Photography: Alana Landsberry / Styling: Kate Lincoln & Lucy Gough
Living room decor can be difficult to get right. It has to be comfortable and cosy but not so fussy that maintenance becomes time consuming. You want to be able to flop down on your sofa at the end of a long day but you also need a space that looks stylish enough for guests. Here at HB, we love a simple fix. And there’s nothing that transforms your living room into an effortlessly beautiful, yet snug, space like a gorgeously styled sofa.
We’ve taken the hard work out of sofa styling by creating three gorgeous living room arrangements for you to be inspired by. These are designed and styled to suit different needs, from flexible family living to small spaces and event hosting. Scroll on to shop our chic set-ups and read our 10-step sofa styling guide.
Freedom’s visual merchandiser, Zachary Eggleton, reveals the basics of sofa styling and living room decor.
What’s your go-to decor item when styling a sofa? “I’ve always loved an unexpected print or patterned cushion. While you might have played it safe on your choice of sofa, this is a simple way to stay up to date with the trends and create visual interest. Together the soft styling elements on your sofa should speak to something beautiful, rather than blending in.”
What’s one mistake people always make when styling a sofa? “Falling back into the instinct to ‘bookend’ with twin sets of cushions. Great styling lies in the colour story you’re creating, using the rule of three and with the accent of pattern or texture to elevate. Consider the impact of sizing as well, play with a larger square cushion to anchor, accompanied by a lumbar and smaller square cushion.”
How many cushions per ‘seat’ should we use? “Your sofa can easily be over-styled. Consider pairing back from your instincts and use the rule of one cushion per one seat. Play with a larger solid-tone cushion on one end, accented by a medium one with texture and a smaller patterned cushion.”
How to style your sofa if your family needs flexibility
This living room set-up is designed to suit flexible family gatherings. It’s easy to rearrange thanks to the modular design. This means that as your family grows and evolves, so too can your sofa styling. “Additionally, I always recommend the use of smaller side tables, drinks tables and trays to sit across the sofa,” says Zachary, “creating touch points for different materials, styling surfaces and of course practicality to balance out the low, horizontal profile across your space.”
Shop the look
From left to right:
- ‘Column’ marble side table, $599, and ‘Sabi’ vessel, $99.95/30cm, both Freedom. Carrière Frères Winter Forest candle, $99/185g, Libertine Parfumerie.
- ‘Sorrento’ 4-seater modular sofa with ottoman in Alpha Natural, $4399, Freedom.
- ‘Lellouche’ throw in Chocolate, $59.95; ‘Lexi’ velvet cushion in Green, $59.95/50cm x 50cm (also on window seat); ‘York’ fringed cushions in Wood Rose, $59.95 each/50cm x 50cm, all Freedom.
- ‘Wyatt’ buffet, $1999, Freedom. On buffet ‘Kallista’ table lamps, $329 each, Freedom.
- ‘Harrowe’ ottoman in Chilton Steel, $1199/large, Freedom. ‘Onito’ tray in Natural, $84.95/50cm, ‘Isa’ vessel (used as vase), $99.95/38cm, both Freedom.
- ‘Derby’ floor lamp, $329; ‘Palm Springs’ occasional chair in Canvas Optic White, $999; ‘Casselden’ cushion, $79.95/60cm x 40cm (also on window seat); ‘Kylie’ rug, from $499/230cm x 160cm, all Freedom.
- Timber tray, $340, Dusty Luxe. For similar mugs, try Mikasa ‘Chalk Porcelain’ mugs, $54.95/set of 4, Victoria’s Basement. ‘Mid-Century Abstract in Green’ artwork, $450/37.5cm x 35cm (framed), Vintage Art Emporium.
How to style your sofa if you have a small space
Creating a big impact in a small space is easy, with the right styling and decor. Here, we make the most of an ottoman by giving it a dual purpose – it functions as both a coffee table and a space to rest your legs. This is positioned in front of a compact sofa that still manages to make a serious style statement thanks to its soft edges and vibrant, velvet hue.
Shop the look
From left to right:
- ‘Verde’ marble side table, $299, ‘Isla’ table lamp, $249, both Freedom. For similar tumbler, try ‘Ripple’ stemless glass, $14/set of 6, Target.
- ‘Zepplyn’ 3-seater sofa in Cotton Velvet Olive, $3199, Freedom.
- ‘Bronya’ reversible cushion, $59.95/50cm x 50cm; ‘Braylon’ round cushion, $39.95/43cm; ‘Lexi’ velvet cushion in Green, $39.95/55cm x 35cm; ‘Osmand’ jacquard cushion, $59.95/50cm x 50cm; ‘Zepplyn’ ottoman in Cotton Velvet Olive, $1099; marble checkerboard set, $149.95; all Freedom.
