We love helping customers create beautiful, comfortable living spaces, particularly when it comes to finding a sofa that feels just right. That’s why we recently commissioned research into the nation’s living room habits, exploring how we use and interact with our homes.
We also asked our Instagram followers to share their biggest living room design dilemmas, then put some of their questions to our brand ambassador, George Clarke.
Sue, Northumberland “I have a 27-foot lounge with three sofas, but I want to create a better flow so the room feels cosy and functional. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.”
George: “Just as a well-designed kitchen benefits from a ‘golden triangle’ connecting the sink, fridge and stove, a thoughtfully planned living room should bring together the key elements needed for relaxing, entertaining and working from home, whatever the size of the space.
“When rearranging your furniture, focus on comfort, movement and flow. Avoid pushing everything against the walls, as this can leave the centre of the room feeling empty. Instead, bring furniture closer together to create a more intimate arrangement. A rug can help anchor the space, while a combination of coffee tables, side tables, comfortable armchairs and layered lighting can help define different areas within the room.”
Joe, Wales “We’ve just bought a house and I want to make sure everyone has a great seat in the living room. What type of seating would work best?”
George: “With many of us having a favourite spot on the sofa, it’s more important than ever to make every seat feel like the best seat in the house. The ideal living room should accommodate a variety of needs and generations, from relaxing and watching TV to reading, scrolling or working.
“In this situation, more really can be more. Choose seating that is generous, comfortable and versatile. Modular sofas are particularly useful because their flexible configurations can adapt as your needs change. Pair them with moveable accent pieces, such as lightweight side tables that can be brought over when working from home, or adjustable task lighting.
“Deep, ottoman-style sofas can be another great option, offering generous seating alongside useful storage. Meanwhile, sofas with integrated plugs and USB ports are ideal for keeping devices charged.
“The right choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle. In a busy, multifunctional room, trays are useful for keeping books, games and drawing materials organised, while open shelving can provide easy access to craft supplies, magazines and other essentials.
“And with 40% of us regularly putting our feet up on the sofa, size matters. A well-proportioned seating arrangement can provide a natural anchor for the entire room while ensuring everyone has space to relax.”
Suzanne, Milton Keynes “I’m about to refresh my living room and want to create a timeless style that will look great for years to come. What should I invest in?”
George: “Invest in what you genuinely love and you won’t go far wrong. Sofology’s research shows that, more than any other room in the home, the living room is where comfort and character come together. While functionality tends to dominate decisions in other spaces, the living room is where we prioritise comfort, personality and individuality.
“Pinterest trends reinforce this shift. ‘Cosy’ is the most searched-for sitting room term on the platform, with searches ranging from ‘cosy living room ideas’ to ‘cosy reading corners’ increasing by 85% year on year. It suggests that we’re embracing character and warmth rather than striving for an impersonal sense of luxury.
“This is reflected in the growing popularity of bolder colours and ‘new neutrals’, from soft pinks to rich forest greens. We’re also becoming more adventurous with creative details, whether that means painting the inside of a doorway in a contrasting shade, introducing hand-drawn wall motifs or moving away from traditional carpet in favour of terrazzo, warm timber or a chunky, textured rug.
“Ultimately, individuality is key, with personal style playing an increasingly important role in our decisions. The result is living rooms that feel brighter, bolder and more personal than ever.
“At the heart of it all is the sofa: a piece that embodies what our homes represent to us — comfort, character and, above all, cosiness.”
