Arranging furniture can be tricky. And, if there's one problem I see most often, it's all (or most) of the furniture pushed up against the walls. And, as much as I would like to drag every sofa in America out in the middle of the room, it just doesn't work in some spaces.
If you have an extra 12 to 18 inches to spare, a simple solution is to give your room some depth and interest by "layering" your furniture. I've always been a fan of bookcases, but I especially like them as a backdrop behind other pieces.
Angus Fergusson Photography via DecorPad
I've been in too many living rooms where the furniture--especially the seating--is way too far from each other. Even if you're fortunate enough to have a wide expanse of a family room, it doesn't mean you have to stretch your pieces to fill every square inch. Adding another piece behind a sofa or a pair of chairs forces you to pull everything in and create a warmer space for easier conversation.
DesignSponge
Windsor Smith
(Another plus? You can add some baskets to the lower, unseen shelves for the "stuff" you don't want to look at all of the time.)
Domino
You don't have to use traditional bookshelves to achieve this look. I like the idea of using a china cabinet or credenza, as well:
Lower bookcases behind a pair of chairs work well, even on a wall with windows. (If you don't want to invest in custom built-ins, a set--or two--of the IKEA Expedit lower shelves would work perfectly lining a wall.)
And, I hope to use this idea in some of the projects I'm working on now. This is a great solution if you have a large wall and a small TV stand that doesn't quite fit. Add height--and lots of storage/display--by filling the walls with taller shelving. (Again, IKEA is my go-to for inexpensive shelving. The Billy bookcase would work perfectly here.)
So, be honest. Is your furniture pushed against the wall? If so, would this look work for you?
Wow! I've done something right!! My couch floats in the middle AND has a bookcase behind it. Just wish it looked as pretty as some of your pictures!!
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged -- our furniture is up against the wall except for the loveseat dividing the dining area from the living room. I love the look of furniture pulled away from walls, but it is simply not feasible (in my experience) with little children in the house. At least not when the primary living/playing space is the living room. First, they need an open space to play, which floating furniture infringes on, and equally as important, it's not safe to have a space where a toddler can climb over the top of a couch and crash on the other side.
ReplyDeleteIn short, guilty, but show mercy! :)
I LOVE THIS LOOK! Sofa's and chairs in front of bookshelves is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteMy couch is definitely up against the wall and I HATE IT there. I would love to either make a really long console for behind it...or maybe some bookshelves. I've thought about the bookshelves before, but my husband has always vetoed the idea. I may just do it without him ;)
ReplyDeleteMy couch is kinda on the wall and kinda off:)I like they layered look. It makes a space look like someone lives there.
ReplyDeleteChic Modern Vintage
Thanks for sharing these beautiful spaces! Our couch sits about 3 feet from a wall full of windows. The furniture just wouldn't work right if it was against the wall, plus, we can stash a few toys, unnoticed behind it!
ReplyDeletehttp://designedtodwell.blogspot.com/2011/04/family-room.html
That last photo really stopped me - I would never think of putting bookshelves behind a TV console. Very interesting - I really like it. Great photos - this post really got me thinking!
ReplyDeleteLove you post today...practical and will be put to good use.
ReplyDeleteI love that picture from Windsor smith! What a great room. The couch is perfect and that mirror is delightful!
ReplyDeletehttp://jennaleelac.blogspot.com/
I could not agree more with this post! I can't stand it when furniture "borders" the room! And I love the look of bookshelves as a backdrop!
ReplyDeleteEmily Hewett
A Well Dressed Home
awelldressedhome.com/blog
Love all of these looks! Curious what other furniture pieces you would layer??
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to recreate the Maillardville Manor look with the low bookcases. Thanks for the ideas!
Love the layered looks presented here. Not to mention that the bookcases are so functional for storage! If I only had room! I will say though--my couch is not on a wall---and neither are my two chairs! (However, if it was up to my husband, they would be.) : )
ReplyDeleteMY Gawd!! I JUST did this in my teenie, tiney, den! I put a cabinet shelf behind my small love seat sitting catacorner in the room! I have been struggling with what to put on the shelves. Now I know!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Love this! such a great idea. It totally adds depth to a room & a great solution for clutter control!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Emily! So many people have their furniture clinging to the walls of their rooms, and seats so far apart from each other that they feel like islands!
ReplyDeleteI had a teacher at design school who claimed it was her biggest pet peeve; that rooms with furniture on the walls looked like they were hosting a barn dance in the center of the room! :) Drag your pieces closer together and see how much more comfortable your room can be. Hallelujah!
My couch doesn't float because my room's too narrow for that, but some of my other furniture does. I love the look!
ReplyDeleteyes.. my pet peeve as well. i call it 'furniture fear'.. all the furniture scared against the wall! ;)
ReplyDeletegreat inspiration photos.. nice post!
I have tried and tried to make our furniture work away from the wall and the just isn't enough room. It makes me quite sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of book cases behind seating.
We are so very fortunate to have an open floor plan. All of our living room furniture has to 'float'. I love that nothing is pushed up against the walls. We do have a set of four bookcases on the only wall in the living room. They will soon get a lovely coat of paint. The styling of the bookcases is a whole other issue.
