It’s no secret that the living room is one of the most important areas in a home. After all, it’s a space where you can bond with friends and family or simply enjoy watching TV or playing games by yourself. It’s also a space that can help you relax and wind down, especially after a long day at work.
Comfort is a key part of making a living room feel special. A OnePoll survey shows that when it comes to redecorating the home, 78% of Americans prioritize coziness, with 27% considering couches as essential pieces that make their living spaces comfortable. This is why investing in big, functional sofas like L-shaped sectionals where you and your guests can relax is necessary. However, aside from your sofa, how you design your living area around it can also have a significant impact.
Below, we’ll look at the benefits of an L-shaped sectional and offer tips for styling your living room around this central piece.
Benefits of an L-shaped sectional
One advantage of owning an L-shaped couch is that it’s highly functional and modular. These types of sofas feature a separate terminal seat that can be used as an additional lounging space for guests, perfect if your living room has limited space. The pieces can also be placed together or apart, which allows you to rearrange the area as you see fit.
Since it’s also a high-impact piece of furniture, a good sectional can help improve the aesthetics of your living room. Various L-shaped sectional sofas are available online, including the Bonaterra Sand Beige and Jolene Dark Grey from Living Spaces. These sofas come in a variety of colors and sizes that suit different home styles, offering more flexibility than a simple four-seater sofa would. Styling your area around these pieces can not only make your living room feel more inviting but also allow you to truly personalize the space for your needs.
Have an L-shaped sectional in your own living room, or are you planning to buy one?
Here are some tips to help style this piece and your space:
Styling around your L-shaped sofa
Embrace a cozy color scheme
Colors are a crucial part of setting the mood in a home, and opting for soft, neutral tones can provide feelings of comfort and calmness. That said, if you prefer a quieter space, you can embrace winter whites to help keep the ambiance in your living room serene. Try painting the walls white and incorporating neutral accessories like vases that tie the room together, which creates a backdrop that exudes peace and balance. This is perfect if your L-shaped sectional comes in gray or white colors, as it allows your living room to look more cohesive. With relaxing colors and a neutral focal point like your sectional, it’ll be much easier to transform your living room into a place of peace and quiet.
Add a pop of color with a rug
While a cozy color palette can go a long way in creating a relaxing atmosphere, adding a pop of color in a monochrome setting can make your living room feel extra appealing. You can do this by placing a rug or a carpet under your L-shaped sofa to subtly define its boundaries and make it the focal point of your space. Opt for colorways and patterns that complement the tones of your couch and living room, like the blue or black geometric rugs from Ernesta, to create a harmonious contrast against lighter shades. These rugs or carpets are a great way to add some finishing touches to your living area without disturbing the furniture that you already have.
Maximize indoor plants for a natural feel
Research shows that indoor plants can positively affect psychological well-being, as plants simulate a natural and relaxing environment – not to mention their capacity to improve indoor air quality. That said, you can strategically place eye-catching houseplants beside or behind your L-shaped sectional, like the bird of paradise or monstera deliciosa, to evoke a brighter, tropical feel in your living space. After all, nothing is more calming than relaxing on some comfortable furniture while surrounded by plants. You can cluster plants of varying textures, such as cacti, ferns, and monsteras, for stronger harmony and a more dynamic vibe.
Complement with additional pieces
You can also include additional furniture around your L-shaped sectional, like a side or coffee table, to enhance the aesthetics and improve the functionality of your living room. These items create a visually cohesive living area along with your L-shaped couch and provide extra space where you or your guests can place drinks, books, and personal belongings. Modern coffee tables, like IKEA’s LACK coffee table, also add character around your L-shaped sectional. Meanwhile, a vesper chair from Burrow placed in the open end of your couch can create a cozy nook and additional seating space for you and your guests.
Layer your lighting
Lighting is essential in a living space, as proper illumination can set the mood and make an area feel more welcoming. The easiest way to do this is by placing your L-shaped sectional beside a window to maximize natural lighting. But if your space doesn’t receive much natural light, interior decorator Kiva Brent suggests using artificial lighting to create various moods by layering different light sources, such as table lamps and floor lamps. Warm spotlights on your ceiling can also help create an ambient mood, and you can also put LED strips from Flexfire LEDs behind your TV or on your wall to create a more modern feel while resting on your L-shaped couch.
There are many different ways to style your living room around your L-shaped sectional. Making smart color choices, inserting additional pieces, and layering light sources are all simple but effective ways to maximize your focal furniture and space. If you’re interested in learning more about interior, graphic, and web design, check out the Little Blue Deer website for a closer look at our services.
