Oak Furnitureland | The Oak Furniture Land Blog - Style and Inspiration for your Home Style and Inspiration Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:46:34 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cropped-OFL_Leaf_Stem_RGB_Green-32x32.png Oak Furnitureland | The Oak Furniture Land Blog - Style and Inspiration for your Home 32 32 What’s the difference between a loveseat and a sofa? https://www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/blog/general/whats-difference-sofa-loveseat/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:00:33 +0000 https://www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/blog/?p=16459 Whether you’re a sofa snuggler, a loveseat lounger, a couch potato, or a settee surfer, there’s nothing like sitting back, relaxing and putting your feet up at the end of…

The post What’s the difference between a loveseat and a sofa? appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

]]>
Whether you’re a sofa snuggler, a loveseat lounger, a couch potato, or a settee surfer, there’s nothing like sitting back, relaxing and putting your feet up at the end of a long day. We’ve gathered some handy hints to help you learn how to tell your sofa from your loveseat.

Discover the similarities

Evie loveseat

When it comes to living room seating, all our sizes feature the same high-quality details. We use hardwood in the frame and feet to provide a solid foundation for our sofas and loveseats.

We offer styles to suit any home, all made from durable and cosy fabrics or quality leather. Many of our loveseats and sofas also include scatter cushions for added style and comfort.

So, what’s the difference?

Cream Oak Furnitureland sofa close up of the corner featuring a mustard scatter cushion and a houseplant in the background.

Malvern sofa | @pretty_poplar

The only technical difference between a sofa and a loveseat is the size. Both a 2 seater sofa and a loveseat are designed for two people but are proportioned slightly differently. Loveseats tend to be smaller, with ours ranging from 117cm to 162cm in width, while our 2-seater sofas start from 155cm for our most compact styles and go up to 195cm. The best way to choose between them is to look at the measurements of your room and select the size that works best.

Styling your furniture

Dewsbury loveseat | Burleigh side table | Burleigh sideboard

While offering space for two people to curl up together, loveseats also make an ideal cosy spot for one. Add tactile throws and textured cushions to maximise the comfort factor.

Place yours in the corner of a room to create a spacious reading nook, and pair it with a nest of tables or a side table as a handy perch for drinks and snacks.

Thornley 2 seater sofa | Thornley footstool | Durham nest of tables | Durham tallboy | Clouds metallic rug

Our 2 seater sofas are ideal for smaller multipurpose spaces such as playrooms, kitchen diners, or home offices. Alternatively, pair your sofa with a coordinating piece from the same range to create a complete living room suite.

Discover our complete range of loveseats and browse our selection of sofas to find the perfect fit for your home, whatever your needs, budget, or taste. We’d love to see how you style your sofas and loveseats. Tag us at #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome on Instagram to share your latest photos.

Lead image credit: @barn_owls_and_butterflies

The post What’s the difference between a loveseat and a sofa? appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

]]>
How to care for oak furniture https://www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/blog/how-to/how-to-care-for-oak/ Wed, 11 Jan 2023 09:07:34 +0000 http://blog.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/?p=13844 Naturally beautiful and durable, oak is the perfect hardwood for making quality furniture that’s built to last. Discover top tips to make your Oak Furnitureland pieces last even longer with…

The post How to care for oak furniture appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

]]>
Naturally beautiful and durable, oak is the perfect hardwood for making quality furniture that’s built to last. Discover top tips to make your Oak Furnitureland pieces last even longer with our guide to caring for oak furniture.

Lay the best foundations

Oak sideboard with metal details in dining room, styled with frames and other decorative accessories.

Boston extra wide sideboard | @our_london.home

To begin with, make sure you buy furniture that’s made from good quality, kiln-dried oak to prevent it from warping and to add to its longevity. That’s why we make sure that all of our oak pieces are made from quality, kiln-dried oak so you can be safe in the knowledge that your furniture is built to last.

