Using Furniture to Change the Shape of a Living Room

Most people have square or rectangular living rooms, leaving little for the imagination or creativity. These people are often unaware of the fact that they can use their furniture to change the shape of the living room, creating unique spaces for other uses, such as a home office space, or media area. Here are some interesting ways to maximize your living room space by using furniture to change the shape of a living room.

               Sectional Sofa

This is the most common means of changing the shape of a living room efficiently and effectively, and it can really modernize a bland room. Sectional sofas are a great way to introduce elegance and a sense of shape to a square room, and can add the feeling of a hallway or separate room for other uses. Sectionals are a great idea if you want to add what feels like a separate room in a large living room, to create the illusion of that separate space.

For instance, if you want to add a small office space to your living room, arrange the desk to face the back of the sectional, with the two touching. You could also put the desk against the wall with your back to the sectional, creating the feel of a hallway between the spaces. Separate accessories can really heighten the illusion, and you can even choose to decorate the second space in a different by coordinated fashion: For example you might choose to decorate the office area with vintage bicycle metal wall art that coordinates with cottage garden theme outdoor metal art in the living space.

               Couch/Loveseat/Chair Combinations

You can achieve the same goal with a combination of a couch and loveseat, couch and chair, or even a loveseat and chair in a small space. They create the same distinction as the sectional, often at a much lower price. It is much easier to move this type of combo, too, and this can be a real issue if you do not have much help to rely on. For those with physical disabilities trying to decorate a home, this can be a key deciding factor if the retailer you purchase from does not offer delivery/setup options.

Example: To utilize a sectional look without the actual sectional sofa, push an armchair caddy corner to your sofa or loveseat. Use an end table to add continuity between the two pieces, making them look more like just one piece and finish the look with a great looking lamp. Often this approach is more affordable and flexible than a sectional sofa. For greater coordination, use a similar or matching pattern on the big furniture, with complimenting design on the accessories.

               Other Furniture

Desks make great dividers for changing the shape of a living room, as do footlockers, trunks, divans, and similar furniture. Unless you have a way of anchoring them, avoid using entertainment centers or bookshelves for this type of optical illusion, as they are top heavy and could tip if a child were to climb on them. In addition, entertainment centers often have a plethora of cords and wires extending from the back, creating an unsightly and dangerous tripping hazard.