Comfort in your home goes beyond your bedroom. And just like your bedroom, all the other parts are also as important, especially the living room. This is where the entire family gathers to bond, watch movies, play games, and basically do activities together. Therefore, it's essential that you choose the best furniture for the living room.
Having the right living room sets means you're going to be making the most out of this area. Unfortunately, looking for the best furniture pieces is a time-consuming task, especially if you don't know what you need.
Aside from the basics, you have other accent pieces that can beautify your living room and make it feel like home. Read our comprehensive guide on which pieces to choose and how to choose the best ones.
Top Living Room Furniture for Any Home
You might start to ask, "What types of furniture should I buy for my living room?" Although there is a myriad to choose from, selecting the suitable ones is recommended. This is to ensure that you prioritize the right harmony in your area. Plus, you also don't want to create a haphazard arrangement. You want to make sure that there is visual weight in one of the most essential areas in your home.
Here are some living room sets and home appliances that you should consider for style, comfort, and aesthetics.
Coffee Table | Cocktail Table | Chairside Table | Accent Chair | Ottoman | Sofa Table |
Coffee Table
Alongside your sofa, your coffee table must be the perfect companion where you can place items like coffee, ashtray, magazines, drinks, and more. Coffee tables are more about texture compared to sofas which are more about colors and style. However, it's also good to take into consideration a coffee table's matching elements. For instance, if you have other types of living room tables, make sure that they all weave together in terms of style and overall look.
You may pick each table individually or you may buy a whole set like this three-piece table set.
Cocktail Table
A cocktail table is somewhat similar to a coffee table. The only slight difference is a cocktail table's versatility. Unlike coffee tables which are typically displayed beside couches, sofas, and chairs, cocktail tables can be placed outside the living room. They can be in gardens, bars, or patios.
Although a cocktail table is not meant for more than four people, here is an example of a cocktail table with four bar stools.
Chairside Table
Another living room furniture you should feast your eyes on is a chairside table. If you're thinking of a regular chair, think again. Both aren't the same in a way that chairside tables aren't good as a complementary chair to a multiple-seater sofa. Chairside tables are best displayed separately beside armchairs or recliners.
Accent Chair
Buying the best accent chair will make for more comfortable lounging in your living room. When choosing one, you have to choose between three types: Wingchair, armchair, or recliner. There are two basic elements you need to consider when choosing a chair and those are design and comfort. Make sure that the chair is synonymous or at least complete the entire look of your home.
Ottoman
A general rule for choosing the best ottoman is to make sure it's "overstuffed." This means, no wood must be visible and it must be upholstered. Ottomans are best used as a footstool, stool, or even a mini sofa. This appliance is perfect for any room in your home because of its compact design which makes for the best portability.
Sofa Table
Of course, after choosing your sofa, end tables, or sofa tables are one of the most crucial appliances in your home. When you pick the best one, look into the style, color, texture, and overall design to match your sofa.
Bookcase | Bench |
Entertainment Center |
Game Table Set | Sofa |
Bookcase
If you see an empty corner in your space, a bookcase would be the perfect accentuating piece of item. Any book lover would surely want to showcase their prized possessions. The reason why a bookcase is one of the best furniture sets in your home is that it comes in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Plus, it's very appealing and can be your home's focal point. Here is a solid wood bookcase in Tobacco from Parker House.
Bench
When choosing living room furniture, space is always a vital factor. And when it comes to benches, go for one that complements the other elements in your home. Don't think you only have to accompany your bed with an end-of-the-bed bench. Benches are very versatile and can be perfect for any home. This example is from Acme with an antique white finish.
Homeowners who are also short on space can buy a bench that doubles as storage as well. That way, your home will be free from clutter and you'll have more space to store unwanted items in your home.
TV Stand
What's a communal area without entertainment? This area is built for family bonding time. And as mentioned, this is where all members gather around to spend activities together. And if all members frequent watching movies, then getting a TV stand would be preferable.
Plus, a TV stand is also another piece of furniture that can showcase your huge flat-screen television. It will certainly be a very nice complementing piece to your space.
Entertainment Center
While a TV stand can emphasize your television, you can also go all-out by grabbing the best entertainment center there is. This piece will showcase your speakers, stereo, television, game console, and many other entertainment items.
Entertainment centers, compared to TV stands, are relatively bigger. That said, make sure that you pick one which weaves into the entire home theme. An entertainment center is so colossal that it's typically one of the first pieces your eyes will land onto. Make sure it gives a great first impression.
Game Table Set
It's easy selecting furniture sets if you initially assess your lifestyle. If you frequent inviting visitors for beer and some card games, then a game table set is recommended. The upper hand of purchasing one of these items is that it's typically compact and would usually fit in any type of space.
Sofa
While the other living room furniture pieces can be the focal point in your home, the sofa is the grand centerpiece. The moment anyone lands their eyes on the sofa, it instantly emanates the type of vibe, tone, and mood homeowners are going for.
Although it's exciting picking out your sofa, the process can be daunting. Because it's the piece that brings everything together, it has to complement all furniture pieces.
