What do we usually see behind the couch in the living room? A console table! Though there are many ways to style this quite awkward space that will match any room and style, and these aren’t only consoles or credenzas. We’ve gathered the most popular solutions with various functions, take a look!
Benches
A bench is a nice alternative to a console as it can be also used to display some objects, it’s quite sleek but besides that you can also use it for sitting and create an arrangement with pillows and blankets. A bench is also a perfect solution if you are faking an entryway in the living room. Benches can be also used by your pets as additional beds.
Advantages: not much space required, quite functional, can be part of an entryway. Wide choice of pieces, you can also DIY one without much effort.
Disadvantages: that’s not an option for more modern and minimalist spaces, benches will look best of all in modern and minimalist spaces.
This stained bench with a potted plant and books, with faux fur and some metal baskets with blankets is a perfect fit for a boho space.
This long stained bench is a lovely solution for many interiors, it will add texture and a soft feel with a natural wood look.
A woven bench with baskets is a perfect fit for a modern farmhouse living room, it will add texture and a bit of storage space.
Sleek stained benches give some decor or storage space and echo with stained wood items in the living room.
A sleek stained bench with books and potted plants is a pretty decor piece for a living room, and it's a great addition for a mid-century modern space.
This wood and metal bench with some decor is a lovely addition to the living room and it allows storing some pieces you don't need all the time.
A simple stained modern bench with a basket, pillows and a blanket is a great idea for a modern farmhouse living room.
A rough wooden bench is a popular piece to style the behind the sofa space, and it's great for faking an entryway.
A long stained bench with coffee table books and vases adds a warm feel to the white room and texture to the space.
This small amber leather bench allows storing some pieces and echoes with the tan leather chairs in the room.
This bench with a stained top is a perfect solution for many spaces and it's perfect o fake an entryway in the living room.
Desks
Need a workspace somewhere? Locate it in the living room! Place a sleek desk and a chair behind the couch and voila, you have two rooms in one! No sleek desk at hand? Use a console instead, add a chair and your laptop, and that’s it. A desk can be also turned into a console with decor once you don’t need it anymore.
Advantages: a desk will be your work space right in the living room, and you may skip it and use a console as a desk if needed.
Disadvantages: not every room allows placing a working zone behind a sofa, sometimes there’s literally no space.
This small metal and wood desk and a blue chair compose a small working nook separating the spacesat the same time.
This long sleek desk behind the sofa and a chair make up a cool and comfy working nook without taking much space.
This sleek black console table with books can be easily turned into a desk, just add a laptop and a chair, and it perfectly accents the interior.
A black trestle desk and a chair, a table lamp make up a nice working space right in the living room.
This small and sleek desk is placed behind the sofa at the window, and bookshelves and a chair make up a whole working nook here.
This glossy green desk behind the sofa infuses the neutral space with color and makes the room wow.
This rustic trestle console table is turned into a small desk, add a chair and you will be able to work here if you want to.
A small rustic desk is topped with stained wood, and an animal print chair adds chic and print to the space.
A refined vintage desk can be an alternative to a console table or you may use it as a real desk.
A wall-mounted desk and a chair will give you a small yet functional workspace in the living room, this is a smart idea.
This sleek metal desk paired with a comfy chair is a lovely mini work nook behind the sofa. (via adinatafurniture).
This elegant glass desk is a perfect addition to the living room, and an orange chair echoes with other items in the space. (via gabrielatoledo).
This sophisticated desk and refined white chair support the style of the room and bring even more elegance. (via houseandhome).
Shelves
Shelving units and bookcases that take a whole wall are a gorgeous way to turn your living room into a library. They also allow you storing and displaying some decor objects, and you won’t spend much floor space getting a vertical storage unit.
Advantages: shelves from floor to ceiling are very effective for storing things, they work as a decor element, too, and will fit any room with any style.
Disadvantages: you will have to measure and choose proper units or even order a customized one for your space, which might cost much money.
This built-in bookcase takes the whole wall adding color, providing the space with storage and turning the living room into a library.
This large bookcase behind the sofa is a perfect storage unit and a space divider at the same time.
Open floor to ceiling shelves with a ladder easily make a home library of the living room. (via abeautifulmess).
This floor to ceiling shelving unit with lamps over it takes a whole wall and shows off some art and lamps.
A large bookcase that takes a whole wall is a great solution for a refined and trending living room, it allows a lot of storage space and shows some decor.
Turn your living room into a library with open shelves and shelving units behind the sofa.
A row of shelving units and a gallery wall behind the sofa provide the space with storage and beautiful personalized decor. (via bloglovin).
Mirrors
I love mirrors on the whole as they have a number of advantages when placed in a room: they expand the space, fill it with light and work as a nice decorative element that never goes out of style. A large mirror behind a sofa is a great solution for modern spaces for all these and some other reasons.
Advantages: a mirror will enlarge the space, reflect the light. It’s a timeless decoration suitable for modern, contemporary, maximalist, Parisian and many other spaces, too. You can choose a frame that will add a desired touch to the space.
Disadvantages: might be pricey as big mirrors in richly ornated frames are quite expensive.
A large mirror in a sophisticated frame will add a refined touch and will reflect the light expanding the space.
This large floor mirror in a chic gold frame is a lovely idea for a Parisian-inspired room, it will add chic and an exquisite touch to it.
A large floor mirror that almost reaches the ceiling is a gorgeous idea for a modern space, it will enlarge the space and add interest to it.
This tall mirror in a bold frame will make the room larger and the frame echoes with the other items around. (via thisisglamorous).
A duo of matching mirrors add chic to this modern space and reflects the light from the window. (via apartmenttherapy).
As the white mirror frame merges the wall and it seems that there's a mirror panel that reflects the light. (via sadecor).
Other Ideas
A chair sitting zone is a nice solution for behind the couch space if you have a large open layout and want chairs to become part of the next zone. An ottoman or a large pouf can be a cool alternative to a bench, much more comfortable for sitting. A kitchen island with or without a dining space is a nice solution for an open layout with not much space at disposal. Get more of these and other ideas below and get inspired!
Placing a sitting zone behind the sofa is a creative idea if you have a large open layout and this sitting zone will be part of the next space.
If you have an open layout, you can place a kitchen island under the sofa adding an eating zone there to watch TV while eating.
Skip a traditional bench and choose a soft ottoman with crates under it, add a small ladder for decor.