Have you ever wondered what are the differences between L-shaped sofas and sofas with modular ottomans? It may be easy to confuse them with each other, but these two types of sofas have distinct features. As with other types of sofas, there are several factors to consider when choosing the sofa that is suitable for you and your home. The pros and cons of each sofa comprise the usual factors such as size, comfort, practicality and aesthetic value.
Level of comfort for different sofas
Before discussing the comfort levels of each type of sofa, we must first clarify what an ottoman is used for. Ottomans are low upholstered seats without a back or arms and they’re often used as a stool or footstool. If you’re still wondering what else an ottoman can be used for, you’ll be delighted to know that some ottomans also come with an in-built storage compartment so you can stash clutter out of sight.
Sofas with modular ottomans are ultimately a sofa and footrest combo, but rather than having the footrest part in-built, it is available as a modular piece of furniture which can be used as a seat on its own. An L-shaped sofa, on the other hand, has had its footrest part built-in as part of its design, hence it may be more uniform in terms of comfort as there would be no gaps between the footrest section and the seat.
Everyone has their personal preferences when it comes to comfort, so in this regard, it really depends on your personal preference of whether you would rather have an L-shaped sofa that already has its footrest part built-in or if you would rather be able to shift your ottoman to your preferred position when you lounge on the sofa. If space is not an issue, the L-shaped sofa would be the better choice as comfort should be top of your list of priorities.
Practicality of Sofa Types
Although L-shaped sofas are undeniably comfortable, they can be quite space-consuming. Space constraints are a huge factor when it comes to Singaporean homes, especially in urban homes and apartments. Therefore, a sofa with modular ottomans is the wiser choice, especially if you want to future-proof your home.
Unlike L-shaped sofas, sofas with modular ottomans are designed to adapt to the limited amount of space that small living rooms have. This will prove useful whenever you have guests over and require more floor space. Furthermore, you will always have extra space for new furniture, should you decide to get any. If expanding the family is in the pipeline, modular ottomans can always be stored away when more space is needed for children to explore. Last but not least, modular ottomans allow everyone to enjoy a L-shaped sofa experience, as everyone can always ‘extend’ the sofa by using modular ottomans as their legrest.
As a plus, ottomans can also be used as handy mini-side tables. While there might be L-shaped sofa designs for small living rooms, opting for them means that you will still have to sacrifice some seating space or leg room. However, if you’re thinking of choosing a sofa for establishments such as offices or hotels where space isn’t a concern, L-shaped sofas are still viable options.
Aesthetics in Terms of Sofa Types
It’s a common perception that complete pieces of furniture are more aesthetically pleasing since they follow a specific theme or colour palette. Those who prefer sofas with modular ottomans are split into two camps: those who believe that ottomans should match the sofa and those that do not. However, there’s no hard and fast rule that insists that your ottomans should match the sofa’s colour or style if an eclectic-looking living room is what you’re going for. Sofas with modular ottomans have the option of mixing and matching which allows you to spice things up colour-wise. This might prove to be a plus point for individuals who love switching things up now and then.
In places where aesthetics are the number one priority, such as business establishments and offices, L-shaped sofas may be the better choice. Having said that, more modern industries and companies such as creative agencies and digital marketing agencies have a little more leeway with decorating and can therefore opt for sofas with modular ottomans, stools or poufs. After all, nothing says creative better than funky, creative layouts and vibrant colours in a creative working space.
If an L-shaped sofa is your choice, there’s the matter of how to arrange it considering its rather unusual shape and larger size. One of the most popular suggestions on how to arrange your L-shaped sofa includes placing it in a corner so that both arms are flush against the wall then fitting a coffee table in the middle for a cosy vibe. You can opt to close off the open end of the L-shape with several ottomans and poufs or leave it open for the illusion of a more spacious living room.
Curious to find out more about how both of these sofas will elevate your living room or business establishment? Visit Comfort Furniture’s showroom and explore our range of sofas today!