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susanmonachino

Patterned sofas in small spaces

10 years ago

Took the summer to redo this entire '80's room ourselves - remove popcorn ceiling, remove brick fireplace surround, new floor, paint, and did the crown moulding myself.

There were originally TWO identical sofas - one on each wall. Kids moved out and took one.

Imagine all furniture seen in room picture is dumped. Please comment on attached photo of potential new sofa and whether two identical sofas like this would work in this space. Need to maximize seating.



Comments (55)

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    showing us the rest of the room would help.

    S M thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    Could possible do settee and ottoman ..... or one chair .... I am SO very limited in space I don't know if two chairs would fit, there is a bump out on the other wall - to make matters worse.

    Doing the best I can to maximize seating. We really spend all our time in this room - both myself and husband like to flake out in here at night...thank you for your help. More pics attached.

    (P.S. existing chair temporary - used to be exact same sofa, as I mentioned.)


  • 10 years ago

    sectional in fabric of sofa? So stymied....

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    was this meant to be a dining room or parlor?

    S M thanked User
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    yes a sectional then one chair over by the window.

    S M thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    Not dining room as we removed the wall to the dining room and m.... expanded the kitchen .

    No room for chair by window - see attached pic - cuts into flow of traffic.

    Nonetheless, my house makes me happy - and I back onto a park - see attached. Also getting that window replaced . I am trying to best work with what I have.

    Would the fabric on the sofa work with a sectional? I so love the fabric.

    Does the bumpout on the one wall basically dictate a sectional? Sincere thanks for your advice.


  • PRO
    10 years ago

    ok now we have a full scope of the room! yes to a sectional its really a good option for this.

    and yes you can float a chair in front of that opening. cozy the room up from being long space.

    S M thanked User
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    that looks the the high school soccer field where i grew up! almost the same look!

    S M thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    I like the sofa. I think it might look best with one patterned and one in a coordinating solid.

    S M thanked calidesign
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    i agree with trying to float the sofa. I think the poster is scared to float things in the room...

    S M thanked User
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Two solid colored sofas would be better with patterned throw pillows. You'll be able to swap out accents at will in the future. It will be much easier in the long run.

    S M thanked Gray & Walter, Ltd.
  • 10 years ago

    Sincere thanks for comments. Mentally exhausted from this conundrum. pcmom1, I will float the sofa directly in front of the fireplace and then post a photo. flair lighting, you are right, floating furniture is right now like looking at things upside down, for me, but I promise to try it. My fear is blocking pathways into and out of the room.

    If there's one thing this site has taught me it is to furnish/decorate to make myself happy, and the patterned sofa makes me soooo happy, with the classic print being replicated in the stone mantel that is brand new (previously that was a full wall of brick that I painstakingly chiseled off and used drywall compound to repair, sand many times and repaint. Labour of love).

    Thank you, I will try floating and post pics tomorrow.

  • 10 years ago
    I would do one sofa in front of the fireplace pulled away from it as far as you can and then two marching chairs, one on each side of soda angled to look at the fireplace wall. do the pattern sofa and solid chairs with throw pillows.
  • 10 years ago
    I agree one sofa, but perhaps more streamlined with smaller arms, no skirt, legs showing to give some visual space to your room. I would not clutter it up with a sectional and matching ottoman. It will engulf your room. Try to keep things lighter and open. A three seater sofa in a beautiful neutral fabric such as linen or sunbrella,I'm afraid you may tire of that little pattern you like, and then jazz things up with a pair of colorful chairs in a fun pattern or geometric print flanking the fireplace.
  • 10 years ago
    This is a duplicate post. I believe the OP has purchased two identical sofas. Do you want to return them and are asking for advice?
  • 10 years ago

    SandyC, on Thursday I ordered the two sofas above to be custom made on Thursday (as I said in the post), and am second guessing before it is too late to modify the order, either:

    1. change order to second sofa that is plain fabric,

    2. one sofa only in pattern and the matching settee and/or chair and/or ottoman, or

    3. a sectional that was our second choice with/without a different fabric.

    My question is only if the sofa print indicated above, when perpendicular to the identical print, is too busy in a small space.

    I thought this is what I asked in the post.

    Following my original post the thread took on different twists and turns, including being told the merits of having an interior designer. All due respect to the experts, just hoping for some insight at the 11th hour.

  • 10 years ago
    Got it. From which vendor were they ordered? Usually if a designer has ordered you custom and you have payed a deposit, it is not easy to change.
    Or are you referring to a semi custom order such as a retail store that offers various choices of styles, fabrics, sizes etc.?
    Sorry for the unwanted advice, lol.
    S M thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    Love the fabric, but very busy for your small space. How about two loveseats in cream chenille with the busy fabric for pillows. Much more versatile if you decide to change it up. Make the busy in the accents too.

