8 Ways to Add More Seating to Your Room

When you’re decorating a space, it’s essential to have plenty of places to sit. How else are you going to have friends and family over? You certainly don’t want to offer them a seat on the floor. But in most homes, space is at a premium, so if you’re going to work more seating into your room, you’ve got to be sneaky about it. Well, we’re coming to the rescue with 8 ways to bring more seating into your space.

1. Consider Your Cushion Count

A good rule of thumb is that the number of seat cushions you have is the number of people who will sit on your sofa. One clever trick is to choose a sofa with a bench cushion, like our Sofia, Bradley, Dakota or Georgetown Sofas. Since it’s one big cushion instead of several smaller ones, your guests will be more likely to squeeze onto the couch because they won’t have to avoid the dreaded cushion crack!

2. Ottomans Over Coffee Tables

Coffee tables play an important role in a living room because they provide space for putting down drinks, snacks, and other necessities. But an upholstered ottoman can play the same functional role, while also being extra seating when guests come over.

3. Fireplace Feature

If you’re renovating or building a new home, consider adding a seat height foot to your mantel. A ledge makes a perfect little place to sit when you’ve got a big family gathering!

4. Tuck In Some Ottomans

Single seat ottomans can be easily scattered throughout your home and can be moved around when guests arrive. We like to tuck them under consoles, into corners, and even under side tables like our Felicity Acrylic one.

5. Fancy the Floor?

Okay, we know offering guests a seat on the floor isn’t ideal, but for really big crowds, a floor cushion is the next best thing, especially for kids. Keep a couple of these in a cabinet or under a coffee table just in case!

6. An Ode to the Occasional Chair

We’ve talked about our love of the occasional chair, and if you don’t have one in your room, you need it! An occasional chair is a single chair that brings that something special to a space. In his living room in the Southern Living Idea House, designer Mark Sikes tucked this gorgeous leather armchair in for extra seating. The warm cognac color echoes the color palette, and the location in the room makes it a focal point.

We love when occasional chairs make a statement with a bright pattern, funky shape, or are even a little mismatched. It’s that extra little punch for your room. They don’t have to be big and plush. They’re not meant for reading or kicking back. Look for something with a small footprint but that packs in lots of personality!

Tour the 2016 Southern Living Idea House here.

7. A Garden Seat

Side tables are crucial for the comfort of your room, but a garden seat is a great little side table that can also be an extra perch. In the space above, Suzanne Kasler tucked a garden seat up next to one of our Louis Armless chairs as a side table, but if even more guests arrive, it can become a seat.

8. Slip in a Slipper Chair

Slipper chairs are great options for tight spaces because they can be tucked in just about anywhere! You don’t need a lot of floor space to work one into your room layout, and they don’t take up a lot of visual weight.  

For more design inspiration, visit our Pinterest Boards, or find more gorgeous rooms in our Photo Gallery. 

Did you like this post and find it helpful? Rate it below and share your thoughts in the comments.