Are you looking to have a bunch of people over to your home for fun together? If so, then you need enough seating for everyone. Since most friends and family will gather in the living room, there has to be a spot for all your guests.
Figuring out where to sit people doesn’t have to be difficult because there are some great solutions you can use. Here is how to add extra seating to your living room:
1. Built-in benches
Some living room areas where a couch won’t fit and even a chair look out of place. This could be on either side of a fireplace or below a window. Install wood benches to go with the decor to make the most of your room and add much-needed seating. Built-in benches look amazing and fill dead space perfectly. Without much expense, you can get an extra 4-5 seats to accommodate larger gatherings, and by adding comfortable cushions on top, they will be the first choice for guests to sit at.
Benches also have the bonus of storage under the seat, so you can put extra pillows, blankets or your favourite board games stowed inside.
2. Ottomans
An ottoman is a flat, cushioned piece of furniture that can be moved around the room but typically lives in the area where a coffee table would go. With a large, sturdy tray, the ottoman is used as a coffee table until more seating is needed, and then you can move it around to different spots. They are usually made of plush material and have storage underneath, so it is a 3-in-1 piece of furniture you should get. You can also get several small ottomans and place them around the room for added seating.
3. Sofa beds
When choosing extra seating for your living room, consider a multi-use piece to get the most bang for your buck. A sofa bed allows for an additional place to sit; if one of your guests chooses to sleep over, you can transform it into a bed.
Sofa beds for small spaces come in many styles and sizes. You could have a larger bed conversion from a sectional down to a chair bed that sleeps one. Practical seating is how you make the most of your living room, and it just makes sense for a small house with limited bedrooms.
4. Repurpose your dining room chairs
This is a great idea if you don’t want to buy extra chairs and clutter your living room. Your dining room set usually has upscale chairs that may even have cushioning or fabric, and they can be brought into your living room when needed.
If you haven’t bought a dining room set, consider the chair style and how it could fit in both rooms. Then they won’t stick out so much when you need them for extra guests. Make sure to set up your dining room so there are no major obstructions to the living room so these chairs can be easily moved back and forth when necessary.
5. Couches without multiple back cushions
This is a clever trick that creates more seating out of thin air. Many couches have small cushions on the back that designate one seat, so guests will automatically occupy one each. If you opt for a couch with one long cushion on the back, people will squeeze in more and get cozy because there are no guidelines to follow. This takes away cushion counting and becomes a snuggly free-for-all.
6. Flooring & other seating options
Who says you can’t sit on the floor? In some cultures, sitting on the floor is a way of life, and you can incorporate that into your living room for when you have more guests than chairs.
Fancy floor pillows work great for another seat and are perfect for the younger guests you invite. They can be stowed in a cupboard or under a coffee table and brought out when needed. Sitting on a floor cushion is the perfect height for playing a board game around the coffee table.
Other options for extra seating include:
- Indoor garden stool Garden stools house a plant until needed for seating
- Slipper chair These can fit into tight spaces between other furniture
- Window seat A window seat is a comfy, padded seat right in front of the cation
- Stackable stools They take up little space until brought out
- Folding chairs These can be kept in a closet until needed
Finding ways to seat your guests shouldn’t be your prime concern when entertaining. Use these solutions to add extra seating in your living room and relax with family and friends for a comfortable night.
