For, I do believe it may be nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune than to buy mismatched couches off craigslist. Because jigsawing a large impulse purchase into a decor scheme already undone by many many many previous impulse bargain buys is definitely taking up arms against a sea of troubles. And don’t forget that I must also bear the whips and scorns of yon Hunny’s pissed off countenance.
It’s a calamity, I tell you.
After I finish craigslisting my lesser used possessions, I’m considering behaving like a grown up and buying a brand new couch — something I choose, and not something that is chosen for me by the whims of the craigslist marketplace. Honestly, the very thought is so foreign… I’m still trying to wrap my wee head around the idea. New? Who does that? Well, I guess I might.
The biggest biggest hugest problem is of course what to buy. You see, it seems that most perfectly normal living rooms have one lovely couch, flanked perhaps by a pair of chairs in a different shape or fabric to add visual interest, like so:
Such an easy formula: A+B=Awesome. Ok, the fancy art helps, too.
But the stupid formula won’t work for us since we are a two couch household. Does this mean I have to buy two new couches? Because one couch is fine — one couch is easy to decorate around. But when you buy another, unmatched couch, well then shit just breaks down. Add in a different couch, and I start gnashing my teeth and tearing out hair (not my own, of course) in big disgusting clumps. Trying to solve the 2 couch equation turns me into a deranged, indecisive idiot. Because unless you’re starting out with a hardcore plan, it is very hard to do the mismatched couch thing and do it well.
See, this is not working for me. I kind of see what they were going for, but nope.
And this room is very pretty, but I’m not sure I would like it in real life.
I guess keeping everything monochromatic would make it easier — but kind of boring. Although I am in sweet sweet love with the couch resting against the wall…
This is kind of what I had in mind, mostly because I already have a navy chesterfield. What do you think about pairing it with a fat white slipcovered sofa? I’m worried they will look unbalanced when placed next to each other.
On the other hand, I guess I could just save up to buy two matching couches…
But I really don’t want this to happen.
Enough with the typing. Look at these pictures of matching couches and try to guess what I’m thinking about them:
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
UPDATE!
I can’t believe I left this one out… obviously the drama is making me dizzy.
Exhibit D
Why do couches have to be so bleeping expensive, y’all? And so big and hard to switch out? It makes deciding what to buy incredibly nerve wracking. I need a decider. Oh, but I’m happy to decide which couch to put in YOUR house… funny how that works.
Stay tuned for the next installment of my couch saga on Friday, where I hope to post personal pictures of my actual seating drama. It’s like freaking Sofas Of Our Lives around here.
In the meantime, I’d like to know what you think.
To match, or not to match? That is the question.
No related posts.
Generally I prefer things not to match- just to complement. But all of your matching sofa pictures are very lovely too.
I would think a chesterfield would need to be paired with something a little less boxy… maybe legs exposed?
Or could you do a love seat? I think if they are different sizes, different looks make more sense. Maybe not. Still tired. Need to go drink coffee…
I’ve been obsessed with those Exhibit B sofas for ages…If you love the chesterfield…find something to complement it. If it’s eh to you, go matching…follow your heart! Before finding the 70′s orgy couch, I considered a pair of these CB2 Piazzas http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=102&f=4881
Definately not to match! I like the third picture. The lighting is great! And the mix/match is very relaxing.
what a conundrum! I would like to think that an Exhibit A style sofa (tufted but boxy) could go well with Senor navy chesterfield- but not in white (you’re right; not visually balanced) .. perhaps in a charcoal DWR ish fabric? both of them dotted with smatterings of bright eclectic bargello pillows? the toughest match is proportion it should be equally visually weighty and deep… and then fronted by glass or lucite coffee tables… I am not a huge fan of “New” couches. I have had stellar success buying an old couch with in the general vincinity of what I want and having my upholsterer reshape arms, change pillow configurations/ height- add boxed welts, and double seams, tuft a pillow here or there… its quite satisfying to go custom with an old frame- so keep craigslisting! and then imagine the possibilities! and then show us what you done!
You need a sectional.
Modfrugal, those are the exact sofas I was considering if I go the match route!
Raina, I LOVE sectionals, and one would work well in this house. Problem is, they aren’t very versatile. It seems like you’d just be stuck with a big honking piece of furniture…
What do you guys think about sectionals?
I feel your pain, sister! Sofas are definitely the hardest things to buy for all the reasons you said – cost, commitment, hard to switch out, etc. Such a bummer because once you commit, you’re stuck. The worst kind of punishment for people with design ADD like us!
