I think it's a wonderful look! I don't have such a setup myself, but am reminded of the wonderful living room of onetime GW forum member Zuzu's Petals. Such a classic! Sorry this pic is a little bit fuzzy.

Ida, I have that exact same picture saved. I tried to attach it, but for some reason, it wouldn't. Thank you so much for adding it!!!!!

I love the look of four chairs too. i have a room that has two chairs and no sofa and like it a lot for conversation and reading. I did add an ottoman to one of the chairs because I did find i wanted to put my feet up on something sometime, so I added an ottoman. you could add an ottoman for a coffee table or an ottoman for one or two of the chairs and then have a side table type situation instead of a coffee table. I don't have a coffee table, but I do have a side table between the two chairs.

I have a LR set up that way. partly because it is an octagon and hard to figure out and partly because I first saw that look in a designer showhouse in my old neighborhood and liked it.

A few observations. Who sits in the middle of a sofa? Not formal company,but family does. So it is, in fact, lost functionality to give up a sofa. Not to mention some people like lounging or sleeping on LR sofas.

It works for us because we have have window seats on four sides of the room, so we can accommodate a dinner party group. Without that, I might feel that seating for 4 is not adequate for entertaining. It depends on the extent to which you can use stools, ottomas, etc to supplement, IMHO.

We all have that pic of Zuzu's saved!

Just throwing this out....I see nothing wrong with the arrangement you have with the sofa floating and 2 chairs. You may not be happy with those particular pieces or may have your heart set on the 4 chairs idea, but the arrangement as is seems to work well for the space.

I think four chairs will look nice as long as they're scaled well to the space. It looks like the space is fairly roomy (not huge but certainly not small). I would scale them about the size of the chairs you have in the room now. It's a lovely room with a beautiful window. I hope you'll share pictures when you're done.

We like to lounge so couch is essential in our house. I like the arrangement you have w couch and chairs but think it will look nice with four chairs too.

Another vote for 4 chairs.

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I think the arrangement of four chairs and a coffee table only works well when you have a square room -or can create a square space in a much larger room. Or, as in Mtn’s example, an octagon that also has equal sides. Four chairs around a central table either create a smaller square or a circle, which looks good within an existing square. With a rectangular space, as in the OP‘s room and defined by a rectangle of windows, two facing sofas or one sofa flanked by two chairs is a more visually pleasing arrangement and makes the most of the space. Trying to arrange a square or circle of seating within a rectangle looks awkward and diminishes the space unless the rectangle is big enough to create another seating area or living area elsewhere. In the OP’s picture the seating area is a rectangle that Is well-defined by the fenestration.

Architects and designers prize square rooms above all other configurations (such as L-shaped or rectangular) because squares are more versatile and accept round shapes and furniture arrangements so much more gracefully and naturally.

I came back this am to type what KSWL just said. The room's shape and scale needs to be appropriate for 4 chairs IMHO.

Very interesting assessment @Kswl 2. The actual space for bac's living room is almost square based on the floor plan, at least not a long rectangle, so couldn't it work?

The seating area in Bac’s room is defined by the window arrangement, which is a rectangle. I think a four square or four round arrangement would not work for that reason.

Adding, obviously theres no harm done by trying, if she has four similar chairs from other rooms she could try out in various placements. And some people may not be bothered by the spatial arrangement of a square or circle inside a rectangle. I know it would drive me crazy 😎

I think the four chairs will work. As it is, the sofa has its back to your front door, which isn’t very welcoming. Is there another room that will accommodate a sofa? It’s kind of like having a bathtub. Every house has to have at least one. I sit on the sofa all the time and use the middle seat for books, papers, whatever I’m looking at at the moment.

I love that arrangement but I wouldn't be willing to give up a napping sofa unless I had one in a nearby room. Our main floor living area is separated into two sections by architectural features. One side has no sofa but the other side does and it is used often for a lie-down.

I completely agree though with no furniture blocking the windows. I like your current arrangement though I might want to move the cabinet by the wall to make the living area a little more open/welcoming as you enter from the front door. I even like your green sofa, plaid chairs and rug.

dedtired it's interesting how we see the same things differently. The back of the sofa view upon entry doesn't bother me at all, particularly that sofa which has lovely back lines. I have a similar set up although my living area is a bit more defined from my entry foyer, but not much. What's missing for me there is lighting for the sofa but I know this is just a temporary arrangement for bac.

I agree - back of sofa doesn't bother me either - it kind of defines the foyer space. If I had that arrangement I'd probably have some kind of sofa table with a lamp.

I agree that the current arrangement with the back of the sofa facing the main entrance to the room is unwelcoming. We moved our sofa from the living room at our house in L.A. because the "middle" seat area was never used, and having separate lounge chairs is more comfortable.

Another who has Zula's picture saved!

I love the look but I am concerned about the size of your room with that arrangement. I think a smaller room works better with the arrangement. In our house, our sofa is rarely used. Mainly when we have others over and you are right - most people do not want to sit in the middle. We are not ones to nap on the sofa; and for lounging we both have a chair (mine with an ottoman) that we prefer. As for more seating when entertaining, as long as you can pull in other chairs, etc. I think you'd be fine. Do you by chance have a spot anywhere in the room where you could add a long wood bench or something along that line?

