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Top furniture tips for difficult rooms

We all do it – whether we fall in love with the ‘gorgeous old beams’, ‘quaint cottage style’, or ‘funky design twists’, we are guilty of buying or renting properties with our hearts first and our heads second. It’s only on move day that we realise that it’s pretty much impossible to fit our normal sized sofas and furnishings into the ‘chocolate box’ proportions or to fill the quirky room shapes that stole our hearts in the first place.

However, all is not lost, because with the fantastic variety of furniture designs available in today’s marketplace, there is a furnishing solution for even the most difficult of rooms. Below are some of our top tips to make the house of your dreams work for you once you come back to reality.

To make a small room seem bigger…

Light and cool colours are key to creating the illusion of space. Ensure that your ceilings are white - and avoid heavily patterned furnishings like the plague!
Another great tip is to invest in a recliner sofa. Recliner sofas can be a great option if you’re used to being able to put your feet up on a corner, or L-shaped sofa, but now find yourself without the room. They do not take up any more space than a normal sofa, but have the option of allowing you to recline to an almost flat-bed when you are using the room. When you are done, simply return the sofa to upright position at the click of a button, and continue the illusion of a wide and spacious room.

To create intimacy in a big room…

When confronted with a large, open space, the best way to create an intimate and homely feel is through ‘zoning’. Invest in a large corner sofa (at least 2.5 metres long and one metre deep) and coffee table, to create a ‘living room’ zone, apart from the ‘dining’ or ‘study’ zones. Rugs can be a great way of defining spaces too. Bookshelves and bold furniture are also key to creating ‘rooms within a room’ so you don’t get lost in space.
Décor-wise, it is best to stick to rich, deep colouring – bright blues and ruby reds are great for creating the modern look that turns the cavernous into comfortable.

CSL Sofas offer innovative solutions to finding the right sofa for you.CSL recliner sofas are a great affordable option, and their range of two-seaters to help you make the most of your space.