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bikemanswife

Bedroom chair -- do you use yours?

17 years ago

What I mean is, do you use it for SITTING ever, or does it just collect clothes and other stuff you need to set down?

We have a corner in our bedroom that sorely needs something. We used to have a chair there, but I sold it on craigslist because to me it always smelled funny and I just wanted it gone. I thought I would replace it with a small leather armchair, but now I'm wondering if there's a better choice. I mean, we never EVER sat in the chair that was there, and not because it had it's peculiar aroma. It never occurs to either one of us to go hang out in the bedroom and be anything other than completely horizontal. I can't stand the though of spending all that $$ on a chair and having it be nothing more than a place for DH to put his pajamas.

In fact, craigslist has got me thinking that most bedroom chairs are not used as chairs, because as I hunt for a bargain chair, I've seen lots of people sell their "bedroom chairs" as "essentially new, never used."

So then the question becomes, if not a chair, then what? Do you have a chair and do you use it? Do you have something other than a chair, and if so, what? Would you, could you, share a picture?

Here's what our BR looked like "before":

And here's "after":

Thank you all!

Comments (30)

  • 17 years ago

    I think it's nice to have two chairs together in a bedroom if there's room. One chair by the bed looks a little lonely, and for someone attending a sick person. I would be tempted to fill those walls under the windows on each side of the bed with wider chests or tables. You could put an upholstered bench at the foot of the bed for DH's pj's.
    We have a sofa in our bedroom, and you're right. Usually it's full of laundry and ironing.

  • 17 years ago

    We have a bench at the foot of our bed. I sit on it to put my shoes on occasionally. Elvis, our chihuahua, uses it nightly to jump down to the floor from gigantor the bed that took over Iowa.

    I also use it to fold laundry on and to set the laundry basket on while putting the wash away.

  • 17 years ago

    Nice room.

    I've always had one to two chairs in my bedroom because I like chairs. I also like having the flexibility to sit to remove shoes or read or whatever. Sometimes, when I am in bed in the morning, my husband will come in and sit in the chair to tell me something. And, of course, it frequently gets used to store clothing, bed pillows, etc.

    That said, if you don't want a chair/don't use a chair, why not look for a storage piece that you WILL use? A narrow dresser, a low bench-chest under the window, a narrow armoire, etc. would look good and work for you. You can always get a palm or a tree plant to fill the space too. How about a bookcase?

    Red

  • 17 years ago

    We do have a chair & ottoman in our master & I love it. It's in front of the TV armoire & also has a reading light on the wall, so it's nice to curl up here and read or watch TV. It's not a big space, but is big enough for the chair/ottoman.

  • 17 years ago

    DH has a rocker on his side and uses it to put his shoes on in the morning. I have an egyptian stool on my side that mostly lives a lonely life.

    I can see a fun chair in your corner there. A case good wouldn't really fit 'cause of the heat run (we have those, too). So how about a wicker chair w/ a pillow w/ one of the colors of your spread, or a ladderback or windsor style chair painted in one (or more!) of the fun colors of the spread. I could be a quirky, unexpected element in the room!

  • 17 years ago

    To quote my DH: "Bedroom chairs are GREAT. They hold books, they hold clothes, they hold bags, they hold the cat..." LOL

    We've always just sat on the bed to put my socks on, put the laundry basket on the bed, etc. If I read in the bedroom it's on the bed - if I want to sit up to read I go somewhere else. Maybe that's because I've usually had bedrooms that were too small to have a chair in so I never got used to having one or came to expect one. I have a larger bedroom this time around (12x15) and there's an awkward corner I have yet to decide what to do with - most people would just stick a chair there but it would be pointless for us because it would just accumulate stuff. I'm pondering the ever-so-Victorian potted palm (faux, but who's to know?) as a space-taker-upper.

    I was taught by my mother, grandmother, AND stepmother that pajamas/nightgowns go under the pillow if they're to be worn again. :-) Maybe it's a Maine thing?

