the space. For example, if you have a large, open plan area, you might want to think about an excellent show-stopping corner sofa or U-shape model, or another type of sectional option such as a modular sofa. In larger living rooms, you’re naturally able to use larger pieces of furniture and add additional seating options without this feeling out of proportion in terms of the room size.

For smaller living areas, a large L- or U-shaped chair would take up too much room and become an unnecessary focus. With this example, you want all of the furniture in the space to feel natural, without competing to stand out. So, you’ll probably want to choose a love seat, a 3-seater sofa, or even smaller armchairs to add extra places to sit.

Think About the Flow of the Room

When designers talk about the ‘flow’ of a room, they are talking about the way that people will move about in and interact with the space. Instead of just placing furniture randomly, you should walk through the room and try to work out if anything feels cramped or out of place.

For example, you wouldn’t put a chair close to a doorway, as this creates an abrupt stopping point as soon as you enter a room. As another example, if you wanted to add a dining area to your living room, you probably wouldn’t set this up in the middle of the space. Instead, it would be better to put this type of furniture off to the side or at the back of the room. This is because when you think about how occupants will interact with the room itself, their primary focus will be sitting and relaxing. Then, they might move through the space to reach a dining area.

The concept of ‘flow’ is particularly relevant for a large living room with an open plan layout as in this case, it makes sense to split the room up into different areas with transitions that flow with one another.

Consider the Purpose of the Room

woman lying on couch
Person Listening To Music On Fabric Sofa

When choosing a sofa shape, you should also consider the purpose of the room itself. For rooms that need extra seating, you’ll probably be purchasing a four-seater, or a five-seater couch, or some combination of mixed larger and smaller chairs.

If you’re likely to be hosting guests, you could choose a sofa with a built-in bed or a convertible futon. This will ensure that you have plenty of sleeping options for anyone who might be staying over.

As another example, if you are a family with small children you probably won’t want to choose a sofa shape that includes wood panelling as this could be dangerous to tiny heads.

Alternatively, you could be purchasing furniture for another room outside of your living area. For offices, you might want a standard two or three-seater sofa to provide seating for a client or an armchair for reading.

Find Your Signature Style

In addition to the shape of your sofa in terms of the number of seats and size, you should also think about the shape of your sofa in terms of design. You can then match different designs to different style living rooms.

Some different types of sofas that suit different interior design styles include:

  • Cabriole sofas – Cabriole sofas come with ornate wood panelling and a distinct frame shape that is perfect for traditional or lavish living rooms that want to add a touch of class or romance.
  • Chesterfields – Chesterfield sofas are large and uniformly rectangle with high arm rests. This option works well for a traditional British country style living room – think Victorian old-world features such as dark mahogany and wood panelling.
  • Lawsons and Love seats – Lawson sofas and smaller love seats add comfort and cosiness to any living room. So, if you’re looking for more of a cottage feel, one of these options with the addition of blankets and throw pillows would suit your design style.
  • Mid-century modern sofas – Mid century moderns are perfect for contemporary style living rooms with their signature shape that involves clean lines. Due to their symmetry they’re also ideal for a minimalist space where less is more.

Wrap Around a Coffee Table to Create a Focal Point

sofa and coffee table
Focal Point In Front Of Fabric Sofa

You should always use your furniture arrangement to create some kind of focal point within any room. A natural way to do this is to wrap your seating around a coffee table. Whether you have one chair with a coffee table in front of it, two sofas on either side of the table, or an L-shaped model with the table in the middle, this will create a comfortable hub in the middle of the living room.

Other ways to create a focal point include using a large area rug between two chairs, or directly in front of a sofa. This arrangement draws the eye to the centre of the room, which is a good design practice. Then, you can build outwards, filling the rest of the space with extra furniture such as console tables along the walls, bookcases and dressers.

Tips For Different Sofa Shapes

If you’re looking at a specific sofa shape and wondering how it might work with your living room, you should consider the following:

L-Shaped Sofas

Depending on the atmosphere you’re looking to create, L-shaped sofas work in both smaller square and rectangle rooms as well as large living rooms with less standard shapes such as an L-shape.

In a small, square living room, a smaller L-shape sofa or chaise would fit nicely along the back wall or in the corner as long as it is not so large that it dominates the space. In a larger or open plan area, L-shape sofas can be used to separate the room for different purposes.

