When furnishing your home, the right sofa can make a significant impact on both style and functionality. While large, plush sofas often take centre stage, there’s a lot to be said for adding a smaller, more structured sofa into your home. A small sofa isn’t just a solution for tighter spaces or smaller rooms; it’s a versatile and stylish addition that can elevate many areas of your home, from formal living rooms to cosy nooks, and even in transit areas like hallways or landings. Whether you’re looking for an elegant statement piece for a formal sitting room or drawing room, practical but attractive seating for putting on shoes, or a cosy spot to share a cup of tea, small sofas offer the perfect blend of comfort, style, and space efficiency.
In this post, we’ll explore why a small or more structured sofa might just be the missing element in your home that you didn’t realise you needed.
Lyndhurst 2 seater sofa in RHS Botanicals Mark Catesby Grosbeak, Natural.
Small sofas for formal sitting rooms
Not every living space calls for a large, squishy sofa that dominates the room. In many cases, you need a sofa design that will encapsulate a particular aesthetic or encourage a certain mood, while not compromising on comfort. A smaller, more structured sofa is perfect for areas where you want a polished look, or upright seating that promotes conversation and engagement. In formal sitting rooms, or morning or drawing rooms, the design of a sofa will greatly influence the room’s aesthetic. Adding a small, structured sofa will create comfortable seating without overwhelming the room.
What to look for?
- Slimline sofas with sleek profiles: choose a model with a neat frame and narrow or low arms, that will provide comfortable seating without dominating a space.
- Neat upholstery across sprung backs: will help to keep the room feeling uncluttered, airy and open.
Holmfirth 2.5 seater sofa in Linwood Verde Oatmeal
The fabric you choose will shape the mood you wish to convey – stripes or other geometric weaves will complement a contemporary style, though could work equally well in a more traditional, period home. Bold florals or botanicals will contribute a sense of abundance, while smaller scale decorative prints will bring a pretty delicacy to a scheme.
Alwinton 2 seater sofa in House Clever Velvet Emerald. Image credit @charlottegaisford, featuring scatters in her own fabric designs.
Kitchen comforts: adding a small sofa to the hub of the home
Adding a small sofa to a kitchen can be a game-changer, creating a comfy and functional seating area without taking up too much space. This is ideal for kitchens with breakfast nooks or open-plan layouts where extra seating can make the space more inviting.
- Compact comfort: A small, upright sofa in the kitchen provides a comfortable spot for quick snacks and casual conversations. A sofa with a sprung back and low arms, like the Lyndhurst 2 seater pictured below, offers comfort without the bulk, fitting seamlessly into smaller spaces.
- Low-maintenance style: Kitchens can be high-traffic areas, so a structured sofa that doesn’t require constant plumping and resetting is a practical choice. Look for designs with sprung backs, and bench seats. You might want to choose easy-to-clean fabrics that maintain their good looks with minimal upkeep.
- Design cohesion: Choose a sofa that complements your kitchen’s style, whether it’s a sleek, modern piece or a more traditional settee. The right sofa can act as a bridge between the cooking and socialising areas, enhancing the flow and functionality of your kitchen.
Lyndhurst 2 seater sofa in V&A Drawn from Nature Willow, Navy.
Transform your bedroom with a small sofa
Incorporating a sprung back, fixed bench seat sofa into a bedroom can transform the space into a functional and stylish retreat. These sofas offer firm, supportive seating with a clean, tailored look, making them ideal for bedrooms where you want to create a cozy yet polished atmosphere.
- Neat and tidy comfort: A fixed bench seat sofa provides comfortable seating without the bulk of loose cushions, making it perfect for bedrooms. A streamlined design, like the Midhurst 2 seatesr sofa pictured below, keeps the room feeling uncluttered.
- Low-maintenance style: With a sprung back and fixed seat, this type of sofa maintains its shape and appearance with minimal upkeep. It doesn’t require frequent redressing or adjusting, making it a great choice for a bedroom setting where ease of use is key.
- Versatile functionality: Beyond its visual appeal, a bench seat sofa offers great practicality in a bedroom. Use it as a quiet spot to catch up on messages, a place to lay out clothes, or a comfortable perch for putting on shoes. Its firm seating makes it both practical and inviting.
All in all, a small sofa of this type adds a structured, tidy element to the bedroom while providing the comfort needed for a truly multifunctional space.
Midhurst 2 seater sofa in Tough as House Tuscany Soft Teal. Image by @theunruffled_uk soft teal
Small sofas for hallways: stylish and practical seating for entryways and landings
A smaller framed sofa, or small settee, is an excellent choice for hallways, or for larger landings. A considered piece in terms of style and shape will create a wonderful first impression to your home in an entryway, or enhance your home’s aesthetic, while also offering practical seating for a multitude of activities, such as putting on shoes or catching up with messages and emails.
Grassington 2 seater sofa in Linwood The English Garden Kitty, Spring Green.
Bring greater comfort to a study or your home office
Smaller sofas with firmer seating are perfect for creating intimate nooks where you can relax with a book or enjoy a quiet moment. These sofas offer comfort without making you feel like you’re sinking in, making them ideal for spaces where a more upright posture is desired, such as a study or home office or library. Look for a piece with an upright back, perhaps buttoned in the Chesterfield style, or sprung for comfort without the need for continual cushion plumping and re-arrangement. Structured lines, softened by a scatter cushion or two, will support you while you read. Again, fabric choice will pay a large part in conveying the comfort you might expect when you sit. Choose a lovely textured fabric that will complement the cosy, cocooning feel. The enticement to sit and stay a while will be almost irresistible!
Abbotsbury snuggler in Linwood Freya Mineral with scatters in Linwood Cosmo.
Adding a compact sofa to your home office can create a comfortable spot to take breaks or have informal meetings. A structured yet soft sofa provides a welcoming addition to your home working space, enhancing the room’s usability for you or other members of the family too.
Saltdean snuggler in Linwood Tango Velvet Rosewood.
Enhance a cosy nook with a small sofa
Smaller sofas are perfect for creating intimate settings in unexpected places. Perhaps your dining room has some unused space that could be transformed? Whether it’s a quiet corner by the window or in an alcove, a small sofa, such as the Holmfirth pictured below, can turn these spaces into inviting retreats.
Holmfirth 2 seater sofa in Manual Canovas Rivola ‘Cactus’ by Otta Design. Image credit Jonathan Bond.
Choosing a structured, small sofa can be a smart, stylish choice for any home. Whether you’re enhancing a formal space, maximising the functionality of transit areas, adding comfort to your kitchen, or creating cosy corners in bedrooms and home offices, small sofas offer versatile seating solutions that don’t compromise on style or comfort. With a range of designs from tailored and elegant to softer and more inviting, there’s a small sofa to suit every need and aesthetic. By selecting the right piece, you can enjoy all the benefits of comfortable seating while maintaining a spacious, well-curated home environment.
You may find our Guide to buying a sofa, a helpful place to further develop your thoughts about the best sofa for you. For more inspiration on models you can browse our 2 seater sofas here, before visiting your nearest showroom for advice on the best model and fabrics for your needs.
Blog feature image is the Grassington 2 seater sofa in Designers Guild Corda, Olive by Otta Design. Image credit: Jonathan Bond.