English-style sofas: features, varieties and choices

The English style is quite distinctive, it is impossible to confuse with anything. This is a very discreet, elegant, practical style. One of its most striking features is conservatism. All this makes the furniture in the English style luxurious, but laconic, sophisticated and unusual. In addition, an indispensable condition is the high quality of materials and assembly.

The sophistication of English nature is reflected in many things, including upholstered furniture. Traditionally, furniture in the English style is passed down from generation to generation, so it should be very high quality. Sofas in this style are conservative and strict, but at the same time luxurious. We highlight the main distinguishing features of furniture in this style.

• Frameworks are made only from natural materials, no synthetics are allowed. Oak is most often used, as this breed is simultaneously strong, dense and durable.
• Assembly technology does not accept nails and metal fittings. Used glue, wood spikes, grooves.
• Sofas rarely stand alone. The English style is an abundance of furniture, so most often it is sets with chairs. Everything is pretty close to each other.
• Models are usually overall, massive, smooth lines, many elements of carved type. Wooden carved armrests and legs, other decorative elements with frescoes are welcome.
• As upholstery, expensive fabrics of a natural type are used. Soft leather, tapestry can be used. The color scheme is warm, pleasant, unusual.Unobtrusive print - goose foot, strip, rib.
• Upholstered furniture has removable covers in almost every version. The backs of such sofas are comfortable, high, repeating the shape of the body.

There are a lot of options for sofas in the style of an English classic, furniture can be picked up for almost any room. All of them are comfortable, they are nice to relax and unwind. Almost all models are deep and voluminous; they look luxurious and expensive. Very often you can find specimens with aged decor of wooden parts. Upholstery can be either plain or patterned.

Consider the most famous varieties of English sofas.

• Chesterfield. The most popular sofa models. Their distinctive feature is a quilted design with buttons.

• "Skirts". These are models with rounded shapes, puffy in shape, with decor-skirt. They are distinguished by softness, dimensionality, on such sofas a few people can comfortably accommodate. Textured upholstery, most often with a complex pattern.

• Carved. Another hit of the English style. A sofa decorated with carved legs of a curved appearance or in the form of half-drops. Openwork carving is an indispensable attribute.

The design of the sofas is extremely comfortable. The most popular types in form:

• straight;
• angular.

The first type is more compact and traditional, the second - more overall and modern. Also, sofas are divided by the type of folding mechanism. The most common sofas are a book and a eurobook. They are laid out quite simply, do not scratch the floor.

Upholstery textiles are chosen very carefully. It should have notes of aristocracy, respectability, refinement. Most often, the following materials are used in upholstery:

• velvet and velor fabrics;
• damask and chintz;
• tapestry;
• soft genuine leather.

As for the color scheme, the following shades are most often used:

• Bordeaux;
• brown in all variations;
• grey;
• dark green;
• snow-white;
• sand and cream;
• chocolate and ocher;
• golden.

The variety of the palette is impressive, the main feature of the upholstery is that it is mainly dark in color. Be sure to consider when choosing upholstery material that cold shades are best suited for rooms facing the south side. If the room does not have too much natural light, it is better to bet on warm colors. Light upholstery of sofas is extremely rare in English style. Most often these are shades of gray, cream, sand. And all of them are included in the organic print: stripes, goose paws, cages or others.

First, decide which room will be the sofa in the English style. There are features that you need to consider based on the purpose of the room and sofa.

• In the bedroom, choose a cozy, not too dark furniture. If you regularly sleep on the couch, the folding mechanism and the mattress are important.
• Armchairs should also be present in the living room.. A voluminous and representative sofa, usually in a dark palette, is selected for the ensemble.
• In the nursery Practical models are preferred whose upholstery is easy to clean and dust is not attracted. Shades are better to choose not gloomy, warm.
• To the dining room a compact sofa is suitable in the relaxation area or in the corner for tea drinking.
• To the kitchen it is best to choose models upholstered in a fabric that does not absorb odors and is easy to clean.

The most important condition is that the style of the sofa should be in harmony with the overall composition of the room. You should not buy an English sofa just because you liked it, but at the same time your apartment is decorated in the style of Provence or high-tech. The general ensemble should look unified, therefore, furniture in the English style is appropriate only in the interiors of the following styles:

• proper English style;
• classical;
• retro, vintage.

In addition to style, it is very important that the sofa is organically matched in color. Since most models of upholstered furniture have a dark shade, it is logical to put it in a lighter room, otherwise the room may be too gloomy. Although traditional English interiors are often darkish.

• “Chesterfield” in soft leather with a beautiful bronze-brown hue looks impressive with similar armchairs and pouffes.

• The sofa and chair do not have to be from the same set. See what a spectacular composition of a white sofa, a printed light armchair and an upholstered chair in brown leather.

• Another clear example of how different upholstery and shades can look harmonious and expressive.

• Carved decor is a stunning detail that gives the interior luxury and status.

• If you dream of a Victorian-style living room, you can’t do without English furniture.

See how to make a Chesterfield sofa with your own hands in the next video.