5 Things to Put Behind a Sofa (Besides a Sofa Table)

In a small space, figuring out where to put the sofa is key, but figuring out what to put behind it is equally important. That space behind your couch can be used for shelving, storage, and more if you plan your layout well...

Shelving, whether wall-mounted or freestanding, creates a dramatic backdrop behind the sofa. In the middle of a room, you can use open shelving to divide a space and anchor your couch. (This photo is from our old apartment. We've since given away the shelves, but this arrangement served us well for a long time.)

This sweet steup is from Design Sponge's Sneak Peak of Tonya and Mike Sutfin. They created a breakfast nook behind their couch using a folding table and a couple of chairs.

This sofa setup comes from an AT post on 5 Alternative Uses for a Desk. Any sofa table can be converted into a desk by adding a chair and a task lamp.

In Jessica and Alex's home, the space behind the sofa provides room for storage. The credenza also defines the space between their interior columns, creating a sense of balance.

Lastly, if your sofa is built for viewing from any angle, how about keeping the area behind it clear and showing off its sexy backside? This is the Polder Sofa from Vitra.

Comments (13)

once again, you've read my mind.

posted by mariegael on October 20th 2008 at 4:19pm
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I have an open floor plan downstairs, so the space behind my sofa is basically the path into my kitchen.

I do, however, keep my violin case *under* the sofa (it can't be knocked to the floor by my cat or in an earthquake if it's already on the floor, right?).

posted by Stiletto on October 20th 2008 at 4:43pm
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Hello, chair.

It's been quite awhile. Glad to see you're looking well and hanging with a classy crowd. Keep up the good work.

Your pal,

Thomos

posted by Thomos on October 20th 2008 at 5:14pm
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I have a bed behind my couch (well, chaise). The joys of living in a studio. :)

posted by sparkle on October 20th 2008 at 5:59pm
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I like the sofas with the backs facing open rooms, but I can't see the point of putting a sofa in front of shelvings (essentially rendering the bottom shelves useless at the same time you are making the space look more cramped).

posted by elvedon on October 20th 2008 at 7:56pm
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great post...i have a sofa in my family room that i am debating putting something behind...i just dont want to push it so close to the window.
Thanks!

Jen Ramos
'100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

posted by jenniferramos on October 20th 2008 at 9:16pm
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"I like the sofas with the backs facing open rooms, but I can't see the point of putting a sofa in front of shelvings (essentially rendering the bottom shelves useless at the same time you are making the space look more cramped)."

Actually, my friend has a setup similar to this, with about a 4-5 foot passage between the shelves and the sofa. It works out great. She wouldn't have room for a little office nook otherwise and she still has room to bend to the lower shelves.

posted by PhillyLass on October 21st 2008 at 2:24am
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Like the two second-to-last setups. But that last one, with the hanging threads, my cats would redecorate in a hurry (not because they wouldn't like it, though.)

posted by whytephoenix on October 21st 2008 at 4:37am
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I was thinking the same thing. This weekend we were furniture shopping and my husband laughed at me (nicely) b/c I would go to the back of the chair or couch and say, nope, dogs/cats would rip this up. LOL Sounds odd, I know, to let a dog/cat dictate a furniture choice; but it's ok - I'm willing to give them this power in exchange for having them in my life.

posted by AZkathy on October 21st 2008 at 5:09am
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The lower shelves on the bookcase are for seldom-reached storage. You pull the sofa out on those rare occasions. Actually makes a great hideaway storage spot in plain view.

posted by quiltmaster on October 26th 2008 at 2:31pm
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5 Things to Put Behind a Sofa:

1: shelves
2: a table with two chairs
3: a table with one chair
4: a credenza
5: nothing

What the...?

posted by justbekky.com on October 26th 2008 at 5:41pm
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I currently have a sideboard behind my couch. It's doors are facing the opposite direction of the couch and I have some shelving on the walls a couple feet away. It creates a nice little walk way so I can get to the windows and gives me a ton more storage. Now all I have to do is figure out what items (if any) I would like to display on top of the sideboard.

posted by tgfoo on October 27th 2008 at 12:19pm
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The back of my sofa will face the window so I'm going to put tall plants behind it. It'll act like a natural curtain to shield out direct light and add a bit of privacy.

posted by H.B. on November 2nd 2008 at 4:09pm
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