The Furniture Formula: Nailing Composition, Balance & Space
Furniture Flow 101:
Not all sofas and coffee tables are created equally — and that’s exactly why choosing the right pair matters for the overall look and feel of your space.
The truth is, the shape and size of your sofa are going to play a huge role in determining the type of coffee table (or even accent chair) that works best. It all boils down to composition.
Think of your living room layout like a game of Tetris. If you looked at your space from a bird’s-eye view, you’d see how all the shapes, corners, and edges should almost "fit" within each other. When there's too much empty space — or the wrong shape disrupting the flow — the whole composition feels off.
The Cheat Code
Let me break it down. If you have a larger, standard-shaped sofa, you can usually get away with just about any coffee table shape. Rectangular, round, square — they all play nice depending on proportions.
But when you're working with an L-shaped sectional, that's when the rules shift a bit. I almost always recommend a round or irregular-shaped coffee table for L-shaped sofas. Why? It’s all about space and balance. A sharp, boxy table can feel like it's fighting the sectional — but something round or organic softens those angles and creates better flow.
My Legs!
Now, here’s a design tip I live by that most people overlook: sofa legs. Or should I say...no legs.
I almost always opt for sofas with no visible legs. It's my little cheat code. When your sofa sits lower and closes off the space beneath it, you're free to mix in more options for tables and chairs without the whole setup feeling too "busy."
For example, pairing a leggy, open-frame coffee table with a sofa that also has high legs can make your space feel chaotic and overexposed. But when your sofa sits low and grounded, you can have more fun with pedestal tables, bold chairs, or even sculptural side tables — without things clashing.
Are you Doing Too Much?
Now onto accent chairs. Y’all know I love a bold moment, especially with chairs. Typically, the bolder, the better — color, shape, texture — I’m here for it.
But here's the balance: if your sofa is already doing a lot — think bold color, oversized silhouette, or a dramatic shape — your chair should complement, not compete. Sometimes, the space needs a visual "resting point" so the eye isn’t overwhelmed.
It always circles back to balance — bold where it makes sense, subtle where it’s needed.
Lets Close this Out
Your sofa, coffee table, and accent chair aren’t just random pieces — they’re part of a bigger composition. When you understand how shapes, spacing, and balance work together, designing your space feels less like guesswork...and more like building the perfect layout — Tetris-style.
So the next time you're in the market for a new sofa, coffee table, or accent chair, always think beyond the individual piece. Pay attention to the overall composition — how everything flows together, not just how it looks separately.
Do the shapes and silhouettes mirror or complement each other? Or are they clashing so much that it feels confusing to the eye?
It always comes back to composition, balance, and space. Master that — and your space will always feel intentional.