Your living room isn’t just the place your family gathers together to unwind every night, it’s also the place where your family and friends come together when you entertain guests for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations. In today’s blog, the interior design experts at Star Furniture discuss some living room seating ideas that can help you take your design and your hosting to the next level!
Get Cozy with a Loveseat
(Pictured Above: Pearl Loveseat)
Looking for seating ideas for a small living room? Loveseats are a great seating option when you’re short on space in your living room. Unlike sofas and sectionals, which have three or more cushions, loveseats tend to offer only one or two cushions, and are best suited for seating one to two people. Because of their small size, loveseats can easily fit in even the most awkwardly shaped living rooms, and unlike accent chairs, they offer you some extra space to spread out. As their name implies, loveseats can also be a great seating option for couples, since they give you enough space to sit together while keeping you close enough to snuggle. While loveseats work great in small living rooms, they can also be a great addition to larger ones. In fact, many living room sets include a matching loveseat to place adjacent to your sofa for a more curated look. However you decide to use your loveseat, you’ll find that they can be a great addition to your living room design.
Bring Everyone Together with a Sectional
(Pictured Above: Marcus Leather 4-Piece Chaise Sectional)
When it comes to living room seating ideas, it’s hard to beat the inherent comfort of a large sectional sofa. If you’re hanging out with the immediate family, there’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out and get comfortable. If you’re having people over, sectionals naturally offer extra seating and a built-in conversation area that makes it easy for your guests to keep the party going. Plus, if you choose a modular sectional, you’ll have the flexibility to rearrange the pieces into different configurations whenever your seating or design needs change. Because sectionals come in so many shapes, sizes, colors, and styles, you’ll have no problem finding the sectional sofa that fits your exact needs. Whether you’re looking for a power reclining sectional to take your movie night to the next level or a small modern sectional to match your mid-modern design, a sectional sofa can go a long way toward helping you create the living room of your dreams. Need help choosing a sectional? Our sectional sofa guide can help!
Bring on the Bench Seating
(Pictured Above: Chandler Shoe Storage Bench)
Utilizing all of the space in your living room can be a challenge, especially if you’re decorating an awkwardly shaped living room. That’s why one of our favorite living room seating ideas involves putting a stylish bench behind your sofa. Not only are benches the ideal depth and shape for behind the sofa, but they also have multifunctional uses. If you choose a storage bench seat, for example, you can use the bench as extra seating and extra storage. If you have photos, trinkets, plants, or other items to display, the bench can double as seating when you need it and a display area when you don’t. Just make sure that if you’re entertaining guests who might need a place to sit over the course of the evening that you remove the display items, throw a pillow or blanket on top for visual interest, and let your guests take advantage of the extra space. Not sure which type of bench to choose? Think about both function and form. A stylish wood bench is great for displaying objects but might not be as comfortable if guests are sitting on it for hours at a time. In addition to being stylish, upholstered benches have a little extra cushion, which means they can be more comfortable for guests. But depending on the material, you may be limited in what you can display on the bench when it’s not in use. If you’re worried about containing the clutter in your living room, it might make sense to go with a storage bench. That way, you can use it to store toys and puzzles, reading material, shoes, blankets, or anything else that’s taking up space in the room.
Swap Your Coffee Table for a Cocktail Ottoman
(Pictured Above: Murdock Cocktail Ottoman)
When it comes to living room seating ideas, swapping out your coffee table for a cocktail table is a great way to add extra seating without taking up extra space in your living room. Because cocktail ottomans can serve multiple functions, they’re more versatile than traditional coffee tables. You can use them as a surface for holding beverages, a table for playing board games, a comfortable spot to rest your feet while you watch TV, and extra seating when you’re entertaining guests for the holidays or other celebrations. Many cocktail ottomans even come with built-in storage for blankets, games, puzzles, crafting materials, and any other items you want to keep out of sight when people are over. Plus, cocktail ottomans come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles so you can find the one that best fits your unique design needs.