    S M thanked suzyq53
  • 10 years ago

    No designer - I go to manufacturers showroom, browse and make selections, then deal with exclusive retailer. Gave deposit Thursday night at closing - saleswoman next in tomorrow (Sunday) - so I figure, small window of opportunity.

    And as well as dealing with all the truly lovely and helpful people on this site, I gotta negotiate with hubby (whose already lost out on getting leather ;), and believe me, he ain't a 'floater'). But when married 27 years, learn to compromise......I digress.

    As of this moment, I can't turn my back on the gorgeous camelback sofa, so must go sofa rather than sectional. Though I thank flair lighting tremendously for time spent in photoshop, and holding my hand through this process.

    I'm thinking one sofa patterned fabric (I love the fabric tooo much), and an adjacent identical sofa, in a solid matching moss green. Then, I interchange the sofa cushions, to 'break up' appearance. I then buy a slim but plush storage ottoman with same colours different pattern.

    I risk that the sofa's may look like "frick and frack", at a glance. (Egads)

    Lastly, I thought this site was to pose 'design dilemmas' to an interested community of both layman and professional. With all due respect to all professional carpenters, flooring, painters, and interior decorators, there is tremendous satisfaction and learning when in doing it oneself. A little chagrined at the PRO in the other post, versus the PRO's here who kindly chimed in.


  • 10 years ago

    I like the sofa you show. I would get two the same - both in the pattern you love. Then do pillows in solid jewel tones to brighten things up. I would go a little glam with a mirrored coffee table. Long linen drapes in solid off white and a white furry rug.

    S M thanked ashtonchic
  • 10 years ago

    I like your current sofa as much as the considered one, just 2 cents.... the floor seems fairly rustic, is it? I agree that the pattern is small-ish.

    S M thanked everdebz
  • 10 years ago

    I like pillows/ change look easily:

    Velvet Pillow, Pink · More Info

    S M thanked everdebz
  • 10 years ago

    I would favor the matching sofas. As per the first photo, you could move the sofa a bit closer to the fireplace and then put the end table in the corner. Then, put the second sofa so that it creates an "L" shape with the table in the corner and the other sofa.

    S M thanked sheilaskb
  • 10 years ago

    But on a solid:

    Flower Power Decorative Pillow · More Info

  • 10 years ago
    If you have to get two sofas, get two the same. I think it has been said, it is best to stay with neutrals for the main pieces. I think you will tire of that tiny pattern.
    One great neutral sofa and two chairs will give you more options for furniture placement.
    If you have already placed the order, shall we end this post?
    S M thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    Yes me must end this post - placing order this morning. I have agonized enough. If possible, I will post a photo in ten weeks of how it all turns out. Thank you to all. What a great website and community.

  • 10 years ago

    I'm hoping you kept the patterned sofa-love it & went with a solid w/out switching cushions on them.

    S M thanked tooky58
  • 10 years ago

    hope it turns out well

    S M thanked Lola Gnat
  • 10 years ago

    Yes, hope it all turns out. I do like the pattern on the sofa. Are you planning to put a rug down? How about a solid colour soft shag that will fit under legs of both sofas and soften contrast between sofa pattern and flooring pattern? Your wood floors are beautiful!

    S M thanked mfundarek
  • 10 years ago

    I will post pics when the room is done (8 weeks). Thank you to all of you lovely people, for your time. Yes planning on a off white shag rug as someone suggested. Thank you for the comment on the wood floors! So easily done and a relatively cheap upgrade, I recommend to everyone! It's a floating, click system, in a scraped hickory, on sale at Home Depot $86/box - only 6 boxes. Nice cork underlay. Do all the work ourselves to save $$$.

  • 10 years ago

    Thanks for the tip, telling how it went. Looks nice.

    S M thanked everdebz
  • 10 years ago

    Love the sofa! Make it 2!! Put them across from each other, perpendicular from the fireplace, which will make it cozy. Add yellow accent pillows!!!

    S M thanked csheridan816
  • 10 years ago

    I DID, csheridan! I made it 2! (wicked me....) (YOLO!)

    Pics when sofas come in - they are being made....

  • 10 years ago

    GIRL - You got it goin' on!!!!!

  • 10 years ago

    Visited your website, and Holy Cr*p Vanguard, if I ever win the lottery you can def do my loft in NYC. LOOOOVE Guns & Roses decor...

  • 10 years ago

    Don't fall into the trap of getting a sectional -- they seriously limit where you can place your sofa. As much as I do like the current sofa, its color blends into the (very nice) neutral wall color almost too well so you wouldn't want two like it.

    Instead of two identical sofas, you could consider one sofa and one loveseat. Keep this (very nice) sofa and have the loveseat (or whatever chairs you choose) a solid color of leather (if within your budget) or quality vinyl of sturdy fabric that (important) feels good to the touch and that is about the same color as the darkest color in this sofa or coordinates well with it. (perhaps a medium to light blue).

