Tameka Norris has been living in small spaces since she was 10 years old. She now runs a website titled Furniture for Small Spaces to help people who go through the same frustrating circumstance of trying to make big bulky furniture fit in places that barely offer enough room. She offers nifty tips and tactics, a Q & A section for people in need of answers, photos of her own small space trials, projects for the DIYer and recommendations on furniture choices.
A sectional sofa for a small space probably appears to be an oxymoron. How could there possibly be a perfect meeting of the two?
Well, the honest answer is that in the right home, a sectional sofa could actually save you space! Centrally locating sofa pieces within a small living area not only lends to proper seating for conversation and intimacy, but could also make the space feel more spacious.
If seating in one specific spot is not to your liking, with sectional pieces you have the ability to place them however you prefer. This would lend your own personal creative touch to the living room.
Small Sectional Sofas Explained
Now that you know that small sectional sofas are available, you may be asking yourself a few questions. For instance, what would be considered too large or too small for a small sectional sofa?
Good question!
Generally, your living room or living area would dictate the size needed for a small sectional sofa. This is why it is important to take measurements before making a purchase to ensure the sofa pieces would not overpower the small living area. And I will be discussing the measurements of small sectional sofas more in depth below.
However, before going any further, the primary question should be answered, and that is what would be considered a small sectional sofa?
When looking at the number of pieces that make up a small sectional sofa set, 3 pieces are usually the starting point. When furnishing a small living space, anything over 3 to 4 pieces would typically overwhelm the space. You want to make small rooms appear larger and cramming furniture into a tight space would not be conducive to a spacious feeling.
Measurements for a Small Scale Sectional Sofa
Now that we know what makes up a small sectional sofa, we can get down to business on measurements. To get an idea of what makes up a sectional sofa set, all that is necessary is taking the measurements of a small scale sofa or loveseat and one or two chairs, and then adding them all together.
And once you've done that, voila! You have the necessary measurements to define what makes a small scale sectional sofa set.
Let's go over the measurements now...
A small scale sofa is generally 72" or smaller.
To come up with a small scale chair, you would simply divide the measurements of a small scale sofa (72") by 3 and then you have the size of a small scale chair, which is 24" wide.
Or, let's consider option number two...
A small scale loveseat is generally 63" wide.
To come up with a small scale chair, you would simply divide the measurements of a small scale loveseat (63") by 2 and then you have the size of a small scale chair, which is 31.5" wide.
Add those numbers together and here is what you get...
72 + 24 + 24 = 120" wide
63 + 31.5 + 31.5 = 126" wide
Now you have a starting point for the scale of a small sectional sofa.
A starting point for a small scale sectional sofa set is 120 - 126" wide.
As for the stopping point, you can simply add on an additional 24-31.5". The stopping point is simply the size that you wouldn't want to go past for risk of the sectional sofa being too large.
I took the liberty of adding 31.5" to 126" wide sectional sofa to come up with the stopping point of 157.5" wide.
Having a stopping point gives you some leeway. By finding a sectional sofa that falls between 120 - 157", you have room to work with in your small space. Remember to take measurements first because a 157" sectional sofa may be perfect for one living area, but considered too large for another.
Also, a few simple guidelines on sectional sofa sizes to consider may help.
120-130" would be perfect for a small scale solution.
145" would be a nice mid-size range for small homes.
157" would be a great size if you can afford the space.
Now that we know the specific measurements for a small scale sectional sofa, how should you go about choosing one?
Choosing the Ideal Small Scale Sectional Sofa Set
When looking to purchase a sectional sofa, it would be a wise decision to locate a home furnishing store or website that sells each piece individually or as a whole. That way, if a set is too large you could subtract a couple of pieces and if a desired set is too small, you could add an extra piece.
The ability to choose particular pieces allows you to mix and match, therefore, creating your own unique signature "look".
One place you can find a nice selection is at Marketplace.Furniture-for-Small-Spaces.com. It will link you up to a nice variety of small scale sectional sofas that can be customized according to your space, style and needs.
To Sum Up
Measurements of small scale sectional sofas have been clearly defined. Sectional sofas in the range of 120-130" wide would be ideal if you do not have the additional space. If space allows, you could increase the stopping point of the sectional sofa to 145" or even 157" wide.
Locate home furnishing establishments that allow you to purchase a sectional sofa as a whole or piece by piece. That way, if the sofa you desire is too large, you can knock off a few pieces to accommodate your small space.
In addition, if you wanted to be creative, you could mix and match different colors and patterns. This would lend a unique personal "stamp" to your home décor.
Having said all of that, remember that nothing is ever "carved in stone". The bottom line and the deciding factor is what is best for you and is most conducive to your lifestyle and taste in home furnishings.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Oriental and Persian Rugs: How are They Manufactured
By: Astrid Kazarian | 15/11/2009There are four ways by which an Oriental and Persian rug is made. Nomads, peasants, small workshops and factories. As for the knots, it exists two distinct kinds of knots: the Persian asymmetric knot and the Turkish symmetrical knots.
