Which seating arrangement for office? Pics, long

17 years ago

Our small office is ready to be furnished. It has a 4'-wide bookcase, a 1920s mission oak library table (functions as the computer desk), and room for a seating area. That's it.

I want a double recliner loveseat, but can't find one that DH likes.

Second choice would be one, or two (?), small recliners with my small antique oak dresser as an end table.

The third choice is the sofa/sleeper platform shown below.

Here's the unfinished wall that the seating area will face. You see half of the bookcase and corner where the library table will be angled.

Here's the chair, Lane's "Chloe."

Here's the sofa. The arms come off and the back folds down to make a sleeping platform.

This is the corner for the seating. The colors are dark, more like the first photo.

Which option would you choose? Chair (one or two?) or sofa. Both are available for pick up now, and both cost the same.

I want this to be a library/computer room. I don't want a "bedroom" with the computer stuck in a corner as an afterthought. Still, I like to have company and I want to have a comfortable place for them to sleep...which I will have in the basement. There will be the one dedicated "bedroom" and one 13x27 room divided into a sleeping area and lounge in the basement...once the old carpet is removed and everything is spiffed up.

When I have company that can't be, or do not want to be, in the basement, I have another sleeper/loveseat that can be put in the sewing room, or we can bring up the twin bed from the basement bedroom and set it in the sewing room. I've done this twice already and it seemed to work. It's no trouble to bring the bed up and down from the basement.

Am I being totally selfish to want an office library that is NOT a bedroom in disguise?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

FlamingO in AR
17 years ago
I like the chairs much better than the sofa, Caroline and I think they would really make the office LOOK like an office.

I say go for what YOU want in function, first and worry about occasional company second. But that's just me being shellfish! lol I don't think I'd really want anyone sleeping in the room where all my papers and computer info are stored. No matter how much you trust someone, sometimes their curiousity might get the better of them and why tempt them?
susanjf_gw
17 years ago
i think i'd go for the sofa, bet you'd get more use if you ever have company, or want to take a snooze...i must say i do like the fabric on the chair though...

