Where To Place Papasan Chairs In Living Room
Papasan chairs have a bowl-shaped design and can be used in a living room. But determining the optimal placement for these oversized, freeform seats requires some planning. Thoughtful positioning is key to fully benefiting from their versatility while maintaining an inviting layout.
Measure Your Living Room Space
When deciding where to place your papasan chair, the first step is taking accurate measurements of your living room. Consider the length and width of the entire space and layout. This gives you a sense of the square footage you have available to work with.
Also assess doorway openings and account for main foot traffic routes. You want to avoid blocking frequently used paths. Having this spatial awareness upfront prevents congestion once you add chairs.
a. Take accurate measurements of room size
Use a tape measure to quantify the precise length and width of walls and openings. This confirms on paper what your eyes see. When positioning large statement pieces like oversized papasan chairs, even inches matter.
Verify you have enough area for the chair's diameter without crowding or impeding mobility. This prevents cramming chairs into too-tight spots or requiring constant rearrangements.
b. Consider flow of foot traffic areas
Note high-traffic routes between entryways, seating zones, and openings to other rooms. Identify the main circulation paths used daily. Compare this movement pattern against potential chair locations to prevent flow frustration.
Ensure ample clearance for opening doors fully and walking through hall openings. You want seamless navigation without needing to constantly scoot chairs out of the way.
Choose The Right Size Papasan Chair
Papasan chairs span a wide spectrum of proportions. Measure both your space constraints and seating needs to strike that essential balance between room fit and comfort.
a. Measure available floor space
Consider if your living room accommodates a larger oversized papasan or if proportions call for a smaller-scale chair. Standard papasan chair dimensions range between 48" and 72" wide.
Bigger chairs make quite the statement yet require substantial real estate. Measure flat open floor spans carefully if fitting king-sized 7-foot options.
b. Balance proportions of chair to room
Evaluate how a papasan chair's scale and presence complements a room's proportions. An oversized seat suits generously sized living rooms but could overwhelm more intimate spaces.
Likewise, selecting too petite of a chair visual gets lost in cavernous living rooms. Strike the right balance for your room's footprint.
c. Select frame and cushion size
Papasan sets come with chairs and cushions available separately. Mix and match frame sizes and cushion dimensions to suit your needs.
Customize by choosing a larger frame with oversized cushion for ultimate lounging luxury. Or opt for a smaller base with coordinating seat for flexible room positioning.
Address Height Requirements
A second fundamental consideration is confirming your papasan chair selection provides adequate height clearance. Measure both ceiling heights and seating preferences to guarantee a proper match.
a. Standard chair height dimensions
On average, most standard papasan chair frames sit 12 to 16 inches off the ground. Throw pillows boost seating height up to approximately 21 inches high once relaxed into place.
So with average ceiling heights, typical papasan chairs generally accommodate space without bumping heads.
b. Required vertical clearance
When positioned beneath lower lighting fixtures, ceiling fans or lofts, carefully measure distance. Ensure enough vertical span exists so occupants don't knock into anything overhead when seated.
Likewise check transfers in and out safely clear without crunching if positioned under higher wall nooks or partitions borders.
c. Adjustable vs fixed height bases
If minimal overhead clearance exists, select adjustable stainless steel or wood papasan stands. This tailors chair heights safely below thresholds.
Or consider low-profile bean bag foam cushion options instead of thicker pillows to shave off inches if needed. This helps creatively work within height limitations.
Determine Papasan Chair Function
Analyze if papasan chairs serve as primary living room seating or more as accent pieces. This designation helps define both quantity needed as well placement within a layout.
a. Primary seating vs accent seating
If papasan chairs act as your living room's main seating, prioritize the most optimal viewing angles to television screens or conversation groupings. Place them prominently as you would a sofa or loveseat sectional.
If papasans play an accent role alongside existing seating, use them to add visual interest, reinforce design themes, or enhance flexibility.
b. Individual vs conversational arrangements
Are papasan chairs used for individual relaxation retreats reading, napping or listening to music? If so place them catering to personal digestive needs next to side tables or floor lamps.
Will they be conversational pieces gathered around coffee tables? Group a few chairs together to visit, play games or share meals and wine.
Select The Right Papasan Chair Location
Determining if your papasan chairs belong up against walls, floating freely or grouped into seating clusters helps define placement.
a. Next to walls or windows
The bowl-like shape of a papasan chair tucked into a corner creates an inviting reading nook. Nestle against walls or between window bays overlooking views for quiet escapes.
This placement is ideal for smaller spaces since chairs utilize out-of-way areas instead monopolizing central zones better used for traffic flow.
b. Floating in open floor plans
In wide open great rooms or lofts, scatter papasan chairs organically throughout the space instead of cramming together. Float them in odd numbers for laidback styling.
Unrestricted open positioningDraws focus to their sculptural form and encourages relaxed multifunctional use anywhere creativity strikes - even spinning to take in panoramic views!
c. Near other furniture groupings
Cluster papasan chairs beside couches or sectionals to expand primary seating areas without taking up excessive space like bulky furnishings. This adds seating flexibility.
They can angle near accent chairs to create intimate conversational pods around side tables or underneath pendant lighting features.