Chaise Sofas

Chaise sofas work well in smaller living rooms or add an extra seating area for a larger or open plan space. For example, you could create a separate reading area in a nook or corner of the living room by including a chaise, a bookcase and a table with a reading lamp.

A stunning Chaise sofa is also a great addition to bedrooms when used at the end of the bed. You can also achieve the same effect with a daybed type sofa.

U-Shaped Sofas

U-shaped sofas are suited to much larger rooms. They’re designed to be a real focal point as they naturally draw the eye to the middle of the U. For this reason, you probably wouldn’t want to put a U-shaped sofa in a corner or side of the room as this will lead to an asymmetrical and unbalanced feel.

Single Sofas and Chairs

It’s likely you wouldn’t use an armchair or single-seater as your only couch option – even for the smallest living rooms. These types of seating, therefore, are great additions to existing chairs, especially when used to create a separate space with its own purpose. You could even add an armchair to a bedroom, library or office to add more comfort.

How to Mix and Match Different Sofas

brown leather sofa
Beautiful Brown Leather Sofa

Another thing you’ll need to consider is whether to match two types of the same couch or to mix different types of seating in one room. The option you choose will depend on the size of your living room as well as the design style and atmosphere you want to create.

Matching Chairs

Matching the same shaped chairs within the living room is a great way to achieve a cohesive, uniform aesthetic, especially when matching two couches with the same colour and fabric. It also creates a feeling of comfort and warmth.

With this in mind, try taking two matching sofas and having them face each other in the middle of the room with a table or rug in the middle. Alternatively, you could arrange them in a right-angled or wide-angled L-shape. This still keeps a focus at the centre of the room and keeps things symmetrical. For this reason, matching furniture is also a great option for minimalist spaces which focus on uniformity, clean lines and lack of clutter.

Mixing Different Shapes

However, you don’t just have to choose one type of chair shape. Sometimes, too much symmetry can look stifled and boring. So, don’t be afraid to make some bolder design choices when it comes to varying the shape of your furniture. A great 3 person sofa can be paired with an accent chair or even a small armchair.

If you have a square or rectangle room, you could use an L-shaped sofa with a round swivel one-seater at one corner, or even an armchair at the other end of the room for extra seating. You can also combine any sofa with a pouffe, or beanbags scattered around it to add an extra comfortable touch.

Other pairings that work well include a standard rectangular couch as the focal point of the living room, and a chaise lounge in another section of the space to create two distinct seating areas.

Mixing different types of sofas and chairs works particularly well for larger living rooms or L-shaped spaces as it is possible to create distinct sections with different atmospheres or purposes. However, it’s still achievable in smaller, square or rectangle living areas if you use armchairs and individual seating in addition to a multi-seat sofa.

Conclusion

sofa covered in sheet

So, there you have it – all of our best tips and ideas on how to match a sofa shape to your room.

Always remember to think about the size of the room, consider how the arrangement of the space flows, think about how many seats or features you need depending on the purpose of the room, and choose a shape that fits your interior design style. Now it’s time to look for your next sofa!

Favourite Cool Tone Sofas

The Top 5 Favourite Cool Tone Sofas From Our Collections

The Top 5 Favourite Cool Tone Sofas From Our Collections

Sometimes a trend gets it just right. These days you see cool tone sofas all over social media. Instagram influencers, huge TikTok stars, and more are all filling their homes with these beautiful sofas.

Greens and blues are inviting colours. They add a bit of calm to your home’s interior. Anything reminiscent of the great outdoors or clear skies sparks joy — but don’t get stuck in the endless cycle of brown, grey, tan, and black sofas that saturate the market. Have fun and embrace living in full colour!

We’ve compiled a list of our top cool-toned sofas guaranteed to complete your room and make it pop. Check them and pick your favourite today!

Amberley 3 seater sofa
A Teal Amberley 3 Seater Sofa

1) Amberley 3 Seater Sofa In Teal

Talk about style… this lush teal-green velvet cool tone sofa is dotted with deep buttoning. The golden arm studding will make your dream of Chesterfields. A homage to classic mid-century furniture, the green Amberley is a statement piece for any classic living room. 

What really sets this sofa apart is the stunning teal velvet wrapped around every arm of this beauty. Nothing comes close to the luxurious feeling of sinking into a velvet sofa, and this model certainly delivers that. So vibrant it almost glows in the dark, this luminescent sofa will be the centrepiece of your room.