When your furniture arrives in your home, help the oak adjust to its new environment by treating it with a wax polish.

How to wax oak furniture

Parquet coffee table and dark blue velvet sofa in neutral living room scheme.

Parquet coffee table | @laura.elizabeth_

You’ll need to wax your furniture at least every six months to nourish the wood and form a lasting protective seal. It’s really worth taking the time to do this as it can really help your furniture last a lifetime. Waxing protects the grain, makes the wood crack resistant, and keeps any finish in its best condition.

It’s a good idea to test the wax you’re going to use on a part of the furniture not in plain sight, like underneath the table or the inside of a cupboard or drawer, just to check you’re ok with the finish. If you’re happy, apply the wax to the rest of the piece in the same direction as the wood grain. Leave it for five minutes, then remove the wax by buffing, again following the direction of the grain. It’s a simple process that doesn’t take too long.

Cleaning oak furniture

Original Rustic sideboard topped with decorative accessories.

Original Rustic large sideboard

The wax will form a protective layer on the oak, so for everyday cleaning, just wipe the surface down with a clean, damp cloth, or use cleaning products specifically designed for hardwood. For concentrated spills that might stain, blot the liquid with a clean, soft and slightly damp cloth. If you discover a set-in stain that you haven’t noticed before, it’s best to contact a professional furniture restorer.

Keeping oak happy

Round oak table with grey upholstered chairs in an elegant living room with a piano in the background.

Provence dining table | Scroll back truffle fabric chairs | @laurashomeandlifestyle

Have a think about where your furniture is going to live in your home. Wood is a natural material, and it doesn’t like extremes of heat and cold – it won’t thrive in air-conditioned rooms or conservatories. Direct sunlight may fade the finish, and heat from radiators will dry your furniture out.

It’s a good idea to keep a gap of about 25mm between the wall and the back of your furniture. This lets air flow through, keeping the temperature stable and prolonging the life of your oak. If you have wooden floors, place felt pads under your furniture’s feet as this protects both the furniture and floor.

Hopefully that’s given you useful tips for caring for your oak furniture. We’d love to see your Oak Furnitureland pieces in your homes. Tag us using #OakFurnitureland on Instagram to share your style.

The post How to care for oak furniture appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

]]>
How to mix and match sofas and chairs https://www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/blog/general/mix-match-sofas-chairs/ Tue, 18 Jan 2022 12:20:25 +0000 http://blog.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/?p=14809 Are you wondering if your new accent chair or loveseat will clash with your existing sofa? Or perhaps you’re tired of matching furniture sets and want to create a living…

The post How to mix and match sofas and chairs appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

]]>
Are you wondering if your new accent chair or loveseat will clash with your existing sofa? Or perhaps you’re tired of matching furniture sets and want to create a living room that feels more like you. Mixing and matching sofas and chairs is one of the easiest ways to express your personal style while making your space feel fresh and dynamic.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to pair different furniture styles, colours, fabrics, and shapes, without sacrificing cohesion or comfort. Whether you’re working with a beloved vintage sofa or eyeing up a bold new armchair, you’ll learn how to create a balanced, inviting space that looks perfectly put together.

Is it OK to mix and match sofas and chairs?

Oak Furnitureland cream Evie loveseat in a living room with neutral decor and a green sofa.

Evie loveseat | @siaanwilliams_home

Styling mismatched pieces is not only possible, but it can also result in a living room that feels uniquely personal, inviting, and effortlessly curated. Your sofa and chair don’t need to match perfectly to look amazing together. In fact, with a few thoughtful choices, you can highlight their individual character while still creating a harmonious space.

Our Head of Buying, Elena Mellowes echoes this approach, “Mixing sofas and chairs is a great way of injecting personality into your space; blending different designs, shapes and fabrics allows you to curate your home and make the most of your space without the cost of investing in a new three piece suite.”

We’ve put together our top tips to help you confidently combine even the most unexpected pieces, making it simple to achieve a beautifully balanced and sophisticated look.

