5 Living Rooms Designed for Conversation
Take cues from these furniture arrangements that put the focus on people rather than on a TV screen
Mitchell Parker
August 9, 2019
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
If you’re looking to encourage conversation during a house party, the last thing you want is a TV tempting guests with the latest ballgame score or reality show finale. If you’ve got the space, relocating the big screen from your entertaining space to somewhere else in the house is the first step. But designers have other tricks to get people talking too. The right furniture arrangement, room style and palette can go a long way toward facilitating conversation and making people feel relaxed. Here, five designers show how they managed it.
1. Sofa + Two Chairs
Designer: Joan Enger of J. Patryce Design
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. As part of phase two of a three-phase renovation, designer Joan Enger added this garden-level den.
Conversation starters. A sofa and two vintage Jens Risom chairs that were reupholstered. “The owners are not big TV watchers and like to entertain, so it made the most sense for this room to be turned into a reading and lounging space perfect for relaxing in after casual or more formal meals,” Enger says. “The classic furniture arrangement, which focuses on the working fireplace, creates the perfect arrangement for this use.”
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Designer: Joan Enger of J. Patryce Design
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. As part of phase two of a three-phase renovation, designer Joan Enger added this garden-level den.
Conversation starters. A sofa and two vintage Jens Risom chairs that were reupholstered. “The owners are not big TV watchers and like to entertain, so it made the most sense for this room to be turned into a reading and lounging space perfect for relaxing in after casual or more formal meals,” Enger says. “The classic furniture arrangement, which focuses on the working fireplace, creates the perfect arrangement for this use.”
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Other special features. Eleven-foot ceiling with original details. Natural rift-cut white oak flooring. The nearby entryway has original heavily carved dark mahogany detailing.
Designer tip. “We really enjoyed the opportunity to mix in the owners’ original antiques with more modern elements,” Enger says. The room’s design style ranges from turn of the century to current day. “There are a few key midcentury pieces [the vintage Karl Springer textured coffee table and vintage Jens Risom armless chairs] mixed with English antiques and [an] existing Baker sofa,” Enger says. “The custom hand-knotted rug and floor-to-ceiling draperies in a heavy Holly Hunt silk set the tone for the palette and tie everything together.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Initially, we were not sure the existing sofa or parlor lighting fixture would work,” Enger says. “We wanted to replace them, but the client really liked these pieces and wanted us to work around them. In the end, they not only work well but they speak to our client’s personality and make [the owners] happy. The mix is what this room is all about and is why it is so dynamic.”
Project photos: Christian Harder
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Designer tip. “We really enjoyed the opportunity to mix in the owners’ original antiques with more modern elements,” Enger says. The room’s design style ranges from turn of the century to current day. “There are a few key midcentury pieces [the vintage Karl Springer textured coffee table and vintage Jens Risom armless chairs] mixed with English antiques and [an] existing Baker sofa,” Enger says. “The custom hand-knotted rug and floor-to-ceiling draperies in a heavy Holly Hunt silk set the tone for the palette and tie everything together.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Initially, we were not sure the existing sofa or parlor lighting fixture would work,” Enger says. “We wanted to replace them, but the client really liked these pieces and wanted us to work around them. In the end, they not only work well but they speak to our client’s personality and make [the owners] happy. The mix is what this room is all about and is why it is so dynamic.”
Project photos: Christian Harder
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2. Four Armchairs
Designer: Gemma Parker Design
Location: Chicago
Size: 184 square feet (17 square meters); 11 feet, 6 inches by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. A serene, comfortable, sophisticated but family-friendly living room that would work well with the architecture of the home. “We focused on making the space tailored, textured and comfortable,” designer Gemma Parker says.
Conversation starters. Four armchairs. A long bench near the window can be brought over for additional seating when the owners entertain. “This is their formal living room and is a fairly small space in comparison to the rest of the house,” Parker says. “It was important that it allowed for conversation but wasn’t overcrowded.”
Other special features. Limestone fireplace.
Designer tip. “This room was really about the details,” Parker says. “We added special touches on the custom rug and pillows. The client didn’t want a lot of pattern, so it was the small accents and textures that really create a space. In the end it is all in the details.”
“Uh-oh” moment. As the living room is fairly small given the scale of the house, “it was very important that we designed the chairs and coffee table down to an eighth of an inch to allow for comfortable clearances and pathways,” Parker says. “Scale is such an important piece of the design puzzle.”
Artwork: Nicoletta Savod
Designer: Gemma Parker Design
Location: Chicago
Size: 184 square feet (17 square meters); 11 feet, 6 inches by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. A serene, comfortable, sophisticated but family-friendly living room that would work well with the architecture of the home. “We focused on making the space tailored, textured and comfortable,” designer Gemma Parker says.
Conversation starters. Four armchairs. A long bench near the window can be brought over for additional seating when the owners entertain. “This is their formal living room and is a fairly small space in comparison to the rest of the house,” Parker says. “It was important that it allowed for conversation but wasn’t overcrowded.”
