How can I add more seating to family room?
by
Maria
+11
I'd like to add more seating to this room - willing to purchase some new chairs and sofa. The corner wall units can be relocated to another room. Room is used mainly for TV watching and opens into dining room.
12x13 room - walkway behind chairs; opens into dining room
9 answers
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..I would caution against getting a sectional, sometimes it seems a good idea, but doesnt turn out to actually BE one. I would use 2 love seats, that are the same , and two comfy -but not " recliner' chairs- unless they dont LOOK like a recliner. A large ottoman or bench for extra seating could be added in as well. Also, a good sized area rug will help ' anchor' your pieces of furniture, and protect your carpet.I would scout CL or something like that, for an indoor/ outdoor rug that is nice, but easily cared for.
Shelby @ The Weathered Barn Studio
on Feb 13, 2015
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I agree with Shelby, small scale is best. I have had a sectional and never again. I also don't care for sofa's because they tend to be too big unless you need sleepover space (no one wants to sit in the cushion crack or adults 3 to an area). For a quick fix and to get an idea of what will work, I would relocate both cabinets and move both chairs under the window. If you like it and would like a love seat there, measure the space occupied by the chairs and compare to the love seats you like. Love seats x 2 if you can afford or keep the two chairs under the window with table in center, replace corner cabinets with ottomans which can be moved at will or used as a coffee table although the coffee table you have seems to work and is lovely. For other small scale seating and table options look into garden/patio furniture. Garden stools also make great tables as do plant stands. An old trunk would also be great for sitting plus storage and interest. Agree with Shelby again on an area rug plus I would look into a higher tv placement either a shelf type thing under your tv or wall mount and something large scale over your existing room. If you don't go up in a few ways the room will seem very bottom heavy without those two corner units. I'm liking a garden room type feel for this area. Please post whatever you decide.
Opal
on Feb 14, 2015
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I'd fight to keep my sofa! What if someone wants to stretch out and watch TV? - home sick, really tired after a day's work, etc. You can get sofas that don't have thick backs and arms so they take up less space visually and physically. Like the idea of a sectional (but not one that has a chaise on one end) along your current sofa wall which would displace the large blue chair. Would leave room for a love seat and the comfy tan chair on the other side from the looks of things.
Marion Nesbitt
on Feb 14, 2015
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We have a large family and eventually opted for a very large sectional, one that seats 7.
Fab and Pretty
on Feb 14, 2015
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Replace the coffee table with a pair of moderately-sized ottoman-like pieces. That way when they're not being used as a coffee table, they can be used as seating.
Swan Road Designs
on Feb 14, 2015
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I have a room that is very similar in size. When I really need to seat more people, I pull the sofa back so it sits directly across from the TV stand (so its back would be to you in the photo), then add a narrow console table behind it with candles, etc. I slide the two chairs to the left side with a table between them and add a bench on the right side for more seating. Then I add a large ottoman or table in the center (so everyone can reach the snacks : ) Also, one thing I would do is move those three hard pieces together so they appear as one entertainment unit. If they are not all the same, then you could stain or paint them to match. When you look at them now, your eye moves from each individual piece, but together they form a cohesive unit.
Country Design Home
on Feb 14, 2015
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Years ago I bought a 2 person love seat with 2 recliners next to each other and we loved it The single recliner takes up a lot of free space a love seat would work and allow 2 people to recline and watch tv together and keep the sofa you may be able to keep the chair on the left also
Funnygirl
on Feb 14, 2015
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I think it depends on whether you need more seating as a constant (ie big family) or whether you are looking for extra seating for when you have guests. If it is the former you need to reconfigure that room to include more comfortable seating that is of sufficient size to relax in. If for guests and only to be used occasionally and for shorter periods of time you can look at other option that are dual purpose and easy to put away/use for other purposes when nobody is sitting on them. There are tables that can tuck small cube like seats under them, ottomans that you can use for storage or coffee table. Just ensure that whatever you do the chairs that form the staple of that room are large enough and comfortable for people who reside there all the time to relax in. Nothing worse than only having the option of sitting all scrunched up together or bolt upright when you get home from work or school and want to relax and watch tv or snuggle up on the sofa.
Carole
on Feb 14, 2015
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You could upholster the coffee table? That way it can act as a foot stool, extra seating and also is still ok to balance a tray on when you are serving drinks/snacks. I did mine by just buying a memory foam pillow (which conveniently was exactly the right size!), I glued it into place so it wouldn't slip around and then stretched fabric around, using a staple gun to attach the fabric underneath. Depends how much extra seating you are after though!
Lesley
on Feb 22, 2015
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