Not that she asked for my opinion, but I think she should buy one couch and three chairs. Given that few people feel comfortable being the middle third on a couch, three chairs would give her pretty much the same amount of seating she has now, and a ton more flexibility in arranging her furniture. If she got one matching ottoman, she'd have the same amount of seating that she currently has. And she could probably get more seats aimed at the TV set at a comfortable angle than she has now.

I didn't want to be the first to say it but I agree with camlan. I'd opt for chairs.

Chairs, yes. But I'll put my vote in for two of couch #1 if she wants two and will keep them in the same room for a year or so. It would look more put-together.

I disagree with the idea that three won't sit on a couch. These are young people we are talking about. If that is the seating, they will squeeze in! I personally do not like either of the choices. This is small room. She needs smaler scaled furniture. I would look at Pottery Barns furniture for small spaces. I think a small scaled L shape sectional could work in her space.
You say you are getting rid of entertainment center, so there will be room on that wall. Put TV where the bookcase is now. An extra chair can go where there is one now.

Of the two, I like #1 much better. #2 looks inexpensive and cold/clunky to me. #1 is inviting and cozy.

Sofa number one looks more comfortable.

I agree people dont like to sit in the middle so should she consider chairs that are side by side. There was a pic on houzz of a pair of chairs side by side facing a matching sofa that looked nice.

Maybe she should entertain and observe where people sit, or ask some of her frequemt guests what would be preferred.

I made some of the same suggestions, and she is not budging on furniture arrangement or size.

I suggested moving the TV/entertainment piece to the window wall and putting a couch where the entertainment center is now - NOPE.

The EC would be too wide for a comfortable walk through with it on the stair wall.

The reason she wants two couches is also for lounging while watching TV. DD sometimes has visitors to watch movies, and couches will be more comfortable than chairs, she says.

Remember she is set in her decision. She just needs input on which couch.

Ny vote is for 2 of #1.

If she does move in the future and has both a LR and Den, the sofa's will look different in each room because of other furnishings, etc.

I'm not a big leather fan. It's just too cold looking.

I prefer couch #1.

I realize that she says she is decided, but I think she might be helped by hearing so many say that she would be wiser to get a couch and a couple of chairs. She will not get more seating from a loveseat than from two chairs.

But what she gets from the chairs is flexibility. She can move them around if she does decide to rearrange. In her next home, she can use the chairs in other rooms, either as they are or recovered.

If it were me, I would also be wanting to move the EC. Right now none of her seating except the wicker chair actually is optimal for viewing. Moving the EC to angle it in a corner and putting her couch and loveseat (or two chairs) at a right angles to one another would improve the use of her space, imo.

Because she will eventually have a larger living area, she would not want PB/apartment sized furniture in a larger space. Also, most PB items are out of her budget, especially with shipping involved.

The furniture my daughter is looking into is no larger than what she currently has.

mellyc123 - What is Houzz? Could you provide a link?

ellendi - The EC would be gone with the next move, but for now she would like to keep it as it provides space for things.

I agree that #1 looks much more comfy, and that #2 looks a bit cheap. At least in the picture. It could look much nicer in person.

Gives us something to think about, but I don't think there would be the room for a corner arrangement and right angle furniture.

Oh, and to your comment about optimal viewing. When two persons are reclining on opposites sofas, the viewing is currently excellent. I should now. :-)

Okay then I vote for #1 :)

Vote for #1, as I really don't like faux leather. If you were showing me really nice authentic buttery feeling leather, I may feel differently. I vote for one with hesitation. #1 isn't something I would choose for a whole host of reasons.

While I realize your DD wants two sofas, I think she's making a big mistake. That said, I have an adult DD, and she has a mind of her own that can't be changed once she's made a decision. Also, I do understand that there isn't anything that can be said by you that will change her mind.

However, perhaps if your DD reads the responses on this thread, she may take the objective viewpoints into consideration before commiting to the two sofas, especially in view of the fact that she may move sooner rather than later.

Please post your DD's decision.

Who are these people who would never sit on a 3-person sofa with 2 other people? LOL.

I am having this same discussion with a designer right now. Our formal living room is used as a tv room and arrangement of furniture is limited by a large corner fireplace and large opening to foyer. I think the best use of space will be a custom sized sectional and the designer thinks I should go with one sofa and 3 chairs. One of the chairs will be floating in front of the opening to foyer.I think I need to use boxes and/or tape to lay things out.

Everyone has different tastes. I would also go with the 2 full size couches and prefer option #1. I like leather, but would not do fake.

At a party I will gladly take the middle of the couch instead of sitting on the floor! Most of the time the couches are used by the homeowners and not by "picky" guests! I would choose based on my everyday living and not the possible party a few times per month.

I like the first one. Will she be redoing the room to do soft blues?

chispa - We also looked at a sectional.

During the holiday's, our extended family was watching The Help on DVD together. We had three on the sofa. I was in the middle and my husband was on one side and brother on the other. I was very comfortable. My mother, daughter and brother-in-law were in upholstered chairs, and sister-in-law in a dining room chair. The 3 younger kids were on the floor. Had we had another sofa, it would have been ideal.

gingerjenny - I wondered when someone was going to ask about changing the room color. I asked DD if she thought the landlord would let us paint two-three walls that soft blue color of the pillows. Pillows do come with the sofa. She's not sure, but she has been one of the most reliable tenants that he has had. It's a small condo like building with 8 units.

