I would skip a recliner altogether.

I think the best situation is the one you like, the Stickley and the ottoman, but I'd skip the gathering table behind it. With teens hanging out in there, you can clean the leather easily. The tight-back style of that sofa means it won't get distorted and all out of shape. To that end, I'd try to find a tight-seat sofa as well as tight-back.

These are from Hancock and Moore. First has both the tight seat and tight back. Second and third have the separate cushion seat, but the flat arms of the third and the high back of the second seem good for teens.

Then maybe get a couple of separate ottomans which can be stored behind the sofa, under a console table if you put one there, and which can be pulled out for yet more seating if needed.

Love the Stickley idea but it could take a beating from college kids whooping it up viewing sports. I think you should get what YOU like.

I agree with the others about not decorating it for your son. Do it your way, he will probably have a place of his own before long.

I agree with the others, esp. Ingrid. Do not get a recliner! College age kids should be dissuaded from becoming couch potatoes. Let them beat up the existing leather sofa and then get what YOU want.

I agree with Ingrid. Keep what you have until weekends are not invaded by college students! Then, choose something you love.

is this the stickley you are considering? If, so, it's really one of the more attractive leather sofas I've seen.

Maybe also a coffee table with pull out stools for more seating when needed? I looked for examples and mostly saw leather sets (I wouldn't want more leather as a coffee table unless you could get a great contrasting color) or glass tables with cloth seats and glass seems impractical for college age.

Maybe not this, but something similar?

Standard Furniture Napa Valley Cocktail Table with 4 Stools · More Info

Tibbrix, I like your idea of the H&M sofas with tight backs and tight seats - I like the design of the "mood" sofa. I've seen only one of the H&M sofas (the Collette, which is comfortable seating but too feminine for this space). I need to find a store that carries more H&M options.

Yayagal, I think you're right about the Stickley Chicago sofa - the seat cushions and back pillows are fabric, and with their loose construction, are more likely to wear quickly. My guests don't watch sports, but get intense over "Grand Theft Auto" and Scooby-Doo movies.

I doubt my son will be moving out anytime soon - he's in the "boomerang" generation. The existing couches are 17 years old - I don't mind that they look worn, but are no longer comfortable - so I don't want to wait another ten years to replace them. I'm trying to find a compromise between what my son likes and what I like.

In terms of its ability to handle a bunch of rough-housing young men, the Stickley is a superior product and that Chesterfield is a gorgeous sofa.

jewelisfabulous, thanks. That's encouraging. The sofa posted by olychick is Stickley's Edmonton. The Chesterfield is a classic, but too traditional for me. My home is "contemporary beach craftsman." Here's a view of the family room, taken from the location of the existing sofa.

Sorry, the one above came up (Edmonton) when I googled to see what the small arm Chicago looked like. I found it finally:

olychick, yes, I see what you mean about the pillows. And now that I think about it, I bought a sofa with pillows like this 25 years ago. It was annoying to have to adjust the pillows all the time, and sofa was too deep to sit on without pillows. (It was a white chenille sofa - did not survive toddlers and puppies.) Then I need to keep looking - maybe the Edmonton or one of the H&M sofas.

That is one reason I like (and only have ever gotten) tight back sofas. No adjusting; they don't get out of shape from people leaning against them; no need to vacuum behind them; and they are, IMO, more comfortable because of the stability of them. I also prefer tight-seat sofas for the same reason. Much more comfortable because of the support; food and lint and pencils....can't get underneath them, so they stay clean and are maintenance free. I think they're just a smarter way to go in all ways.

As for pillows, the only pillows I ever have on sofas, FYI, are bed pillows, with covers and cases on them. Upholstered pillows can't be cleaned, other than dry cleaned, and I'm sure no one ever does it, yet people lay their heads on them, sleep on them (drool?), lie back on them after a sweaty day at the office....I suspect sofa pillows are among the grosser things in people's homes. Bed pillows with pillow cases, not attractive, and I pull my good sofa pillows out for company, but I can keep them clean, esp. since I rent my house out.

I really like that mood sofa and think it's perfect for what you've got going on in that room. I can't be destroyed, misshaped, easily cleaned by wiping it down, and presumably you can get it in different colors. It also has thin arms and back, so it doesn't take up space in a small area with huge roll arms or anything like that. The length you want to look at, btw, is the "inside length". That is the seating area. This one is 69.5".

I have nothing to add but just want to say that I can see why your house is the hang out house for your son and his friends!

Also, nice of you to include him in the choice but ultimately you should get what makes sense to you.

OT: Why are you assuming your son won't get a job after college and move out on his own?

How expensive are those Hancock & Moore leather sofas? When I asked my designer about it, he thought they would be out of reach for me. I've been looking at sofas in the $2K - $5K range.

I believe our sofa was a bit over six but not sure of exact price. I will see if I can find the invoice.

There are other reputable sofa manufacturers out there that are not as expensive as H&M, and your designer should have a couple of companies and styles for you to choose from. I would suggest two smaller ottomans as coffee tables they can sit on. You can put a tray on one for drinks when the gang isn't there---their comestibles should be on the side tables. With two small ottomans they can either put up their feet (a la reclining) or use them as additional seating. You can find leather ones in fun colors that probably won't last more than a few years but that might be all you need. I wouldn't put an expensive cocktail table in that room because it will have feet on it, people will sit on it and spill things on it (if your college kid has the same kind of friends mine does :-)

We have our sofas and pillows steam cleaned at least twice a year, btw....the pillows are not gross.

Nobody likes to sit on low stools to hang out for games or a movie. I like the bar idea behind the sofa. Looks more useful and comfortable as you can lean on the bar.

From your original three choices -- the first one, the recliner, would definitely make the room feel crowded, and it only sits two. The second one looks "meh", and since you can't try it out in advance, I'd pass -- my rule of thumb is never to buy a piece of furniture meant for sitting on, unless one can try it out first. I like the third, with or without the setup behind it. Practical, attractive, easy to maintain.