and no, you're not selfish for wanting an office rather than an bedroom...our office has a full bed, the desk, treadmill, and an old entertainment piece i use for toys for the grands...sometime i scream at the clutter and it's a fairly good sized room...
Related Discussions
Help arranging living room (pics included)
Q
Comments (53)
Thanks for that photo, val, it's helpful and I can definitely see doing a slipcover for this chair. DS is home on break and helped me move furniture around. We tried a variety of arrangements. I think the purple chair is too bulky for the space. What do you think? As far as how many people we need to seat, usually we host groups of 5-6 at a time. My bridge group is 12, but we don't need casual seating, just room for 3 bridge tables. Option #1: Couch where it was before away from the wall, add purple chair and side table. #2 Couch moved back against the window, rug is no longer centered, with purple chair. #3 Loveseat with side table and lamp. This seems cramped to me. #4 Loveseat centered on window with long couch going across the room. This was not good on the other side of the long couch, too close to the opposite wall to pass by comfortably. #5 Loveseat moved down towards fireplace, arms overlapping a little. #6 This arrangement was a little better as far as walking space. #7 Everything is pushed towards the fireplace more than in the original arrangement, which gives more area at the entrance to the living room. I don't think it's as inviting as having the non-L arrangement. #8 I don't think the purple chair works in the corner facing the back of the couch.
...See More
which seating arrangement would you use?
Q
Comments (67)
squirrel, I've had the arrangement in this pic for, I think, 3 days now without moving anything, so I think I'm good! Disregard the tables and the bookcase and the curtains and the lack of a rug and the lamps and the artwork for now. I had to get the seating arrangement squared away before I can begin to think about all that other stuff. When I find a new upholstered chair, it will replace the wooden one in this pic, and the wooden one will go in the opposite corner of where it is in this pic. You know, I didn't measured the room during this whole process. :) The furniture is lightweight enough that I was able to push it all around very easily to play with arrangements. I did measure it many months ago, and I want to say it's about 12 x 13, 12 being the double window to column dimension. I did try the loveseat facing the double windows, but it looked really bad from the dining room, and it looked too cramped with the sofa table behind it. The living and dining rooms feel very much like one room, and it just doesn't work to divide them like that. Thank you for the encouragement! I'm sure I will be posting soon regarding tables and lamps!
...See More
Arrange furniture and decorate long and narrow room
Q
Comments (6)
Visit any Habitat for Humanity Restore Store and/or any "antique" -- used furniture store -- or charity sponsored thrift store that is large enough to sell donated furniture and you're likely to find one or more of those cabinets (tall and deep) that were used for large analog tvs -- until someone upgraded to the thinner digital tvs. Quality and supply of donated cabinets varies so it could take multiple trips to find a really good one you'd want in your home but do see if you can because, in addition to being easier on the budget than new furniture, you might find it useful for storage even if you don't choose to create a toy kitchen for the little one: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/521925044290872951/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AS5jzll5LQUFkFFlZEv9oGvR8UOFnLFzAyBvF5hZreJmcNbFLfcGVMw/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/240238961342141195/ Some DIY work on used cabinets such as to close any cord holes in the back and/or add shelves or doors, could enable you to repurpose one to become much needed toy storage now and, depending upon what it looked like before and/or what you create, perhaps a linen cabinet later -- and do so on a modest budget. In a small space, "go tall when you can secure cabinets to the wall" (for safety w/toddler in the house) in order to maximize storage with minimum floor space used. If you could create floor to ceiling and nearly wall to wall edge shelves and/or cabinets (or cubes of a suitable size for baskets or creates you choose), the storage space that your daughter could reach could be hers and the storage/display space above that would be yours. It would be a plus if you could set your tv on a center shelf to have it out of reach of a toddler but at a comfortable height for viewing. If you don't limit you shelving to the blue wall but, instead, turn the corner and continue the shelves/cabinets along the side wall (for whatever width you choose for the play space), you could use that shelving/cabinetry on the side wall to hide any wires/cables you might want/need attached to both your computer and your tv. You'd want to leave several feet of play space in between whatever furniture you place next -- which, I suppose, could be your sofa for watching tv. Alternately, you might choose to use a long credenza styled cabinet and/or file cabinet to use as a room divider between the play area and your adjacent home office area. Everything between the home office area and the front wall would be your living/dining area.
...See More
Large home office arrangement
Q
Comments (8)
I would float your desk and file cabinet unit, at a right angle to your current location, in line with the white cubbies, beneath the wall storage, so that when you sit in your desk chair you are facing the wall your corner chair and floor lamp is on, you can look up to your left and see who is walking in the door and you can look up to your right to see out the window where your desk is now. The file cabinet would fit where it is now, but between end of the desk and the outer wall it sits on now, right? With some use, you can figure out how far away you need to be from your printer to be able to roll back and towards the window wall so you can remove items from your printer. Is it possible to put your printer atop your white bin&shelving cubby? If so, place the cubby shelves, on that current, small black table wall, maybe a bit to the right if that is a return air vent, and place your tall & slender white drawer stackers in the opposite corner from where it is now. Now you have your white items on one wall together.(Course,I don't know if you are left or right handed or how often you need access to them, but if you need access to them 8 times a day, it would be good to have them where you can roll back and left or right to get into them, just a thought). That small black table could be a cute plant stand by the window on the narrow wall of your office !! Now, if that room is chilly in the winter, place a small furry rug under your desk for your feet to rest on. Let your chair roll on the nice floor, unless you think it can damage the wood, you could get an office/desk chair floor shield for your desk chair, but I don't think a rug should be there, too hazardous. If you want a rug, get an oblong one about the width of your room and put it in the area open, in front of your desk. Place your chair on that rug, maybe in the area of the white shelving just out of sight of the camera shot that looks at your floor lamp and chair. Figuring if someone comes in to visit you the chair is convenient to your desk area, as you are looking at them sitting in the chair...and if you need a change you can also enjoy the chair for a break from work. Put the table lamp--- in the window that is currently nearest your desk in the photo??... that is close enough ? to where your chair is sitting that a drink could be rested there, or a book or a kindle? device. When you have time and get settled, see if you can find 2 drapery panels--one panel for each window, since you have shades..... the length of the window to the floor, and about twice as wide as the windows are. Gather them on rods,....and pull one back to the left on the short wall(where the chair and lamp table sit now) and pull one back to the right, on the window nearest your desk as you have it now.. That will help the acoustics in the room too, and bring some design or color you like, to your area. There is a similar basic sketch of what I am trying to say below..Your panels do not need to be that full of course, as your windows are not that wide. You might just enjoy some pattern or color in your office..You could pin them back, or just tie a yarn or a ribbon around them to hold them back when you want them open... Enjoy your new house, and your nice views! (Oh! you can re-purpose your black table for an ivy plant stand or something else in your office, if your printer sits securely on the white cubby shelving, and if that shelving does fit behind your desk?? ....)
...See More
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
I want a double recliner loveseat, but can't find one that DH likes.