  • 17 years ago

    We have a chair in our bedroom. It is not a cozy chair, more like a dinning room table chair. It is used to sit on to put shoes on and to hang cloths on too. However, the best part about the chair is that when company comes and we need more places to sit, we just pull out the chairs from all the bedrooms and people get to sit on real chairs (vs. folding) for dinner. This was a trick my grandmother used and I think it is a good one.

  • 17 years ago

    I have a settee in my room (loveseat). I occassionally read there, I throw the bed pillows there and sometimes clothes. I suspect the dog hangs out there when we accidentally leave the door open.

    I think one chair is fine too.

  • 17 years ago

    We have two club chairs that share an ottoman. I put an old end table that didn't fit in the living area in between our chairs - it holds our lamp, magazines and cds. We really do use the chairs a lot more than I thought we would - to read, to catch up on each other's day, etc. It's a nice touch.

  • 17 years ago

    I have a chunky, antique ladder leaning against the wall in our useless corner. It is the best thing because you can use it to hang your clothes or pjs on and the cat can't sleep on them.

  • 17 years ago

    Johnmari, my night clothes are under the pillow as we speak, waiting for bedtime. How funny you should bring that up.

    Colebug, that's a great idea if you have extra dining-room-type chairs hanging around. We have old, cruddy kitchen chairs that I wish I could repurpose for this, but they're just cheap and I'd hate having one in my room. I also think it might be too small in the corner we need to fill. I could put one over in "my" corner, but DH's corner needs something larger, with arms, perhaps.

    Maybe bedrooms just need a "catch all", and maybe it's okay to have a chair that serves as such. Does it bother any of you that you have a chair that's rarely used?

    Here is a link that might be useful: Found this one on craigslist ...

  • 17 years ago

    I bought a very nice settee and a pair of benches for our old MB, but our new/old house doesn't have nearly the same space, and we're pretty squashed now. Frankly, neither the sofa nor the benches have ever been used for anything except storing all of my decorative pillows at night. I'm tempted to put at least the settee on CL or ebay, except that it's only about a year old and I paid a fortune for it.

  • 17 years ago

    See, that's what I mean, Sarah. I hate to pay a fortune for something and then wish I had spent it instead on something I'd use.

  • 17 years ago

    I think a life-sized grizzly bear would be PERFECT there!

    *LOL*

    On a serious note... the first thing I pictured was a nice, medium-to-dark toned wicker chair. They aren't too expensive and I think it would add warmth to the room and complement what you have going on there.

    Lis

  • 17 years ago

    We used to have a chair there, but I sold it on craigslist because to me it always smelled funny and I just wanted it gone.

    lol. Now there's some good CL advertising!

    Yes, I do have a chair. I can watch tv or read. I also need it for my drafting table which is, unfortunately, parked there :( It's not in a good location for putting on shoes or stockings, but that's another good reason to have one. A sitting spot for someone tending the sick is also useful. Having two comfy chairs for a chatting, tv, or reading spot in the am or pm is nice.

    The most appreciation my chair gets, though, is definitely from the cat!

  • 17 years ago

    I have a cozy stuffed chair and ottoman in one corner with a lamp and small table. It is a perfect corner for reading. Positioning it near a window means I can sit there and dream over the flowers and bird feeders just outside. The TV can be seen from there as well. I can plug in my laptop and write or surf to my heart's content. A set of bookcases on the other side holds my favorite reads.

    We are a homeschool family. Having a cozy, private, mom-only retreat is essential to my sanity and probably the ultimate safety of my sons. LOL This is the corner where I run away from home without leaving the house.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Creative Soul

  • 17 years ago

    Had a chair, hated it, so I got rid of it. Then the empty space bugged me sooo much, I put another chair back in there. Hated it even more. Catch all, clothes holder, cat bed, you know what that is like. So once again I got rid of it and I eventually put a nice, tasteful jewelry armoire in that corner.

    It's the right height to fill in the space, but it's not a catchall. I'm in the habit of removing my glasses, watch, earrings, etc. when I go to bed and stash them all in there.

    I also like the idea of a plant.

