Why An Oversized Armchair Is The One Item All Small Space Dwellers Need
When it comes to decorating your living room — large or small — you might assume that a sofa is a non-negotiable, can’t-live-without essential. But, in reality, big things come in small packages.
I moved into my first apartment nearly a decade ago and splurged on a faux leather loveseat because, well, I thought that’s what all adults did. However, after spending five years in my studio, I realized I rarely used it. Despite fitting nicely in my space, it wasn’t particularly comfortable. (Not to mention, the two-seater construction made it a little tricky to kick back and relax.) Instead, I spent most of my time sitting on my bed or kitchen stools, allowing the under-utilized loveseat to take up a lot of precious square footage.
Though I never loved my former loveseat, I always thought a pint-sized couch was the only option for a small apartment. Fortunately, my luck — and small space philosophy — changed for the better when I added an armchair to my current living room. I picked out Castlery’s Adams Armchair, and simply put, there’s a reason why this chair is pegged as the best seat in the house by myself, my fiancé, and anyone who visits. Clocking in at 17.3 inches wide, this larger silhouette is a happy medium between a traditional armchair and loveseat. (I like to think of it as a chair and a half, if you will.) And, when combined with its 23.6-inch deep seat, it’s the perfect place for curling up with a good book, cup of coffee, or your laptop for a chill WFH setup.
Speaking of curling up, did I mention it’s ridiculously comfortable? Not only is the foam and pocket spring filling so soft that your body feels as if it’s sinking into the chair, but this option even comes with two side pillows so it feels like the chair is giving you a big hug. Either my fiancé or I sit in this chair every evening, graciously taking turns because it does feel so good. And, whenever we have friends over, we always insist that one of our guests takes the best seat in the house.
A soft, snuggle-worthy seat that’s a fraction of the size of a typical sofa, the oversized armchair is so genius that I wish I had known about it when I was looking for a loveseat in my old apartment. Instead of buying a couch for strictly logistical purposes, I could’ve found something even more space efficient that I would’ve actually used. In addition to saving some precious real estate in your small apartment, an oversized armchair can help your bottom line, too. For example, while most loveseats and sofas come with a four-digit price tag, this one serves up the same comfort for $799. And, let’s be honest, why limit the oversized armchair to a small space? I now live in a larger apartment that has enough room for a sizable sectional, but I still prefer lounging in my large armchair.
The only caveat I can think of is the obvious: If you swap out a small sofa for an oversized armchair, where does everyone else sit? That’s totally up to you — and that’s actually a good thing. Whether you opt for another armchair, pick up an ottoman, or gather a few floor pillows, you’ll be able to create a setup that fits nicely with your space. And, unlike my lackluster loveseat, you’ll actually use your cozy arrangement.