Small homes and studios
Living zone Conversation Seating for Small homes and studios
Place seats so people can see one another and join a conversation without blocking the main route.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Identify the usual group size and the seat used by the primary household member.
- Angle secondary seats toward people rather than leaving them isolated at the screen.
- Keep a clear path between the entry and adjoining rooms.
Worked example
A long sofa faces the television while visitors sit turned away from one another.
Angle a movable chair toward the sofa and test conversation sightlines without blocking the entry-to-room route.
How to test it
Sit in every position and check sightlines, reach and entry movement.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Anchor seating on a wall and preserve a central route; use a movable table rather than fixed dividers.
- Detail
- Choose a sofa with hidden storage and a rug to mark the lounge footprint.
- Trade-off
- A larger sofa improves comfort but limits hosting and sleeping flexibility.
- Mock furniture footprints with tape
- Check clear route to windows and entry
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