Are Backpack Sofas the Next Big Thing?

While it’s not unusual for sofas to be multi-purpose (think sofa beds…), this one caught our eye because we feel it takes multi-purpose to whole new level.  As Dave LeClair writes in Gizmag.com:

“For anyone who has a ton of stuff in their house that they just cannot find a place for, this new Eastpak sofa might be right up their alley. It’s sort of like a backpack and couch combined into one piece of furniture. It has pockets for your tablet, laptop, remote and almost anything else you could want to store in your couch.

This couch might look a little odd, but for people in small spaces where storage is at a premium, it could be a useful fix.” [Read the full article here]

The Eastpak certainly appears to be functional and is guaranteed to be a conversation starter, but we really don’t feel it will be featuring in the majority of living rooms any time soon.

We’re not saying that the Eastpak doesn’t have a market.  Though the price is a bit steep for a piece is a bit steep for many people who reside in smaller living spaces (based on the assumption that, if money were no object, then larger accommodation would be sought), we can see such these sofas being popular outside the lounge, e.g., teenagers’ rooms or even family rooms where clutter is often a risk.

However, we strongly believe that a lounge is for lounging, and there are other sofas on the market that fulfill the needs of those with smaller living areas more adequately.

For example, when space is limited, sectional sofas like the one pictured above are well worth considering.  Though the Rieti is not as versatile as some, it can still fully utilise the corner of a room, without taking up valuable space with ‘arms’ in the way that other seating options do, and the chaise is reversible so you’re not restricted to a particular corner, etc.

Basically, these sofas (often known as corner sofas) tend to offer more seating for less floor space, without compromising on the sort of comfort we expect from a sofa that’s fit for a lounge.

So what is the problem with small rooms?

Small rooms are often difficult to furnish. You want to maximise the use of space, which makes armchairs a problem because, although an armchair is smaller than a sofa, two armchairs are definitely not. After all, if you opt for a couple of armchairs over a single sofa, you will need space for four arms instead of two!

So two small sofas could be a solution. However, corner sofas could be even better! With corner sofas, you have even less arms than you would on two small sofas. Also, you don’t lose seating space in the often wasted corner area of the room.

So what are the options for corner sofas?

These days, corner sofas, which are often referred to as sectional sofas or corner units, come in a wide variety of colours and styles. Leather is often considered to have a look of high quality, but tends to have a high price tag, too. One way to get around this issue is to opt for faux leather, which is typically far cheaper to buy. Faux leather corner sofas are becoming more popular, possibly due to the harsh economical climate, where people want a feeling of luxury without having to pay the price that they might have done in better times.

Luxury in a small room

Another thing that is a common feature with corner sofas is a reclining mechanism. Recliners seem to represent the height of comfort for living room seating and it is often possible to fit these into smaller rooms.

A small room ideally needs a light shade on the walls, as dark shades can easily ‘shrink’ the space. It is not so necessary to choose light coloured seating, though, as this can be brightened quite simply through clever use of cushions and throws

Look online for deals on corner sofas

If you search online, it is easy to find lots of different options for corner sofas and there are usually good deals to be had on furniture if you know where to look.

It may be tempting to knock down walls, leaving an open space that flows throughout your home, but small rooms can have a special charm of their own that is impossible to create in a larger area.

Small rooms can be warm and inviting…

Small rooms can be cosy and make it easy to define living accommodation. With careful attention to wall colour and furnishing with small sofas and armchairs that create a real ‘wow’, you could find yourself with a bijou home of your dreams if you follow a few simple rules.

When decorating small rooms…

Avoid darker colours on walls because they can easily ‘shrink’ a room. Opt for lighter colours instead to give an impression of space.

Multi purpose furniture

Multi purpose furniture, such as sofa beds, can help you to make the most of living areas that would often be thought of as restricted. A library room may not have room for a sofa, but armchairs are definitely worth consideration, especially as the right armchair can make a real statement in a room.

Small sofas work well in small rooms

Rather than opt for a traditional 3 piece suite, small rooms are often better able to accommodate a couple of small sofas. The most common combination for 3 piece suites is a 3-seater sofa and a two armchairs. Small sofas can work better because less space is taken up by the arms than would be the case with armchairs. One option is to have two small sofas placed at a right angle towards the corner of a room, with a square lamp table in between. With the right lamp, this can be a very effective use of space, providing a cosy lighting solution that can be a statement in itself.

Good colours for small sofas and accessories

If you are thinking about having a couple of small sofas in your room, a lighter neutral shade would be a good choice, giving you an opportunity to add some colour into the room through choice of cushions and curtains. These days, you can get lots of cushions and curtains with a light base colour that uses stronger colours within the pattern. These designs are fantastic for adding a host of bold colours into a small room while maintaining a bright and airy feel.