ReplyDeleteMy furniture IS pushed against the wall... but the room isn't very big. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been considering bookshelves anyway, though, because we're pretty much out of storage.
our couch isn't against a wall, but we're moving in a few weeks and the layout is completely different. i love the idea of bookshelves behind seating. layered furniture looks so grown up to me. i'm 29 and have owned a home for 8 years, but I still haven't quite figured out how to do this. i am going to experiment with this look in the next house!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea of layering. The pictures are giving me some good ideas. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSusan
I'm dying to do this in our next home - I almost got to in our current living room but ended up with different needs. The layering (particularly the tv console in front of the shelves) is so interesting! I'll have to try that sometime too :)
ReplyDeleteI can't stand the look of furniture being pushed against the walls. A book shelf is a great idea! Thank you for your wonderful tips!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! Makes me wish I had a wall big enough to put a huge bookcase AND my couch in front of. Saving a ton of these pics for future reference. I love, love, love bookshelves.
ReplyDeletethis is such a great post! very good ideas because unfortunately you are right, it's too easy to just shove everything against the wall. I love the look of layering couches and tables against bookcases, just gives it a lot of depth!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous green paint!
ReplyDeleteBy the way--have you heard that my 1st novel is being released on Amazon.com tomorrow?! Check it out on my blog! Have a wonderful Cinco De Mayo honey! Kori xoxo
www.blondeepisodes.com
It's amazing how creative some people have been with the layering. What character it gives the room.
ReplyDeleteLovely ideas! I wish I had the room to pull my furniture away from the walls, but I have a loooooong and very narrow great room, so I really have no choice but to have mine pushed up against the walls in most places. Next house, I'll be looking for the space to be more creative with the layout!
ReplyDeleteOh I am in love with that Maillordville Manor image. That space is incredible. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could affording losing that much space, it adds great perspective
ReplyDeleteGuilty. I have always hated t, but was sure what the cure would be. So glad to have a possible answer!
ReplyDeleteYou are fantastic
I love the idea of having bookshelves behind a sofa or chairs. Great inspiration photos, you have made me want to add some free standing bookshelves to our living room.
ReplyDeleteI would love to send you a picture of my floor to ceiling built in bookcases & get your feedback on how to make it all look better. I am a believer in furniture off the wall and I actually have a sofa in front of the bookcases but it always looked off in scale to me. Now looking at the photos you have in this post, I see my sofas scale isn't any different than those you show but maybe it's that my bookcases are all white and I don't have enough color or visual interest?? I will send a photo tomorrow and see if you have time to give me some feedback. I've thought of painting the back of the inside of the built ins but I literally think my husband would have a heart attack (he painstakingly built them). Then I thought about hanging art work or plates or something else??? I'm at a loss!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely Love all the inspiration pics! I would love to do it but I do not have the luxury in my CA townhouse! Now I have bookcase envy!
ReplyDeleteI really like this look! Great post, I love the pictures :)
ReplyDeletethis first picture is so cool....
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are so impressive. I am sure my peers will enjoy these too.childrens furniture
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ReplyDeleteBathroom Wall Cabinets is also comes in layering forms..
Some really great inspiration! Hope you have a great weekend and a wonderful mother's day.
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged!! I love this idea but would it look ok if it was opposite a wall of built ins? How many is too many shelves?
ReplyDeleteI love that windsor smith room! And, thankfully, my furniture is not smashed up against the walls. Love leaving a little room...but I have been there and sometimes you just dont have the space to spread out!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE layering! I especially like the room by Windsor Smith with that over scaled round bullseye...yum! Great post!
ReplyDeleteSidney @Eclectic
http://eclecticinteriordesigngroup.blogspot.com/
Oh My Goodness, Our little library is in there, I am sooooo flattered you liked our little library :) It means a ton coming from you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
Lots of Love
Ashli
That last picture is just what I need as an inexpensive alternative to built-ins. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhere did the black & white patterned-upholstered chairs come from in that last photo? LOVE!
ReplyDeleteAmazing examples!
ReplyDeleteLove them! And the advise is right on!
Placement is an art!
And:
Happy Mother's Day!
Great advice Emily...I have seen this all too often. Hope you are enjoying a wonderful Mothers Day.
ReplyDeleteHello Emily! Great advice..I do have a question..in picture 3 with the mirror..how would you go about hanging such a heavy piece on the bookcase?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post...I am always trying to show clients that IT'S OK if furniture is in front of bookcases and not pushed against a wall!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting!!!
hi Emily- Just catching up! Loved this post and it is just FULL of inspiration. Actually, my furniture is all floating in the middle of the room, except my piano. I may steal that last image with the TV stand in front of the shelves. I hope you're doing well!! abby
ReplyDeleteOur living room is 13x13 and with the doorways and windows, our couch has to be against a wall. But I just put 3 cheap bookcases behind it to act as hidden storage and a sofa table. They are the same height as the back of the couch, though.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I LOVE seeing this look (tall bookcases behind furniture) in photos, but it seems like something too daring to do in real life. I think, if I did it, my mom and other family members would think I was crazy. I'm usually not like that with decor, and I can see it working with a chair in my house and MAYBE the couch, but definitely not the tv. I guess I"m just a wimp!
Hi Emily! Thanks for stopping by.. I am SO excited to have found you! I can't wait to peruse through your archives... Isn't the blogosphere a great thing???
ReplyDeleteGreat article! It really made me think. I haven't been considering this option even though I have seen it, in particular that first photo was one I bookmarked long ago. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteAs far as pushed against the wall - no, generally not, unless the room forces it. I say try not to if possible. But, the bookshelf backdrop is a good idea, even if you don't have too much fo rthe pushed against the wall issue.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love your blog! I am trying to find inspiration for decorating my bookshelves and came across this! Amazing! However, I need help finding decor that is toddler-friendly for the those shelves that little hands can touch/break! Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteI would love to try this. I am not sure if it would work for us, but I would love to play around with it. I always want to re-arrange furniture in my home, but there are some rooms that are pretty difficult to change. Love your blog. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration.
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