Where to place the sofa in an open space?

The open space is a trendy environment that most often unites the living room and kitchen. Here it is necessary for the furniture to dialogue with each other, in terms of function and aesthetics. An important step in furnishing an open space is to understand where to place the sofa.

Where to place the sofa in an open space? Without a doubt, the options are diverse and all very interesting. What is fundamental is to understand the type of environment you want to create, the model of sofa you want, and to evaluate its aesthetics and functionality, to create an open space that is aesthetically pleasing and at the same time functional and comfortable to live in.

Factors to evaluate for an appropriate choice

The sofa is the main piece of furniture in an open space and, also due to its size, it is clear that it must not only be chosen critically, but also positioned in the most optimal way so that it does not interfere with the usability and liveability of the domestic space.

Furnishing an open space, in fact, is not as simple as one might think: the lack of wall constraints can make it difficult to position furniture and organise space. In an environment such as an open space with no, or almost no, partition walls, when choosing the most bulky furnishings, such as the sofa, it is necessary first of all to take into consideration the dual function they can perform, i.e. living and partitioning.

Which sofa model to choose?

There are different types of sofa, which change in relation to colours, finishes, dimensions and shapes. Linear, angular, modular, with peninsula, chaise loungue: which model should you choose to furnish an open space? There is absolutely no fixed rule. First of all, however, it is important that it is comfortable and large enough not to “disappear” within the open space in which it is inserted.

Since it is an open space, it is clear that the sofa must have a certain size. A large open space allows even more complex sofa compositions than usual. In general, in an open space, sofas with L-shaped compositions, i.e. with a peninsula, or corner sofas are particularly suitable.

But where to position the sofa in an open space?

Certainly personal and subjective taste in furnishing the home and positioning furniture is fundamental. However, there are general guidelines that can help make the furniture arrangement impeccable, enhancing, in the specific case of the sofa, its use and functionality.

Sofa and open space: placing the sofa in relation to the dining table

The dining table cannot be placed between the sofa and TV because it would create a very annoying visual obstacle. In an open space that brings together a living room and dining room, the table must be placed either to the side of the sofa or to the rear. It is also essential to consider at least one metre of distance between the table and the sofa.

Sofa and open space: placing the sofa in relation to the TV set

In the open space, if a TV is present, the sofa should always be placed in front of the TV so that an optimal view of the screen is guaranteed. It is also important to consider the distance between the TV and the sofa, which should be calculated in relation to the size of the device.

Sofa and open space: placing the sofa next to French windows and doors

The sofa can only be placed next to French windows or doors if it is not used to watch TV. In fact, the screen of a TV set directly exposed to sunlight would not offer an optimal view of the TV set. If the TV is not located in that part of the house, then you can place the sofa in front of a large window or behind it.

Placing the sofa in the centre of the open space

If you want a home space in which the sofa occupies an important space around which all the other furniture and accessories revolve, it is important to choose a model that is impeccably proportioned, neither too bulky nor too small, and finished on all four sides. The back of the backrest, being exposed, must be aesthetically pleasing.

If the sofa is used as a divider between two rooms, it is possible to evaluate three different types: the model with a high back, which can divide the room cleanly by covering the kitchen or dining table as much as possible; the model with a low back, which creates continuity between the areas of the open space; and the two-sided model, without a backrest to guarantee a double-sided seat.

Linear or peninsula model sofa?

The linear 3-seater sofa is the most versatile model and therefore also the most easily positioned within an open space. It can be placed close to a free wall, leaving the central part more airy, or under a window, or even in the centre of the living room to create passageways or separate the living room from the dining area.

The sofa with peninsula is a suitable solution for spacious rooms such as open spaces. To create a cosy and intimate living area, it can be placed next to a wall, in front of modern coffee tables, an armchair or an ottoman. In the case of an open space, the peninsula model can be placed in the centre of the room: in this case it would divide the dining room from the living room, the kitchen from the living room, or even the living area from the sleeping area.

Arranging two sofas in an open space

The very spacious open space allows for more sofas. Two sofas can be arranged facing each other, both perpendicular to the wall with TV, or in an ‘L’ shape.

If a more comfortable solution than two sofas is desired, a sofa – armchair combination is possible.