Complement Existing Decor Style
Since papasan chairs exhibit such unique shapely presence within a space, pay attention how chosen frames and cushions complement your decor.
a. Match papasan frame and cushion
Select papasan chair frames like rich wood or black metal that coordinate seamlessly with other finishes already within the space so they enhance instead of compete visually.
Customize cushion fabric patterns, colors and textures that align with color stories used on existing seating, pillows and area rugs.
b. Integrate boho, modern or eclectic themes
Incorporate papasans into Bohemian styled spaces with their globally inspiredcatalog look. Or allow papasan chairs to instill that coveted Madmen-era panache within mid century modern interiors.
Even notoriously tricky to decorate eclectic rooms benefit from unexpected seating silhouettes papasan chairs introduce when working in lockstep with less conventional furnishings mixtures.
Incorporate Papasan Chair Into Living Room Layouts
Exactly where is that special spot only a papasan can fill within your living room's layout? Use these creative arrangements to integrate chair fluidly into existing furnishings.
a. Place beside sofas or side chairs
Tuck papasan chairs on either side of a loveseat or sofa to construct a seating vignette. Allow enough clearance so occupants can stand up freely without banging legs on coffee tables.
Creating intimate discussion areas beside accent slipper chairs brings flexible secondary seating without taking up excessive square footage.
b. Circle chairs around coffee tables
Gather companion papasan chairs around square, oval or round coffee tables to produce effortless relaxed seating for casual entertaining and visiting.
Curving chairs around accent tables adds cozy communal ambiance perfect for serving appetizers or playing table games with friends.
c. Float between furniture groupings
Disburse standalone papasan chairs organically throughout an open concept living room tying disparate vignettes together like sculptures.
Float smaller framed chairs conveniently between conversation areas, underneath architectural features or even in unused negative spaces to develop secondary seating orobservation perches.
Adjust Papasan Positioning For Foot Traffic
Adjust initial papasan chair placementto ensure open navigable walkways connecting staircases, hall openings and arched walkthroughs to prevent congestion.
a. Ensure accessible walkways
Map out typical pedestrian routes through living spaces after furnishings additions. Verify ample roadways exist without expecting constant furniture shuffle scooting.
For narrow circulation chokepoints, consider smaller narrower papasan options that impede less. Or trade bulky coffee tables for lighter ottomans or side options.
b. Avoid congesting doorways
Prevent papasan obstructions from diminishing opening widths resulting in banged elbows, crunched toes or tightened squeeze-through spots.
If spacing still seems questionable after mock walk throughs, consider lower profile beanbag cushions instead of taller pillow options to minimize clearance crunches.
Stage Your Papasan Chair For Maximum Appeal
Showcase irresistible sinking-right-in allure by artfully embellishing papasan chairs with plush textural touches.
a. Style with pillows and blankets
Lavish chairs further with extra throw pillows, crocheted blankets or fabric shawls draped alongside for ultimate nestling-in.
This visually conveys that lived-in, curated polish perfect for lounging, daydreaming...or even stealing sneaky catnaps!
b. Display houseplants or books
Strategically place indoor potted houseplants like trailing pothos or philodendron beside chairs. Couple with stacked art books further emphasizingeach seating nook's specialized purpose.
Not only does this showcase chairs' versatility beyond standard television viewing, but creates secondary destinations encouraging visitors to unwindwith engaging reads.
c. Add floor lamps or side tables
Include handy amenities like swing arm sconces perfect for spotlight task lighting without running cords. Nearby side tables holding snacks, remotes or devices keeps lounging necessities conveniently close yet out of walkways.
Pulling chairs beneath pendants suspended overhead connects them visually to surrounding vignettes through coordinated illumination ambiance.
Review Suggested Living Room Papasan Layouts
For additional living room papasan placement inspiration, browse these designer layoutsshowcasing chairs creatively incorporated.
a. Small living room ideas
Make lounging luxuriously European by pairing black bent rattan papasan with coordinating mod bar cart and red sculptural floor lamp bisecting a tight two-seater.
Mirror wall visually expands the narrow space, perfectly balanced by an organic chair and fur throw in harmonious organic tones.
b. Open concept designs
Allow an unfettered 360-degree bamboo papasan chair to hold court within double height great rooms. Centered underneath a chandelierand alongside a horizontally oriented coffee table divides lounge seating from dining.
Freestanding placement puts the spotlight on chair's fluid lines while opening conversation sightlines.
c. Layouts by furniture style
Circle eclectic multi-textured padded papasan chairs around a Moroccan trellis table atop a coastal blue rug defining the conversational area of an expansive living room with unmatched panache.
Global furnishings mixtures play nicely aligning chairs' worldly vibe alongside exotic wood cabinetry, tribal poufs and a carved Balinese daybed sectional.
With mindful planning, creatively integrating papasan chairs into living room layouts proves a rewarding upgrade. From understanding spatial impacts and proportions to artfully pulling design elements together into a cohesive story papasans visually tell - the possibilities for showcasing these seats stylishly feels endless.
Just keep sightlines open, walkways clear and decor combinations harmonious. Then unwind into these ergonomic marvels as they work magic transporting inhabitants on relaxing mental getaways without leaving home.