The Alternative To Living Room Chairs That Offers More Seating And Equal Versatility

Recently, more of us are deciding to stop arranging furniture around the TV in order to make our space feel more inviting and relaxing. However, after years of the TV being the focal point of everything, it can be hard to figure out the best layout for your living room furniture. One trick is to add more chairs into the mix, creating a conversation circle with them. However, you don't need to go out and buy new chairs to make your living room feel warm. There is an easy alternative. All you need to do is move your current sofas around and go for a floating sofa layout. 

So, what exactly is a floating sofa layout? It kind of sounds futuristic (sofas... that float?) but it's not actually about your furniture jumping up into the air. Rather, your sofas are jumping off the walls and into the center of the room. There is a tendency to push all living room furniture up against the edge of the room. This totally makes sense, especially if you live in a small space. But, by floating your sofas, you are able to play around with the layout, add more seating to the living room, and place the focus on connection and relaxation.

Having two floating sofas facing one another allows you to bring more seating into the room as it doesn't rely on having the wall space for furniture. But, more seating isn't the only benefit of floating sofas. This layout can really create a cozy feeling. Brand officer Alexia Sheinman told Homes & Gardens that "floating a couch can help to create more intimate areas for conversation or for lounging." It's all about connecting and designing a home that feels like a home. Floating sofas also allow you to DIY a trendy faux conversation pit, which is super fashionable and provides a focal point in your home for hanging out with your friends and loved ones. 

For open plan homes or larger living rooms, floating your sofas provides structure and allows you to designate the different parts of the space. When sofas are against the wall in larger rooms, everything kind of feels a bit untethered. Floating sofas help you create zones, allowing your space to flow. The other furniture, artwork, and pieces in your room will also feel the benefits when you decide to float your sofas. Bringing your couches away from the wall gives you more wall space, meaning you can add in shelves, units, and even big works of art you have always wanted to buy but never had the room for.

There are a few different ways you can float your sofas in your living room, depending on what you want from the effect. For a cozy, structured space, placing down a rug that touches your sofas helps you define the area and bring everything together. When choosing your living room rug, make sure it is big, but think about textures to elevate the coziness. Soft, shaggy rugs can boost that snug, welcoming feel when paired with floating sofas. A coffee table in the middle of the couches provides you with a central focus and further structures the area. 

If socializing is the main reason you want to float your sofas, ensure that the couches are facing one another. Also, place coffee or side tables in the center or around the seating. Place floor lamps behind the sofas to help you create a comfortable and intimate feel that lends itself to conversations and connections.