Sofas and armchairs are the key.
A few months ago, many of us where complaining about spending little time at home, not being able to carry out those pending domestic tasks, due to our busy professional and social life, or not taking care of ourselves.
The normality we were used to changed radically in just a few days. A self-isolation was imposed as a real need, with its own hashtag #StayHome. We have been forced to stay in our homes and reorganize spaces to create flexible domestic environments and adapt them to different uses and activities. We have had the opportunity to do a rigorous inspection of which needs are met and which are not, if the current furniture meet the expected functions, and what we can improve to create comfortable and practical homey spaces that reflect our personality and make us happier. What we surely all agree on is that most of us have not invested and pampered our domestic spaces enough to feel truly comfortable in. If there is one good thing about this situation, it is the opportunity to make us reflect on what is really important and rearrange our hierarchy of needs.
One of the rooms that has shown its great versatility is the living room, and the sofa, without a doubt, is its main piece of furniture. Without forgetting the aesthetics, this should be a comfortable piece to enjoy while watching television, reading a book or simply as a place to disconnect.
The sofa is an essential complement to the home. Life happens around it whether in family or as the centre of social gatherings. Its size dominates the space, which increases the challenge when furnishing the living room. It can be combined with big armchairs or petite lounge chairs to create a cosy space, playing with volumes, textures and colours.
Investing in a long term quality design
When choosing a sofa, it is important to invest in a good quality piece of furniture, in addition to the aesthetic considerations of the interior design project.
A good design is conceived in terms of durability and its ability to age gracefully. For Sancal sustainability is a key factor as we reject the premise of the throw-away society. We design and manufacture long lasting sofas, not just due to the high quality materials used, but also for creating forms that will stand the test of time. Careful maintenance is essential to keep the sofa in the best condition, allowing them to age gracefully with added allure.
Designs to use and… use, pieces that are destined to become a classic. Models such as Tiptoe and Mousse are sober, rational and elegant and with their serene proportions and simple lines. They can be eternal protagonists, as discreet as the type of upholstery chosen to dress them.
How do you sit on your sofa when nobody sees you?
In the selection process, the main function of the upholstery must be taken into account, since it will indicate the type of sofa that each home needs. Having in mind how each of us sits in the privacy of our own home will guarantee success.
You can let your head fall onto the high back of the Folk or Alpino, ideal for sitting straight while taking in a film.
Opting for more architectural sofas, with lower backrests, does not mean giving up the comfort and warmth with couches like the Mousse or Tiptoe. The use of auxiliary cushions lets each member of the family to adapt the seat to their ergonomic needs. These sofas are also ideal to be enjoyed lying down.
The type of arm must also be considered when selecting a sofa. High, narrow arms save space in small rooms, while wide and low arm sofas are best for those looking to nestle their head when lying down. Models like Alpino, Mousse or Tiptoe offer different types of arm and other elements to configure the most appropriate composition.
Likewise, the firmness of the sitting and the perception of comfort is valued differently by each person. To satisfy both those looking for firmer and fluffy seats, we use various types of interiors depending on the use and performance of each model. The use of fibre and memory foam or the Fiberdream, a special microfibre that simulates goose down without the allergies associated, are some of the interiors used in our upholstered furniture.
Which sofa best suits the space?
Another determining factor in the choice of a sofa is the space available in the living room or its layout.
Sancal’s models offer extensive modular programmes to provide solutions and create sectional sofa compositions that overcome the limitations set by space. The wide variety of sizes of our sofas and modules, together with the corner modules and chaise longues allow the creation of linear or angular configurations.
And, to give lightness to the smallest living rooms we recommend choosing high-legged sofas such as Tiptoe, Alpino or Obi.
Let’s choose the textiles
Once the model has been selected, it is time to select the fabrics, colours and textures to dress the sofa. Plain, patterned or mottled, neutral colour ranges or bright and vibrant hues, the choice will mark the uniqueness of the upholstered furniture.
Natural fabrics, such as wool or cotton, technical textiles that combine natural fibres with polyester or natural leathers or nubuck are recommended for domestic purposes.
Although light and neutral colours are the correct choice to create sober environments, the sofa can become the dynamic element of the living room by upholstering it with bright colours and rich textures. Sancal’s sample books 115 to 128 are sure hit the mark.
Sancal collaborates with renowned European textile manufacturers to dress their creations, which guarantees the quality of all of them.
A personal touch
Scatter cushions add notes of colour and texture contrasts on the sofas, giving softness and warmth to the spaces. Combining the wide choice of shapes and sizes they become as the ideal complement for the sofa to add a personal touch, either with more informal arrangements or with more thoughtful and sober choices.
The artistic C1-C4, the coquettish Mandarina, the chromatic irony of Bang! or the vibrant and playful Flora and Fauna are some of the options of this versatile accessory.
Auxiliary furniture
Armchairs and lounge chairs are the great allies of the sofa to provide extra seating, as well as offering alternative options to complete the diverse needs of the families.
These versatile and functional accessories allow to combine styles, shapes and finishes to create sophisticated contrasts or add bright colour notes. In addition, thanks to their small sizes they can be placed in any corner and can be relocated at any time.
The Silencio’s classic-style, the Scandinavian-inspired designs like Nido or Boomerang, the coquettish and singular pieces like Tonella or Magnum or the super comfortable DB or Tortuga are ideal.
The side tables are another essential accessory for the sofa. Combining tables of different designs, materials and heights gives dynamism to interior design, as well as offers practical and aesthetic solutions.
The architectural Duplex occasional tables, the retro design of La Isla, the joyful Pion tables or the singular Vesper will be the ideal supplement to complete the living room.
