Skip to main content

Low-profile furniture: Minimalist trend or design fad? We weigh in

Is this a good idea for your space? We share all you need to know

Living room in boho colors.
Boris SV / Getty Images

Low-profile furniture isn’t a new concept, but it’s gaining more popularity in modern and minimalist aesthetics as homeowners crave inventive ways of making their spaces feel cozy and rejuvenating.

However, not everyone agrees that this design idea is worth it. Some argue that it doesn’t make any sense in home interiors and has drawbacks homeowners should know about. To help you decide if low-profile furniture is right for you, we’re weighing the pros and cons to determine if it’s a design trend or a fad.

Recommended Videos

What is low-profile furniture?

Modern living room with large painting hanging behind the couch
Follow the flow / Shutterstock

Low-profile furniture sits lower to the ground, typically below 30 inches in height. The average sofa is roughly 30 to 36 inches off the ground, making it an ideal height for sitting with ease. However, some homeowners and designers prefer low-profile furniture that either sits directly on the ground or is below 30 inches from the floor.

This trend is popular in modern and minimalist design aesthetics, where low-profile furniture can enhance a space and impact design. The trend is also gaining traction as sunken living rooms and conversation pits come back into style.

History of low-profile furniture

Low-profile furniture has been popular in Japan for decades now. It’s thought that the concept originated from there or other countries in Eastern Asia. In the 1970s, low-profile furniture became popular again through iconic items like the waterbed or beanbag chairs. Similar to beanbag chairs, low-profile furniture tends to gain more attention every 20 years or so, going in and out of style to suit homeowners’ needs at that time.

Pros of low-profile furniture

Neutral living room with tall curtains
Vlajs / Getty Images

There are several reasons homeowners are favoring low-profile furniture in modern homes today.

Can make a room look bigger

One great feature of low-profile furniture is that it can make a room look bigger. When furniture sits low to the floor, this helps make the wall height appear taller. If a sofa is pushed up against the wall, it’s easy to visually see a difference between the before and after. A low-profile sofa allows for more wall space, visually drawing the eye up to the ceiling.

Allows more wall space for decor

Since low-profile furniture creates more visual space for walls, homeowners can add more wall decor or become more creative with their wall decorations. Gallery walls can go lower than hip height to help fill a space. Typically, it’s recommended that decor hangs higher than the furniture. With low-profile furniture, you can gain an extra 10 inches of wall decor space.

Creates a cozy, intimate setting

Low-profile furniture is popular in sunken living rooms and conversation pits because it creates an intimate setting. The lowered furniture can make a space feel more cozy, relaxing, and youthful.

Makes wall features and windows the focal point instead of your furniture

Your sofa or TV stand might dominate the space in a typical living room, becoming a focal point. However, with low-profile furniture, since the silhouettes are lower to the ground, this opens up opportunities to make windows, wall art, and fireplaces the focal point of your space.

Great for kids

If you have young kids and want to make a space more suitable for them, low-profile furniture is great for building independence and encouraging autonomy. Montessori designs often feature low-profile furniture in kids’ spaces.

Cons of low-profile furniture

blue living room with a slate blue sofa in bohemian style
lilasgh / Shutterstock

While low-profile furniture can greatly enhance your home design, there are a few drawbacks critics have pointed out.

Low seating isn’t accessible for everyone

Low-profile seating isn’t accessible for everyone. People in wheelchairs, the elderly, or those with knee complications may be unable to lower themselves to the seat comfortably.

Can make a space feel empty if decor is lacking

Low-profile furniture can leave a room feeling blank if you don’t have large windows or don’t intend to add eye-catching artwork to your walls. Basements, in particular, may feel lackluster or empty with low-profile furniture and inadequate decoration.

Doesn’t make sense in every design style

As mentioned above, this trend is best suited to modern and minimalist designs. French country, rustic, and even midcentury modern designs may do better with hairpin furniture or raised furniture.

How to use low-profile furniture in your home design

slate blue walls and grey modern living room design
NelleG / Getty Images

If you’re interested in inviting low-profile furniture into your home design, follow these tips.

Keep decor minimal

The point of low-profile furniture is to draw attention to your home’s architecture and wall decor. Keep the amount of seating and table decor to a minimum when working with this trend.

Make a conversation space

This trend was built to be cozy and create an intimate setting. Center your low-profile pieces around a low-profile coffee table to encourage conversation.

Use texture to add dimension

Add blankets, pillows, rugs, lamps, and plants to play around with height. Stagger the levels throughout the room so that your space doesn’t feel monotonous.

Make the surrounding space more impactful

By creating a feature wall or an accent wall or adding impactful artwork, you can draw the eye up in your design. Your low-profile furniture is meant to spotlight other elements in your space.

Low-profile furniture is a unique trend that comes and goes over the years. Recently, minimalists and modernists are favoring this aesthetic. Though with the intrigue of conversation pits and Montessori kids’ rooms, we can expect to see more low-profile furniture in the near future.

Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
What is Hollywood Regency style? And is it for you?
Here's everything you need to know about this old Hollywood, glamorous style
Dark green monochrome color palette for living room design

If you crave the perfect look of a vintage starlet mansion in Beverly Hills, then Hollywood Regency style may be meant for you. This aesthetic pairs vintage stardom with luxe and regal aesthetics, creating a vibrant space filled with character. Here’s how to transform your home with the Hollywood Regency aesthetic so you can partake in the luxe and vintage vibes.
What is Hollywood Regency style?

Hollywood Regency is an interior design style that draws inspiration from the glamorous and luxurious nature of California’s Golden Age of Hollywood. The design style is notable for its bold colors, focus on line work and geometric shapes, animal prints, and glass or metallic details. The style leans toward a glam aesthetic and often makes use of items like opulent chandeliers or curated artwork.

Read more
Make the most of your living room/dining room combo with these stellar tips
Watch your living room/dining room combo shine with these tips
Gray monochrome living and dining room

Many contemporary homes have open-concept living, meaning fewer walls and shared space between rooms. It's a great idea for those who entertain or want minimal disruption between spaces. It's also good when you have small children and want to keep an eye on them while you're cooking, folding laundry, or watching TV. If you have one large area for your living room and dining room, there are some things you can do to get the most out of each room.

Of course, there's a lot to consider when it comes to which colors to choose, how to arrange furniture in a living room/dining room combo, and what wall and other decor can be used to blend the spaces together. Here's how to find the right mix that works in one collective space.
Small living room/dining room combo ideas

Read more
What colors go with brown? How to make this seemingly drab hue look glam in your home
Brown doesn't have to be boring. Here's how it can jazz up your space
Room with brown walls.

Brown tones have a reputation for being "boring" since these earthy hues often have a tendency to feel dull and bleak for many people. However, this is largely due to poor design execution. If used well, brown shades can enhance a room’s design and bring a new sense of vitality to a space. Brown can be a wonderful hue to add to your home if you're looking to create a luxe and vibrant environment. These rustic shades can be natural, rich, and earthy when paired with complementary colors that let this hue shine.

Unfortunately, many struggle to figure out what colors go with brown, which leads them to create spaces that feel drab, bland, or unfinished. Today, we’ll cover some of the best colors to pair with brown and how this stunning color can help revitalize your space.
What color matches well with brown?

Read more