Sofas aesthetic of the rest of the space. For this reason, they’re usually the first element to be considere usually the first thing we see when entering a room or building, making them the feature piece of any space they reside in. With such power to draw attention, finding a sofa that will leave an impression is the key to transforming a space.
As sofas act as the anchors of a room, they generate an aura that will hold sway over thred when designing a floor plan.
However, finding the perfect sofa isn’t straightforward as there is a lot more to consider than simply style and comfort. One must think about the shape, the materials, cushions, accessories and even other pieces of furniture.
Minotti London offers a wide range of contemporary sofas to suit various styles, but there is more to choosing a sofa than style alone. In this guide, we’ve come up with six tips to find the perfect sofa for any space.
How To Choose A Sofa Style
When looking for a new sofa, there are many factors that need to be considered but actually knowing what to look for can be difficult in itself.
To start with let’s take a look at some of the key considerations to keep in mind when looking for a new sofa:
- Find the right aesthetic
- Try the sofa in person
- Know the space
- Choosing textiles
- Find the right cushions
- Add other furniture and accessories
In this design guide, we take a closer look at each of these factors to help ease the decision-making process of finding the perfect sofa.
1. Finding the Right Aesthetic
Sofas come in many shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find a sofa that will suit the wider identity of the home, office or space where it will be placed.
This Roger Seating System has been perfectly chosen and curated to reflect on the interesting shapes of the room while complementing the colours, light and other pieces of furniture | Design by Rodolfo Dordini for © Minotti London
Contemporary sofas are often influenced by historical designs or the time period they encompass. Since the 1980s, however, postmodern art and architecture began deconstructing time-specific design trends.
Today, most contemporary sofas often defy historical categorization and instead hybridise various styles from different cultures and historical periods. For example, the Minotti Albert & Ile sofa merges 1900-inspired armrests with classical lines reminiscent of the 1950s.
When considering the style of space and sofa, it’s important to think about more than just historical influence. Other factors that can contribute to the style include:
- Use of lines: Straight, diagonal, and curved lines generate distinct aesthetics that inform other furniture selection and design layout.
- Size of the sofa: Larger sofas may serve well as a centrepiece within a room while smaller sofas like those found in the Tape collection pair well with other pieces.
- Modular vs. Non-modular: Modular sofas contain multiple elements that can be arranged in various ways and with other furniture to create unique shapes and setups. Non-modular sofas, however, are standalone pieces and therefore less versatile. As modular sofas can be arranged in many different ways, it’s possible to create truly unique compositions to suit different spaces and needs. For example, having a sofa with a component that acts as a chaise lounge is perfect for a room where one might watch a film. When this is combined with more formal elements, it’s possible to create a space that is perfect for hosting and entertaining guests. Furthermore, modular sofas can be added to over time, making it possible to create a larger seating area in the future with a combination of new and existing modules.
2. Try the Sofa in Person
When selecting a new sofa, whether that be for a living room or any other space, it’s important to take the time to visit a showroom and get a real feel for the sofa in question.
The lifespan of a sofa is considerably longer than many other pieces of furniture. As with anything a person might own for a long period of time, one shouldn’t settle for anything less than perfect, which means considering every detail.
Taking the time to sit on a sofa, and experience it for yourself is of utmost importance when considering how right it is for where it will be placed.
For example, when sitting on a sofa it might feel comfortable but one may then think it’s too deep for the environment it will later live in. Whether that means finding a different sofa or ordering some additional throw cushions to help decrease the depth of seating are all factors that should be considered.
As with all Minotti London sofas, there are many variables and mod cons available to guarantee maximum comfort. This can include additional headrests for support or different cushion types such as memory foam and feather seats. However, it will be difficult to decide which options are most suitable without sitting on the sofa first.
Our consultants are always happy to discuss the design traits of any sofa with you over a coffee while you sit back and relax.
3. Know the Space
At Minotti London, every sofa is made to order and we take great care ensuring that the chosen sofa will fit the room.
