Sit back and relax! How to arrange a relaxation corner?

Remember that lounge furniture is usually one of the most expensive items in your home, so you probably won't be replacing it often. Hence, it's crucial that your choice is well thought out! When deciding on a purchase, consider whether the furniture has removable covers, which will help it last longer. Think about the colour and form \u2013 remember that wild shapes and gaudy patterns can quickly become tiresome and boring, so neutral colours will be a safer bet. Patterned, colourful cushions or throws can then add a touch of whimsy to the entire arrangement. To choose the right model, ask yourself these questions:

1. How many people will use the lounge furniture? It's worth considering not only household members but also close ones \u2013 if you like to invite guests, you'll need more seating.
2. How do you spend time together? Do you watch films together, or perhaps play board games, drink coffee, or simply chat? The optimal furniture arrangement and its softness depend on how the space is to be used.
3. Do you need extra sleeping space for guests? If so, choose a sofa model that can be converted into a bed.

To create a comfortable nook, you'll need a sofa and at least one armchair. A modular sofa, whose sections can be freely moved, is a good choice. An essential piece of furniture is also a table \u2013 this could be a coffee table or side tables in various shapes. Designers recommend that its width should be about 2/3 of the sofa's width, and its edges should not extend beyond it. It should be positioned at a height lower or higher than the sofa seat. If you opt for side tables, combine different shapes to break the monotony in the interior.

To this minimum plan, it's worth adding a few accessories:

• colourful cushions and throws, which add character and cosiness to the interior;
• a rug, which will help you define the relaxation zone and at the same time enhance its appearance;
• a footrest or a pouf;
• mood-setting lighting, such as floor lamps or table lamps.

We deliberately haven't included a TV cabinet or a television on the list \u2013 it's time to break away from the belief that it's an indispensable element in every interior! If you don't spend much time watching films or prefer to watch them, for example, in bed on a laptop, there's no reason to put a television in the living room. Decide what you need and arrange the corner with your preferences and needs in mind.

Everything depends on how you plan to use the relaxation space. Below are a few of our suggestions on how to arrange furniture:

1. In an E-shape, i.e., a sofa, two chairs on either side (facing each other), and a coffee table in the middle \u2013 this is the most traditional arrangement, where a television is usually opposite the sofa. Arranging furniture this way allows for watching TV together, but also for comfortable conversation.
2. In an H-shape, i.e., two sofas (or a sofa and two armchairs) opposite each other, with a coffee table in the middle \u2013 this arrangement encourages guests to chat and allows them to see each other's faces. The table in the middle also makes it convenient to help yourselves to coffee, biscuits, or other snacks you serve. A variation of this arrangement would be a U-shape, where an additional armchair is placed along the shorter side.
3. In an L-shape, i.e., a corner sofa and coffee tables \u2013 this arrangement works best in large, spacious living rooms. Those seated on the sofa will be able to keep an eye on the rest of the room simultaneously, for example, during parties. You can complete the shape by adding armchairs, which, together with the corner sofa, will form a square or rectangle.

Some people forego a rug in the relaxation corner, considering it an impractical solution. Completely wrong! There are no unnecessary rugs, only those poorly chosen for the interior. In the relaxation corner, opt for a rectangular flat-woven rug or a short-pile wool rug \u2013 do not choose shaggy rugs with long piles, as under the weight of furniture and with frequent use, i.e., treading, the pile will quickly flatten and become deformed.

How to choose the size of the rug?

A rug visually separates zones in a room, so it's worth ensuring its size doesn't make the relaxation area seem too small or too large. Here are some tips on how to choose a rug for your relaxation corner:

• the rug should not be smaller than the sofa;
• if possible, it should accommodate all lounge furniture, unless they are pushed against a wall (in which case only the front legs can rest on the rug);
• a rug looks better if there are at least 20, or even better, 40 centimetres between its edges and the nearest walls.

In a modern arrangement, you can also opt for a small rug placed in the space between the lounge furniture under the coffee table. An oval rug will look best in such a style. If you want to fit a lounge set on the rug, choose a rug measuring 160x230 cm or larger. For a two-seater sofa and a table, a 120x170 cm rug will suffice.

Don't forget about accessories that create atmosphere in the interior \u2013 cushions, throws, decorations on the coffee table, or lamps. Don't be afraid of original patterns \u2013 you can always change a cushion, which will certainly be much easier than replacing furniture. We recommend choosing cushions in various colours, sizes, and shapes to achieve a more interesting effect. We've written more about how cushions can transform your living room interior in our Magazine: Vases, cushions, figurines... How to transform your living room interior with small accessories?

A simple decorative trick is also to drape a patterned throw over the sofa or armchair. A throw carelessly draped over the backrest will look splendid.

We hope that thanks to the tips in this text, you will arrange the perfect relaxation corner where you'll happily spend time both alone and in company!