Don't throw your big sofa out, this is how you make it fit

Author: Jo Simmons

A big sofa invites you to stretch out and relax, but do you have the space for one? If you always assumed that your home simply couldn’t accommodate a comfy corner design or a long three-seater, think again.

Sometimes redesigning the space will yield a possible location for a super-comfy couch. Other times it’s just a question of finding a design that delivers on comfort but sits lightly in the space.

These stylish rooms offer smart tricks and inspiration for fitting the sofa of your choice into the space available.

Fill the space
Small, individual pieces in a little room can make it feel cramped and cluttered. Bigger pieces that generously fill the footprint are often a better bet, delivering comfort and defying the small dimensions.

Here, a large corner sofa and a big ottoman unapologetically dominate this compact living room, sending the message that this is a space in which to stretch out and relax.

Consolidate the storage
Still think you don’t have space for a big sofa? Maybe your other furniture is to blame. Individual pieces of storage take up space and can make a small room feel cluttered. Instead, concentrating all the storage on one wall of shelves and cabinets keeps the rest of the room clear for a decent-size sofa.

This image also illustrates how cosy a stuffed small room can feel. This is a compact living space, but rather than furnish it with skinny pieces or strive for a minimal look, the owners have embraced the more-is-more approach. There’s a big sofa and an armchair and a coffee table. It’s full, but who cares when the room looks this homey and inviting?

Build in benches
Take inspiration from the tight dimensions of a boat or a yacht, and install built-in benches for sofas. A simple bench can be created to fit into any space and will happily accommodate a room’s awkward angles.

You can also incorporate storage below, accessed via a lift-up seat. Plenty of cushions against the wall take the place of a bulky sofa back.

Extend a two-seater
Perhaps you do have space only for a two-seater sofa. Don’t despair. Shop around for two-seaters with benefits, which offer more than the standard design would. This compact model extends outward, giving a generous feel.

Consider having an ottoman made in matching or complementary fabric and fitting that into the L-shape. With a tray on top, it can become a coffee table, for use on a comfy night in for two, but it will also work well as a perch when you’re in less of a lounging mood. Move it to the armless end of the sofa, and it will also extend the seating area.

Find innovative furniture
The sofa in this tiny studio flat is wonderfully generous because an ingenious pull-down bed leaves the floor space free for seating.

Find a modular sofa bed

Bed and sofa don’t compete for space here. Instead, the bed can be pulled down at night, fitting neatly over the big sofa. In design parlance, that’s known as the best of both worlds.