Extra Seating Behind Couch/Sofa?

8 years ago

We are building a house with an open floor plan and are trying to maximize seating in the living room for family gatherings without over-burdening the space with couches/chairs. We are considering placing a piece behind the couch with stools underneath for occasional (weekly) use.

I am not an interior designer, so part of me wonders if it is okay to do this with an L-shaped sectional such as the one shown or use a traditional couch instead? Does it matter what type of couch or more so choosing the right piece to put behind it?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

freedomplace1

8 years ago

Yes, you can use a sofa table in back of a sectional. In fact, from a Feng Shui perspective, it's a good idea to use a sofa table to back any sofa that is floating in a space. You could also stash some chairs, versus stools, ottomans, etc., if you would like to, as shown above.

Chairs like these ghost chairs would take up zero visual space.

And I think these chairs are stackable, so you could keep some extras in a closet, etc. I like having stackable chairs, or folding chairs on hand for company, because it is true, I think, most adults are going to prefer sitting on a chair, versus on a stool, ottoman, pouf, etc.

Sectionals can work well in spaces, they offer a lot of seating in one fell swoop - and it's a streamlined effect. It really depends on your style, your seating requirements, the space, etc. As long as the sectional is measured well for your room, it should work well.

Hope some of this helps!

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Comments (14)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
IMO sectionals are never good for seating and that one gives you max 4 seats and all sqished together. A sofa and 2 chairs will give you 5 and I have no idea of the size of your space so maybe post that. BTW when you get your furniture leave 1/2 those pillows off for sure.The idea of the little stools is good but I m thinking if you have space for that table you probably have space for more real seating. Maybe a kid will sit on a stool but adults would probably prefer a dining chair pulled in .
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago
The space is approximately 10’ wide by 13’ long. The pictured sectional is 9’x9’ and we had thought of including at least two chairs on the other side already. Perhaps a couch, loveseat, and chairs with the flexible extra seating behind the couch? (We have up to 13 people gathering weekly, I doubt everyone will get a seat on a couch or chair.)
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Lisa and Eric
8 years ago
We use the dining table bench and upholstered cubes (not shown in photo) as extra living room seating - I regret I don't have a better photo to show the layout. This works best if your open floor plan has your dining and living area share the same space...
cpaul1
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
No sectionals in a living room. They're too casual by nature and they actually limit seating as people do not naturally want to sit that close to each other. Depending on the size of your living room, get two couches that face each other with 2 accent chairs, or set up a standard U shaped arrangement with a couch and 2 accent chairs. And then you can add a bench to fill in that configuration, or you can create a coffee table out of 4 matching small leather cubes that can be pulled apart to be used as seating.
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks! The dining table is in a different area set apart by an arched entryway, so we don’t have a table there. Our living room is continuous with the kitchen in one large open space. The 10’x13’ space is just the living room area which we measured up to the patio door so as not to obstruct flow of traffic. Hope this helps.
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago
Here is the floor plan to get a better idea.
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago
My apologies. Not a 10’ wide room. We have estimated 10’ wide area to work with, allowing for traffic around the seating area.
decoenthusiaste
8 years ago
Is this a weekly social gathering or a study group or meeting?
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago
Social gathering. Family or friends.
Movie nights occur often which will be on a mounted television above the fireplace seen on the floorplan. (All other audio/visual cables and devices routed to a hidden location out of view so no need for a TV stand).
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago
Main question was regarding placing a “bar” or narrow table with stools underneath for extra seating (as shown in the original photo above) behind a couch/sofa... and whether interior design principles dictate a preference for doing this with a formal/symmetrical couch versus using an L-shaped sectional.

Appreciate all of the input because I understand there are so many things to consider outside of that isolated question.

Thank you!
decoenthusiaste
8 years ago
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

freedomplace1, love that first photo with chairs instead of stools.
PRO
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8 years ago
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