Earlier this week I shared my tips for making my big eyesore sectional more stylish on a budget. However, had money been no object, I would have definitely turned to some of my sectional's sleeker cousins for inspiration. After viewing them, I think I may have to rethink my comment about sectionals being the minivan of the living room.
These chic sofas are not the built-in cupholder/dual recliner/marshmallow armed types. They're an altogether superior race, but that doesn't mean that their bulky counterparts can't glean any style tips from them …
• Load up on accent pillows. Cheery pillows in vibrant hues can take the attention off a drab sofa.
• Pick a bold area rug. An area rug with an eye-catching pattern is the perfect pairing for a neutral sofa.
• Create a gallery wall. Big sofas call for big artwork and, in most cases, sectionals are great places to experiment with salon style art hangings or grid style gallery walls. The large grouping will take the attention off the mammoth sofa and onto the art itself. A dinky print above a huge sectional, on the other hand, will make both the art and the sofa seem out of proportion within the room.
• Repeat Accent Colors. Adding a variety of accents— pillows, throws, rugs, art, ottomans, sidetables— in a similar hue will keep the sofa color from dominating the room.
For more sectional sofa wisdom, including some pretty sweet sectional sources check out these posts:
• High and Low: 15 Modern Sectional Sofas
• Top 10 Stylish Sectionals & Sofas From Austin and Beyond
Images: 1,4, 14: Lonny, 2,3,8: House Beautiful, 5,6,11, 13: Elle Decor, 7: Style At Home, 9, 10: Apartment Therapy, 12: Architectural Digest, 15: West Elm
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Comments (9)
Also, with such a large piece, clean lines are a must. Don't need that behemoth to look larger than it is!
lol. when in doubt- drape a Hermes throw blanket over it and call it a day.
That Hermes throw is $2,575 on their website - how obscene!
One other thing:
I disagree with tip #1 - to load up on pillows - no one likes a couch they can't sit down on - so keep the pillows to a reasonable number.
yay I have that last sectional, I'm chic!!!
the great thing about it is the (boring) pillows that come with it are euro sized so any euro shams fit it..i use a variety of paisleyish ones from pottery barn. oh and it's almost as wide as a twin bed for snoozing
I must be in the minority, but I like the look of a sectional - they are so comfy looking, I can actually imagine sitting on them being cozy, talking at a party or cuddling during a storm or watching a movie. A lot of normally couches are aesthetic but don't invite a good sit-down.
I inherited an old reproduction Ralph Lauren sofa with matching love seat that was incredibly comfy! Just about everyone who stopped by wouldn't want to get up. My daughter fell asleep every single night on that love seat and is still, years later, upset I got rid of it.
oh dear, I love the first picture so much! It's always so inspiring to see a room with so much style and character, but also looks comfortable and liveable. I want to read a book on that couch while my kids jump on and off that ottoman!
oh and the dark floors with the contrast of the white walls? my favorite! I stinkin love that! ...I also like the collage on the wall, perfection. Okay I'll stop now.
Sheryl Crow's house in AD almost kills me every time I see it. Perfectly neutral. Glad to see it included here, because that couch certainly doesn't read "sectional."