Though there are a few hard and fast rules in design, most things are up for debate. One of the most divisive is the question of sofa placement, especially whether or not a couch should ever be placed against the wall.
Hilaria and Alec Baldwin answered with a resounding yes, reigniting the age-old argument. We spotted the couple's divisive living room layout idea in a recent Instagram post, which shows their gray leather sofa is pushed against their gallery wall filled with pictures of their children. The couch stretches the entire length of the wall.
In her article answering the question, 'Should a sofa touch the wall?', Pippa Blenkinsop, interiors writer at Homes & Gardens, explains that the Baldwins' layout can be an excellent choice for a small room.
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She explains: 'If you are working on a layout for a room with a really small footprint, like a den or gaming room, then setting furniture against the wall can help create a cozy, intimate feel. This approach works best when the sole purpose of the space is lounging and the sofa is given priority. In these kinds of spaces, don't be afraid to opt for a large, sumptuous sofa – an enveloping corner sofa works well in a small snug room, as demonstrated above.'
However, not everyone agrees. Dimitri Pappas, design expert at My Furniture, is among the critics of the living room sofa layout.
He states: 'Placing a sofa flush against a wall may seem like a way to create more space, but it often has the opposite effect and can make the room feel boxed in and uninspiring. Pulling the sofa a few inches away from the wall, even by just 10 to 12 inches, adds depth and creates the illusion of a larger, more open space.'
In Dimitri's opinion, the best position for a sofa is dependent on its shape. He adds: 'The placement of your sofa plays a significant role in determining its size and shape. If you’re planning to float the sofa in the middle of the room, a curved or half-circle design can enhance the visual appeal and improve traffic flow. Alternatively, a sofa against a wall may require a more traditional shape.'
Sofa placement is a contentious topic, and there is no one right answer.
Which side of the debate do you fall on? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