My feeling on matching sofas is that unless it’s the perfect pieces in the perfect setting, it usually gives off an office-y vibe. As for the chesterfield (LOVE yours, want one) and the slipcovered number (have one), I don’t think I’d put them together. I’ll be eagerly tuning in for the next episode of Sofas of Our Lives!
@raina, my thought exactly, a sectional. They make them so nice now, it’s not what it used to be. You can find a pretty awesome one, modern looking without that “basement furniture” look that sectionals used to remind us of.
Ooooh, SOOL is my favorite show.
(Soapy sidenote: in high school, the drama kids were all really into “One Life to Live.” So much so that the head drama guy had “OOTL” as a vanity plate. Then everyone was shocked when he came out a few years later.)
I digress.
OK, I think two different sofas can work, maybe since that’s what I’m working with and by saying it I’m attempting to boost my self esteem. I just think they need something uniting them–color, fabric, etc. The first and second mismatched sofa pics above feel a little trying too hard to be boho to me.
I’m obviously biased toward vintage sectionals…but if you plan to move soon…could be tricky unless you house shop around said sectional. Lovin’ SOOL.
Collyn, if I had YOUR vintage sectional, it would be worth house shopping around. I love it.
Rebecca, you kill me!
Ita, now I am curious to see your sofa rehabs… do you have any advice for dealing with upholsterers — like price, what to ask for, etc? Because that, also, is intimidating.
I love almost all of those pics and love chesterfields! I think the two sofa thing always works best when they have something to bring them together (if they are positioned close together). Different shapes with the same fabric or the same shape with different fabrics; you get the idea. Conversely, if you have a lot of eclectic pieces, then the total opposite also works – so I think your chesterfield with a modern white sofa could look great! Throw some pillows on both to tie them together and don’t make them fight with other strong things – like I would use a lucite table…Good luck!
Elizabeth (www.modern24seven.blogspot.com)
I’m a big fan of mismatching, it’s the new norm!
Mismatch
Hey, you may wanna try My Blue Sofa to sell you awesome possessions.
I so want matching couches. but I want one to feel like my ugly one but look like my nice one. that’s why we keep the ugly one I think.
STOP BUYING SOFAS until you decide where you’re going to live. the end.
Hmm, and who was it that told me to buy the vintage set?
Besides, that would be like telling Phelps to quit swimming or Beckham to quit balling. I am a gold medal Olympic craigslist athlete.
I’m with Karly. If you are moving, you should wait until you know what your new house needs. Unless, of course, you want to sell you latest purchase on Craigslist so you can buy something that fits the new house.
Comment part 2–I impulse bought my sectional that I love but wish I had considered it more before hand. Now I have a heavy half of the room and don’t know what to do with the other half. It’s become an orphan chair mecca.
Couches are such a drama, we went the matching route but now I wish I had something different. With kids it adds a whole different kink in the plans – leather or face the wrath of Kool Aid stains. I agree with K-Dawg that you should move first. Esp if you are going to be buying new since they are so expensive.
We probably will wait… probably. I’m just trying to figure out what we’d even want to do — match or not? Because if the answer is match, or even sectional, then momma needs to start saving. Now.
Oh where to start. “Sofas of Our Lives!”. This is why I come here. You come up with the wackiest, smartest shit. Period.
Sectionals, I have two, one leather from MG+BW, in the keeping room that is awesome for sprawling and virtually impervious to the hijinks of kids and pets. We have many hijinks. The other is fabric, upholstered in a ribbed neutral stone color. It resides in the basement and has held up well considering aforementioned kids and dog. So yes, we are really happy with our sectionals.
As for matching versus mixed. I lean toward mixing it up, but it can be a hard thing to pull off considering proportion, scale, color, etc. I think the advantage to mixing it up is that if you ever decide to move one of the sofas to another room then you have two different pieces to work with. Whereas having the same sofa in two different rooms in your house doesn’t seem to offer the same appeal. Somehow twin sofas seem like more of a commitment. Helpful, aren’t I?
snicker!!! the 2 couch issue. LORD, i have never tried to tackle THAT one. it took me years to finally by my current couch. so picky. and everything really does hinge on the sofa. but TWO of them?!?! god. that would be a 10-year project for me! if they were cheaper it would be a lot easier. but they are NOT cheap! and you are so right — telling a friend how to decorate and spend THEIR money is infinitely easier and less problematic than doing it for oneself!
p.s. go pale! bet my legs are whiter than yours! and i am wearing black gladiator sandals. BLINDING contrast! ahahhahahaha
Not to match. I would definitely go with the Chesterfield + complimentary couch formula, over a brand new pair of couches. Although, Exhibit D looks pretty sweet, but not as sweet as Chester. =-)
i think matching couches don’t necessarily have to “look” matchy-matchy. it depends on what pillows and accessories you choose to use and also the accent chairs and coffee table can add the eclectic funky vibe you may be looking for.
