I was surprised to see this couch-less living room layout, but it’s perfect for a minimalist yet practical space

While there will always be new interior trends and ideas to play with, there are some things that pretty much stay the same. It’s hard to imagine a living room without a sofa. Isn’t it? Even when it comes to minimalism in interior design, we’re used to seeing freestanding furniture that fits the scheme. It might be less furniture, but it’s still there. 

Well, there is one interior architect who challenges the status quo of what we might expect to see in a clean, sleek space and who comes with a different design proposal.

In Villa L by Studio Alexander Fehre the brief was to create a space that is different. Here is what Alexander Fehre did differently. 

The new seating solution to replace your sofa 

(Image credit: Philip Kottlorz. Design: Studio Alexander Fehre)

Villa L by Studio Alexander Fehre is an example of minimalism done very well. Its clean, elegant lines and simple colors are used in such a way that they create a warm, inviting feel. For a family home, it’s impressive to see the mix of beautiful design with innovative use of space that will serve all household members. 

What my eye was drawn to instantly was the minimalist living room. There, I noticed that one common piece of furniture - the sofa - was missing. Instead, a seating niche is fixed to the wall and creates almost a cocoon around those inside it. It’s wide enough to be comfortable and placed in front of a window it creates a lovely picture frame effect of the landscape outside, making this a very restful space. 

I asked Alexander why he decided to use the seating niche instead of a sofa. ‘It was the brief of the client not to plan a typical living room with a freestanding sofa. They also wanted to have everything hidden and clean,’ he tells me. 

It's not a surprise that the niche made of carpentry and bespoke cushioning is as comfortable as it looks.   

I love it! But where else can I use it? 

(Image credit: Philip Kottlorz. Design: Studio Alexander Fehre)

The beauty of this piece of design is its versatility. Due to its sleek look, a seating niche can be designed to fit into any room of your home, from your living room, dining room, and kitchen, to the kids’ playroom. 

‘It’s built into the wall and the dividing furniture. Therefore it belongs more to the house's architecture and leaves the center stage to focus on the fireplace, the dining table, and so on. It gives also a warm and cozy atmosphere as it is built in and not moveable,’ explains Alexander.

I’m definitely convinced and can see this becoming more and more popular in the modern home. It looks great, it’s practical, and can be designed in such a way to suit the specific needs of any space, without drawing too much attention to it, but complementing the room. Design at its finest, I would say. 

Here's how to recreate the look

Even if you can't have a custom-built seating niche like the ones in Studio Alexander Fehre's Villa L, you can still recreate the look on a window seat or a bench which can be tucked away. Remember to make it comfortable and cozy. Here are three things to buy to create that lovely seating niche vibe.