But don't fret. The next exhaustive section will tell you everything you need to know about how to choose a sofa for your humble abode.
How to Choose the Most Suitable Sofa
As with anything in the consumerist world we live in, sofa choices are limitless. There is always something for every homeowner's preference, home style, and usage. The most important thing is we choose sets that cater to everything we look for in a sofa. Here's how.
1. Check the quality from the get-go
Aside from aesthetics, you want to choose a sofa that will last you for years. There are four things you need to consider:
- Frame- A reliable frame means the sofa will stick with you no matter what. Hardwood is more reliable than pine. Although the former will last for more than five years, it's pricier than the latter. Lift a corner of the sofa. When you reach six inches above the ground, check if the other corner has risen as well. If not, then that means the frame is weak.
- Joinery - Check how the joints are connected. If the method of joinery is any of these: double wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks, metal screws, brackets, or wooden dowels, then that means it's sturdy. You can check the manufacturer's details for this.
- Springs - The best sofas come with eight-way hand-tied springs. However, they come with a hefty price tag. You can feel if the springs are sturdy through the upholstery. Sit down on the sofa and check for squeaking or creaking sounds. If you hear them, that means the springs aren't placed properly.
- Fillings - The filling is crucial because it takes the weight head-on. A high-resilient foam wrapped in a layer of traditional foam and polyester batting is recommended.
2. Consider the size
You wouldn't want your sofa to overwhelm your entire space. Make sure that you measure your area before buying. A good rule of thumb is to provide a 30-inch space in from of the sofa to allow people to walk around it.
A sofa can vary in size. A five-seater sofa can be up to 120 inches. A two-seater can be as small as 50 inches. Always assess your area first before committing to buy living room furniture.
3. Know which upholstery materials to go for
The best sofas are those that not only provide comfort but those that are eye-candy as well. While we prefer a white sofa in suede upholstery for elegance, this isn't suitable if you have pets around the house.
That said, assess your lifestyle, members, and if you have animal members to determine which upholstery material works best. For instance, children can wreak havoc on your sofa sets. Therefore, try to go for smooth cotton fabrics so it's easy to clean. Leather is also material that can stand the test of time and is fairly easy to clean. For more durable materials, choose microfiber blends or corduroy.
4. Select a sofa style
Now comes the fun part -- selecting the right sofa style! I say fun because this is the nitty-gritty of sofa shopping. Your choice here will impact the holistic look of your space, so choose wisely.
The sofa style should be similar to your home style as well. Let's delve into the different types of sofas:
Sectional
This is a multiple-seater sofa and it usually comes with three or five other complementing pieces. It's a full living room set that can accommodate the entire family and even a few guests!
This type is the biggest out of all the other living room furniture on this list, so make sure to tread carefully. It can come in two varying shapes. One is the L-shaped sectional and the other is the U-shaped sectional.
Chesterfield
This is a tufted style sofa which is evident on the back and arms.
Lawson
If you want more comfort, go for this style as this is built with comfort in mind. It has more cushion and the back pillows are mostly separated from the frame.
Mid-century Modern
This sofa type banks on minimalism. It has cleaner lines with no unnecessary embellishments.
Chaise Lounge
While a chaise lounge is more of a decorative element, it's still a stunning addition to your home. Some chaise lounges have arms, while others don't.
Sleeper
There are many options for sleeper sets. It can range from a futon bed to a pull-out sofa. A futon can also double as a couch. Here is an example of a futon.
Loveseat
A loveseat is an addition that is best for two people. It's typically not meant for your main sofa, but can be a supplemental part of your home.
Recliner
A recliner is another convenient chair that can also be placed around your home. It can be displayed in your entertainment or media room as well.
Living Room Trends in 2020
When thinking of furniture for living room ideas, you can either consult the experts or let the trends guide you. Whichever route you choose, these trends will see a surge for the years to come.
- Bold prints, patterns, and colors
In this day and age, you want your furniture to make a statement. This is to show off a unique individuality that's unlike others. And bold colors such as vibrant tangerine or sunny yellow are in. Patterns and prints such as florals, stripes, and animal prints are also well-embraced today.
- Collectibles
The idea of having bespoke furniture is quite exciting. And this year, we will see more and more homeowners wanting to get first dibs on contemporary collectibles. These furniture pieces radiate a certain subliminal connection with the craftsman and artist, making it more valuable.
- Barstools
Barstools are a modern piece that is making its way into people's homes. People want high tabletops, countertops, and more. So it makes sense why a barstool wouldn't only make it to bars, but also into people's homes.
- Antique furnishings
Traditional home design is making waves in the market. And it all has something to do with the exceptional appliance sets that showcase their innate beauty such as wood. Moreover, people are slowly leaning into a sustainable lifestyle, opting for antique pieces instead of buying new ones.
Conclusion
We all want our homes to be comfortable and functional retreat that we enjoy a day in and day in. To make your entire home complete, choose the best appliances to cater to every family member's needs, and wants. If you want more living room furniture options, check out Local Furniture Outlet. We have everything you need -- from A to Z.