How to Use Chairs Instead of Couches in the Living Room

A living room is often the first room a guest sees. Typically a living room has a sofa, but smaller houses and apartments don't always have room for a large piece of furniture. Chairs are easier to rearrange and, depending upon the size of the chairs, more people can sit in a room full of chairs than on a single sofa. It is not necessary to sacrifice comfort or elegance when using chairs. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Consider the amount of space in your living room and your purpose for using chairs instead of a couch. If you need to seat a lot of people for a special occasion, there are comfortable stacking chairs on the market. Instead of settling for cheap, uncomfortable stacking chairs, shop for nicely shaped chairs that offer good back support and are made of high-quality materials such as wood. Stacking chairs are lightweight and easy to arrange and move around. They are also easily stored after an event.

2

Look for plush, comfortable chairs and recliners if designing a permanent arrangement. Some chairs are so comfortable they are like small, one-person couches. Instead of a couch along the wall, line up comfortable chairs with small tables in between. No more remotes getting lost in couch cushions.

3

Consider the focal point in the living room. It could be a large window or an entertainment center. Arrange living room chairs in a semi-circle near the focal point. Six chairs is a good number if they will stand in for a couch.

4

Place a single reclining chair or rocking chair in a corner, with its back to the corner, not the wall. This gives the sitting person a nice vantage point in the room, and also gives a rounded, circular feeling to the room.

Another way to use recliners and rockers is to place them with their backs to the short wall in the room, and angle them in toward each other. Place a small table between them.

5

Use matching ottomans in front of chairs. Ottomans serve as extra chairs if there are a lot of people sitting in the room, and they provide a comfortable place to rest your feet when guests are not around.