Which seating arrangement for office? Pics, long

15 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?

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Comments (10)

FlamingO in AR
15 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
15 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...
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johnatemp, you're right, I don't want to move the tv. That alcove next to the fireplace is really too small for the tv. Besides, there are cables coming from all over the house that get wired to the stereo that is with the tv. I had thought many times that I would like to make the area where the eating area is move of a lounge area. There are really too many doors in that area to make it a very cozy area. I have another area next to the kitchen that I'm doing that instead (and bigger). I have thought about removing the leaf in the table to make it smaller to fit the space better. Most of the time there is only 4 of us eating. Chris, the rug is situated the same way it was in the old location. I have it setting back a bit so that the lamp cord can hide under it and remove the trip hazard. I like the idea of the sofa table under the window. That statue is over 50 lbs, so I need help with that one (and we were in a hurry to go furniture shopping). I got some pretty good ideas while I was out. I'm thinking instead of a sectional, maybe an oversized chair with a couch or love seat? Either way, I'll only have seating for about 4 people (the corner in a sectional is pretty lost). I did find a curved sectional I liked, but it still only seated 4. I'm going to work on the end where the chair and ottoman are along with the table and chairs to see if I can come up with some more room. I'll take some more pictures and post when I'm done to see what you think. Also, any light recommendations for the table where the recliners are? I'd like to have something that doesn't sit on the table, but still worked as task lighting. The guys do play chess there frequently, so I need something that doesn't sit on the table, but will still give hoof task light. You're also right, Chris. I'm trying to get away from the log or cabin feel, and more or a transitional feel and try to accessorize with our horse "stuff". Robbi
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This is blunt and to the point: Put the large round table in storage. You don't have room for it and in the living room it is too much. The children can draw or play games in the kitchen. Don't want to trash it? Buy a glass top, a vinyl table cloth. Also, that huge bench wedged under the piano. Can you get a real piano bench? It looks odd under there. Like there was no other place to put it. You say in your old house you had a separate office and loved it. But now you have a tiny little desk and a big desk. Is that going to really be practical? Lose the tiny little desk completely and keep the one you have. I know you love your things, but the fact is you don't have room for them all. The rooms are way too small and all of that makes it claustrophic. You have so many pieces it is like a furniture store.
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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?? ....)
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Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
15 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
15 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
15 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
15 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
15 years ago
I like the chair best....hope there is room for two of them.
Let us know what you decide.
caroline94535
Original Author
15 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
15 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
15 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

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FlamingO in AR

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