Decorating Tips for Sectional Sofas

Framing

• The goal of furniture is to frame a living space. Each person should easily see and converse with anyone else in the room. Decorative rugs can aid in guiding how you frame your sectional sofa. Position the sectional in the corner of the rug that is farthest away and facing the door. Add one to two additional chairs, either matching or complementary, to the diagonal and parallel corners.

Spreading out

• If your sectional fit perfectly in your old living room, but your new living room seems too large, spread out your furniture to fit the room. Instead of creating a square, form a diamond shape in your living room. Position the sectional near the farthest corner of the room from the door. Place a large chair or love seat diagonal to the couch, and place a rug or coffee table in the center for focus.

Refocus

• Your sofa is a good piece of furniture, but it isn't necessarily where you want to place your emphasis in the room; rather, lay out the room and the sectional sofa around your focal point. If the focal point is a rug or another piece of furniture, place that piece in the most prominent position. If it is a fixture such as a fireplace, set the sectional to one side of the room, balancing the room out with a table and chair on the other side, and let the fixture remain in the middle.

Divide and Conquer

• If you just can’t get the room to wrap the way you want, divide the sectional and start fresh. Place the largest piece in the center, giving it the room’s focus. Use any side pieces as chairs in the corners, placing pillows on each piece to give it a more complete look. For a creative touch, turn two small pieces in opposite directions, making an old-fashioned love seat.