So you don’t want to use a sofa?

1. So you don’t want to use a sofa?

2. There are so many reasons why you wouldn’t want to use a sofa. Just for instance: • The homes are getting smaller and smaller and this is causing a space crunch. In such a case, using a sofa might just eat all the space there is left of it, making the home look smaller than it is. • Speaking of space, with the sofa taking up all of it, it may restrict your kids’ movement. The freer space in the home, the better. Not only it gives the home an uncluttered look, but it also allows the kids to move freely without falling from somewhere or tripping on something. • There is also a factor where using a sofa can limit your scope of design, as it restricts the viewing scope of the people seated on it. • If the design of your home is such that there is a good view all over, then using a sofa may not be a good idea because it will always have a back at something important.

3. You may just be plain bored with the cliché of using a sofa. Maybe you think it is now time to think of something different. • These are only a few reasons; different homes, different people, different ideas. But then the question arises, if not sofa, then what? Fret not, for if you open your mind, there is whole world of possible substitutes for living room sofa sets, depending on the design of course.

4. Chairs • If you are not planning on installing a television in your living room, then there is world of mix-and-match you can do using only living room chairs and a coffee table. And the fun of it all is, you don’t even have to use similar chairs. Add a pinch of fun to your décor by using different type of chairs. Well maybe not that much fun, but say, a pair each of different chairs. • Choose a focal point such as a huge window or the television and arrange your chairs for a better view. If you don’t have such a view, not to worry. Arrange your chairs in a circular fashion surrounding a table, amidst bookshelves and you have yourself a cozy living room cum study. Many chairs are so comfortable that they are like mini sofas. You can also add in a little cozy swing to curl up and have a catnap.

5. The Baithak • If the theme of your home is extremely Indian, then using a baithak – low-levelled seating – as the center of your seating arrangement adds elegance. • Pair it up with low stools – or even ottomans, if you will – and you have yourself an ethnic old-fashioned living room setup. Add in cushions and bolsters and you can give a royal look to your living room. • However, you must ensure that you adjust the height of your television for such a design or you will find yourself craning your neck to watch the television. A rather painful experience. • The advantage of such a setup is that the low-level seating arrangement gives an air of spaciousness to the room. • But the disadvantage is that this arrangement is not very practical if you have elderly people living with you. Then it becomes difficult for them because of their back and knee problems.

6. Bean Bags • A rather unusual substitute for the sofa, bean bags have a rather limited scope. Mostly, bean bags are popular amongst the youth and used in bachelor pads, and are usually classified under the “nice-to-have” category of furniture accessories. • Also, they are considered to be too bulky to be paired with sofa and other furniture. But if you are trying to avoid sofas altogether, then bean bags may just be the kind of bulk you are looking for. • Pair them up with a couple of coffee tables and floor cushions – maybe add a rug too – and you have a nice comfortable and child-friendly living room. • Of course, again, this is not a very good arrangement if you have an elderly person living with you. • But if you love this arrangement and don’t want to compromise, you can add in a couple of comfortable stackable chairs.

7. The idea of associating the sofa with the perfect living room is so strong that it is going to take time to get used to the idea of not using a sofa at all. • But there is no time better than now to start experimenting with your home décor. • The ideas are just overflowing and anything quirky and out-of-the-box is always welcome.