If you are like me, your ideal living room layout requires you to float your sofa. Or maybe you are unlike me and simply just have a very large living room where putting a sofa on a wall would look off, thus also requiring a floated sofa(s). Either way, this post might be just for you if you are in the market for a great floatable sofa. Now, I think most sofas look fine from the back. Sure, maybe they aren’t anything special but ultimately, no one is going to come into your home, look at your sofa, and immediately shield their eyes to avoid direct eye contact.
If you already have a floated sofa, our favorite two tricks to add a little visual “behind” interest are a sofa table (see post here for more info/rules) or a patterned blanket draped over the back. I’m sure you’ve seen Emily do this a ton of times.
But these tricks aren’t why we are here today. Nope! Emily thought it would be fun to find a bunch of “pretty backed” sofas along with some tips. And since I am the owner of one of these types of sofas I figured I could be of service. So first we’ll go through some pretty Instagram examples and then I’ll show you my sofa findings. Ok, let’s go!
Why not start bold?! This vintage De Sede DS600 sofa is HIGH IMPACT. It’s clearly not going to be everyone’s cup of tea (or in most people’s budget) but it so clearly drives home the power of a sofa that has a beautiful back. It’s a part of the sofa, meant to be seen, instead of the part that’s supposed to be hidden against a wall.
Another “not so average” aka custom sofa, where the intent was to have the back of it be a part of the room design. I just love the idea of a multi-fabric patterned sofa. SOMEDAY! If you love patterned sofas check out Arlyn’s post here🙂
These two sofas are a little less in your face design-wise but the shapes are still a little more unique than your average rectangular sofa. Shapes are going to be a big part of this post and the shoppable sofas I choose!
A sofa base/feet is also important for a sofa to look beautiful from the back. So while both of these sofas have a wonderfully rounded top, the wide feet of the white sofa and the fluted base of the pink one add such a special element that’s meant to be shown off!
The last example shows the power of the wood-backed sofa. Ugh, SO pretty and it would be a literal crime to not show these beauties off! Technically, the “sofa” on the right is a chair, but it does come in a sofa size:) These types of backs add so much texture and personality to a design that if you can get one, we recommend it!
Before we get into the sofas I found let’s recap the shopping tips for pretty backed sofas:
- Look for interesting shaped sofas (usually the backs are cool too)
- Check to see if the back has any stitch detailing
- Look for a base or feet where they look equally as great in the back as they do in the front
- A solid base will usually always look good in the back:)
Ok, onto the picks!
There’s nothing about this one I don’t love. I’d say most channeled sofas aren’t channeled on all sides like this one is. It could go in a modern space, a traditional space to freshen it up, or a totally eclectic room. It’s extremely versatile with the style and tone of leather plus looks great at every angle. It also comes in a beautiful velvet which is more affordable.
Lulu and Georgia and Sara Sherman Samuel aren’t playing around with the pretty backed sofas. This one comes in a bunch of other colors and a few different widths. It’s another channeled option that’s a little more post-modern than the first. I just really love this color and fabric too.
If the first two felt a little too much for your taste but you like the idea of a channeled look, then this one could be your match. Much more subtle but the stitching on the back is so so pretty. This one also comes in a bunch of other colors!
I feel pretty positive that this was one of the sofas the styling team got for our Rugs USA shoot for our second collection! It looked great in person and that base is so pretty, front and back. It’s also well-reviewed:) So simple and clean and adds instant chicness to a room.
Here’s a very similar version but in another very pretty and neutral color palette. And while it’s a white sofa, it’s a performance fabric and super deep which is awesome!
Not only is the shape of this sofa very cool but the legs are very unique and it has over 100 nearly 5-star reviews! They say it looks great and is comfortable which was my first concern when I was looking at it. I’m pumped it’s got form and function locked down.
Here is another Lulu and Georgia sofa so you know that quality is going excellent (the other colors are great too). And that shape is so awesome. The back might seem like nothing is going on but the tubular look of the whole piece makes it feel very unique to me.
Oh hi there! This is the sofa I have and am sitting on as I type. This one is simple too but the curved back is so so pretty and deserves to be shown off to every guest who enters. I can’t recommend it enough.
For some more drama, this stunner is a showstopper. The shape of that back paired with the solid wood base makes this a floating sofa dream. I don’t think I could love it more.
If you have a fun, eclectic modern style then this sofa could be perfect for you. The asymmetrical split back is really cool and not something you see a lot of. The reviews are great and it also comes in a white boucle if the rust orange is a little too bold:)
I think you know what I’m going to say…THOSE LEGS!! Are you kidding me? How cool are they?! The whole sofa looks like a piece of art. 10/10. Oh, and it comes in the prettiest dark olive too.
Marconi Tufted Green Velvet Sofa
Speaking of pretty green sofas, this CB2 sofa is pretty gorgeous. I LOVE how the legs are placed into the sofa’s sides and back but are still visible. I also love how the legs are pretty tall so it adds to the drama. Big fan.
This one kinda has a similar wood leg vibe to the green sofa above. I love that you can see the wood arm in the back and the waterfall soft arm is cool and casual all at the same time!
Then last but not least is this awesome cane frame sofa. Talk about a great back (and sides)! It has 42 5-star reviews and would add so much style to a space! It’s bold but neutral and clearly it has a beautiful amount of texture. A truly special piece!
Well, that’s it for today. If you need a sofa and have it float in your room, please don’t forget that the back can be special too:) Hope this post was fun and even a little helpful.
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Mountain House Living Room Reveal