Sure wish someone on here could Photoshop for us.

My advice is to not do anything until after she moves.

Most of the furniture that has driven me nuts over the years is from trying to "make something work" from a previous space.

I would pick sofa #1, and I love the CL end tables!

Sofas can be larger in a small room. But what I found is the arms are what cause an overscale. This was the first thing I looked at, those arms are going to take up more room than expected, losing close to 6" on each side. The more detail there is will also cause a sofa to appear larger than what is usable sitting space.

The idea of two sofas in a room is great. Would love to do this if my room would work. Agree with Julie, she might want to wait for a move. So many layouts could change.

Perhaps you could suggest using masking tape to layout the size of sofas. It will at least give an idea as to how much room they take up. Or photoshop as one suggested.

Also, I see the EC as a great storage for office or bedroom. Add shelves or a pole for clothes. Know they are big, but like that one.

I suspect she is going to make up her own mind and credit to you for not intruding. Wouldn't surprise me if she just went and bought one when you weren't looking. Given the style she is interested in, she must have a vision of what her room and style is. The ornate sofa says something about her interest beyond what she currently has. Or perhaps she has a friend who redid a room and wants the same.

She might have fun at Houzz and you may see what it is she likes. Plus make you want to do something you had no plans for. I can get into areas not thought of before looking at all the designs. It is a great site.

Here is a link that might be useful: [Houzz search for small room 2 couches[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/small-two-couch-living-room-phbr0lbl-bl~l_144645?fi=8)

juliekcmo - Normally, I would agree with you, but she has waited so long to be able to buy something. Why wait when she is buying for future in mind. After suddenly losing some close friends and family members, we have a new motto in our family...If it is doable, do it now!

gsciencechick - Thank you! We got a pretty good deal on those tables. They have since been cleaned up and daughter put new hardware on them, but kept the old in the drawers.

emagineer - We did take into account the size of the arms. In fact the arms on the fabric sofa were just about the smallest we could find. There are some humongous couches out there! She doesn't want BIG, but also doesn't want apartment sized.

The pleather couch is a few inches longer than the fabric couch, and I think you are correct that the arms take up most of that extra space. However, it is not any larger than the space her futon takes up. The green striped sofa is really long, too. The arms are skinny.

I believe the photos make the new furniture look larger than it really is. I am going to DD's apartment this morning and will measure real well, then it is off to the store with her decision. I'll let you all know what it was, and we will post pics when it all comes together..

Your DD's choice of the end tables brought another sofa style to mind, so I was surprised to see the ones she's considering. Of those, I'd choose 2 of #1.

HOWEVER, my DD chose this sofa style about a year ago at Macy's, and she's been very pleased with it. No children, but it's very comfortable and has held up very well so far. For some reason, this style seems to resonate more to me with those end tables.

Here is a link that might be useful: Macy's Chloe Sofa on sale

I am the the 30 something daughter( ok i'm getting closer to the 40 something end- but who's counting anyway) and my mother has tried so many times to change my mind on my decisions- Most of the time, I wish I had listened to her.. BUT that being said... she is going to do what she wants to do so of the two.. I like #1 best and I LOVE the pillows that go with it! If the landlord allows it, I think the blue on the walls will be gorgeous with the sofa's.

If she is moving soon why not wait until she gets her new place. That way she can make sure everything fits.

If she doesn't want to wait tell her to take a tape measure with her when she is picking out furniture. It is very easy to get furniture that is too big.

sujafr - Pretty sofa, but way too contemporary for my DD. You are correct about the tables. I bought those for her on CL and they are a bit Modern Danish looking, but the new hardware and a bit darker stain have turned them more traditional than you see in the above photo. That picture was taken the day we brought them home.

gillylily - You are exactly right! She will do, and has done, exactly as she wanted.

happyladi - The new place is a maybe, and within a year or two. She would have to find something that suits her, and suits her budget, but either way, the place would be larger than her current place and would accommodate the new furniture. We went on a buying trip today and had a measuring tape with us. DD bought a coffee table, a chair that we both fell in love with (great price, too!)and two sofa's. She asked me not to tell which sofas until they come in - about two weeks - and then I can take photos and post the reveal. DD is happy, and I am happy for her. :-)

Thank you for all the suggestions and especially for that link to Houzz. Those examples helped my daughter make her decisions today.

Oh, man, what a tease! :-) I want to know! OK, OK, must respect DD's wishes. Darn.

Can't wait to see the final reveal.

And, can you please shop on CL for me???? You always find the most amazing things. Those tables are amazing. I've never found a single thing on my CL.

LOL, I have had to stop shopping on CL. My husband downsized my SUV a month ago. I think he did it on purpose.

I'll give you a hint on the sofas. She picked my choice!:)

I am going back over to apartment on Monday and take some photos of the existing living area. In them, you will see the updated tables and so forth. You will also be able to see the bad shape of the current couch and why she really needs a new one soon. The above photos were taken over three years ago.

I apologize for these photos. Forgot my camera when I was over at my daughters, so used my cell phone. They are terrible! I also forgot to take a photo of her current couch.

New CL tables (and a little of the couch)
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Futon side
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Updated Bookshelf
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New Chair that I love! So comfortable and a real bargain
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New TV, updated entertainment and new round coffee table
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Daughter decided to soften the hard angles in the room
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Table has three drawers for more storage and easy to get around
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New couches coming in two weeks. Thanks again for all the help.