Designing a Lounge Space in Your Home

What do the daybed, the chaise lounge, and my boyfriend’s hideous recliner all have in common? They are all pieces of furniture that cater towards our desire for a little rest and repose. A hybrid between sitting and lying down, lounging is the best way to read a book, watch a movie, or catch up on your beauty sleep.

To commemorate the special place this piece of furniture has in our hearts, we wanted to showcase some of our favorite pieces of lounge furniture in spaces we designed to suit multiple styles.

Here are 3 takes on the chaise lounge across the ages:

1. Ancient cultures: The Egyptians are credited as the original masterminds behind the chair+bed combo, which they used as a place to rest in the arid desert climate. The Greeks also loved lounging, so much so that they even ate meals in a reclined position. While we don’t recommend lounging with bowl of hummus on the Maxime Daybed (Jonathan Adler), we can’t help but think the Goddess Aphrodite would pick our Minimalist lounge scene as her preferred place for mid-day naps.
2. Fainting Victorian Women: In the 1800s, chaise lounges enjoyed a popular surge as important and necessary pieces inside every overstuffed Victorian living room. As all corset-wearing victorian ladies knew, the chaise lounge was the perfect landing pad for fainting spells. The Avalon Daybed (Serena & Lily) from our eclectic lounge scene, is a modern take on a French Neoclassical-style chaise lounge, making it the perfect napping spot for those dreaming of a Parisian vacation.
3. Hollywood Starlets: A favorite of starlets like Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo, such pieces provided the perfect place to seductively drape oneself for photos and film shoots. We love our Charade Capsule Daybed (Jonathan Adler) for all of our modern draping needs. Who wouldn’t feel like a movie star lazing atop this lush blue velvet pedestal?
4. Modernist Designers: The lounge was also a favorite form of Modern designers. The chaise lounge offered them a form that was functional, easily mass-produced, and (in the right hands) aesthetically pleasing. We think an Eames Lounge Chair (Design Within Reach) is the perfect place for any Mid-Century aficionado to kick back and watch Mad Men.

The chaise is a great way to fill an empty corner or bring a living room to life. We all need a place to kick back and put our feet up at the end of the day, so we designed five spaces for five unique styles. Will you be lounging in a Mid-Century Modern icon or buried beneath a plethora of eclectic throw pillows?

Portrait of Madame Récamier, Jacques-Louis David, 1800, Louvre The 1800s saw the first instances of beautiful ladies being draped over chaise lounges. Here Jacques-Louis David’s portrait depicts Parisian socialite, Juliette Récamier, lounging atop a Neoclassical style chaise lounge. This painting sparked popular interest in the piece of furniture, which is often referred to as a “récamier” even still today.

Want help designing a lounge corner in your home? We can show it to you in your space (before all the heavy lifting) with Modsy.

Rustic

A rustic lounge space is the perfect spot to snuggle up by the fireplace. A neutral color palette keeps it feeling airy while the layered rugs and brassy accents bring a touch of warmth.

Hollywood Glam

Hollywood glam is all about being bold. Who wouldn’t feel like a celebrity draped across this turquoise velvet lounge?

Eclectic

A tropical lounge space outfitted in bright colors and natural materials. We love the Avalon Daybed (Serena & Lily) as the wicker frame alludes to a classical French daybed silhouette.

Mid-Century Modern

The Eames Lounge Chair is an iconic piece of Mid-Century Modern design. Designed by Ray and Charles Eames, the piece was envisioned to have the “warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.”

Minimal

A minimal lounge area accented in gold. Who wouldn’t want to serve their guests martinis atop this lounge?

Jonathan Adler Teardrop Table, Brass

Horchow