Because we’ve spent so much time at home lately, I am getting really bored of our decor. Don’t get me wrong, I love pretty much everything that we’ve accumulated in the tiny bungalow over the years… but in such a small space, some stuff can feel repetitive. Ever since we started quarantining, I’ve been zhushing and shuffling things around the house to make it feel a bit fresher. While working on the sofa the other day, I thought it would be fun to set up the tripod and show you how I have been styling our sofa + share some tips for you to try it out yourself!
How to Style a Sofa Like a Pro
Ever since we got a new sofa and then updated the entire living room, I’ve been having so much fun re-styling the space. Having a big, new sofa is like having a blank canvas! Our old sofa was a dingy shade of grey, so the white upholstery is a great neutral base for layering all of my favorite pillows and throws. Here are some of my favorite ways to style
Wrap the seat cushions
One of the easiest ways to make your sofa feel fresh is to wrap the seat cushion. I love to use this linen throw because it’s soft and the perfect neutral shade of taupe. You can also do something patterned! I have a vintage suzani that I will be using one day…
Mix and match pillows
I feel like I could write an entire post on picking decorative pillows alone… I have a formula! Basically, I like to have 2 pillows that match, 1 that is solid and a pop color, and 1 lumbar or rectangular shape. Typically, I style with odd numbers of pieces, so if you’re going to do 4 pillows, definitely incorporate a throw as well. It’s all about balancing the shape of each pillow with the others.
Make the sofa back cozy
Spring can still be chilly here in Seattle, so I added a few faux sherpa rugs to the back of the sofa. Lucy also hangs out there, waiting for Sean to come home for lunch, so the sheepskin helps to keep her hair off the couch. In the winter, I want to put the sheepskin on the seat so that it’s extra-cozy!
Layer on a throw
I love a well-draped throw, but lately I’ve been into the look of a neatly folded blanket — especially if there’s fringe involved! Pick a throw with a coordinating color palette to your pillows and don’t be afraid to mix prints! I love how this subtle stripe accents the blue of our pillows.
Use dec pillows instead of sofa cushions
I’m a really big fan of tossback-style sofas. They’re the ones where the back of the sofa is actually made of a bunch of dec pillows instead of actual cushions. It’s so perfectly relaxed and casual! You can get this look with your existing sofa by removing the back cushions and lining pillows across the back instead. This sofa styling tip definitely works best if you use pillows that are all the same size. Also, you will need to find a spot to store your sofa cushions. For us, it’s under the bed.
Mix up textures
I am a bigggg fan of playing with a variety of textures when I style a space or vignette. Notice how we have a mix of nubby wovens, washed linen, velvet, and sheepskin? That helps everything feel a bit more curated or even ‘designed…’ like you had an interior designer come in and do it for you!
Get the look:
- Indro pillow by Susan Connor
- Artemis pillow by Susan Connor
- Delmar pillow arm queen sleeper from Crate & Barrel
- Green velvet pillow (similar)
- Laguna throw from Pom Pom At Home
- Montauk throw from Pom Pom At Home
- Faux sheepskin rug from IKEA
All other sources from our living room can be found here!
Want more home decor styling tips? Check out these helpful posts:
- 4 Ways to Display Art in a Small Space
- The Best Sources for Affordable Home Decor
- 5 Tips for Making Low Ceilings Feel Taller
- How to Decorate with Large Indoor Plants in a Small Space
- My Best Rug Styling Tips