By working with blueprints and floor plans, we map out the exact dimensions of the space before sending orders to our craftsmen based in Italy. If there is any doubt as to whether or not a sofa will fit in a space, we will always discuss this with our clients to help find an alternative solution.
Not only does this avoid disappointment, but it ensures that we can provide the best bespoke sofas for any space.
4. Choosing Textiles
The differences between textiles can have a remarkable effect on a person’s choice of sofa. Not only do leather and fabric sofas look different but they feel different as well. However, the flexibility to decide on both the design and material of a sofa provides a lot of versatility when furnishing a space.
As with all of Minotti London’s sofas, each design can feature leather or fabric upholstery, or in some cases a combination of both. However, with each version there are other stylistic factors to consider.
For example, when opting for a fabric sofa, it’s important to consider the colour, pattern and texture while ensuring that the colour of the sofa complements the rest of the space in order to give it a sense of continuity.
While it’s important to choose colours that pair well together, adding a patterned design or various textures is a way to showcase style and personality without compromising on the sophistication of the entire room.
Furthermore, the choice of material can have an effect on the practicality of the sofa as well. For example, while leather tends to be easier to clean on the spot, all our fabric covers can be removed, either to be dry-cleaned or to be replaced entirely at a future date.
While there is a lot of flexibility with all Minotti London sofas, we usually recommend opting for neutral and natural colours when it comes to the upholstery and adding accents of colour and texture with throws and cushions.
5. Find the Right Cushions
All Minotti London sofas come with different cushions and while style is important, so too is the contents of what they’re filled with.
If the sofa or other furniture in the room makes heavy use of straight and sharp lines, one may wish to consider layering Cross or Braque cushions. However, if the goal is to bring texture to a room by using interesting and unique patterns, the Claire or Milano cushions might be preferred.
This sofa has been outfitted with a range of cushions that provide greater back support while the odd one out brings an accent of texture to help make the sofa stand out | Design by Rodolfo Dordini for © Minotti London
Of course, throw cushions are a simple yet effective way to add an accent to a sofa that goes with the colour scheme of a room. Again, it’s really important to try different types and styles of cushions to find the best combinations.
6. Add Other Furniture and Accessories
There is much more to completing a space than simply installing a sofa. Getting the most out of any room or piece of furniture means finding the right accessories and other pieces that will bring the room to life.
This Brasilia Sofa has been paired with tables, sideboards, armchairs, a lamp and other accessories, creating a look that is minimal yet complete. | Design by Marcio Kogan / studio mk27 for © Minotti London
With the near-limitless number of accessories that can make up any space, it’s important to take time and care when considering what pieces are going to work best in amplifying a sofa’s prestige.
This is another reason why it is essential to stop in the showroom and really investigate all of the furniture on display in each room set. This will allow one to see each piece individually but also develop a sense of how different pieces complement or contrast each other in a real-life setting.
Some of the most important additions to a living room include:
- Armchairs complement a sofa, provide additional seating and create spaces for social gatherings.
- Rugs to place beneath sofas and other furniture in order to centre them and help create navigatable walkways throughout the room
- Console tables to be placed behind sofas, along walls, or elsewhere throughout the space to hold lighting fixtures, artistic statement pieces, television units, and other accessories.
- Coffee tables to place in front of or around sofas as a practical piece to place personal items, or to simply serve coffee.
- Bookcases and sideboards to add extra storage space within the living room and to highlight libraries or larger collections that may fit easily on a console table.
Finding the Best Sofa Style | Final Thoughts
Interior design projects are a great way to transform a home and finding the right sofa is an essential part of this process.
Before shopping, remember that it’s important to know the space and its dimensions in order to make the most of it. While one should also have an idea of which colours will work best based on anything else that is being done with the room.
If you are interested in corner sofas you can find our guide on this subject with the essential steps to follow.
Most importantly, always take the time to visit our showroom before making any commitments. It’s just as important to ensure that the chosen sofa will be comfortable and well suited for the space it’s destined for.
Even when seeking inspiration, or wishing to discuss the various sofa styles at Minotti London, our colleagues are always on hand to help in any way they can.
Shop our collection of luxury sofas here, or find out more about us here.