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INTRODUCTION
Once associated with premiere modern design, the L shaped sofa has always graced the covers of magazines and various high end interiors and until a few decades later, has slowly adapted to fit just about any space for any style and at any budget.
But what exactly makes this particular piece of furniture different from the ever versatile sofa sets? What makes this sought out by many of Singapore’s finest designers and homeowners? To answer these question, we must first tackle upon the basics of this particular furniture piece.
The L sofa or corner sofa, as it has been called otherwise, derives its name from the fact that its overall shape resembles an L. What makes this particular sofa quite popular as of late is due in part to its ability to maximize the seating capacity of an otherwise small living room. Its shape provides seating without compromising style and space allocation, particularly when it is placed against one corner of the room; effectively eliminating dead space and providing a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
However, not all sofas will fit the room due to its overall size not being compatible with the room. But that doesn’t mean you should feel discouraged. In fact, because of this one little problem, a lot of designers and manufacturers have come up with several ways on how to make the most of your space with the sofa.
So here are a few things you should know about these sofas and the kinds you need to be on the lookout for in terms of color, size and functions.
1. CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE FOR YOUR SPACE.
Size always matters. In this case, the room space is very important. It is the size of the space that will determine the type and size of your corner sofa. If you’re going to rely entirely on the floorplan provided by the property, that’s perfectly fine. However, based on many professionals and their experiences in fitting out the space, many would agree that the floorplans and the actual size of the room don’t usually coincide with one another. More often than not, they would be either a few centimeters bigger or smaller in the actual space than the floorplan. It’s best to take the time to visit your space and take note of the measurements.
A technique that many designers employ is by making a rough drawing of the space on paper and indicate the measurements of the walls. Once you have your measurements, you can visit your local furniture store and choose from the many corner sofa options. You’d be surprised that not all sofas would be suitable for your space just on the size alone. But don’t worry, finding the right one is just as fun as picking the perfect model.
2. POPULAR COLORS AND TRENDS
Now that you have an idea on how big your space is, it’s time to decide on what kind of corner sofa you would like to have. You’ll notice that choosing your ideal sofa may require a bit more consideration than usual. First, think about the theme you want for your living room.
- Will it be modern?
- Contemporary?
- Minimalist?
- Eclectic?
What color scheme will you be using? Blues? Neutrals? Reds? Something with patterns? And perhaps the most important question is what special feature would your sofa have?
Over the years, the L shaped sofa has evolved from being a piece of furniture associated with a very masculine style to a piece of furniture that can suit just about any style ranging from contemporary to Scandinavian to minimalist style. And would you know it, these styles have slowly become quite popular with many Singaporean interiors.
If you are going for a contemporary sofa, go for sofas that are either leather or fabric upholstered. Opt for neutrals such as grays, blacks, whites and perhaps even light browns since the premise of a contemporary sofa is that it can easily adapt with other styles relying heavily on the accessories such as throw pillows. Contemporary sofas tend to utilize wooden dowel legs or block legs and are often characterized with using tufted or paneled upholstery depending on the homeowner’s preference.
If you prefer a more modern design, you can opt for sofas that are masculine in look and materials. Sofas that fall in this category tend to appear sleeker and have a more streamlined silhouette. They use smooth fabrics or matte leather as well as powder brush or steel chrome legs, giving it that bold masculine look. In terms of colors, they are often seen in bold reds or grays. Another aspect of the modern sofa is that it is also called a modular sofa. A modular sofa, by the word alone, means that it is broken down in several pieces and can easily be reconfigured into various combinations. You see this mostly in sofas that have been sectioned and often have ottomans and even backrests that can be adjusted.
If you are going for a more minimalist or Japandi or Scandinavian look, opt for sofas that utilize mostly light neutrals to light pastel colors. This particular scheme is a more playful and softer variant of the modern look and can often come with complimenting pillows of their own. More often than not, the legs are usually made out of light or natural oak legs that are visible rather than being concealed in the sofa’s fabric.
3. DUAL PURPOSE, DUAL FUNCTION
We’ve talked about these particular sofas serving as a solution to small living spaces, but what if we were to tell you that it could serve more than one purpose. Designers and manufacturers alike have capitalized on the popularity of furniture pieces serving more than one function. In the case of sofas and small spaces, many will agree that as much as one would want to have all of the necessary pieces to make the perfect home, if the area is quite restricted, it is most likely that one items must go. This is quite true if you happen to have a studio apartment that measures at least 16-22sqm in total.
For spaces that are small, you can still have an l sofa placed, but consider using a sofa that can become a bed. Some sofas have the special function of folding out into a bed when needed. This is called the sofa bed or in this case the corner sofa bed. This particular type of feature has been applied to regular 3 seater sofas wherein the back rest is folded down to create a flat mattress. In the case of this particular sofa, there is a pull out a mattress under the sofa which is then elevated to the level of the l shape. Most corner beds fold out to either a full bed or a queen size bed depending on how big the l shape sofa is.
Another cool and rather ingenious feature of the sofa bed is the l component opening up to reveal a storage space. Here you can store your linens, beddings and even books and vase. You can even have side pockets in your sofa for things like magazines or remote controls.
4. WHAT TO AVOID?
While corner sofas do come in many sizes, patterns and colors, there are certain elements that you need to avoid when choosing the right sofa for your space. Here are a few examples:
- Avoid large prints. While there are some sofas that are upholstered with a combination of solid and printed fabrics, as much as possible, avoid getting sofas with large prints. These could include large flower motifs, geometrics and even large stripes. The reason for this is that it while it is popular, it will eventually age making the room a bit dated and hard to accessorize. Another thing you must avoid is having multiple print sofas. While it may look like an eclectic and stylish piece, it could also make it quite difficult for you to pair it with some accessories. If you still want some prints, opt for sofas with minimal prints or sofas that already come with printed accents. That way, you won’t have an aged look and a more adaptable piece to work with.
- Avoid sofas that have bulky elements. When we say bulk elements, we mean parts that could make the sofa bigger than it normally is. This could include tufted back rests, wide armrests and even built in wooden consoles. While the sofa does fit your space in terms of measurements, it would prove to make the space smaller if its overall look appears large and bulky. Instead of having wide armrests, go for armrests that are just right for your arm. Go for sofas whose backrests are flat and smooth. Or if you really want a tufted backrest, make sure the rest of the sofa is plain. The key here is balancing out proportions and materials.
- Avoid bold solid colors. As much as possible, avoid using colors such as greens, reds, purples, oranges and yellows. These particular colors tend to age your sofa and could easily overwhelm the rest of the room. Opt instead for soft colors for your corner sofa such as light neutrals, blushes, mints and if you like pastels.
And perhaps the most important tip of all is to have fun when you choose your sofa. Make it an engaging activity not just for yourself, but also for the rest of the household.
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