How do I make sure furniture matches?

Prioritise your personal style

Jasmine sofa | @littlehouseofannie

Start by considering the overall style of your home. Walk through each room, take in the colours, textures, and mood. Your space should feel like a true reflection of who you are, not just a collection of design rules. Matching furniture isn’t about uniformity; it’s about creating a setting that feels natural, lived-in, and welcoming. Let your choices express your personality and how you want to feel in your home.

Stay true to your existing decor

A sofa, side table, and footstool-living room furniture-weathered oak side table-potted plant-foliage artwork-side table wicker lamp-green cushions-woven tray-fresh flowers in glass vase-wool throw-neutral walls-cream sofa

Burleigh side table | @our_wandsworth_home

That said, if your home style is more modern and minimal, a floral accent chair might feel out of place. Likewise, if your space embraces cottagecore charm or the vibrant patterns of the ’70s, cool grey tones could clash. While bold contrasts can sometimes pay off, they require a careful eye, as there’s a fine line between making a statement and making a design misstep.

Create contrast with fabrics

Iver armchair | Maine side table

One way to add interest to your living room is by adding texture. Rather than focusing on matching a specific type of fabric, try selecting a particular shape, style, or colour palette as the foundation of your furniture choices. This approach allows a variety of fabrics to work together harmoniously, enabling you to mix and match upholstery in a way that adds layers and depth to a room.

For example, sumptuous leathers, rich velvets, and corduroy pieces can look particularly stylish when paired with a linen-style fabric. You can also create a sense of balance by incorporating your chosen fabrics into soft furnishings such as decorative cushions and throws.

Elena continues, “A great way to execute this is to mix an accent chair with your sofa for a more stylised seating solution; consider a different but complementary fabric, or even a tonal leather to really make the space your own.”

If you do decide to mix different fabrics, keep the proportions of the furniture at the forefront of your mind. A brown leather sofa with a large frame will inevitably look disproportionate if paired with a smaller fabric chair. Accent chairs will mesh more successfully if they’re the same height, so that one doesn’t overshadow the other.

Maximise colour


Montgomery sofa | @renovationtowers

If contrasting shapes, styles, or fabrics isn’t your thing, you might find more joy in playing around with colour. Mixing and matching colours from a small palette is the easiest way to create contrast and inject playfulness into a space without it feeling overwhelming.

Layering variations of the same few shades throughout the room creates a sense of cohesion and calm. It conveys a feeling of intention and balance, rather than a chaotic clash of colours, making your space feel both intriguing and thoughtfully put together.

Use bold accessories

Montgomery sofa | @whingewine

If you’re just beginning to explore colour or prefer a more subtle approach, soft furnishings and accessories are an easy way to experiment. Start with a neutral base you love, then layer in subtle pops of colour through cushions, throws, or art — elements that are both flexible and easy to update as your confidence grows.

Layer patterns on patterns

Morgan sofa | @poursomecolouronme

Pairing patterns can be a delicate art, as it’s easy to go overboard. To make it work, there are two main approaches. The first is to keep things cohesive by choosing patterns that share a similar shape, style, or colour palette. For example, two floral prints in different colourways will feel far more harmonious than a floral mixed with tartan or paisley.

Alternatively, you can embrace contrast and a more maximalist aesthetic. This works best when the juxtaposition feels intentional — think a pink floral cushion paired with a leopard print throw. The interplay of colour, pattern, and texture creates an eclectic yet stylish look.

Mixing and matching sofas and chairs is a simple yet impactful way to add depth, personality, and warmth to your living room. Start small with complementary cushions or a contrasting accent chair, and build confidence as you experiment. And remember: there are no rigid rules, just choose what feels right for your home.

We’d love to see how you style your mismatched living room! Tag us on Instagram or TikTok and use #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome to share your look.

The post How to mix and match sofas and chairs appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

]]>