Small Space Solution: Consider a Settee

Small space living rooms are challenging in many ways but furniture arrangement may top the list. Often there is a very defined and limited space that is available for seating so the "one size fits all" sectional just isn't going to cut it. Maybe even the standard three seater sofa is off limits - no worries, just seek out a settee.

The photo above (of George Arduser, the designer/owner of George Lowell, at his home) from Chicago Home + Garden illustrates a nearly perfect arrangement for a small sitting area. The room feels dramatic and stylish, yet looks comfortable and conducive to conversation over a bottle of wine or some takeout.

A few definitions for settee: "a long bench with a back, an upholstered seat for more than one person or a small sofa". It often has a wood frame on tall-ish legs and usually has arms.

George's small scale settee with clearly comfortable cushions in a dapper dark brown geometric is a focal point of the room without adding physical bulk or a heavy visual footprint. The small size and slim lines of the settee allows for two generously sized side tables to fit into the grouping without feeling crowded. The tables are nicely mismatched - a round and light pedestal style on the left contrasted with a multi-tiered square on the right, accomodating a collection of reading material. The two white table lamps with shades on the tables are similarly pleasantly mismatched, differing in scale and style but maintaining the white on white color choice.

Add in a central coffee table, two large-enough-to-feel-cozy armchairs and a rug in coordinating colors to the patterned upholstery on the settee and voila - a visually interesting grouping perfect for conversation or relaxation!

See the complete slideshow of George Lowell's home and read the accompanying article at Chicago Home + Garden.

(Image: Nathan Kirkman/Chicago Home + Garden)

Comments (19)

I love the idea of a settee. I have live in a small space and am looking for seating solutions. However, my budget is not very big and settee's seem to be so pricey!

the guy in the picture might have room for a sofa by not having the world's largest end tables.

I had something very like this in a studio I lived in and it was great, because with most two-seater sofas the upholstered arms take up so much space. The wooden arms are a real space saver. They are hard to find though, I got mine second hand (after much searching).

I love the room pictured, but a settee is not practical for me, and I live in a small 560 sq ft apartment. I have to have a fullsized couch because I LOVE taking naps on it and plopping down on it after a hard days' work.

You know, if this guy learned scale (for an example look at the end tables, lamps, etc), he could probably fit at least a love seat if not a sofa. I refuse to even consider a settee because for anyone who has sat on them, they aren't that conducive to daily living - you have to sit just like the guy in the picture. You can't stretch out, curl up, or even really get comfy.

comfort is paramount and that settee is a no go. i need something i can stretch out in--all 5 feet of me.

There is nothing wrong with the scale of anything in this room. Love it, settee and all. Love the balanced look that still manages to look "collected." That ain't an easy note to hit.

Thanks, Janel, for continuing to bring us "grown-up" interior inspiration. :)

@ patrick (the other one) : I think the end tables are oversized for this particular settee. They look like they could be used as desks!

Not to mention the one massive lamp. It looks bigger than the man's torso, though I agree that it's not that noticeable given the size of other objects in the room.

OK, what is the difference between "the man" having a small settee and large end tables with a beer keg as a lamp and "the man" having a larger sofa, with no end tables and floor lamps? For one, he would have to ditch a large magazine collection (or books, I can't really tell), as well as Buddha's head and that phallic symbol. Something tells me that a larger sofa would look cramped. Maybe take out one end table and use a floor lamp there.

On the other hand, how many times will "the man" have more than one or two guests?

Nonetheless, it is a nicely decorated space.

I agree w/ the premise of this post - Folks often get so hung up on having a sofa the size of the Titanic in their homes when an apartment-sized sofa or a loveseat will do nicely...

You can still curl up on a loveseat - if you want to stretch out and lie down, there's always the bed...
...and if you need to entertain a crowd of people, a cocktail party where folks stand, walk around and chat is much more entertaining than everyone sitting on sofas staring at a television.

"...and that phallic symbol..."

It's called an Obelisk.

Love the humongous lamp to the left. I don't think the tables are over-scaled, considering the aforementioned lamp and that the right table offers a lot of storage.

agree with courtachino, a settee might look better, but if you use/want a comfy couch, you should have it, even if it looks crowded.

I agree with the other posters; he does have plenty of room for a bigger sofa!

However... the settee and 2 chairs are much nicer for entertaining than a big flopsy 3-seater sofa and one oversize chair. When seated, 4 people have plenty of space to put their drinks, and they're all sitting at the same height and posture. It does matter.

So this is not a flop-after-work-and-read-magazines room, but if I had the space and cash for 2 livingrooms, I'd want one like this.

I dont think the end tables or lamps are overscaled for the room or the rest of the furniture but definately dwarf the settee.

I still disagree about the scale issues. Apparently it's subjective, although I think judging the success or failure of a room's scale by viewing one static 2-D image probably doesn't do the room justice.

And if you think that obelisk is phallic, I'd hate to see your penis. Or, um, actually, I'd like to.

If it takes two people to carry an end table or lamp, it's too big - that's my rule of thumb.

LOL@pz...my thoughts exactly. The pictured settee is way out of proportion to the other furniture. To me it looks strange...but Im not a decorator.