Our living room is taking so much longer than I ever imagined to come together.
After waiting 16 weeks (SIXTEEN WEEKS!!!) for our new couch, when it came in, it was not good.
I didn’t share this because I’m getting excellent customer service and the problem is being resolved, but basically the couch was so poorly made with an ill-fitting, sloppy slipcover, that they immediately offered to replace it when I sent them photos. It looks okay from the front but on the sides and up close, it’s very clearly not the quality and workmanship you’d expect from PB. Plus, the fabric they used on the bench seat appears to be thinner and thus you can actually see the down filling a little bit through the fabric, which wasn’t the case when we saw the sofa in-store.
We decided not to risk going the slipcover route again with this sofa style, so we’re opting to replace it with the upholstered version. The bench cushion and back cushions are still washable on the upholstered version, but we are considering switching to a light gray fabric (specifically the organic cotton twill in gray) that is a close match to the gray of our bar stools so we don’t have to worry about having a sofa cover we can’t wash in such a light color (we only got white originally because it was slipcovered and the entire sofa could be washed if needed).
We are able to keep our current couch until our new one arrives which we are so appreciative of.
Because of the couch situation, I’ve once again had more time to think about accent chairs for the space and I’m more confused than ever.
The layout of the room isn’t finalized as I want to try three different layouts when the accent chairs arrive (eventually). Below are some of my current favorites:
spindle chair | bergere chair
upholstered chair | rattan chair
cane back chair | roll arm chair
The accent chairs would be mostly for occasional use since we will primarily sit on the sofa, but they’re nice to have for when guests come over for simply for a change of scenery. Plus, they complete a room. Below I’m sharing the pros and cons of each chair and I’d love to hear what you think as well!
I also can’t wait to get some artwork up on these bare walls. We’ll get a coffee table at some point as well, but for now, the tufted ottoman is a great choice with young kids.
sofa | pink pillow (similar) | leopard pillows
s p i n d l e c h a i r
pros: I love the style/look of this chair and it also appears to be very comfortable.
cons: I’m not sure if the spindle/jenny lind style works best in the space.
b e r g e r e c h a i r
pros: love this look of this chair, the fabric is pretty and I think it would work well in the space even though it’s more of a “French country” feel.
cons: Not sure how comfortable it is.
u p h o l s t e r e d c h a i r
pros: comfortable, swivels, nice tailored/classic look
cons: I would only want these in a white/off white fabric and I worry that I’ll be paranoid about them getting dirty especially if they’re not washable.
r a t t a n c h a i r
pros: I just love the look of this chair— it’s really different than the others we own and I think it would look nice in the space.
cons: It doesn’t look as comfortable, would definitely have to add an accent pillow to the back of the chair.
c a n e b a c k c h a i r
pros: I like this style (the caning)
cons: I am not sure how comfortable it is and I think this chair may not be the right style for the space (it may not work well with our other furniture)
r o l l a r m c h a i r
pros: looks so comfy!
cons: it’s too similar to the style of the couch and really “safe.” It may be too large for the space and has a limited color selection.
Now, to the layout, which is our biggest challenge.
There are three possible ways this space could be laid out, but it’s a challenge because the space itself is quite small. The rug we have is 9 by 12 and that’s basically all the space we have to work with. We have a vintage (refinished) Henri Link dresser under our TV and currently with the couch against the wall, it’s just a few inches away from it (as in option 1). We contemplated putting the couch facing the TV, but our front door goes right into our living space and we felt it would be really close to the TV as well. However, we haven’t tried it yet so we plan to play around with the layout when the new couch and chairs come in.
O p t i o n 1
Couch against wall, accent chairs on opposite side.
This is our current setup, without the chairs. This option gives us a straight line of sight into the “free space” area that is right behind our living area. We’re still trying to figure out if we want to keep the space clear to have an open area in our very open concept space, or if we should find a use for it. I think time will tell whether we need to utlilize that space for something. We do have an office down the hall, so I like the idea of keeping a clean line of sight.
O p t i o n 2
couch facing TV, accent chair on either side
O p t i o n 3
couch on opposite side of wall, accent chairs on wall side
I would love to get your opinions on which chairs you think would suit our space! I can’t believe we have to wait another 10 weeks to get our couch, but in the end, I want to get something that’s the quality we paid for, so it will be worth the wait.
I like the cane back chair best, you need a darker color to anchor the room more, and the grey coloring would go well with your couch. The spindle chairs are really fun, and I think they could work for years and years. Plus, because they have a lighter silhouette to them, they will leave the room feeling more open. I also like the Bergere chair a LOT but the cushion isn’t laying well in the product photos, so I can only imagine that it wouldn’t lay right with everyday use. But something that style would be great. To be honest, I think the rattan chairs are way, way too trendy and you’ll end up regretting spending $440 on each chair in two years. Don’t get the upholstered or roll arm chairs, both are too heavy combined with the couch in that size of space.