    If/since the other walls have doors, rather than impede traffic, you'd likely be better served to go with chairs you can walk between. Consider swivel/rocker/recliners or, better yet, classic wing back chairs with matching or coordinating square ottomans that could be used for extra seating when the grandkids visit. (Ottomans and side tables instead of a coffee table.)

    Consider better defining the space where this sofa is located a pair of matching end tables (narrow but as deep as the sofa, if possible, and nearly as tall as the arms of the sofa). Add a tall lamp to each. Consider getting a third matching end table and lamp to place against another wall.

    If you've decided to give this sofa to one of your children, instead of replacing it with another large sofa that you could only put against the one wall, you might consider two matching or coordinating loveseats at right angles to each other, however, if you are one of those people that insists of covering up beautiful wood floors with area rugs, that could result in an awkward decision about where to put the rug.

    You could pick up some graph paper and draw the outline of the room -- one block = 6" -- and draw I the doorways. Then as you consider what pieces of furniture to buy, cut out a piece of paper to represent the size and shape of each piece of furniture and set in on the graph paper. It could help you avoid overcrowding the room.



    S M thanked suezbell
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    I can't imagine where you would put a second sofa in this room? I don't think it works on the wall either. What if you ran it opposite the fire place ( on a diagonal). If you could wrangle enough room, MAYBE you could place smallish matching chairs on either side of a cocktail table ( or consider a not too oversized ottoman, that could be more seating if necessary ) between the ( now angled) sofa and the fireplace. Kudos for the reno...it came out beautiful.
    S M thanked Custom Alley Slipcovers
  • 10 years ago

    You people aren't listening. Her and hubby like to lie down in there! Therefore two sofas!!

    S M thanked Harper
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    The OP order her sofa's already... she said she will post when done.

    S M thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    Thanks tdpi!! It's cool, I'm a teacher!

    Again, my quest was to hear the design gods provide the commandment on small pattern proximity in furniture. Nonetheless so many nice people in the community take their time and offer suggestions .


  • PRO
    10 years ago

    You might want to consider duobed"s multi functional transitional furniture which can have special ordered fabric. Two of their sofa bed would all you to play logo's with furniture because you would have 2 sofa beds that could change to: 4 chairs, 1 sofa bed & 2 chairs, 2 twin beds, or put together a king sized bed and if you move and want a sectional you have enough to adapt to any new room. Surprise these are storage ottomans that can become a chair or ???? to give you more options. Please check out our profile.

  • 10 years ago

    I may be a party of one, here! I chose to pick a floral (Schumacher fabric) and team it with a soft wide striped pattern and, same colour palette as the floral sofa. I had pillows made from both fabrics and inner-changed the pillows onto the opposite sofas.

    I don't understand why sofas have to be a matched couple ~ instead of choosing from two friendly patterns with same colour-mix.

    S M thanked truthseeker
  • 10 years ago

    Yes, truthseeker two friendly patters sounds like a good alternative as well. The thought didn't occur to me! I have no experience choosing fabrics, and patterned fabrics at that.

  • 10 years ago

    The one fact I believe in is that no where else but home ~ can you surround yourself in all the things you love and reflect your personality. I think it begins there! Decide what makes you happy to live with; I know you'll do well.

    S M thanked truthseeker
  • 10 years ago

    What a nice sentiment!! It's very true. I rarely find stuff I truly "love" - for me, it's not so much things, but experiences.

    food for thought - I shall keep your words in mind.

    I like your moniker, 'truthseeker'.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Hello kind Houzz community, At last the sofas arrived, and I'd love for you to see the results!

    As flair lighting suggested, I now call it my parlor. As decorating den suggested I am using neutral pillows, throws and neutral caramel tufted ottoman under window. Ashtonchic suggested glam and jewel tones hence the (new) glassy silver lamps and streamlined tempered glass coffee tables. We still need a rug. (Don't blame me for the birch print over the hubby's sofa - that was his two cents).

  • 10 years ago
    Good for you, you got what you wanted! Nice!
    S M thanked glschisler
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Instead of two matching sofas, you can do two futons. One in a sofa size and the other in a love seat size futon frame. Futons will allow you the most options for style and color. With a futon you can change the cover easily if you want to update the look.

    The futon package or set is your choice of futon frame, the finish of the wood, the comfort of the mattress and your choice of fabric and color of the futon cover. They are just as good as a sofa and at least you have an extra bed option if needed. However, futons are not just about sleeping. They can function as a sofa for sitting and are quite comfortable provided you choose the right futon mattress.

    UrbanFutonbeds.com

    Cypress Armless Futon Frame Set With Mattress · More Info

    Queen Size Futon Package Sets

    Full Size Futon Package Sets


    Urban Futons- Your Online Source for Small Space Living · More Info

  • 10 years ago

    Hey, how's the rug choice....