Other special features. Limestone fireplace.
Designer tip. “This room was really about the details,” Parker says. “We added special touches on the custom rug and pillows. The client didn’t want a lot of pattern, so it was the small accents and textures that really create a space. In the end it is all in the details.”
“Uh-oh” moment. As the living room is fairly small given the scale of the house, “it was very important that we designed the chairs and coffee table down to an eighth of an inch to allow for comfortable clearances and pathways,” Parker says. “Scale is such an important piece of the design puzzle.”
Artwork: Nicoletta Savod
3. Sectional + Two Chairs
Designer: Amy Friedberg
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Size: 546 square feet (50 square meters); 26 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. A modern, eclectic and warm space. “This is a midcentury home, and the clients did not want a complete midcentury interior,” designer Amy Friedberg says. “Instead, they wanted an interior that captured the midcentury aesthetic, as well as one that reflected their unique heritages, travels and personalities.”
Conversation starters. A sectional, two midcentury-style armchairs and additional seating areas. “This room was designed for clients that like to entertain,” Friedberg says. “They wanted a comfortable space for intimate conversation, for reading and to maximize and enjoy their view. We were able to accomplish these objectives by creating smaller spaces within the larger space that clearly suggest their purpose. In this image, you can see in the left-hand corner a Herman Miller Eames chair placed for a relaxing solo read. To the right of the fireplace exist a small table and chairs. Here someone can read and write with a cup of coffee. The main sitting area in the center of the living room was intimately arranged to help promote conversation. We provided lots of comfy seating and a softly shaped round cocktail table.”
Other special features. Blue walls (Deep Royal by Benjamin Moore). Venetian-plaster fireplace. Custom floating walnut shelves.
Designer tip. “In a large room like this, it is nice to create some smaller areas for different purposes that clearly suggest their function,” Friedberg says.
Designer: Amy Friedberg
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Size: 546 square feet (50 square meters); 26 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. A modern, eclectic and warm space. “This is a midcentury home, and the clients did not want a complete midcentury interior,” designer Amy Friedberg says. “Instead, they wanted an interior that captured the midcentury aesthetic, as well as one that reflected their unique heritages, travels and personalities.”
Conversation starters. A sectional, two midcentury-style armchairs and additional seating areas. “This room was designed for clients that like to entertain,” Friedberg says. “They wanted a comfortable space for intimate conversation, for reading and to maximize and enjoy their view. We were able to accomplish these objectives by creating smaller spaces within the larger space that clearly suggest their purpose. In this image, you can see in the left-hand corner a Herman Miller Eames chair placed for a relaxing solo read. To the right of the fireplace exist a small table and chairs. Here someone can read and write with a cup of coffee. The main sitting area in the center of the living room was intimately arranged to help promote conversation. We provided lots of comfy seating and a softly shaped round cocktail table.”
Other special features. Blue walls (Deep Royal by Benjamin Moore). Venetian-plaster fireplace. Custom floating walnut shelves.
Designer tip. “In a large room like this, it is nice to create some smaller areas for different purposes that clearly suggest their function,” Friedberg says.
4. Two Facing Identical Sofas
Designer: Mariana Cronenbold of Meridith Baer Home
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Homeowners’ request. A sophisticated yet casual living room that would be great for entertaining as well as comfortable for the family to use.
Conversation starters. Two custom-made channel-back velvet sofas facing each other. “It opens the space and invites people to look at each other and engage,” designer Mariana Cronenbold says. “We also placed occasional chairs on the back wall that can be pulled up for larger groups, as well as the long bench on the left for additional seating during parties. The layout of the sofas leaves no doubt the room is for conversation, not television. It’s about sitting and watching the fire, or even clearing the coffee table for a night of board games.”
Other special features. “We immediately fell in love with the room’s natural beamed ceiling and tiled fireplace, so we chose a neutral palette to accentuate that existing beauty,” Cronenbold says. “We worked off the blue in the fireplace tile, incorporating blue accents with the art and pillows. The beamed ceiling had a rather rustic quality, so we used pieces with iron and wood as a complement, keeping the space from becoming too formal. We anchored it all with a larger silver bamboo silk rug for a touch of glamour.”
Designer tip. “Placing fewer pieces of furniture but having them be larger in scale helps make the room feel spacious and inviting,” Cronenbold says. “We feel this room succeeds because of its simplicity. The choice of a neutral palette and the intentional minimalism of the design lead to an overall feeling of quiet sophistication.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One of our major questions was what to place on the left wall to the side of the fireplace,” Cronenbold says. “It had to be something similar in size to the beautiful window on the other side, but not something that would distract you from the fireplace as the room’s focal point. We decided the black-and-white artwork by Jane Feil was perfect — impactful yet subtle.”
