The Way-Too-Big Comfy Couch: What is Scale and Why Does it Matter?

You measured your room. You knew how long, wide and high your old sofa was. You knew what style you wanted. So why isn’t the new sofa working? When choosing furniture and accessories for your space, the scale of the pieces you choose makes a difference. Though exact measurements are important, creating a balanced space involves more than just LxWxH. Scale is the visual weight of an object, or what our eyes tell us about the weight of an item and how it fits in a space. An overscaled piece of furniture won’t play nicely with its roommates. So, a sofa could have the appropriate dimensions for your living room on paper but visually overpower your coffee table when you get it home. Keep in mind that scale is not a good or bad thing; it's just a thing. Furniture of any scale will work in the right setting. The goal is to balance your rooms with a mix of neutrals and colors, soft lines and boxy shapes, some visually heavy and some light pieces.When choosing furniture and accessories with the right scale for your space, here are some things to consider.

Dimensions: Plan out how much space you want to devote to your furniture (more about this here; )This large bed is visually heavy in this small space. The scale works because the bed is a focal point. It is important to be practical when putting large furniture in small spaces. Make sure it doesn't make the room hard to navigate.

Color: This light-filled, neutral room feels cozier with a deep accent wall. The ecru twill on the sofa, in contrast with the wall and the black and white art, makes the piece feel lighter. Because our eyes are drawn to pops of color, the chunky, richly-colored lamp and the bright flowers help balance and create interest in the space.

Shape: Boxy pieces, like the sofa, tend to look heavier than pieces with softer lines and/or open areas. Though the glass tables are squared, light passes under and through them, giving them an airy feel.

Grounding: The furniture that sits close to the floor gives weight and presence to this room

Proximity: Scale is relative. The scale of this bed, though it is a visually-heavy bed, is no match for the size and height of this bedroom. The proximity of the large-scale artwork gives the bed greater presence and balances the room. A room of this scale can handle both visually-heavy pieces.

Diversity: Every space needs furniture and accessories of varying scales to create balance. Rounded accessories rest on the boxy nightstand and shelf. The plush red rug is laid over the knobby sisal carpet. Black-and-white photos stand out next to the colorful lamp and flowers.

Repetition: Found a light fixture you love but it is too small for your space? Hanging three of them together may be your answer. Groupings of odd-numbered objects are visually pleasing and add impact to any space.

If you keep these elements of scale in mind, you can create a visually-balanced home. Happy shopping!