  • 17 years ago

    I think a taller plant, maybe a palm, would look better in that space, it doesnt appear you have a lot of room for a chair.

  • 17 years ago

    I have an antique cedar chest at the foot of my bed. I sometimes sit on it but more often I sit on the edge of the bed to put my socks on. It's good for storage, and it does tend to become a catchall (bad me). It's a great place to set a laundry basket out of the reach of puppies.

  • 17 years ago

    HappyinTexas-- it's that cozy reading spot that keeps me from ditching the settee (it's very comfy if I ever get to use it). I'm hoping that as my kids get older, I'll actually get to use my little sofa.

  • 17 years ago

    We have a chaise that we intended for great room but have moved the chairs from the bedroom in favor of chaise and it is a great place for cats, books, TV viewing, putting on panty hose and doing pedicures. :)

  • 17 years ago

    Ditto with Patricia -- that's what I'd really like to do! Either a chaise or have one with an ottoman. I usually like to stretch out or have my feet up. Might even be a good napping spot! rather than crawling into that warm, soft bed :)

  • 17 years ago

    I have a wingback chair sitting in mine and no dont use it.

  • 17 years ago

    budg1,
    I like the ladder idea for throwing robe or pj's on. Could even hang extra blanket or quilt. Now I have to find me a really cool ladder.

  • 17 years ago

    My bedroom chair is a refugee from my European/French Country/What Was I Thinking Moment. It didn't really fit in the Family Room and I didn't like the fabric I chose, so I had the cushions redone in a favorite fabric that I was itching to use. So, the primary purpose of the chair is that I get stare at the beloved fabric from bed! Makes me happy!

    But, I also find it a great place to hide and read or chat on the phone when the rest of the house is busy/noisy with other phone conversations, music practice, or whatever. Yes, the chair does end up collecting too much stuff, but when it's clear, it is very comfortable. I think if you get a chair for that spot, it should be very comfortable and you should love the fabric. Otherwise, get a potted plant!

  • 17 years ago

    I was just thinking the same thing! They can just be nice to look at -- but you'd have to keep the stuff off of it :) I just love a beautiful chair or beautiful fabric, whether it's occasional, floor sculpture, or actually quite useful.

  • 17 years ago

    This is a chair from our old dining room set, recovered to match the bedroom decor. I've always had a chair in my bedroom, even as a kid. I can't imagine not having a place to put my robe, the pillows while I make the bed, the laundry pile while I seperate things, etc.
    {{gwi:1534454}}

  • 17 years ago

    I agree, a palm would probably look nice ... if someone else lived here! We aren't "plants" people. (I tend to kill them. Unintentionally, of course.) Plus, even if we were, that room is really pretty dark most of the time. I'd have to find a plant that prefers caves over light. And then it would get dusty, and then I would hate it, and then it would die. Bye-bye, plant.

    "Fake" would be even worse. DH would make fun of it incessently and it would get depressed and suicidal. Not the vibe I want in my MBR. :-)

    No, I think a chair or perhaps the leaning ladder is the way to go. But gk5040, you're right, there's not that much room so the chair has to be big enough but not too big.

    I remember long ago when my grandmother came to see my first apartment. She could not BELIEVE I didn't have a chair in my bedroom. "Where do you sit?" was her question. She could not fathom a bedroom without a chair. Maybe if it was on MY side I'd be inspired to actually go in there and sit. But there's not enough room over there for anything more than a dining room type chair.

    Must continue to haunt craigslist!

  • 17 years ago

    BTW -- for those with allergies, it's a bad idea to keep plants (real or fake) in the bedroom.

  • 17 years ago

    Hate the chair in our bedroom. It is used as a catchall... in fact, I can't remember the last time anyone was able to even sit in it because there is always something on it. Need a button replaced on a shirt? Throw it on the chair in mom's room so she can find it :) Don't know where to put the manual to the new TV? Throw it on the chair in mom's room so she can file it. Know what I mean? Plus our bedrooms are upstairs so no one really sees them anymore so I don't clean it off as often as I should!