The 3 Sofa Non-Negotiables Our Executive Home Director Swears By
Finding the right sofa is a high-stakes decorating decision. (Sizes! Silhouettes! Fabric swatches!) Then, once it arrives in your living room, the next challenge kicks in: How do you style around it without cluttering your space or clashing colors? A few foundational design rules can take the guesswork out of the entire process.
For Danielle Blundell, Apartment Therapy Executive Home Director, shopping for furniture is her sweet spot. So is trend hunting, cracking small-space layouts, and making high-end design accessible. Danielle’s latest favorite find? A chic, surprisingly adaptable denim sofa from Bob’s Discount Furniture. Rather than treating denim like a passing novelty, she approaches it as the ultimate laid-back neutral. Below, she breaks down why this sofa checks every box on her checklist, plus how she’d build an entire cozy, functional living room scene around it.
The Star Piece: Why the Playmax Sectional Works So Hard
“As a design editor, I’m always asked how to shop for a sofa, and I really have three things that I always look for: versatility, scale, and a great detail,” Danielle says. The Playmax Denim Chaise Sectional Sofa nails the trifecta. It delivers the lounge-worthy comfort of a sectional without overwhelming a modest floor plan.
And it works hard, too: the built-in chaise invites easy afternoon lounging, a pull-out sleeper welcomes overnight guests, and integrated chargers keep your devices powered without extra cords trailing across the floor. Plus, details like the tailored flanged corner seams instantly elevate the silhouette, giving it a bespoke designer feel that far surpasses standard boxy sectionals. Check, check, check.
Layering in Function: The Tables and Accent Chair
A truly livable seating area needs surrounding pieces that pull their weight, which is where Danielle brings in strategic shapes and contrasting textures. To balance the clean, tailored lines of the sectional, the circular Linda Gold Round Coffee Table introduces an airy metallic finish, soft curves, and hidden interior storage to tuck away clutter.
For everyday convenience, Danielle pairs in the solid wood Gall Brown Round Side Table, whose traditional spindle-turned base brings organic warmth (and the ideal perch for your morning coffee). Finally, the Blair Cognac Swivel Accent Chair rounds out the conversational zone. We love how the rich leather texture plays against the casual cool of the denim upholstery.
Adding Finishing Touches: Grounding Color and Atmospheric Light
To bring the entire mood board to life, Danielle turns to two foundational accent pieces that tie both the design palette and overall ambiance together. The Matty Red Traditional Rug anchors the room, using classic patterning and rich crimson tones to make the blue denim pop in an intentional, curated way.
Overhead lighting can instantly flatten a cozy vibe, so Danielle finishes the look with the Pasadena Black Floor Lamp. Its sleek, arched silhouette provides targeted task lighting for late-night reading while casting a warm, flattering glow that makes the entire room feel complete.