With house prices staying resolutely below the level that most homeowners paid for them, without a doubt, staying put and renovating is the new moving house. The only problem with a major decorative revamp is that existing furniture will begin to look old and shabby, and suddenly, it may well have been cheaper to move house after all. In the living area, the main outlay is likely to be the sofa – centrepiece of the living room, essential to comfortable television viewing or simply relaxing with music or a book, the sofa can make or break a room. In a smaller room, or where the space is compromised by a conventional sofa, a corner sofa is a practical solution for a large or growing family, or for the household that entertains frequently. Even a very modest-sized room can appear much larger, as a corner sofa, no matter how distinctive, brings the focus back to the centre of the room.
Once a decision has been made to purchase a corner sofa, it’s time to really start on the research. Personal style and taste, not to mention budget, colour-scheme, and practically in terms of fabrics and finishes will all have a huge impact. Also, the style of someone’s living space should be taken into account – for example, a mock-Georgian, opulent, decadent piece will look very strange in a modern, urban space, just as the minimalist, clean lines of an ultra-modern white leather corner sofa will seem to be a fish out of water in a period property which still has many of its original features.
So once the space has been considered, personal preference is the next deciding factor. Neutral décor can take modern, bright colours, and ultra-hip dark walls and ceilings cry out for jewel brights, in sumptuous fabrics. Quirky or classic, smooth lines or plush piles of cushions, there’s a sofa out there.
Since less traditional furniture is already being considered, it’s worth being more open-minded in a search for the perfect corner sofa than setting the more rigid guidelines that other furniture purchases often demand. Although not suited to every room, the modular design of a corner sofa means that the separate sections are easier to get into rooms that have defeated more conventional seating – even narrow doorways can be more easily negotiated. For the dedicated couch-potato, corner sofas are often on the more luxurious side, and beckon enticingly when it comes to time for relaxation.
There is a stunning variety of corner sofas to choose from at CSL. In a wide range of luxury fabrics, with a huge variety of configurations and colour schemes, there is something to suit every space, every style, and every budget. There are even more conventional sofas and armchairs to complement the perfect corner sofa. To just highlight a few, Constellation is perfect for opulent tastes, in luxury fabrics, and with plush, comfortable seating. Those aspiring to a more high-end, private gentlemen’s club look may be tempted by the leather Superior range, with the added allure of end recliners. There’s something quintessentially British about the quirky, modern Ware design, with a mixture of fabric and leather, in bright colours and stripes – perfect for a more artistic, youthful living space and lifestyle.
A sofa isn’t an everyday purchase, so it’s important to look for excellent deals, such as interest free credit, and lengthy guarantees – a sofa will get a lot of wear and tear. CSL even offer an attractive exchange deal if the sofa proves to be the wrong choice. We all spend far longer on the sofa than we care to admit – it might as well be a spectacular, attention-grabbing centrepiece that will be loved for years to come.
Oliver Bray’s interested in interior design was sparked by the refurbishment of his house a few years ago.