I'd keep shopping until you can find one you both like. Could you buy one from the store and pick the fabric as opposed to buying what they have on the floor? What does he not like? The looks/shape? Fabric?, feel?

I love my leather recliners...so comfy that nothing else comes close.

Sue
kathi_mdgd
17 years ago
My thought would be the sofa,BUT covered in the fabric of the chair.I think that would be pretty.Me personally,i'd never have leather,hate the stuff,that's just me though.

With the sofa in there you could take a snooze when evr you felt like it,more comfy than doing so in a chair.
Kathi
Lindsey_CA
17 years ago
I'd go for the chair, two if there's enough room for both.

As long as you have a proper sleeping place for company, then your office should be an office. You'll be in that room using it as an office much more than it would ever be used as a place for company to sleep. It's your house, and you are entitled to have what you want and what suits you. And you're NOT being selfish for wanting a dedicated office/library.

And because it IS an office/library, you shouldn't have a sofa in there as "a place to take a snooze." Offices aren't for snoozing. If you need a nap, you can go to your bedroom. You shouldn't get in the habit of snoozing in your office, or it will become increasingly difficult to get work done in there...
mariend
17 years ago
I personally want a office, not the "spare" bedroom, especially with the computer as I have too many records that others don't need to see. A comortable chair on wheels, or a couple of chairs would be my choice. You can get recliners that hug the wall, but still recline. Yes you can nap in those.
carol_in_california
17 years ago
I like the chair best....hope there is room for two of them.
Let us know what you decide.
caroline94535
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all the great imput, gals.

I'm going to test drive the room tomorrow using my older recliner from the living room. It's bigger than the new one I'm considering, but by setting it up with the oak washstand I'll have a better idea of the space I have to work with.

I often sleep in Wes' recliner, especially when the ole bronchitis is acting up. I think it will suit my reading/relaxing/listening-to-audio-books/napping purposes. I just hope there will be room for two chairs. For some reason I want "seating for two" in this room. Of course, there will be an office chair pulled up to the computer where I tend to spend a wee bit of time! LOL

Here's the wash stand I plan to use as an end table. The drawers can hold office/computer supplies. Since taking this photo (at the old base house) I've put vintage handles on it. The lamp and lace will have to go into the sewing room; they don't "fit" the office.

Here's the new/old drawer pulls.
jahalaro
17 years ago
I love the chair you posted. How often do you think there will be two people needing to sit, other than in the office chair? Would just one chair and an ottoman work and a really comfortable chair at the desk? I'm not sure how big the room is but for me an office needs plenty of storage, seating at the desk and somewhere to get comfortable if there is a lot of reading to do or just for a break. Sounds as though you have the needs of your guests covered in other ways. I love your paint colour by the way - it will be a beautiful cosy room whatever you decide. Beth
cate52
17 years ago
Kinda late with this suggestion -- but have you looked at those 1.5 size chairs... maybe with an ottoman?

Which seating arrangement for office? Pics, long

Comments (10)

FlamingO in AR

susanjf_gw

Related Discussions

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

kathi_mdgd

Lindsey_CA

mariend

carol_in_california

caroline94535
Original Author

jahalaro

cate52

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Which seating arrangement for office? Pics, long

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

caroline94535Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

caroline94535
Original Author