From a functional point of view, use set up option 2 with the couch facing the TV. It almost looks silly right now with the couch on the side because I imagine it’s not comfortable for watching TV. Yes, it might not look that pretty from the front door, but ask yourself what is ultimately more important: the view from the front door for two seconds, or a comfortable and functional space?
Finally, one thing that I’ve always loved about your outfits and decor is your use of texture! You do it so well. I love the huge mix of textures with a muted palette that you have going on in your house. Makes the pops of color even better. Excited to see how the space turns out- sorry you had to wait so long for a couch and then it didn’t work out!
I love your comment! Thank you so much for being so thorough 🙂 I appreciate your feedback because sometimes looking at a space for so long can just make you go crazy, LOL. I am going to try all of the layouts and take some photos and maybe I’ll post them here on the blog for some input! I think that no matter where the couch is, it will be close to the TV. We can’t put it out too far back away from the TV because it would block the front door/entry. It sucks not to have a foyer but we do have a front porch that we love.
I think layout 2. I just feel like a living space looks unbalanced if the couch doesn’t face the focal point, which in most cases is the TV. I really love the spindle chairs. I think they are a classic but modern design and would fit well in any design or room. Just from reading your blog and getting to know you through insta and snapchat, I think these suit your style the most. I can totally see them in your house! Good luck – I’m sure whatever you choose will be beautiful!
Another layout option might be with the couch facing the TV and both chairs on the wall, giving you an open space for the kids to come and go.
We actually have an open “blank” space/area beyond the living room and I’m thinking that’s where the kids can play when we are downstairs, but this is also an option, thank you! I think the couch would take up so much room facing the TV that I’m not sure if there would be room on the wall side for two chairs, but I am planning to try all layouts 🙂
I’m going to throw a curve ball here. Have you thought about mounting the tv in the corner? Adding a new top to the dresser to fill in the empty corner. It seems like you’re pretty set on on the white couch white chair combo but maybe instead a small L shaped sectional in a statement color. So that one day all of you can watch a movie together and all have somewhere to sit. Throw a sofa table behind it with some basket storage. A couple lamps on top. Curtains with a bold pattern. And accent chair in front of it. I know walking in and seeing a sofa table isn’t the most Pinterest option but you do have to live there. A designer friend told me to balance the man made with the natural, the light and the dark and the solid and pattern and always have a touch of black (or a very dark almost black blue, green, purple etc) I would stay away from the rattan chairs the wood dries out and cracks (ours after four years) and there is no way to repair it I’ve learned recently. In any case I’m sure it’ll turn out great.
OMG are you Ronald McDonald’s decorator? This is so not what she’s going for. (Sectionals are totally gross by the way) Veronica, option 3 the Bergere chairs would be super chic IMO.
Wow, what’s your problem? Luxie is giving some pretty solid advice here, at least in regards to pattern, texture and contrast (I’ll admit I’m having trouble visualizing the tv in the corner but I might just need to go back and look at the picture again). And what exactly is so “gross” about sectionals? Considering Veronika had a sectional before, this statement is particularly rude.
She did have one and she didn’t like it either. I just think sectionals are lazy from a design perspective. Like you didn’t want to be bothered to find a chair to compliment the sofa so you decided to knock it all out in one swoop. And I envision people piling on to watch TV all day, which is fine if you don’t entertain I guess. But I’m also more into formal living rooms and would personally put the TV in the playroom or something and leave the living room area for socializing – again completely different concept than what V is going for. (But since you asked)
We have our (massive) TV in our playroom 🙂 honestly, I don’t really watch TV anymore, we don’t even have cable. We use apple TV, sling TV and netflix. My husband still watches some shows but neither of us does as much as we used to (we would rather sleep these days, haha).
I agree that a sectional isn’t right for this space. I need a setup that’s more light versus heavy since it’s an open space but things are close together. We have have the couch too far back from the TV, for example, because it starts to run into the space of our massive kitchen island. We will find the right pieces eventually. I ended up sending the PB couch back this week. I thought more about it and I felt I was compromising and for that price, I shouldn’t have to. I couldn’t get the white slipcovered sofa I wanted but they also didn’t have a gray fabric that was the light gray that I imagined (a soft, very pale dove gray). So…back to the drawing board we go…
I think the Spindle chairs would look really nice in this space and offer a more airy feel than would the more traditional upholstered chairs. I like option 1 because to me, a clear line of sight is important and opens up the space. In my house, the seating faces each other and not the TV because I feel that the focal point should be conversation, not the tube! lol. Good luck with your decision…it will turn out great no matter what!
We have those exact spindle chairs in a pale grey fabric in our family room. Having a one and three year old had me worried that they’d be filthy, but they have held up extremely well! The backs are also beautiful and would show nicely if you end up choosing a layout for your room that doesn’t have the chairs against a wall. Good luck making a selection! You have a beautiful home!
Can you please email me a picture of your chairs?! [email protected]
So layout #2 seems like a good option. I always like a couch facing the tv it’s comfortable and you don’t get a glare. I saw that someone mentioned having both accent chairs where your couch is currently which would allow you to see the open space that you mentioned. But if you decided to put the accent chairs on the left of the couch you could add some big wall art or some built ins down the line. I really loved this post. It’s a little different than most your stuff but I love interior design and I love moving things around too to see which way looks best. Can’t wait to see the final!