You still need a sectional.
I tend to go for “not to match,” but there is something to be said for having matching furniture if you are going for a very modern and symmetrical style as in the first photo. I can appreciate that.
i bought a second couch, and i think the reason the top one doesn’t work is the heights of the seating are different. even though i have two different sofas, the height of the seating is the same, and i think that is why it works.
Wow, i can’t categories a single photo all the accessories in every photo are so embellishing and the details are marvelous.
e- why are you a 2 couch household? just wondering…..
i love exhibit “d” so much, but good lord, i bet they’re *expensive*.
Ben and I each have a couch so we can stretch out and watch Top Chef at the end of a long day… and maybe even pass out by 9:30.
I vote for unmatched. Granted, I think mismatched sofas look best when there is something that ties them together, usually their shape/size. If they’re different fabrics, the shape/size holds them together.
I promise to do a blog post on my (kinda) recent couch rehab- its wayy overdue and i have been in a creative rut for a while. I’ll let you know! Reupholstering is kinda scary- but you have a strong sense of style and know what you like- so it can be very satisfying to have something one of a kind and not mass produced!
i could happily spend the rest of my life inside “exhibit d”; and for what it’s worth, though i hate “matchy-matchy” in principle, nothing is prettier then two matching sofas facing each other across a rockin’ cocktail table.
I have to agree with maison21. some symmetry in the room is nice, dotted with random creepy artifacts and mis matched side chairs.
I dont know about you but either of these sofas would solve all of my problems in life
http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/category/products.jsp?categoryId=cat1701063&navAction=jump&link=ct_kensington_upholstery&cm_re=CT-_-CategoryText-_-KensingtonUpholstery
http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1608045&navCount=4
[...] accent chairs” solution just isn’t practical in the real world. I’ve read some blog entries on the matter, and I think that we’ve done the best with what we could get. The cushions [...]
I think it would look nice if you bought a sofa and a love seat that matched and placed them in front of each other. Or got a sectional with a chaise. Those are very comfortable to take naps on.
I need a decider too! I found your post because I’m trying to figure out the exact same thing (I have a small room, ready for new furniture because my old couches are falling apart, don’t want to be matchy matchy, but am afraid that after I spend the x-hundred dollars on new furniture that they will look weird together!) So tell me: what did you end up doing?
Hi Michelle,
I STILL have mismatched couches, but I’m saving up for new ones. My current configuration is an L, so I plan to get two different couches that work well together, and then get a set of matching ottomans for some symmetry.
If your couches face each other, buy a matched pair. That’s my favorite look. But no matching sofa/loveseat combo in an L configuration. ick.
Thanks for the tip, Erin! I’m going to be doing the L-shaped thing too, and hopefully will be able to fit an apartment-sized sofa with a loveseat. I was thinking basic solid upholstered sofa, with funky patterned loveseat, and making throw pillows out of matching fabric for both to pull it together (like someone else suggested above).
I’m mulling over something like this for the loveseat: (love the shape, like the upholstery but I’m not sure if it’s a little too wild) http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/tabid/981/CategoryId/157/ProductId/36411/ProductName/Tyne-Loveseat–Aviary/language/en-US/Default.aspx
And then for the couch:
This? http://www.sears.ca/product/-lexington-iv-sofa/602-000017103-2404S?campaign=rr_item_ClickCP_0_0
Or this? http://www.sears.ca/product/rowe-savoie-ii-2-seater-sofa-89/602-000846170-SCK520K
Or this? http://www.bombay.ca/product.php?productid=17920&cat=322
Not sure what shape of sofa would look good with it, but I do prefer clean lines without being too hard and uncomfy. White probably isn’t a practical choice, but I do like the way it looks. Grey might work, but I’m not sure if it would look nice with that particular upholstery for the loveseat, or if I should look for a fabric that complements more.
Any thoughts?