Purchasing a new couch is exciting—it’s often the centerpiece of your living space, setting the tone for comfort, style, and function. However, one often overlooked aspect of couch shopping is ensuring it fits perfectly within your room’s scale. So we've provided our guide on how to plan for room scale when purchasing your next couch.
Measure Your Space
Before you even think about color, fabric, or style, it’s crucial to know the exact dimensions of your living space.
Here’s what to do:
Measure the Room
Use a tape measure to determine the length, width, and height of your living room. Note any architectural features like windows, doors, and fireplaces that will influence where the couch can go.
Consider Room Traffic
Measure the pathways your family or guests will use to move through the room. Ensure there is enough space for easy navigation even when the couch is in place.
Understand Proportions
A couch that is too big can overwhelm a small room, while one that’s too small can make a large room feel empty and uninviting.
Scale and Proportion
Compare the size of the couch to the scale of the room. As a general rule, your couch should not consume more than a third of the room’s width.
Seat Depth and Height
Make sure the depth and height of the couch fit comfortably within your room. Tall-back couches may dominate a space, making it feel cramped, while low-back couches can add to a clean, minimalist look.
Create a Floor Plan
Visualizing how your couch will look in the room can be greatly aided by creating a detailed floor plan:
Manual Drawing or Software
Use graph paper or a room design app to sketch your room, including windows, doors, and other furniture.
Furniture Templates
Cut out scaled templates of your couch and other furniture pieces to arrange on your floor plan. This will help you see how everything fits together.
Consider Multi-Functional Furniture
If your room is on the smaller side, you might need furniture that can serve multiple purposes:
Sofa Beds
A sofa bed can be a practical solution if you frequently have overnight guests.
Sectionals
Sectionals can be rearranged to fit different spaces, providing flexibility as your room’s needs change over time.
Storage Sofas
Look for couches with built-in storage to help keep your living space organized without overwhelming it with additional furniture.
All of our Couch sets are sectionals with built-in storage, check them out here!
Scale in Context
Consider the other elements in the room:
Balance
Make sure there’s a balance between the couch and other furniture. A massive couch paired with tiny chairs can seem mismatched.
Rug Size
Ensure your rug is appropriately sized to anchor the space. Ideally, a rug should be large enough for all major pieces of furniture in the seating area to rest on it at least partially.
Test Fit Before You Buy
Once you have a potential couch in mind, do a test fit:
Painter’s Tape
Use painter’s tape to outline the couch dimensions on your floor. This helps you visualize its placement and gauge the flow of space around it.
Height Measurements
Stack boxes or books to approximate the height of the couch back to ensure it doesn’t obstruct views or crowd windows.
Style and Comfort
Finally, consider the style and comfort relative to the scale:
Cushion Firmness
Softer cushions might spread when sat on, consuming more space.
Design Aesthetics
Pick a couch that matches both visually and dimensionally with the other elements in your room.
Planning for room scale when purchasing a couch requires a bit of preparation but ensures your living space is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. By measuring your room, understanding proportions, creating a detailed floor plan, considering multi-functional furniture, observing scale in context, and testing the fit before buying, you will be poised to make a purchase that enhances your home’s overall design.
At LA Couch Co., we ensure our couches meet these guidelines, so you don't have to worry about making the right choice. Browse our collection now and find the perfect couch that fits your room's scale and style. Happy couch hunting!