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.
Table of Contents
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
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
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
- Luxurious crushed velvet
- Three colours available: black, silver, and mink
- Matching scatter-back cushions included
- Foam seat filling with fibre wrap
- Fibre backfilling
3. Putney 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
- Larger than comparatively small sofas but remains compact
- Subtle yet effective
- Durable, sturdy design
- Foam seat filling with fibre wrap
- Fibre backfilling
4. 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
- Classic, scroll arm design
- Wooden feet add durability
- Minimalistic but effective, cosy design
- Foam seat filling with fibre wrap
- Fibre backfilling
5. 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
- Sleek faux leather design available in black or brown
- Sturdy wooden feet
- Studded lining with deep buttoning
- Foam seat filling with fibre wrap
- 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
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.