Big enough to fit three, and comfortable enough to sneak a nap on, the green Amberley can really do it all while looking great!

Orla 3 Seater sofa
Grey Orla 3 Seater Fabric Sofa

2) Orla 3 Seater Sofa In Duck Egg

This chunky, simple seat is made for families that love to compete for the best spot on the sofa. Huge duck egg blue cushions provide plenty of room for joshing but wrap you up in a fabric hug too.

This is a cool tone sofa for modern living. Clean lines and gentle curves complete this compact design. Small enough to squeeze into tight spaces, yet roomy enough for three to fit comfortably, the Orla looks great when you have limited room. This is a no-fuss, straightforward option that will match all your current decor and help complete the picture.

The tough and durable fabric will stand up to years of lounging without ever wearing down its modern mint shade. The blue Orla 3 seater has a natural style that will feel at home in any home!

brackley corner sofa
The Duck Egg Brackley Corner Sofa

3) Brackley Large Duck Egg Corner Sofa

This sofa is made for the pile-on! This massive cool tone sofa is 148cm wide and 50cm deep, with room for the whole family or a big get-together.

The subtle duck egg blue is calming and peaceful for those households filled with busy chaos. The upholstery on this sofa is an extremely soft fabric that feels great, but with a strong sprung seat construction for extra support. The Brackley was made for lazy living rooms on rainy weekends.

A corner sofa provides excellent interior design inspiration — think beyond just tucking it against two walls. Corner furniture pieces can act as centrepieces for gathering around a fire or large picture frame window: the TV does not have to be the focal point of the room.

Trust the big Brackley corner sofa to bring the family together!

bampton corner chaise sofa
A Teal Bampton Corner Chaise Sofa

4) Bampton Corner Chaise Teal Green Sofa

Do you dream of an elegant green chaise lounge? The Bampton cool tone sofa is here to deliver on your fantasies. A mix of sleek luxe style and classic design, you’ll find ultimate comfort on this sofa.

This velvet wonder is stunning and well proportioned, yet small enough to fit in most living rooms. This is one of our most popular options, and for good reason: it’s everything you could ask for in one stunning package. Silky-smooth, this is a winner with the whole family. The excellent cushions are prime for both fort-building and a movie night in for mum and dad.

The green velvet sparkles in the sunshine and is nearly luminescent. The modern shape provides ample room to stretch your legs all the way out and feel like you are floating on an elegant velvet cloud.

Knowle 2 Seater sofa
Duck Egg Knowle 2 Seater Sofa

5) Knowle 2 Seater In Duck Egg

Made for couples, the blue Knowle 2 Seater sofa will be your new favourite spot to cuddle up with your partner, best friend, or pet! 

The understated shade of blue is elegant and sophisticated. It will match without clashing with your current room setup and still add a fresh breath of bright colour.

This cool tone sofa features a simple design and smooth curves that begin to relax you before you even take a seat on the ultra-soft cushions.

Our Knowle 2 seater blue sofa is here for you after a long day of work settle down and let your worries melt away into its plump pillows and cushions.

Savannah Emerald Chenille Cocktail Chair
Sacannah Emerald Chenille Chair

6) Honorable Mention — Savannah Emerald Chenille Cocktail Chair

A living room needs plenty of interior furniture to feel lived-in and cosy, so make sure to add enough furniture pieces beyond your statement sofa. Get experimenting with chairs, throws, blankets, and art — all opportunities to add different shades of green and fully embrace this trend!

While not a sofa, the emerald green shade of the Savannah Chenille Cocktail Chair deserves the highest praise. This cocktail chair exudes swanky style but puts comfort first. A strong webbed seat construction gives firm support for hours of relaxing without risk of back pain.

A green chair is a perfect accent to your statement sofa. Tie the room together with the emerald Savannah Chenille!

Find Your New Favourite Today At Chill Sofas

After all this inspiration, are you ready to commit to green? A cool tone sofa can change your living room and make it a space for thriving. 

Your furniture tells your story — so, be bold, go green, go blue, jump on this interior design bandwagon. Chill Sofas has all the in-demand cool tone sofa options on the market, including the perfect choice for your living room. Shop today and take home more than just a piece of furniture, but a spot for fun, dreams, family time, and more!