IMHO, a sofa back is ok if it has a nicely styled sofa table

If that is your only sofa, I'd choose function over beauty/aesthetics. While four chairs would look nice, will they comfort you if you want to rest for a few minutes without having to get in bed? Or take the naps you mentioned? What if a guest doesn't feel well while visiting? That happened to us about six months ago and I had her lay on the sofa until the Tylenol kicked in.

I like the sofa where it's at.

Wanted to add:

I'm not sure that coffee table works with the 4 chair idea. I would prefer seeing a round or square table and not too small. I really haven't thought about the back of the sofa being seen as you enter the room, so obviously that doesn't bother me. However, I'm not sure a sofa table would work with the cabinet's location.

So many great responses! Lots to consider!! We do have a sofa in the family room. Should the green sofa move out of the living room, there is a chance we'd use it in the family room and the family room sofa would move to the finished basement. Part of me does like a sofa in the living room, but maybe not the current one. Even tho the back has a nice curve (one reason I chose it), it seems a little bulky there. Maybe it's the size of the arms. I like the idea of a sofa table behind it, but I'm hoping to use some kind of console/sofa table on the 72" wall (not seen in either of the pictures I originally posted). Maybe a smaller sofa?????

Shape of the room -- yes, it is essentially a rectangle, but as dlm pointed out, it isn't a long rectangle. And if you subtract the space taken up by the bookcases, it gets even closer to a square.

I have definitely considered adding a bench in front of the windows or we could add a bench on the wall to the left of the bookcases, between the living room and dining room.

The coffee table can and probably will change, even if I keep a sofa and 2 chairs! The corners are way too sharp!!

Yes, a sofa table behind the sofa would be interesting as you enter. I stand by my feeling that the back of the sofa doesn’t work well in an entry. So there! 😉

I'm a little confused, ded. Are you saying the sofa could work to define the entry, but only if there is a sofa table or you don't care for a sofa at all?

Here are a few more pictures to show what it might look like with chairs instead of a sofa. Granted there are only 2 chairs, but imagine 2 more on the other side of the coffee table. NOT these chairs!

And just to add a little more information, here is the 6' wall that currently has a 54" 'place holder' console/sofa table. There was a piano on the wall. When the floors were done, the piano left and now I like it much better without the piano. I have a 42" square piece of art I am considering using on this wall.

I think adding a Sofa table behind the sofa would be nicer. Not trying to be critical, just my thoughts. What are your plans for the rug? I think it’s pretty and I hope you can use it somewhere else.

I really like the new look with 4 chairs to be.. it will give the room more breathing room IMO, a nice change for the room.

I also think there will be enough room for an ottoman or two for stretching out when needed...

The rug -- I do not have another place to use it. If the whole rug was as light as the border, I would not have any problem keeping it, but I feel the black field is just too dark.

You could look for a square rug to soften the rectangle.

I must admit to scanning some of this. Popping in to ask if you usually only have two guests? If there are ever six Together in that room, where would they sit? We have two opposing sofas with two additional smaller chairs To pull up when needed ( holidays, book club, etc.) Seating 3 on the sofas is cozy, but fine for good friends and family. To me, four chairs alone is a charming look ,but awkward to pull up another one or two for extra guests. Forgive me, please, if I missed your needing only the four.

Our living room is not used nearly as often as the family room. More recently, I find myself using the room for a nice get away from the TV that's in the family room. When we entertain, it is often just one couple for dinner, so 4 chairs would be ideal for that. When family is over, there are 8 of us and we just grab chairs from the dining room. With that said, tho, I am reconsidering keeping a sofa in the room!!!! I kind of like the way it defines the entry. I have not been out yet to start looking at furniture (well, except for on line). The thing is, if I do keep a sofa in there, I think I'd want something a little more streamlined. The arms on this sofa are fairly large! The option then might be to get a new sofa and then recover the existing chairs (without a skirt this time). It takes me FOREVER to make a decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After all the thoughts from everyone, I can see either 4 chairs or sofa and 2 chairs working in the room. Any more advice??????????????

it becomes a personal choice in the end, either idea absolutely will look fabulous. my vote is for 4 chairs because it will make a big change for the room and adding a couple ottomans can serve for the times you want to lounge. plus you can use the ottomans for extra seating if needed, very flexible. plus, it seemed at the beginning that you were wanting to do the four chairs?

In any event, putting something on that wall that's to the left of the bookcase would be great.

You're right, theresa, I definitely started out wanting the 4 chairs, but once a number of people said the existing arrangement was working, I started reconsidering. I need to get out and start looking at furniture! And yes, shirlpp, that big empty wall needs something. It leads into the dining room. Right now, I'm picturing one LARGE piece of art there.

Have your tried your sofa table behind the sofa? Just to see if you like that set up, even if you want new pieces

The sofa table I have on the 6' wall is probably deeper than what I would picture there, but I could certainly move it over to get an idea of the set up. One thing I'm concerned about by adding a sofa table is having too many tables in one area. One would be the cabinet (which really isn't a table) that's by the front door. I have visions of having this cabinet painted, maybe a soft green. Then there's the sofa table "place holder" on the 6' wall. Add to that, the possible sofa table behind the sofa. I'm thinking, if keep a sofa in the room, maybe something not very deep like this might be an option.