Tips for Styling Your Sofa

The sofa is one of the biggest pieces in the living room, and yet it is often overlooked unless we're looking for somewhere to sit and watch the television. But this significant piece of furniture can be the centrepiece of your home if you make a little effort to dress it up.    

Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are probably the easiest way to add interest to an otherwise boring sofa, because you can change them any time. But try not to overload the sofa with too many pillows though, or there won't be any sitting space for anyone! As a thumb of rule, try to keep the pillow count below 7 for a standard sized sofa. An odd number of cushions usually offers an artistic twist to the cushion placement while an even number will give a more traditional outlook. As for colours, use no more than 2 colours if you're aiming for an understated look. The same applies for any theme that you may have or the colour of your walls. For a touch of variety, add layers of cushions in different textures e.g. cotton, linens, or silk.    

Throws & Blankets

Of course, you don't have to just rely on cushions. Sofa throws or blankets are also an interesting way of adding layers to the sofa. It gives a pop of colour to an otherwise monotone palette and can even be a lovely cover-up for say...an ugly heirloom chair that you were forced to display in the living room. Whether it's a casual fling over the arm of the sofa or a blanket carefully folded on the edge of your seat, such accessories can easily transform your sofa and overall design. You can also go for fur throws that will look simply luxurious draped over the corner of the sofa. TIP: Try buying a sofa in neutral so it makes it easier to accessorise. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't buy a stand-out piece that has a rich design but it may not age fashionably well. A neutral sofa, on the other hand, can be constantly refreshed according to the latest trends or festivals.   What do YOU do to dress up your sofa? Do share with us on our Facebook fan page!