Designing your home is all about making sure it’s cozy and comfortable for you, your family and guests you have over! Even if we’re not entertaining much these days, living room seating is still an important part of your overall home design—extra seating always comes in handy! Whether you are having a laid-back movie night with the fam, game night with friends, an unexpected visit from relatives or just enjoy having a variety of seating options when you’re lounging at home, comfy and cool living room seating is always a bonus. Here are 10 ways to incorporate living room furniture for extra seating that will make your living space even more fabulous and fun!
Super Soft Sectional
We love the look and feel of this plush living space! Instead of a typical sofa, use a sectional sofa—it adds a ton of extra seating for family and friends.
Sectionals are great for lounging and stretching out—they can even double as guest sleeping spaces! You can go for smaller sofas or very large versions. Options include L-shaped sofas, chaise sectionals, U-shaped couches, and more. If you’re pondering sectionals vs. sofas, it’s good to know that sectionals are great for larger living rooms or for maxing out seating. And it’s a perfect living room furniture option for families that need space for kids or cozy TV watching areas.
Stools tucked away
One of our favorite tips for small living room design is having small stools tucked away under other furniture. In this look, they are tucked away under a console table so they’re not in the foot path but still easily accessible to pull out and sit on as needed. Decorative stools like these look great as part of the design and also add practical living room seating. They’re perfect for small areas because they don’t take up much floor space. This trick also works for an entryway or hallway near the living room—it’s also a smart design trick for spaces you entertain in, etc.
Poufs tucked away
Another one of the best living room design ideas for a small space is floor poufs tucked under a shelf or media cabinet. They are easy to pull out for extra living room seating or tuck away for more floor space. They are soft and safe for kids and pets and work wonders in casual spaces and households w/ little ones. Plus, they are super versatile and can be used elsewhere too—pull them into the office, dining room, etc.
Window Bench
We love the look of this window bench as extra living room seating! If you have a built-in bench, just add pillows, cushions, throw blankets, etc. Or you can bring in a free-standing bench for added effect! This type of living room furniture works great for a sunny spot or a good view—especially in reading nook designs! You can easily turn an awkward or unused window nook into a seating area that’s perfect for reading/studying, etc
Upholstered Ottoman
If you want living room seating that’s kid-friendly and still stylish, try using an upholstered ottoman. It does double duty as both a coffee table and side bench. You can design it with a tray as for a cool coffee table or stack pillows on top for extra seating. This look works great for homes that need a coffee table and added living room seating. And with the soft corners, you don’t have to worry about kids bumping into them!
Designer Bench
Adding a bench opposite chairs and sofa adds extra seating that doesn’t take up much space and rounds out this living room design. It’s a great look for an open living room—the bench can be moved around so it’s super versatile and you can use it for seating whenever you need. It’s good for a casual living room seating option when you need a little extra space to hang out.
Floor poufs
If you need extra seating but don’t want to invest in a ton of bulky furniture, consider placing poufs across the living room floor. It’s a very casual look and poufs are easy to add to any room—it’s also one of our favorite bedroom seating ideas! They are easy to move around and also super lightweight and soft. This option works well for households with kids and babies—you can use poufs to hang out, play on the floor, seat a few extra folks, etc.
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Small Benches
For a look that’s smart and stylish, line one or two benches in front of the fireplace. They make a great addition to the overall design and can work well in both formal or casual living rooms. Benches help create a u-shape seating arrangement—a great setup for conversation. They can also be pulled closer for chatting/games/tv watching and more.
Group of Chairs
A simple fix for extra living room seating is to add a set of chairs for an additional conversational seating area. They can either be part of the living room arrangement or set off to the side to create a separate space. This look works for larger living rooms or oddly shaped ones with a nook to place chairs. It’s a good setup for entertaining or morning coffee, etc
Bench Behind Sofa
Adding a bench behind the sofa is another smart and simple way to add extra living room furniture without overtaking the space. A bench like this one subtly divides the space but also provides extra seating and a polishing touch. It’s good for opening living/dining rooms or multipurpose living rooms and can be pulled into the living room for added seating. This is also a handy option because you can easily move it to different areas for kids to sit on, make room for extra guests, etc.
Ready to find your living room seating solution?
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