I love the Roll Arm chairs! They look so comfy and you can always dress them up with pretty pillows! As for layout, I am all about being able to see the TV head-on, so I vote for option #2!
Evelina @ Fortunate House
Its so tricky to get an idea of the layout of the space with that picture, do you have one showing the location to the front door in order to better understand the available space? we have a small space as well but we used the couch facing the tv since it was much more comfortable. I can’t imagine all 3 of you would be able to sit and watch the tv comfortably in the current layout,
It’s actually comfortable believe it or not 🙂 We got a smaller TV for the space since our other one was massive and way too big. But I agree in pictures it looks uncomfortable. So where the couch is now, the front door is literally right next to it. I mean you walk into the house and BOOM! Couch is on your right, dining room on the left. Maybe we will try to move the couch before the chairs come in just to see what works.
I LOVE those spindle chairs…so fun and yet classic too.
I would avoid the upholstered chair or the roll arm chair. With the couch and ottoman you already have so much “fabric” in the room, I think you should break it up with some other texture on the chairs. I really love either the spindle or cane back chair for the space. As far as set up, I like either your current option or option 2. I would add a round side table or two (maybe one between the two chairs?) to break up all of the square/rectangle shapes. The room looks beautiful so far!
Pottery Barn quality has really gone down in the last couple of years. i just witnessed this with their easter basket liners. They used to be made of a pillow case type fabric and embroidered beautifully. Now the fabric is so flimsy and the embroidery gets bunched up that it looks super cheap. I’m looking elsewhere for kid centered gear..
I have the Marseilles chairs from RH which are similar to the Bergere chair you listed. I love the way they look in our formal living room, but I think I would find something a little more comfortable for your space since it’s where you guys watch tv and hang out (unless you want it to be more formal?). I am also a fan of the spindle chair but I think the roll arm chair and bergere would look better in your space.
As far as layout goes for now, I like #1. Without a full visual of your open spaced room, what do you think about making a separate small lounge area? Have the TV area be the larger area and behind it where the open space lies, put a settee and small ottoman or round table to make it a reading corner/talking area while friends come over.
I like the Spindle chairs but am afraid they don’t fit the “vibe” you have going but the Bergere chairs are my favorite and seem to “fit” your house/style better and will complement the couch well. As far as layout I like option 3 the best. I used to have a tiny living room and we did that type of set up in it and it worked great. Good Luck getting your living room perfect!
Bergere, upholstered and roll arm are my choices for chairs. Bergere:I worry about toddler stuntman/ gymnsts getting legs caught in the chairs with open arm rests, however (how mom of me). Upholstered: The safest choice of them all in my opinion. Crisp & clean, perfect & swoon-worthy in blog world photos, a nightmare in my toddler-overrun reality. Rolled arm:My favourite option. Just look how cozy & I can totally see the littles each curled up on their own big chair while Mum & Dad share a snuggle on the sofa. You mentioned limited colour choices, but how limited is it? I’d be cutious in you sharing the colour options alongside your sofa fabric. Accent pillows & snuggly blankets can always add pops of colour. We have a limited space & I am forever (silently) cursing the space stolen by the ottoman, so having a cozy chair you can sit cross legged in, or that H&L can sit in together, or each with their army of favourite stuffed pals seems like a natural choice.
Hi, Veronika, not sure if you thought of swapping your living room from the current space to the “blank” one that you mentioned. If that works, what I’ve done in my space to square off the area is add a loveseat on one side and an armchair (with ottoman) on the other (I can also picture this instead with the two Bergere chairs, which I like the best). If the blank space doesn’t work then I’d try playing with the same pieces in your current setup. Good luck and I can’t wait to see what you do to the space. Sure looks like a tricky one.
Going out on a limb here … have you thought about switching your living room and dining room locations? It looks like (from a few pictures you’ve shared) the dining room is a more traditionally defined square space and may lend itself more to a seating arrangement / TV viewing area.
It is too small of a space unfortunately (the dining room). To give you an idea- the rug in there is an 8 by 8 and the space is right next to the kitchen. I think the issue is that the living room is long, but narrow. So everything is quite compact. I will have to post more photos so that the space is easier to get a sense of 🙂
Where is your ottoman from? I love it.
It is from overstock.com
Following your updates on the PB sofa, I was planning to purchase a couch in white/ivory from them soon! Be sure to let us know what you end up with, good luck! I have been considering the IKEA Ektorp slipcover couch because of our 9 month old, just as a temporary solution to avoid ruining a nicer option.
I know several bloggers with the Ektorp white sofa and they love it. I considered it but then I found a local place that is making me a sofa in a light gray fabric that’s a little more kid-friendly. It should be ready in about 6 weeks! I would def. look into the ektrop— it’s washable and affordable. You can upgrade later on too!