Can you believe that we’re just one week away from turning our clocks back and descending into darkness until March??? Ugh… it’s my least favorite day of the year and I’m pretty positive that I wrote something along these lines around this exact time last year. There’s just something about the darkness that has me settling in my home a little bit earlier every night and getting in my pajamas before 7pm.

This is the season that I love being cozy in my home the most, and making your home a bit cozier is what I’ll be focusing on in this post.

The “Back of the Couch” Dilemma

I never came across the whole “back-of-the-couch dilemma” until my husband and I finished furnishing our upstairs somewhat open-concept loft and were faced with it. I was just so use to having our couches butt up to walls that I never really gave a thought to couches that end up in open rooms for which you see the backs of them upon walking in a room. After we completely furnished this room it still felt “unfinished” to me and I couldn’t put my finger on just what exactly felt unfinished about it for the longest time. Soon I realized that it was the sight of the back of our couch. It bothered me each time I came upstairs. The space between the back of the couch was a little too tight for a big piece of furniture. That’s when I stumbled upon this beautiful 48” table with a deep scratch on it on clearance for $30 at my local TJmaxx and thought it could work for the space. (Note: the scratch is deceptively hidden under the black metal canister).

Check out some ways others have decorated their tables:

(Note: Sources linked when you click on the photo, Squarespace no longer gives the option to write on photos…boo)

So this post will break down some ideas for “Back of the Couch Decor” as well as provide links to some sofa tables that fit under the requirements.

Step 1: Find a Table

Requirements:

Size: You don’t want your table to be too long, too short, or too high. The length of your table largely depends upon the size of your couch. Sofas & Loveseats: Stay between 42”-54” in length. Longer Sectionals: shoot between 60”-72”. Longer tables are sometimes hard to find and I linked the following ones at the end of this post- because they are some of the most reasonably priced ones I’ve found. (Note: the three Foyer tables below in different colors are currently on sale for 25% on top of the list price). Height wise: You want to stay between 28”-32” in height. 36” is way too high and will come up over most couches meaning when you sit you’re likely to hit your head on it when sitting back. In addition, you want to find table that has a depth between 12”-15” inches.

Have a lower style couch? Try a bench instead like in this inspiration photo linked below:

Style: You definitely want to get at least a two-shelf console table, otherwise without a bottom shelf there’s not much in the way of hiding the actual couch. However, there are some exceptions when it comes to tables if they have a decorative base, like some of the single shelf consoles I’ve tagged below. Remember, the ultimate goal is to disguise the back of the couch.

Where to buy: Try HomeGoods, Tjmaxx, Marshall’s, or Hobby Lobby if you’re up for a hunt. Or check out some of the ones I linked right here by clicking on the photo:

(Note: the longer tables are closer to the bottom)

Rather try your hand at DIY instead of purchasing a table? Check out this couple’s blog post below with an awesome table they built for under $50.

Step 2: Gather the “Things”

What should you decorate the sofa table with?

Here are some ideas:

Where to buy? Marshall’s is my favorite spot to find random objects that fall under the “appealing to the eye” category. HomeGoods, Tjmaxx, and Marshall’s are great for reasonably priced picture frames from $4.99-$7.99, as well as containers and baskets. Lamps, Spheres/Orbs, and saying signs can be found at Hobby Lobby. In my picture above I got the “Toledo Scales” advertisement from an antique shop that sold old magazine and newspaper pages for just $1 and then I purchased the gallery frame from HomeGoods for $9.99.

Link to this pretty scale that I’ve decorated the top of sofa tables in my clients’ homes with, by clicking on the photo.

Step 3: Hunker down for the Darkness with a blanket in your new Cozy spot and Pray March Comes Fast!

Lastly, an alternative idea to the sofa table in a space that allows it:

And there you have it. As always, thanks for stopping by, reading, and supporting me! Feel free to comment below or share with a friend!

<3 Barbra

PS- Shoutout to my former student Paulie who reads my blog and lets me know when I misspell things… no sarcasm here, it’s so appreciated :) <3

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy my other posts:

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