The sofa, the new key
player of everyday living

The sofa gets a makeover. It broadens horizons, moves lines, adapts shapes, multiplies models and explores materials. It thus becomes the new and versatile key player of living and home decor. It is no longer just waiting for us at home in the evening to watch our favourite TV programme, but it goes together with and frames each single moment of our day. We sit on the sofa in looking for a bit of relax entertainment and conviviality. We chat as a couple, play our kids , welcome our guests all on our sofa and we send e-mails from our tablet, talk on the phone, follow chats and TV series, all while sitting on our sofa. And we’re on the sofa when we eat a meal on the fly or sip a glass of wine. The sofa is omnipresent and multi-tasking, it takes on a key role in the living room and in everyday life. It becomes the central and irreplaceable furnishing element of a successful living room, thanks to its ability to combine aesthetics and comfort and to offer an almost infinite range of inspirations, functions and solutions.

The new collection of made-in-Italy sofas by Bontempi Casa And it is always from this point of view that it becomes important in the design and enhancement of home furnishings to start from its protagonist: the sofa. Where and how to place the sofa is really the first question to ask. In the following paragraphs you will find the answer, together with tips and style trends for arranging the sofa in the best possible way and achieving a successful décor.

How to arrange the sofa: 5 interior design tips

Choosing the right sofa does not only mean finding the model, size and materials that match our tastes our living room at best. It also and above all means arranging the sofa in the most appropriate way. And this challenge is not easy. There are many factors that influence the proper placement of the sofa in the living room. Lights, walls, windows, not forgetting the size and structure of the living room, these are just some of the elements to take into account.

Here are five interior design tips on how best to arrange the sofa in its room.

How to arrange the sofa: against the wall or in the middle of the living room?

Placing the sofa along the ‘free’ wall, i.e., the wall without furniture and bookcases, is undoubtedly the winning solution. This is a natural and harmonious choice. It’s a no risks solution and matches every living room. Inserting the sofa in the centre of the room. is a braver and more personal alternative. However, it is only suitable for large spaces without critical features, such as load-bearing columns and irregular walls. In this case, the sofa will become the absolute star of the living room and, with an appealing design, it will enhance it. Do not place the sofa in the middle of a small and irregular living room: the final effect would be suffocating and the size would appear smaller than it actually is.

How to find the right distance between sofa and TV?

For the best viewing experience, the suggestion is to place the sofa in front of the TV. The optimal distance depends on the size of the TV set. The larger the TV set, the greater the distance. If it measures, for example, 32 inches, the distance to the sofa should be at least one metre. If it measures 50 inches, it will be close to two metres. Regardingtheideal height as for the ideal height at which to position the TV, you can find it by sitting on the sofa: the centre of the TV should be at the same level as your eyes.

How should the sofa be arranged in relation to the windows?

The suggestion is always to place the sofa next to the windows, never behind or in front of them, unless you really can’t do without it. The reason? The position of the sofa is directly related to the position of the TV set, which should not be in direct sunlight to avoid visual disturbances and reflections on the screen.

How to combine two sofas in a living room?

Spacious and airy halls, lounges and living rooms lend themselves to inserting two sofas. The double sofa creates a secluded living area where elegance meets intimacy. The best choice is to have the  two sofas facing each other, both perpendicular to the wall where the TV is located . Alternatively, you can create an L-shapedcorner with two sofas, possibly with storage space, coffee tables and side tables straddling the “L”. In any case, attention must be paid to the distances between the two pieces of furniture: they must always allow an easy passage.

How to combine a dining table and a sofa?

In open spaces and living rooms with kitchen islands or kitchenettes, it is advisable to place the dining table to the side or behind the sofa, preferably at a distance of at least one metre, and never between the sofa and the TV to avoid creating a visual obstacle, preventing those sitting on the sofa from fully enjoying the TV show.

Linear sofa VS corner sofa: how to arrange them

In the wide range of available sofas there are two trendy lines: linear sofas and corner sofas, which Bontempi Casa translates respectively into the Dakota and Bonnie.

Linear sofas, which are slimmer and slenderer, are usually placed along the free wall of the living room and are surrounded by matching or contrasting furniture to complement and enrich them. Corner sofas, more voluminous and furnishing, can be placed along the “free” wall in small rooms, in the centre of the room in large, soft or open spaces to create a convivial area or to separate the living room from the dining room, the living area from the sleeping area.

Dakota is a linear sofa with a light and sophisticated silhouette. It interprets a modular furnishing system, allowing the number of seats to be customised and combined with matching poufs and shelves. It is made of refined materials both for the solid wood structure, the painted steel feet and the goose down padding. An exceptional piece for spacious rooms with an elegant touch and a modern spirit.

Bonnie is proposed as a corner sofa or L-shaped, with soft, rounded shapes. The look reinterprets the Seventies in a modern key and takes care of every detail, from the stitching in the seat to the two metal tubular fronts. Here too, customisation makes the difference thanks to a modular system that leaves the choice open to any combination of elements. A versatile and cosy model that, while inviting you to relax, gives a poetic allure to the atmosphere.