Designer: Mariana Cronenbold of Meridith Baer Home
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Homeowners’ request. A sophisticated yet casual living room that would be great for entertaining as well as comfortable for the family to use.
Conversation starters. Two custom-made channel-back velvet sofas facing each other. “It opens the space and invites people to look at each other and engage,” designer Mariana Cronenbold says. “We also placed occasional chairs on the back wall that can be pulled up for larger groups, as well as the long bench on the left for additional seating during parties. The layout of the sofas leaves no doubt the room is for conversation, not television. It’s about sitting and watching the fire, or even clearing the coffee table for a night of board games.”
Other special features. “We immediately fell in love with the room’s natural beamed ceiling and tiled fireplace, so we chose a neutral palette to accentuate that existing beauty,” Cronenbold says. “We worked off the blue in the fireplace tile, incorporating blue accents with the art and pillows. The beamed ceiling had a rather rustic quality, so we used pieces with iron and wood as a complement, keeping the space from becoming too formal. We anchored it all with a larger silver bamboo silk rug for a touch of glamour.”
Designer tip. “Placing fewer pieces of furniture but having them be larger in scale helps make the room feel spacious and inviting,” Cronenbold says. “We feel this room succeeds because of its simplicity. The choice of a neutral palette and the intentional minimalism of the design lead to an overall feeling of quiet sophistication.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One of our major questions was what to place on the left wall to the side of the fireplace,” Cronenbold says. “It had to be something similar in size to the beautiful window on the other side, but not something that would distract you from the fireplace as the room’s focal point. We decided the black-and-white artwork by Jane Feil was perfect — impactful yet subtle.”
5. Two Different Sofas + Two Chairs
Designer: Emily Hancock of Rollins Andrew Interiors
Location: Pasadena, California
Size: 425 square feet (39 square meters); 17 by 25 feet
Homeowners’ request. Use jewel tones to create a sophisticated, warm and welcoming living room with plenty of seating for entertaining.
Conversation starters. A floral-print sofa and a green fabric sofa, plus chairs, a bench and a settee. “My clients love to entertain, and it was important to have a space that was devoted to bringing friends together for cocktails and conversation,” designer Emily Hancock says. “With the two sofas facing each other and bench and chairs at either end, we created an intimate setting conducive to good conversation. With a larger party, there are other smaller seating arrangements on the perimeter of the room for guests to gather together as well.”
Designer: Emily Hancock of Rollins Andrew Interiors
Location: Pasadena, California
Size: 425 square feet (39 square meters); 17 by 25 feet
Homeowners’ request. Use jewel tones to create a sophisticated, warm and welcoming living room with plenty of seating for entertaining.
Conversation starters. A floral-print sofa and a green fabric sofa, plus chairs, a bench and a settee. “My clients love to entertain, and it was important to have a space that was devoted to bringing friends together for cocktails and conversation,” designer Emily Hancock says. “With the two sofas facing each other and bench and chairs at either end, we created an intimate setting conducive to good conversation. With a larger party, there are other smaller seating arrangements on the perimeter of the room for guests to gather together as well.”
Other special features. Original wood ceiling beams, mantel and architectural entry doors. “In California, we have the benefit of being able to enjoy the outdoors most of the year,” Hancock says. “With the room’s association with the outdoors, I wanted to use a floral print for one of the sofas and pillows and mix in a variety of other textures and prints. My clients’ collection of artwork is another highlight to this room that adds another layer of interest and sophistication.”
Designer tip. “By refinishing and reupholstering some of my clients’ family heirlooms, it made this room a success,” Hancock says. “Originally the furniture was more of a yellow-toned finish, and changing the color to a darker finish and reupholstering the pieces gave them a whole new life.”
Blue bench: Noir; wall paint: White Tie, Farrow & Ball
More on Houzz
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Designer tip. “By refinishing and reupholstering some of my clients’ family heirlooms, it made this room a success,” Hancock says. “Originally the furniture was more of a yellow-toned finish, and changing the color to a darker finish and reupholstering the pieces gave them a whole new life.”
Blue bench: Noir; wall paint: White Tie, Farrow & Ball
More on Houzz
4 Great Ideas From Popular Living Rooms and Family Rooms
How to Decorate a Living Room: 11 Designer Tips
Get more living room design ideas
Hire a design pro
Shop for your living room
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I really like the designs of all of these. hard to pick a favorite!
My husband and I must have strange friends because the tv is often an integral part of our get togethers. The Super Bowl/Kentucky Derby/the Olympics/March Madness/the premiere of a favorite of tv show, etc. are all excuses to have a houseful of our favorite people. Our house is moderately sized by today’s standards, with no formal living room or spare rooms big enough to accommodate multiple couches or chairs. If we want to just chat with friends we either sit outside on the patio or sit in our comfortable living room and ignore the tv. It’s really not difficult.
jestem, sorry, but I don't think you or your friends count as strange. I count you as enjoying life.