A round cocktail table surrounded by four comfy lounge chairs seems to be the perfect arrangement for sharing drinks and conversation with friends, playing board games with family, or just reading the paper with a cup of coffee. There is no rule stating that a cocktail table must be flanked by a sofa and two chairs, so why not shake it up just a little?
This alternative set-up would be ideal for a long living room that can accommodate two seating areas, one with chairs for conversation and one with a sofa for movie watching. Also, some homes have a formal dining room or living room that is rarely used but might get some play with a new seating arrangement.
The problem is, four club chairs or lounge chairs can be rather pricey. We sought out chairs that were attractive, very accessible and under $500. To make it even easier, we found a few round cocktail tables too.
1. World Market Bradbury Leather Chair $199
2. angelo:HOME Harlow Floral Coffee and Cream Arm Chair $259
3. angelo:HOME Hepburn Pecan Brown Arm Chair $289
4. Homer Velvet Club Chair from Sam's Club $314
5. Pier One Ikat Wing Chair $289
6. Pier One Josette Chair $199
7. West Elm Monroe Chair $429
8. Maysinger Club Chair $425
9. Pier One Sigourney Wing Chair $399
10. World Market Morgan Chair $349
1. Define Coffee Table $299
2. Preston Cocktail Table from Ballard Design $349
3. CB2 Smart Round Marble Coffee Table $299.00
4. Ikea Tray Table $99
How will you pair the tables and chairs? Have you tried this arrangement in your home and if so, how does it function?
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Comments (12)
love that red leather!
I absolutely love the chairs in pic #1 but I don't do leather. Anyone have any thoughts on where I can find a similar chair in fake leather or a modern fabric without a pattern?
"Anyone have any thoughts on where I can find a similar chair in fake leather or a modern fabric without a pattern?"
It's more vinyl than leather.
(Bonded leather = scrap pieces of leather ground up and bonded with PVC)
I've used this arrangement in night club and cafe settings to great approval, but I think it would serve the small apartment and home better if the coffee table could raise up to dining table height, for obvious reasons: your easy chairs could double as dining room chairs with a table like this, set for a meal. This is not a new idea, but one designers of coffee tables have resisted for decades, as there seems to be a dearth of good examples. Doubts? Please prove me wrong, as I've been searching for an elegant example for way too long.
johnzane -- there was one in Domino a long time ago that I LOVED and desperately wanted. the whole table lifted up vs. just the top and I thought it was so fabulous. it was featured in a story about small spaces/furniture that did double duty. of course I have no idea where that picture is at the moment. maybe another Domino devotee will remember it and point you in the right direction.
I agree that examples of this arrangement are few and far between. For this post, I searched a good photo to illustrate the point and could not find one. That is why I requested photos from our dear readers. I do remember an old Pottery Barn catalog showing an example and I think I remember that Domino article. I kept all my back issues so maybe I can go dig up the photo and post it later!
For the non-leather person. . . Target has a few fake leather chairs in white, brown and red for around $200-$300.
http://www.target.com
Sigh. Oh, for a vegan "leather" chair in that yummy purple...
funny, I have been looking for an upholstered chair for several weeks and came up with almost this exact same set of options.
Does anyone have any personal experience with the comfort and quality of the Angelo Home stuff?
I've seen lots of good looking "affordable" chairs that are plain uncomfortable. A waste of money unless you don't expect an adult to sit in them.
It also depends on the height of the person. I'm tall and have two chairs that are cute to look at but uncomfortable for me. Two friends came over that are average height and raved about how terrific they were.
I have had this wonderful furniture arrangement for a few years and love it and so do my guests. I took a Hemnes (Ikea) round table and cut it down from dining height (29") to cocktail height (24"). This means the deck of the club chairs is 7" shorter than the tabletop. Thus, myself (5-4") and friends (5'11") can scoot up and eat a meal on this table in comfort. There is a hanging pendant lamp above the center of the table, and with all lights off in room but the pendant means its very cozy. I've served Sunday breakfast and romantic dinners for two. Just toss a 54" sq. tablecloth over the table and you can set a beautiful table, which is romantic bec. the setting is far away from the kitchen. Try it, you'll like it!