- ‘Krid’ bar cabinet, $1599, Freedom. For similar vessel, try ‘Coral’ vase in Ivory, $392/medium, The Palmier. For similar vase, try Heritage ‘Alcot’ glass vase, $79.95/large, Myer. ‘Toscana’ rug, from $699/230cm x 160cm, Freedom.
- All other items, as before.
How to style your sofa if you’re hosting chatty guests
Foster deep and meaningful conversations with a living room arrangement designed for sociable events. Here, we’ve positioned two 2.5 seater sofas so they are facing each other, with an ottoman (doubling as a coffee table) in the middle. It’s all the convenience of a dining table for long, languid chats where you can see every other person in the group. It’s just more comfortable than a dining table!
Shop the look
From left to right:
- ‘Riverton’ 2.5-seater sofas in Eames Olive, $2299 each, Freedom. On sofas ‘Turner’ striped cushions, $69.95 each/50cm x 50cm, and ‘Marlia’ ivory cushions, $49.95 each/50cm x 50cm, all Freedom.
- ‘Candace’ velvet ottomans in Caramel, $739 each, Freedom. Round tray, $240, Dusty Luxe. ‘Relic’ espresso cups, $6.95 each, Salt & Pepper.
- ‘Sanctuary’ ottoman in Native Linen White, $999, Freedom. ‘Savannah’ rattan rectangular tray in Natural, $119/medium, Living Styles. ‘Fleur’ vase, $59.95, Freedom. Altaïr candle, $169/270g, and Ernesto candle, $159/270g, both Trudon. Ecoya ‘Goldie’ Fresh Pine candle, $54.95/460g, Papinelle.
- For similar vintage chest, try Chinese camphor wood chest, $1080, Admiralty Antiques. ‘Rohld’ table lamp, $399/74cm; Freedom.
- ‘Isa’ vessel (in background, used as vase), $149/50cm; ‘Margot’ floor lamp (in background), $349; and ‘Fisher’ rug in Multi, from $1049/230cm x 160cm, all Freedom.
- Books, stylist’s own. All other items, as before or stylist’s own.
10 ways to style your sofa
Read on for our top 10 tips for styling your sofa like a pro, from the basics of furniture arrangement to all the extra embellishments.
1. Use your ottoman as a second chaise
Ottomans are incredibly versatile. Simply positioning your ottoman to create a second chaise can totally change the look of your living room (and give you a place to rest your feet).
2. Create a coffee table out of your ottoman
When we said ottomans are versatile, we meant it – they can double as coffee tables. Simply place a tray on top to form a stable surface for drinks and objects (woven trays add beautiful texture, too).
3. Resist the urge to buy a sofa set
It can be very tempting to take the ‘one and done’ approach to buying furniture. Don’t feel you need to match your entire sofa set – choose a different fabric to upholster your ottoman. You can even add a contrasting armchair as well. This will create more visual interest when you style your sofa and, although it might sound counter-intuitive, can result in a more harmonious space.
4. Create contrast with different fabrics
Always mix fabrics for visual interest, whether it’s mingling different textures in similar tones, or a variety of patterns and colours.
5. Decorate with three key colours
When mixing colours, limit your palette to three key hues. A ratio of 60:30:10 creates a good balance.
6. Mix patterns with solid block colours
Pattern on pattern adds depth to your scheme. Mix large- and small-scale prints, plus solids, for cushions, throws and upholstery. We know that the thought of clashing patterns can be nerve-wracking but if you stick to a similar colour scheme, the patterns will look cohesive despite the contrast.
7. The best cushion inserts for a professional look
Cushions with feather or faux-feather fill create a professional-looking finish. Choose an insert one size larger than your cushion cover for a plump look. And don’t forget to fluff!
8. Use a combination of cushion sizes
Use a combination of cushion shapes and sizes to avoid monotony when you style your sofa. Place a 60cm x 40cm lumbar in front of your 60cm x 60cm cushions, or soften the angles with a circular cushion. Bolster cushions are another gorgeous option.
9. Add texture with a cosy throw
Display a tactile throw over the arm of your sofa to ensure its expanse doesn’t add visual bulk to the room. You can fold it neatly, lengthways, to create a rectangular shape or let it cascade from the back to the front. This is especially effective if the sides of your throw are fringed.
Freedom’s visual merchandiser, Zachary Eggleton, answers the age-old question: How exactly do you drape a throw so it looks “just so”?
“Grab one corner of the throw as your anchor, and lightly toss across the backrest or sofa arm, letting it all fall naturally. Use the curves and effortless drape of the throw and adjust where necessary, considering the end closest to the edge of the sofa seat and floor.”
10. Create zoning with an area rug
Use an area rug to zone your living space. It should be big enough for your sofas to comfortably fit on it. Need help finding the perfect rug? Read our expert advice on size, materials, plus what all the common terminology refers to here.
