How to style around a couch

There are many furniture pieces to consider when designing a living room but one item should always be at the top of your list – the couch. Designed for relaxing and lounging, a couch provides you with a sense of comfort, making it an essential part of any living room. But sometimes the seemingly most simple pieces can be the hardest to style.

The sofa is a classic living room seating style and with plenty of sofa trends to choose from this year, it’s never been easier to create a cozy yet sophisticated setup. But, it can be tricky to work out exactly how to style around such a dominating piece with so many other decor elements to consider.

On a mission to nail our living room layouts, we’ve spoken to interior design experts who have revealed the ultimate ways to style around a couch however big or small.

Table of Contents

1. Consider lighting

teal living room with pale pink couch, plum footstool, cream drapes, floor lamp, plant, artwork, antique style rug

(Image credit: Russian For Fish)

A living room is supposed to feel inviting and cozy, it’s a space made for relaxing at all times of the day, so to create a truly serene space, you’ll want to consider lighting. Living room lighting is particularly important when styling a sofa as it will create pockets of warmth around the area, making the piece feel part of a collected scheme.

You’ll first want to consider where you’ll place your sofa, and then you can move on to the exact lighting style that suits its positioning. ‘To foster a sense of relaxation in your living room, it’s important to pay careful attention to the lighting surrounding your sofa. If your sofa is up against a wall, strategically placing wall lights on either side will accentuate the sofas and act as a centerpiece in the room, creating ambient flow and fostering a feeling of coziness,’ says Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of homeware brand Industville.

Whether you’re opting for a lamp, sconce, or pendant, make sure to consider their positioning, acknowledging the sofa’s height. ‘You don’t want them to shine too brightly onto the sofa or create unwanted glare in your eyeline. Alternatively, if your sofa is away from the walls, use a side table with a lamp to illuminate this zone and make it feel cozy.’ says Mara.

2. Lay down a rug

green painted living room, with large fireplace, blue armchair and green patterned rug

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Rugs are the perfect way to bring some variety and interest to an otherwise plain floor. They’re often texturally interesting and can spruce up an empty area with their heightened ply.

‘A well-chosen rug can instantly elevate the feel of a sofa area and is one of the simplest ways to reinvigorate your home. Handcrafted designs will add warmth and character while choosing a rug made from natural materials such as wool or jute will ground furnishings and create coziness underfoot. Finish the look by adding a coordinating wool pouf for another textural touch that doubles as a practical footrest,’ says Mara.

Sometimes an overlooked component, there are plenty of living room rug styles out there making them a super easy piece to decorate with. A large woven rug can be slipped right underneath the couch, blending the piece with the rest of the room and preventing unwanted floor scratches. Or, for a less all-encompassing look, try a fluffy faux sheepskin rug that will add texture and softness that matches the plushness of the sofa.

3. Add a pouf or ottoman

A cream-painted living, naturally lit, with a large white soft sofa and a large red padded ottoman with books piled on top

(Image credit: Rowen & Wren)

Although a couch will fulfill your daily seating needs, you’ll likely require some extra seating when guests visit. This is when handy ottoman ideas come in. Often used as a stool or for storage, ottomans are compact pieces that can help create unity between the sofa and the living room.

‘An ottoman or upholstered footstool with a tray placed on top is a great styling addition to your sofa setup, that gives you the added benefit of an extra seat when needed,’ says Kellie Wyles, Head of Upholstery at DFS. ‘If you’re looking to maximize storage to hide living room clutter, go for a storage ottoman with a hidden compartment under the upholstered top. For the best of both, opt for a storage stool where the lid can also be flipped over and replaced to reveal a hard surface that acts as a tray for drinks and snacks.’

‘A beautifully styled coffee table or ottoman is essential for anchoring the space’, says Laura Lubin of Ellerslie Interiors. ‘Choose one that complements the sofa in scale and material. A wooden or marble coffee table adds refinement, while an ottoman can double as both a functional piece and a soft, elegant addition.’

Whether you match your ottoman to your sofa using the same upholstery fabric or create cohesion through color, ottomans can make the sometimes dominating sofa feel less stark, serving as a friendly little companion.

Safford Square Woven Outdoor/ Indoor Pouf

Olivia Ottoman

Upholstered Pouf By Kelly Clarkson Home

4. Hang a mirror or some wall art

Pink living room with wallpaper border, blue sofa and pink lacquer side table

(Image credit: Sofology)

It’s easy to neglect the wall surrounding your sofa due to the size of the piece. Although you may think there’s enough going on already, hanging some wall art or a statement mirror above your sofa will make the area feel cohesive and considered.

‘The wall behind your sofa is prime real estate for a statement-making focal point,’ says interior designer Nina Lichtenstein. ‘Consider a large-scale piece of artwork, a curated gallery wall, or an oversized mirror to reflect light and make the space feel larger. For a polished look, ensure the art is centered above the couch and positioned at eye level.’

‘The area surrounding the sofa should reflect your personal style’, says Laura. ‘Art plays a big role in this. Consider placing a bold piece of art or a series of smaller framed pieces above the sofa. Sculptural objects or vases with fresh or dried flowers can be placed on side tables to add character and interest.’

Decorating with art doesn’t have to be scary, you can match your painting to the color scheme of your living room or go bold by creating a gallery wall that surrounds your sofa.

5. Introduce a coffee or side table

Colorful living room with patterned pillows, beige sofa, tree wall art and zebra print rug

(Image credit: Gray Walker/ Julia Lynn)

Although aesthetics play an important part in styling your couch, you should always consider functionality too. Coffee tables do a great job of holding your most reached-for items while unifying the pieces scattered around the perimeters of the living room.

‘A thoughtfully chosen side table is both practical and visually appealing. Whether you go for a sleek modern design, a vintage-inspired piece, or a rustic wooden table, it should complement your sofa while serving as a surface for books, candles, or a stylish table lamp. A round or oval shape softens the space, while a square or rectangular table adds structure.’ says Nina.

Coffee tables can be placed according to the position of your sofa. If your sofa is pushed against the wall, you’ve likely got ample space for a table in the center of the room. Or if you’re tight on space, small side tables work just as well, acting as vessels to hold everyday items while accessorizing the plain arm of a sofa.

6. Add touches of greenery

Neutral living room with wooden beams, white linen sofa, wooden glass coffee table and large potted plant

(Image credit: Nina Lichtenstein/ Brian Madden )

A vibrant contrast to reflect against the sofa, greenery is an easy finishing touch that almost always makes a room feel well-designed. Whether you choose a large potted palm or a vibrant philodendron, feng shui plants can bring a sense of calm through their freshness.

‘Nothing elevates a space quite like plants. Whether it’s a potted tree beside the sofa, flowering branches in a vase behind the couch, a trailing vine on a nearby shelf, or a small vase with fresh flowers on the coffee table, greenery adds a natural, refreshing element to the space. Choose plants that thrive in your home’s lighting conditions, and opt for decorative planters that complement your overall aesthetic,’ says Nina.

These designer-approved ideas show that even the most statement sofas can be styled seamlessly into a room. But (and perhaps most importantly) always consider the position of your sofa before incorporating your additional, smaller decor to create a truly cohesive living room.

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