You can learn how to float a sofa in a living room in four easy steps. We all know that the main gist of floating a piece of furniture simply means having it in the middle of the room. This is where the term floating is derived, where the furniture becomes its own element in the space.
However, there is more to this decorating style. You will learn below how to make space look bigger than it really is and achieve a cozy living room. With that being said, let’s get right to it.
How To Float A Sofa In A Living Room Like A Pro Decorator
Step 1. Place the sofa in the center of the room
You float a sofa by finding the center point of the living room and placing the couch on it. From there, you will treat that center spot as the focal point of the room and make it more eye-catching than the rest. For example, learn how to place a rug under a sectional or add other accent chairs beside your loveseat.
Step 2. Use a focal point as a guide
Check your living room layout if there is a prominent structure, such as a large window or a fireplace in the center. Then, use that as a guide for the sofa’s placement and have it parallel to that when you place it in the middle of the room. And even if your couch won’t be pushed against it when floated, consider decorating the wall behind the sofa to keep the space from looking unfinished.
Step 3. Create different areas in the space
After you create a focal point in the middle of the room by floating the couch, outline various areas in the space. For example, make the sofa’s spot in the middle for watching the TV by designing it more cozily. You can also place and decorate a sofa table behind the couch with several stools and turn it into a minibar.
What Does It Mean To Float A Couch?
The term floating a couch means placing it in the middle and away from the walls. This placement floats or makes the sofa stand out more because it has its own space in the center. Another potential reason why it’s called floating furniture is that having it in the middle will elevate the room’s style.
This means you’ll have a dedicated space for socializing and lounging compared to placing several furniture pieces without a specific motivation. It’s a fantastic way to make the most of your living room, regardless if it’s spacious or not.
When Should You Float A Couch?
If you have a small living room
Floating a sofa if you have a small living room is perhaps the most clever way to utilize your limited space to its full potential. It’s time to let go of the trend of having all our bulky furniture pieces against a corner or a wall believing that we’ll reclaim better spacing. Instead, you will have a more comfortable layout without feeling cluttered and crowded if you have the sofa and its accompanying pieces in the middle.
If you have an open floor plan
Some people have an open floor plan in their house or apartment. And while this makes it easier to communicate with friends and family members at home, it can appear chaotic. You can restore some privacy and intimacy by defining the open space with a floating sofa.
If you have no free wall space
Modern houses usually lose the traditional wall and opt for glass. This is a perfect opportunity to float the sofa in the middle so everyone in the room can still see the view behind the glass. But even if you still use walls in the living room, do not place the sofa close to them, especially when they’re crowded, because you still want some space for the eyes.
What Do You Put Behind A Floating Couch?
Shelf
Shelves are an excellent way to hold other items for storage or even decorations and frames to enhance the living room. For example, you can have open shelves behind the floating couch to divide and define the other areas in the space. Having shelving behind the sofa will also help anchor it and bring the room together.
Table
You can use a narrow table behind the sofa, but make sure that it is the same level in height or a tad lower. Decorate the sofa table with plants or useful items for lounging such as books and coasters. Another great way to use the table behind a floating sofa is to create a bar or even a nook for eating or studying.
Another sofa
Floating a sofa does not mean that you can only use one sofa. You can also place another seating area behind the couch in the middle of the room. This will help create a more social space without sacrificing traffic.
Conclusion
Floating a sofa does not mean it’s elevated from the floor. As this article on how to float a sofa in a living room discussed, it simply means having the couch in the middle of the room. This will help create a focal point and define various areas in the space.
There are no specific rules to follow, but you can decorate the floating couch the same way you’ll style a sofa against the wall. Just be mindful of traffic, comfort, and visual appeal.