We really wanted a sofa in our family room (off of our kitchen) specifically for when we are sick. I hate spending all day in bed when I'm ill, so needed a place to lay down to watch TV and be near the kitchen and the PR. Otherwise, recliner chairs are great, esp when they make them that look a lot less like recliners.

DH always makes the point that people use the path of least resistance....if you have to go downstairs to watch tv, and bring your drinks and snacks and such with you, chances are, you'll stay upstairs instead.

I have four chairs in our living room and I love the way it looks and functions! As long as you have a couch somewhere, I think you are good to go. We have two couches in other spots (keeping room off kitchen and library). We also have gone to having only one tv which is in the library. I have found that we still go downstairs (ranch style with walk-out basement which is where the library is) to watch tv, read, whatever. Also read upstairs. No real changes to our routine.

Anne, we wouldnt have to go downstairs to watch TV, we will have one above the fireplace upstairs, as well there is a wet bar with fridge downstairs, so even for drinks/snacks we wouldnt have to come upstairs.

cyn, what style of chairs do you have, are they similar in look or fabric? We need two TV's as DH and I like to watch different types of shows at times, so 2 TV's are a must for us. In this house now we have one in the bedroom, but I dont want one there in the new house, masterbed room will only be for sleeping and whatever :>).

I would have a couch downstairs and then a couch as well in the den/office.

I like the look in magazines, but I don't think it would be comfortable for our family with little kids. We have three living spaces, each has a couch and someone is always lounging on the couch.

i like to have my feet up when I watch tv, so I would want to have a couch that I could sprawl out on..... I also found that I much preferred staying upstairs to watch tv than to go down into our very nice and bright walkout finished basement in a previous home.... not really sure why, but I rarely went down there unless I was hanging with the kids singing with rock band or playing pingpong or pool..... you might want to buy limited furniture and see how you will actually use the house before investing a lot in nice furniture if you are feeling unsure... I think 4 chairs would look nice tho.

think it depends if your DH sometimes likes to 'recline' whIle watching tv~this could become a bone of contention. If you decide to use 4 chairs, slightly oversized, with arms, would probably work best for complete comfort. You might want to curl up and really get comfy, and slipper type chairs are not made for TV watching, nor is a chair with wood back and wood arms. Thdy definitely need to be upholstered chais for the best comfort, with two ottomans. It' s all about being comfortable when watching tv.

"DH always makes the point that people use the path of least resistance."

Your DH is absolutely right, Annie. If you want people do do something-----use a space for one activity and not another, for example--- you must make it easier for them to do what you want.

All the rooms I have seen with multiple chairs have been setup for conversation, reading or game playing. I can't imagine this setup being comfortable for tv watching.

I agree with Funky. I have also seen this set up in a foyer of a large home.

I actually saw this arrangement at a model home I toured which was not large, 1700 sq feet that is what got me thinking about it.

Years ago, someone posted a living room with four chairs (I believe they were ivory with a rosy pink pattern) and no sofa, and I have loved the look ever since! My parents occasionally rearrange their family room furniture to put a pair of chairs across from the tv and the sofa perpendicular to it and seem content with both arrangements. Do you feel more comfortable relaxing in chairs or a sofa? Guests will adapt.

Do you like to cuddle while watching tv? That would be harder to do in chairs.

We would be spending most of our serious TV watching time downstairs in the basement, that is where the TV would hooked up with surround sound. When I say basement, this is not your typical basement. The feel is like being on the main floor, the windows are big, double french doors to the outside and has 9 foot ceilings same as upstairs. The TV on the main floor, in the family room, which is open to the kitchen would be used more by me when I am cooking or just want to watch something different than DH.