How to position a sofa in the middle of the room

5 May 2023

Although many consider such an idea for only very large rooms, placing a sofa in the middle of a room can also be a good choice in a smaller living room. By changing the perspective with which we view our living room, we can let our imagination run wild and turn our living room into a place where we can express our creativity. However, the question remains, how do you position a sofa in the centre of a small room or in a small living room? Considering that city houses often have less square footage, you’ll have to work with your imagination and choose the right model. Here are some interior design tips for you to make the right choice.

Centrepiece sofas and how to furnish your space

Your sofa is the star of your living area and so if you want to envisage a sofa in the centre of the room, you must start with its central placement and then think about the rest of the furniture. Positioning a furnishing accessory in this way creates an immediate sensation of airiness and freedom, but we must’t forget some useful rules that come with making such a choice. First of all, we must remember that it is necessary to leave a free space for passage of at least 60 centimetres behind a sofa in the centre of the room. Furthermore, it is preferable to place something behind a sofa that gives liveliness to the environment, for example a shallow console table where a plant or knick-knacks can be placed – or alternatively a sideboard or bookcase on the wall.

Any sofa for the centre of a room must be comfortable and welcoming but it must also be functional and able to tie in with the rest of the furnishings. A deconstructed model such as ‘Gianduiotto’ or ‘Gianduiotto Jr’ are the ideal choice for centrepiece sofas as they both have elegant designs and offer multiple relaxation options that can be created with the seat thanks to the freely positionable backrest and armrest.

Centrepiece sofas – which design to choose

Next you should consider the choice of the type of sofa model you’d like to place in the centre of the room. Here there are several factors to consider, including the style of the furniture and the layout of your living room. When choosing a furnishing accessory, you should pay particular attention to the backrest, which must be comfortable but not excessively high so as not to give the impression that the living room space is small. Ideally, you should opt for a model with a backrest below one metre in height.

For large living rooms, one ideal model is an imposing sofa like the ‘Foster’ by Calia Italia, which features a soft appearance with generous dimensions and has a wide seat and an impressive armrest.

In smaller living rooms it is better to opt for a modular sofa (even one without armrests) that can be combined with footstools or a small armchair as this can transform your space into an intimate and cosy place for after-dinner gatherings with friends. ‘Cremino’ by Calia Italia, is a great example of a model that can help you achieve this as it is a modular sofa that is characterised by elements of different sizes that can be broken down and reassembled to meet the most diverse needs.

Centrepiece sofas: corner or linear models?

Sofas placed in the centre of a room also take on the function of defining and dividing the various areas of your room, creating a harmonious, balanced and orderly space that makes intelligent use of depth and height. Therefore, it is fundamental to evaluate whether a corner model or linear model is most suitable.

Linear sofas are undoubtedly a more classic choice, as they combine comfort and versatility and lend themselves well to combinations with other furnishings such as armchairs or footstools, making them the ideal choice in a large open space or in smaller rooms.

However, corner sofas are often considered more particular and trendy. One example is Calia Italia’s ‘Dragées’ corner model, which is ideal for large, bourgeois environments, has a suspended appearence and is light and inviting thanks to its generous and plump shapes.