Are you thinking about adding a sectional sofa to your living room? Whether you choose an “L” shaped or a “U” shaped sectional, you will be pleased with how versatile and functional it is.
However, since sectional sofas are such large pieces of furniture, you might be wondering how to adjust your living room decor so it will welcome your new purchase.
Below, you will find seven sectional sofa decorating ideas and a few living room layout ideas.
Idea #1: Choose a sectional sofa in a neutral colour
Unless you have fallen in love with a sectional in a bold colour and you are sure it will look great in your current living room decor, it would be a better idea to go for a neutral colour.
Sectional sofas are large, and it would be easy to feel overwhelmed by a huge sofa in a bold colour or repeating patterns. On the other hand, neutral colours such as grey and beige are timeless. They can easily be integrated into any type of decor from a furniture store.
Idea #2: Decorate your living room with the right layout
Where and how you position your sectional in your living room will make all the difference.
If your living room is quite small, place your sectional sofa against a wall, which will help you save some floor space. However, if you have a huge living room, you should consider placing your sectional at least a few feet away from the wall so it will truly occupy the space.
Different layouts are possible for your sectional. If your living room is a cozy space where you gather with family and friends to watch TV, relax and share conversations, place your sectional in the corner of the room, facing the TV.
If your home has an open layout, you could, on the other hand, use your sectional as a room divider, and create a division between your living room area and the rest of the space. If this is the type of layout you need, you can create a more inviting living room area by placing a large area rug under your sectional.
Idea #3: Pick a living room colour scheme and some patterns
With a sectional in a neutral colour, it’s easy to get creative with the rest of your decor. Look at the colour scheme in your living room, or pick a few colours you like to create a new scheme.
Then, add some colours, patterns and textures to your decor with pillows, throw blankets, rugs, artwork, and other decorative items.
Idea #4: Decorate a sectioanl sofa with throw pillows
Sectionals generally have a deeper seat than normal couches. If you don’t decorate your sectional sofa with plenty of pillows, it will look empty and bland. But how many pillows do you need?
You could place three pillows on each end of your sectional or place two on each end, and a set of 3 in the middle, for example.
Here are a few ideas you could consider:
- Get pillows in a few complementary bold colours to help make your sectional the focal point of the room.
- Get pillows in different patterns and shapes to create an eclectic look, and add more depth to your sectional.
- If you have pillows in different sizes, place the biggest ones in the back and smaller pillows in front of them.
- If you have a special pillow that you want to highlight, place it in the middle of a small grouping. Be sure it sits in front of its pillow companions.
- For more fun and bohemian look, forget about symmetry and place your pillows wherever and however you like.
Idea #5: Pair your sectional sofa with an ottoman
Do you have an “L” shaped sectional but sometimes wish you could have a “U” shaped one? Simply pair your sectional with an ottoman so you will have an extra seat with a spot to put your feet up.
Your ottoman could be the same colour as your sectional, or it could be of a different colour to create some contrast.
Idea #6: Hang statement art above your sectional sofa
Since your sectional sofa is large, it would be odd to decorate the wall above it with just a small mirror, painting, or framed photograph. Of course, you could create a gallery with different pictures grouped. But you could also make a statement with a large piece of art.
It could be a large painted canvas, a gigantic wall clock, a huge mirror with an ornate frame, or an asymmetrical sculpture.
The wall behind your sectional will become the focal point of the room.
Idea #7: Install a shelf to place decorative items
Finally, if you don’t want a large piece of art, you could install a shelf above your sectional. You can then use it to display books, vases, photos, and other decorative items.
Whenever you feel like updating your decor, you can place different objects on your shelf to keep things interesting.