Do you have extra sofa space for guests?

[Vulnor]

A few months ago we moved into a lovely but small house. We're a family of 3.

We currently have two very large (with those big flat arms) 2-seater sofas that we brought with us but are way too big for the space. We are making do with them for now but I'd like to replace them ASAP as they make the whole space looks even smaller and cramped.

I'm considering switching to a 2-seater and a 1-seater to free up space. That would be fine for us but wouldn't leave any space for guests. We don't have people over loads but I have maybe one or two family members over for an hour or two every few weeks. Every few months, MIL comes to stay for a week at a time (we have a bed for her so no issue with her needing to sleep on sofas).

When we do have family over, I think pulling over the dining chairs for us to use and letting them sit on the couches works fine.

My main worry is that it seems a bit... unwelcoming maybe, not to have enough seating for guests. Like maybe if people visit with only 3 proper lounge seating options, they'd feel they were intruding and would feel awkward at us having to bring out the emergency chairs.

I don't know if this sounds mad. Growing up my parents did have some odd ways and so I'm not always sure about what is normal when it comes to having guests over.

I also feel a bit guilty because part of the reason I want to free up space is that I've always kept fish and I'd love the option to have a tank but currently there is no space. If we went with this idea there would be. It feels a bit selfish and indulgent though.

Do you have additional seating to accommodate guests or do you just have enough for your family?

We had a similar set up for a while in the main living room. It was a nuisance and we ended up dragging through a completely mismatching sofa from the playroom to have enough room for people to sit. If you can, get enough sofa seating for at least 5 people x

We used to have two three seater sofas and two armchairs. We downsized and we have one four seater sofa and two armchairs. Might be a bit of a squash if there were six people though.

Thank you both. It sounds like maybe it is better if I keep at least some extra. Even just downsizing to less bulky ones will help a lot with space so I will probably go for that.

We have a pair of these that are kept in the sunroom unless we have guests then we move them to living room: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ekenaeset-armchair-kilanda-light-beige-50533492/#content

In the living room we have a 2.5 seater and a 1.5 seater. The 1.5 seater is a good option instead of a 1 seater as you can fit two people on it fairly closely but comfortably.

We are a family of 4, with a 2seater and a 3 seater.
When the kids were small, they would sit on a parents knee, or just squish next to their prefered adult.
Now they are teens, they usually aren't found socilising with visitors for longer than a quick chat, so perch on the arms.

My front room is tiny and it's just me here. There's another armchair and a folded up garden chair and I think there's some folded dining chairs

We have a smaller home too. Our living room is a smallish lounge diner. We have a large 2 seater (seats 3 but cosy) and a ‘cuddle’ chair that easily seats 2 but cosy. So when family it’s okay as we all bunch up. Then we have a longish footstool against a wall when not in use that I have put a cushion on, so doubles up as a seat for 2 if needed. Then 2 dining chairs get used when more of us. I bought ones that are quite comfy/wide and they are ideal for older guests who prefer something a little more upright. Very cosy but as generally family and close friends that visit it’s fine.

I have large and small footstool that double as extra seats and also have a cocktail chair in the bedroom that can be brought down.

The kids used to have beanbags or big squishy cushions In their rooms that they would plonk on the floor if we had too many guests for chairs. I quite liked it as they would lean on sofa and chat.
I have very happy memories of these also being used by the adults to to take a turn at computer games played through the tv. ( Grandma was surprisingly good at mario kart)

When the kids all still lived at home, we had a four seater sofa and a three seater sofa. Really, they were too big for the lounge, but we all fitted on comfortably.

Now, two of them have left home, and we have just downsized to new sofas, with a three seater and a two seater. They are both fairly big, so could three people could squish on the two seater, and four could squish on the three seater if needed.

It's not often we are all here together now (Christmas and birthdays mostly), but we also have two grandchildren who visit, but both are happy to sit on the floor.

I think if we had extra guests, we'd bring in the garden lounger chairs, and the family would sit on those, leaving the sofas for guests.