10 Stylish Ideas for What to Put Behind a Couch

Decorating behind a couch can add a layer of depth and interest to a room. But don’t limit yourself to just a standard sofa table! Here are ways to make use of some extra space with 10 beautiful ideas for what to put behind a couch.

Let’s talk about sofas! Or rather, the backs of sofas. They tend to be plain and uninteresting, which is why people often feel the need to add something behind them.

A “floating” sofa is one that is pulled away from the wall. In those cases, the back of the sofa is exposed and well….they are often rather boring. Most often, people put a sofa table {or a console table depending on height}. This is a great option! But here are some other ideas.

1. Sofa Table

Admittedly, this seems like a no-brainer….I mean, it’s in the name! But let’s talk about some tips for choosing the right sofa table for your home.

What’s the difference between a sofa table and a console table? Really just the height. Console tables tend to have a standard height whereas sofa tables vary. When shopping online, though, the two are used interchangeably.

Height: When selecting a sofa table, look for one that is close to the same height as the back of your sofa but never taller.

Length: The length of your table should be no less than 1/2 of the length of your sofa to almost the same length. My personal favorite is for the sofa table to be about 3/4 the length of the sofa.

Other options include using large plants or baskets, again taking up more visual space.

2. Desk

A desk behind a couch is a great way to maximize space, especially with so many working from home right now. Writing desks are stylish and practical, offering space for decor but also a place to work.

For more ideas on writing desks, you can read this post: The Writing Desk – A Stylish Solution

3. Buffet/Sideboard

If your living room is adjacent to your dining room, a sideboard would serve a dual purpose! But even if it doesn’t, this is a great piece of furniture that offers storage and a large visual presence.

4. Bench

Benches are an ideal shape and depth for placing behind a sofa. You can use the bench for additional seating or perhaps, just for display.

I really love the look below because the wood really pops against the sofa’s white backdrop.

5. Seating Arrangement

If you have an open concept, you might want to consider adding a secondary seating arrangement behind your sofa. This would offer seating that can be used in place or even pulled up to the sofa for a large gather. Plus it ties two spaces together nicely!

6. Bookcase

Open shelving to store books {or other knick-knacks} is a great way to decorate behind the sofa without looking quite as bulky as a cabinet. This is a great idea for lower sofas since many sofa tables and cabinets are too tall for low-back sofas.

7. Bar Cart

A bar cart is open and airy and similar to a sofa table, but with a specific purpose. If you entertain often, this is a practical solution for what to put behind a couch!

8. Chest of Drawers

Looking for some extra storage? A cabinet or chest of drawers looks beautiful behind a sofa. Below, just as with a sofa table that is a bit too short for the length of the sofa, chairs are used to visually extend the size of the cabinet.

9. Bar Table

A small table and chairs is great if you want a spot for watching TV while eating! One caveat: Be careful of the height. Sometimes, bar height tables are used and they loom over the back of the sofa. Just as with a sofa table, bar tables look best when they are lower than the back of the sofa, so choose a regular table height, which is between 28″-30″.

10. Nothing

Putting nothing behind a couch is perfectly fine! In fact, in cases where space is limited or a room seems crowded, nothing is preferable. Or if your decorating style leans to minimalist, follow the less is more rule.