If you have a small room decorated in neutral shades and are opting for a single piece of furniture, such as an armchair or one small sofa, you can follow the same guidelines as with cushions and curtains, i.e., choose a fabric with a light base colour and strong pattern, which should give you the ‘wow’ you are seeking without darkening your living space.

“I need to look for a couple of small sofas“, said my good pal, Big J, one day. “Will you come with me?”

In search of small sofas…

As I was the only one with a car, and from past experience expected the search to take in quite an area, I felt obliged to accept. And, of course, it was a chance to shop for small sofas without using my own money, which is always a positive – even if you don’t get to take the goods home with you at the end of the day!

Learning lessons…

I should have learned my lesson from the previous year, when Big J decided he wanted a new kitchen and asked for my advice. I suppose it’s fair to say that I can be impulsive. If I see something I want and can justify spending the cash, I don’t waste much time wondering if something better is around the corner. The way I see it, time is precious and it’s something you can never get back. Yes, something better might come along, but I now accept it probably only seems better because I can’t have it. Big J is the opposite of me. After several return visits to the showroom, which included discussion around more design layouts than I could tolerate, he finally made a decision – then changed his mind again in the showroom at the last minute! But, despite this, I willingly agreed to get involved in the hunt for small sofas.

We found small sofas!

We sat on small sofas in the city centre, we sat on small sofas in retail parks and we went cross country to see if their small sofas would include “the one” for Big J. We got as far as negotiating a good deal on a couple of occasions, but Big J always refused to sign on the bottom line at the last minute.

Size DOES matter!

My patience had long gone when Big J rang me to say he’d found the perfect pair of small sofas in one of the city centre stores we’d visited several times over the past couple of months until I’d refused to go back to ever again. However, I relented because I just couldn’t resist seeing these small sofas for myself. And it was well worth it.

There in front of me, perched on the smallest of small sofas imaginable, was Big J, all 6’3″ of him – looking like he was visiting friends in Toytown! While I was howling with laughter and getting busy with the camera on my mobile phone, even the exasperated salesman was having a bit of a chuckle! Once Big J saw the photos, he came round to the idea that small sofas could, in fact, be too small.

Sometimes you can’t go back…

He decided to go back to the retail park to sign on the dotted line for his second choice, which he’d seen several months earlier – only to be told the small sofas he now wanted to buy had been discontinued!

Andy Murray beats the rain…

On the day when Scotland’s Andy Murray won his match against number 16 seed Marin Clic to head into the Wimbledon 2012 quarter finals, many TV viewers might well have been grateful they were lounging on their sofas at home instead of suffering the frustrations of rain either delaying or interrupting play.

Some guys have all the luck…

Wimbledon’s Centre Court, with its retractable cover, meant Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer could keep dry as they won their quarter final slots. So, unless you’re lucky enough to bag a Centre Court ticket, there may well come a point where both you and your overpriced strawberries and cream are soaked to the skin. And, at this time, it wouldn’t be surprising if spectators found themselves wondering why they ever thought standing in the rain would be more fun than curling up on their sofas at home with a box of chocs and the BBC for company. OK, there’s always a possibility Cliff could show up to sing a chorus of ‘Bachelor Boy’, but the chances are he’ll be having a much better time watching play on Centre Court instead! Check out this video to find out how they tested the Centre Court roof for the first time back in 2009.

Tennis fans would LOVE to see sofas inspired by Wimbledon…

And, during the breaks, at home on their sofas, tennis fans could reach for their laptops and check our the Wimbledon-inspired furniture on offer at Fashion for Home. And at the moment there’s a code available for a 10% discount. Check out our latest updates for more information and other offers on sofas, armchairs, etc.

Get ready for the rain…

Anyone insisting on being there for the live match might want to take the advice of GrandSlamGal who’s produced “A Tennis Fan’s Guide to RainCon (Rain Readiness Conditions) for Wimbledon”.GrandSlamGal says:

“Just as thedefense readiness condition(DEFCON) is an alert posture used by the United States Armed Forces, these rain readiness conditions (RAINCON) are an unofficial alert protocol that can be followed by Wimbledon spectators.

The rain preparations that take place under the five RAINCONs have been described as precisely as possible, but will vary for each unique circumstance of rain.

Conditions can move swiftly from RAINCON 5 to RAINCON 0. It is recommended that spectators remain alert (but not alarmed) at all times. If you see weather conditions that are unusual or suspicious, do not wait for instructions. Follow your own judgement.”

Click here to read about the 5 RAINCONs in more detail. Inspired by real life events, it’s an amusing read and well worth a look!

Good luck, Andy!

And finally… well done so far, Andy, and we wish you all the best for the next match – which most of us will no doubt enjoy from the comfort of our sofas!