Flexibleness in Bedroom Decor
By: Felix Moody | 15/11/2009You will not be able to fail of themes when trying to beautify your sleeping room, as the count of bedroom decor ideas ready are vastless. Nevertheless, even with all the possible actions out there, a good deal of them are merely out of the question owing to the price. Yes, apart from our wishes and disapprovals, we likewise need to weigh what we might afford. Besides that, don't forget to take a look at how much room you have to decorate with, so that you will be able to fully util...
The Bedroom Decorating Ideas Are Considered By You
By: Carlos Stanton | 15/11/2009The total amount of bedroom decorating ideas available out there simply mean that there is no means for you to fall short of inventive answers. Of Course, your determination for bedroom decorating may be dependent not only on your private taste, however, will likewise have to do with the budget you have ready. Consider also the amount of free space available in the bedroom before you plane to redecorate your sleeping place. Don't let the room become too cramped with furniture or you...
Mosaic Art Adds Elegance to Your Home or Office
By: Bill Enslen | 14/11/2009Are you looking for that special piece to add the final touch of elegance to your home or office? Don’t go the local frame or furniture store and thumb through a bunch of mundane prints. Instead, consider mosaic art.
Designed by architects, home teaching
By: JobURL | 14/11/2009We have 3 large write an in designing their own home. 1. Home to renovate old homes and trees falling half-half lime tree house or commercial building. 2. Home such as new housing development or home building without the architect. Originally designed. Then want to change some functions. 3. Home in the paper is to try to write any other capacity design principles. This will teach the next. Before talking with the architect or architects, if not find a. Is enough to talk or just a city full of Abt. preliminary.
Best Rug Pad for Kilim Rugs
By: Luis Santamaria | 14/11/2009Kilim rugs have a flat weave and require a specific type of rug pad to keep them in place and protect them. The best rug pad for kilim rugs is a very dense 1/4 of an inch rug pad that grabs the rug as well as the floor.
Add Space and Value to your Home by Implement a Loft Conversion
By: Terry Metcalfe | 14/11/2009In recent years loft conversions have become an ideal method of enlarging your home. In general, the technique refers to adding extra space to the house without bearing the hassles of creating a new build.
Halo Lighting - A Way for You to Save Money
By: Louis Vozza | 14/11/2009Incandescent lighting has been the primary source of light for a long time, but it has always been the cause of energy waste and maintenance expense. Incandescent light sources are short lived and provide at best dim lighting.
Wall Paint for Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | Interior DesignClever painting is all about illusion and choosing wall paint for small spaces is the epitome of this concept. Gone are the days when the only color that could possibly used as wall paint for small spaces was white.
Toilets for Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | Interior DesignToilets come in a variety of styles and models. Some of which are one-piece models and others two-piece units. There is even the composting model for the eco-friendly touch. Models of toilets tend to be categorized, however, by the design of the flush, most of which tend to be reverse trap flush cisterns. A more expensive design is the siphon jet which also has the advantage of being more efficient.
Teen Rooms for Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | Interior DesignThere are lots of really clever decorating ideas that can be put into practice to reduce the onerous nature of decorating teen rooms for small spaces adequately. It's not that decorating teen rooms are difficult. Just rather tricky to get the most appropriate ambiance that is acceptable to both you and you teen.
Storage Solutions for Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | Interior DesignStorage solutions for small spaces are always a challenge. Not just in hiding away all the essential detritus of daily life, but finding somewhere to fit those storage solutions themselves into. It is possible to buy loose baskets (often in quite attractive designs) in which you can place all of your clutter.
Small Desks for Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | Interior DesignWhen it comes to small desks for small spaces, if you are particularly short of space, you can always utilize a suitable wall and install a wall-mounted shelf for keeping essential stationery tools such as your stapler and hole punch within easy reach. Moreover, you can always increase the shelf's utility by hanging items in see-through plastic pockets from hooks that can be added from the sides of the shelf. There are always going to be items that you would rather were not in view.
Landscape Designs for Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | LandscapingLandscape designs for small spaces often require more forethought and planning than what's needed for larger spaces. A small garden can include the traditional cottage garden or a contemporary spot at the back of a semi-detached situated amongst a conurbation; inner city roof terraces also lend themselves to landscape designs for small spaces. Invariably, for those with busy lives, perhaps with a full-time job and family to juggle, maintaining a garden comes way down on your list of priorities.
Interior Paint Colors for Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | Interior DesignColors have humungous power when used appropriately and if you are intending to use interior paint colors for small spaces, you really shouldn't underestimate how important the impact the right color may have. Learning how colors relate to each other is an important step to achieving the finish you dream of.
How to Decorate in Small Spaces
By: Tameka Norris | 21/10/2009 | Interior DesignDecorating ideas are largely dependent on the size and shape of the room you are embellishing. Some styles can be overwhelming in a small space but there are other fashions that look just right.