The Unexpected Piece of Furniture That’s Transformed the Way I Work from Home

As a freelance journalist who covers pop culture, travel, books, and lifestyle, watching TV is often part of my job. So, as I put together my ideal home office, I searched for the perfect seating arrangement — one that wouldn’t take up too much space but would be comfortable for hours at a time and be equally chic. What I found was the Daisy Ivory Chaise Lounge, and it has changed my world as a writer who works from home.

The Daisy Ivory Chaise Lounge is a lounger with a curved seat and high back. It’s made of plush fabric, and though ivory is the only color available online, the site mentions that additional fabrics and special order options are available in Gardner White furniture stores. This piece weighs 250 pounds and has a height of 35 inches, width of 34 inches, and depth of 62 inches.

In my last apartment, my “office” was a teeny alcove in my living room where I hunkered down to work, so having a whole spare bedroom to transform into my workspace was a big deal. 

I originally set out to secure a small sofa or loveseat to place opposite the TV — but then, I spotted the Daisy Ivory Chaise Lounge while shopping at a local Gardner White Furniture & Mattress Store. The chaise spoke to me the moment I laid eyes on it. After extensive testing in the store, I scrapped my sofa plan and went with the white chaise. A lounger or divan always seemed like such a luxury, but I bought mine for 25% off, and enjoyed a tax-free Black Friday promotion. (Right now, the site is offering 30% as part of its Memorial Day sale.) 

The curved seat of the chaise makes it easy to stretch my legs out, while the straight back on a slight diagonal lets me sit upright and check items off my to-do list. This lounger came with a matching pillow, so I have the option of placing it behind my back for extra cushion. 

It’s amazing how a piece of furniture can play such a huge role in the rhythm of my days. I love to carry breakfast to the office and (carefully — it is white, after all) sip coffee from my chaise. I haven’t had a catastrophic spill, and my minor messes have been easy to clean with stain remover. Here’s how much of a difference the Daisy Ivory Chaise Lounge has made.

I leave my chaise and move to a desk for Zoom calls throughout the week. These appointments mean I’m sitting in an older desk chair, but at least I get to show off the giant Lizzie McGuire poster behind me. Being able to move around between chaise and chair helps break up my day.

I love what I do, but since I spend so many hours working alone, it’s nice to compartmentalize the day’s tasks (and where I sit to complete them) for more variety. When it’s warm outside here in Michigan, I get to add some outdoor work time to the mix — but in the colder months, my office and its seating are even more integral to my workflow.

I’ll be the first to admit that I take short naps during the workday. I experience fatigue from iron-deficiency anemia, so a little extra rest helps me stay productive. By stretching out on the soft fabric of the chaise lounge, I get to stay in my workspace rather than nap in bed. And while I’ve never actually spent the night in my office, a sleeper chaise could be great for those who are burning the midnight oil (or are simply short on space for overnight guests).

I’ve made my little corner of the house an all-hours office: Work during the day, come back in pajamas to finish a task or unwind before bed. I keep a soft Vera Bradley blanket my sister gave me draped over the chaise — its deep blue, purple, white, and goldenrod pick up hues in the room nicely. With a gray three-tiered table from HomeGoods (a housewarming present from my mom), I can put my snacks, drinks, books, and candles right where I need them.

I’m glad I made an investment in my own space and chose a seat that truly feels like “my spot.” The chaise lounge has transformed my office into a haven, and I proudly show it off to everyone who stops by. A chaise could be your next great reading chair for a home office or the cozy corner of a living room.

The plush chaise may be an unexpected choice for an office. I knew adding fashionable (but functional) furniture to my office was the right move, but my chaise was so different from what I’d envisioned. If I hadn’t stopped to think through my options that day at the furniture store, I probably would have picked a sofa or loveseat. But, as it is now, this office is where I feel most at home in my house.

Sure, I run out to local coffee shops for a caffeine boost and change of scenery sometimes, and I enjoy traveling for the stories I write. But the Daisy Ivory Chaise Lounge is one reason I always look forward to coming home to the joyful, creative office I always wanted.

Buy: Daisy Ivory Chaise Lounge, $699.99 (normally $999.99)