topic Re: No Sofa Living Rooms in Home

No Sofa Living Rooms

wilma — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 17:49:52 GMT

Have you seen living rooms without sofas? What do you think?

I've spotted several living rooms without sofas online recently. Most have 4 chairs and an ottoman or table of some kind. I like the arrangement. It allows everyone to have their own seat instead of squishing together on a sofa. It also makes conversation easier IMO. Of course, there's only room for 4 people, but then a sofa with chair or love seat only seat that many comfortably anyway.

I wish I had thought of this before we bought our new sofa a couple of years ago. It's something I think I would like.

Here are a few examples I found online.

I don't like the print on the pillows or ottoman, but overall, I like the colors and furnishings. I'd also change the accessories on the mantel & the mirror above it.

I love the warmth, homey, and comfy vibe of this space. I prefer a table over an ottoman, but this one looks like it might be a bit big for the space. I can see some knees getting bumped on it. I like the built-ins & fireplace but not the leaning artwork.

I'm not crazy about the white slip covers, but I like the colorful pillows, table, fireplace, and the windows. Love the greenery but dislike the chandelier.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

Snowpuppy — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 17:59:10 GMT

I've seen sofa-less staged living rooms in model homes/condos that attempt to mask the lack of floor space.

I watch tv stretched out on the sofa so I won't be going this route anytime, soon. I have used 2 loveseats but missed my comfy sofa.

The pricetag for those 4 oversize chairs is likely double what a decent sofa will run.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

millieshops — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:01:00 GMT

@wilma I would gladly live with that setup if I had more space than I do, however, I am not willing to live with no sofa anywhere in my home.

I could eliminate my dining room table and use the length of my great room as a living room, but I am not quite ready to try that.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

mspatmac — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:07:53 GMT

While it's visually pleasing it would be totally impractical for me because there is not enough seating even for my family. Of course the size of a space dictates the size and scale of the furniture.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

wilma — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:13:31 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
I've seen sofa-less staged living rooms in model homes/condos that attempt to mask the lack of floor space.

I watch tv stretched out on the sofa so I won't be going this route anytime, soon. I have used 2 loveseats but missed my comfy sofa.

The pricetag for those 4 oversize chairs is likely double what a decent sofa will run.

@Snowpuppy

Agree. We have a separate family room with sofas for TV watching so this would work for our living room. Yes, the cost of 4 chairs would be expensive.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

wilma — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:15:10 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@wilma I would gladly live with that setup if I had more space than I do, however, I am not willing to live with no sofa anywhere in my home.

I could eliminate my dining room table and use the length of my great room as a living room, but I am not quite ready to try that.

@millieshops

We have a separate family room with a sofa so I guess that's why this appeals to me as something different.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

On It — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:46:45 GMT

@wilma I have a friend who has this arrangement in her living room. She has a couch in the family room which is open to the kitchen and the area of the house where they do most of their living. The living room performs like a parlor did back in the day. She does use the living room for reading, escaping from hustle and bustle, as well as receiving guests.

I do not like to sit on a couch. My living area has one but it is just a decorative accessory. I much prefer my recliners that look like wing back chairs. We have Lazy Boy recliners in the game room where we watch tv.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

Bri369 — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:18:19 GMT

A friend of mine has a similar situation as the photo with the white slipcovered chairs. She also has couches in the room also. I like it because the room is large enough to accomodate both seating arrangements.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

CANDLEQUEEN — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:54:12 GMT

While I love my sofa, we just got new living room furniture in Sept of last year, I do love the look of these photos!!!! I can see the appeal, but I also love the idea of relaxing on the sofa watching a good movie......All 3 of the rooms are very relaxing looking and cozy and warm feeling to me.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

Katcat1 — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:43:22 GMT

I thought this was considered a Sitting Room and the living room is somewhere else. The only one I like is the one with the white oversized chairs.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

DREAMON — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:05:21 GMT

It's OK for a Formal Living Room that really isn't used much.

It's a definite No for a large family or a house without a Family Room.

I think 1 and 3 are very well done..love the colors.

2 looks the most comfortable but the room looks dull and drab to me.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

Foxxee — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:09:11 GMT

I think a sofa is the most significant piece of furniture in the room. It sets the tone and is the anchor piece around all other pieces are positioned.

It's not the focal point, though...like a fireplace or large window, for example.

It's also the most comfortable piece, the one family likes to lounge on...watch TV or take a nap.

A special sofa makes a statement depending on style and color. It's also a different size from chairs that adds different dimensions to the room creating interest.

The three photos with 4 chairs perfectly positioned aren't very functional to me. What could be done in these rooms, besides entertaining a few guests, possibly, reading in one of the chairs that don't look all that comfortable to me? This arrangement would not work in my house.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

wilma — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:11:27 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
I thought this was considered a Sitting Room and the living room is somewhere else. The only one I like is the one with the white oversized chairs.

@Katcat1

Agree. Some older homes probably have separate sitting rooms & living rooms.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

On It — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:30:38 GMT

This post been interesting to read because of the term "living room." I believe geographic regions, age of the home, and age of the occupants have impacted the definition of a living room. I am old so I think of a living room as a formal space at the front of the house. The formal dining room is also at the front or at least separated from the kitchen and the family area. The area that is used the most by the family occupying the home is the family room which contains the cozy furniture and the tv.

In our region a home that does not have formal areas has one large room referred to as the "great room" that is used for everything. Most homes are ranch style on one level with no stairs.

What are the dominant styles in your part of the country?

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

CANDLEQUEEN — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:56:02 GMT

@DREAMON wrote:
It's OK for a Formal Living Room that really isn't used much.
It's a definite No for a large family or a house without a Family Room.
I think 1 and 3 are very well done..love the colors.
2 looks the most comfortable but the room looks dull and drab to me.

@DREAMON @wilma I agree with Dreamon in the fact that if you have a large family, or you only have one space for watching television, this may not be as practical.....

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

sceniccoast — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:04:32 GMT

@wilma

1st pic - I very much like the style & color of the chairs. This seating arrangement does seem to be more "chatting" friendly. I agree about the pillows & ottoman print & accessories. I'll take it a step further .. I'd replace the area rug & at least get rid of 2-3 of those open shelving units as I think they're overdone.

Thanks for posting this.

2nd pic - NOPE

3rd pic - I like most of it even though white isn't very practical. But they are very pretty. I'd get rid of the chandelier. Windows are beautiful & I'd replace the pillows.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

evelyner — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:04:44 GMT

That's my living room. We have sofas in our family room.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

AuntG — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 12:58:49 GMT

Nice for an older home that has a parlor. I sometimes stretch out on the sofa when watching a movie so it wouldn't be practical in our ranch home.

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

TaylorBrown — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:23:49 GMT

The first two pics look more like sitting rooms to me. I think a living room needs a sofa/couch in it..

Re: No Sofa Living Rooms

Regal Bee — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:30:04 GMT

I have a sofa in my living room and two sofas in my family room.....they are a must for me.