Cozy Guest Seating: An Alternative to Office Guest Chairs
In this post: Have you got ample seating or office guest chairs in your home office? Here’s how to create a cozy seating area in your home office.⇒
Decorating the study has been a challenge since we moved into our new home. First there was the furniture layout problem and accommodating both hubby’s and my needs.
But next, once we found a place for the desk and storage pieces, came the issue of creating cozy guest seating.
This was made particularly complicated by hubby’s insistence on having the desk facing the TV, also known as the obvious spot for guest chairs.
You may have seen my earlier post on decorating our French Country study. In fact it’s one of my most popular posts with readers loving our French desk. But you’ll note my photos of this room always avoided the wall opposite the desk, as I really hadn’t figured out how to make that side of the room work.
Because of the TV hanging on the wall it seemed odd to place a couch beneath it. Yet I needed guest seating for the space and finally opted for a tufted ottoman, flanked by wooden file cabinets. Functional, yes, but it never had a finished look.
It wasn’t until I added lamps to the cabinets that I started to think again about finishing this side of the room. I had tossed a few throw pillows on the bench, but they just weren’t getting the job done.
Then one day I had an epiphany when I was scrolling through Instagram. There I saw a wonderful photo of a bench piled high with gorgeous lush pillow shams. I recognized them right away and knew at once they’d be perfect for my study.
The key to adding cozy comfort to my bench was to use full sized euro shams. I chose the stunning whisper linen in winter white (which happens to also be a favorite of Joanna Gaines). The soft drape of this fabric is what utterly charms me and I’m wanting to add them all over the house now.
You can see the curious layout of the space in the photo above. I actually enjoy lounging on the bench now and chatting with hubs while he’s watching a game doing paperwork. (And no, he doesn’t mind the feminine design. We share the space, so he got the TV in exchange for the French desk!)
It’s a pleasure that this room finally works with the simple addition of some pillow shams.
I also added the Bella Notte boudoir pillow in the lovely Penelope pattern. A cozy woolen throw and a cup of tea round out the picture.
It’s still a little free form for guest chairs, but then again, I’m generally the only guest who visits here.
Resource Guide
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
- Bella Notte Shams
- French writing desk
- Tufted cream desk chair
- Tufted ottoman bench
- Iron and crystal sphere lamps
- Silver washed candlesticks
- Plaid blanket
- Faux floral
SUBSCRIBE AND GET my free guide:
“20 Ways to Update Your Home for Your Changing Lifestyle”!
The Shops
Have you visited the Designthusiasm shops? Click below to shop my favorites, my home by room, and my Amazon shop. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for quick updates.
Well done, love those lamps!
Thanks, Linda!
Like all spots in your home, this one looks so perfectly lovely and a wonderful place to curl up! Your desk is so neat and tidy, I think I have a little work to do!
Ha ha, thanks Chloe! I actually do keep my things neat and tidy, but hubby uses this desk too, so you can be sure I moved a ton of papers for this shoot!! He promises he’s in the process of organizing, but I have my doubts… 😉
I’ve coveted your desk for awhile. If I had one more square inch to place it, I will have one someday! Always enjoy your posts Lory. Hope you were able to get the mercury glass votives for the perfect modified menorah at soft surroundings. And your mason jar Seder plate is definitely thinking outside of the box. I’m not Jewish, but I love the traditions, and your ideas are so unique.
Thank you so much, Ginger! Your comments are always a pleasure to read and your appreciation for my style and traditions warms my heart… 🙂
Lory, a couple of questions: where do you store your laptop, desk accessories (pens. paper, clips, etc.) office “stuff”, how do you get your husband on board with keeping things so tidy, and isn’t the ottoman too short for comfort for guests in the office or is the office just a home work space? Your spaces always look amazing.
Thanks for your questions and kind words! My laptop is almost always on my lap!! Lol. But seriously, I do walk around the house with it so it can be found almost anywhere. Desk accessories are in the desk drawers, except for pens which I keep in a vintage china creamer on the desk top. I also keep business cards in the vintage china napkin holder. However, getting hubby to comply with his papers is a little more challenging. It’s a work in progress. I’m a staunch believer that the key to staying organized is having a designated place to store things. We have two file cabinets in this room and that huge shelving unit behind the desk, so I’m hoping once hubby gets his stuff together, it will all have a proper home. I did have to move a few piles for this shoot, though… 😉 As for the ottoman, the only real guest in there is me and it’s perfect for lounging on and chatting with the hubs when he’s at the desk.