Bampton Corner Sofa

What Colours Go With a Grey Sofa? A Basic Guide

What Colours Go With a Grey Sofa? A Basic Guide

grey sofa with colourful pillows
A Grey Fabric Sofa With Colourful Pillows

Aside from bold, eye-catching colours for furniture like burgundy, jade, and coral, grey is often overlooked. But it’s not just the midway point between white and black. 

Like all the major colours, grey comes in a wildly diverse range of shades, tints, textures, temperatures, and feels. For this reason, it makes an excellent shade for sofas

Unlike those other flashy, visually arresting colours, a grey sofa is well-suited to complement and contrast. It can be used as a neutral template to lavish a vivid tableau of accent pillows, throws, and table ornaments. But it can just as easily stand as a strong piece of statement furniture at the centre of a room.

The key to designing a visual scheme around a grey sofa is knowing what colours it pairs with. Follow this guide for the four best options:

Warming Effect: Mustard Yellow

Amberly 3 Seater sofa
The Amberley 3 Seater Sofa

For a fresh, young, and stylish design, try pairing the sofa with accent items in millennials’ favourite colour, mustard yellow. This particular shade brings you the attention-grabbing pop of yellow, the loudest colour in the rainbow, but cuts down on the abrasiveness.

Mustard yellows are achieved by mixing yellow with brown, which brings them squarely within muted schemes and earth tone schemes. If the mustard you choose is lighter, complement it with rich, chocolatey brown furniture. If the shade of mustard is darker, lean into the earthiness with a faded bamboo green.

Yellow pairs so well because the two are perfect complements. Yellow brings out the brightness in a grey sofa, while that colour gives a depth and sturdiness back to yellow.

Clean and Calm: White

Grantley 3 Seater
The Cream Grantley 3 Seater

If you are looking to make your breakfast room or bedroom a place of peace and tranquillity, try pairing your grey sofa with white. 

Remember that these shades are on the same spectrum, so they naturally resonate in the eye. When you pair silvery furniture with black, you bring out a latent menace and mystery inherent in its darker tones. But white transforms the colour into an oasis of calm.

White and grey are perfect tones to design a space used for relaxing conversations, afternoon naps, or even therapy sessions. In tandem, they evoke restfulness, conjuring images of crisp white linens and worn cotton hanging on the line.

You can’t go wrong with a white knitted blanket or large white area rug. 

Timeless Elegance: Navy

Radley  corner sofa
The Radley Corner Sofa In Charcoal

For those with class and elegance in mind, fill out space around your grey sofa with navy and other deep blue furniture. 

Deep blues, like whites, have a calming effect, but where whites encourage tranquillity, blue provokes solace and contemplation. Shades like cobalt, royal blue, and above all, navy work best for a sitting or dining room, where more formal affairs take place, and the furniture is more angular than squishy soft.

Like grey, navy blue is often used as a base upon which to build more elaborate designs. Other colours that go well with navy blue are plum, hearty chestnut and leather, and mustard yellow. 

Blue evokes references to the sky and the sea, inspiring meditative thoughts of life. When you pair your grey sofa with navy throw pillows or accent objects atop side furniture, you bring a timeless elegance to the space.

Go For a Bold Color Pop: Pinks and Purples

Amberly 3 Seater
The Amberley 3 Seater Sofa

Up to now, each suggestion has reached for style, elegance, and visual satisfaction. Now for the wild card.

If you really want to take a space from drab to fab, accentuate your grey sofa with rich, vibrant, and vivacious shades of pink and purple. Magenta, in particular, works well with light grey couches, especially if they’re made from velvet and not fabric. 

Utilize the base tone of the couch to anchor the space, providing a backdrop for limitless design experimentation. Shades of pink and purple evoke fruit, tropical flowers, and exotic creatures that mix stateliness with exuberance to an intoxicating degree.

The best way to design with pinks and purples is with flowers, whether fresh or artificial.

Last Word: Pay Attention to Materials

When it comes to the design of a room, furniture materials are everything. Whether your sofa comes in leather, velvet, or some kind of fabric, materials totally determine your design possibilities. 

Think of it like this: colours set the look, and materials set the feel. Guests who see and sit on a leather couch with velvet-covered pillows are going to have a wildly different sensory experience than guests who see and sit on a linen couch with cotton covered pillows.

Determine what you want the space to be used for before you set out picking furniture. Fortunately, grey is one of the most versatile colours in the world, so you can’t go wrong in starting there. 

X
Add to cart