8 Chic Ways to Sneak Extra Seating into Your Living Room

Task #1: Search for potential storage spots hiding in plain sight. The space beneath a hallway console table makes a striking frame for a set of chinoiserie garden stools.

We know what you’re thinking, but petite club chairs in a soft hue can actually help define your mantle, rather than distract from it. (Psst: This setup also works beneath a television set.)

An oldie but a goodie: When the coffee table in your seating area is soft and upholstered itself (preferably in a stunning vintage textile), you’ll always have multiple comfy spots to offer to company.

A sculptural stool resting alongside a coffee table reads equal parts objet d’art and overflow seating.

Don’t let the white space beneath your windows go unused. Fill it with a freestanding bench (in lieu of installing a pricey built-in window seat). Bonus: You can move it around as you like.

If you’re looking for double-duty pieces, keep sturdy stools in mind. Quiet night in? Hi, perfect resting spot for your glass of Pinot. Guests en route? The chicest of perches in a pinch.

A pair of glam flokati-upholstered stools look right at home under a Lucite piece. But this is a welcome reminder that the clearance space under any coffee table can always be utilized. (Bring on the floor pillows!)

OK, you’ve got an open floor plan (congrats!), but you want to keep it that way. Look for a bench with a slim footprint and airy silhouette to delineate between the vignettes without cluttering it up.