Double Up on Accent Chairs
(Pictured Above: Eva Accent Chair)
While accent chairs, by definition, have a role beyond function, that doesn’t mean they can’t be used as extra seating in your living room. In fact, doubling up on accent chairs can be a great way to add style, sophistication, and an additional place to sit in your living room. To get started, you’ll want to choose a set of accent chairs that complement the décor, create a focal point, or add a splash of color or pattern to the room. Then, decide where it makes the most sense to place them side by side. Not only does doubling up on accent chairs add symmetry to the room, but they make it easy to fill an empty corner in your living room. That way, when guests are over to celebrate, you’ll have a built-in conversation area that also adds visual interest to your living room design.
Sprinkle in Some Pouf Seating
(Pictured Above: Savannah Pouf)
Poufs are short, solid cushions that sit directly on the ground and can be used in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking to add some extra seating, a stylish accent piece, a comfortable place to prop your feet, or a smooth surface to hold drinks and reading material, poufs can help you get the job done. As far as living room seating ideas go, poufs can be used to create additional seating areas in your home that can easily be rearranged depending on your specific needs. Whether you store a few in a corner for an intimate conversation area or plop a few around the coffee table for an impromptu kid’s table, poufs can add a lot of versatility without taking up too much space. Plus, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles, which means you can use them to add visual interest to your living room design.
Score a Sofa Table with Stools
(Pictured Above: Magnolia Manor Console Bar Table with Stools)
Whether you’re having guests over for the holidays or hosting friends for a weekly movie night, a sofa table with stools is one of the most versatile living room seating ideas. Not only do sofa tables with stools provide extra seating, but they come with a built-in surface that enables your guests to munch on appetizers or dig into a Thanksgiving feast. Plus, if you’re planning to watch the Macy’s Day Parade, Christmas Movies, or the big game, sofa tables with stools give you a prime viewing position. Because sofa tables fit so snugly behind the sofa, and because the stools can be easily pushed under the table, they won’t take up extra space when not in use. And because of their narrowness, as long as your sofa isn’t pushed up against the wall, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the space to put it, even if you’re working with a small living room. Ready to start shopping? Browse our huge selection of console tables for sale at Star Furniture.
Get Chic with a Chaise
(Pictured Above: Calista Chaise)
Unlike sofas and loveseats, which tend to have arms on both sides, a chaise lounge offers you the ability to use the corners of the seat more fully. As far as living room seating ideas go, chaises offer two main perks: extra seating when entertaining guests and a comfortable space to spread out when you want to read, watch TV, or take a nap. Whether you’re using your chaise to create a stylish reading nook or as a way to squeeze in some extra seating in an unclaimed corner of your living room, your chaise lounge can go a long way toward creating a comfortable and inviting space for your everyday life and for special occasions. Plus, they’re incredibly stylish and can fill empty spaces in the room, adding depth, visual interest, and texture to your living room design. Shop our selection of chaises and settees today!
Reclaim the Recliner
(Pictured Above: Marlow Brown Leather Power Recliner)
When you call to mind a recliner, you’re probably picturing the unsightly chairs that your grandparents used to have shoved into the corner of their living room. But recliners have come a long way in both technology and style. In fact, one of our favorite living room seating ideas involves taking advantage of the beauty and technology of modern recliners. Not only can you find chic, stylish silhouettes, but many recliners have advanced technological features, including power reclining, lift technology, massage capabilities, and more. Especially if comfort is your priority, recliners give you the perfect space to stretch out and relax, whether you’re hanging out with friends, watching the big game, or working from home.
Try Dueling Sofas
Looking for living room furniture ideas that are perfect for entertaining guests? Dueling sofas may be right for you! Whether you buy two of the same sofas or mix and match complementary styles, having sofas facing each other can create an amazing living room layout for entertaining guests. Not only is the symmetry visually pleasing, but if you place the sofas close enough to one another, your guests will be in a great position to talk to one another. Plus, this layout enables you to add additional seating around the ends of both sofas to create a large circle that can make it easier to converse and play games, even if you’re entertaining a large group. Are you ready to refresh your home for the holidays? Check out Star Furniture’s huge selection of stylish living room furniture, including sofas, sectionals, loveseats, recliners, and more. Need help choosing the right furniture for your design style? Visit a Star Furniture store near you, where you can take advantage of our complimentary interior design services. In the meantime, check out our home inspiration blog where we cover everything from frequently asked questions about living room layouts to our favorite sofas for small spaces.