No matter whether the living area is small or large - a lounger in the living room is an absolute must for celebrities like Emma Stone, Rosie Huntington and Kim Kardashian. And indeed - the eye-catcher offers the comfort of a sofa with an adjustable backrest, while taking up twice as little space. Perfect for small apartments, apartments for singles or simply as an addition to the reading corner. From design classics to flea market finds to modern, minimalist pieces of furniture – we provide an overview and show you how to effectively showcase this all-round talent in various interiors. Relax like the stars in your own four walls and be inspired by the furnishing ideas!
Lounger in the living room combines the seating comfort of the sofa with the design of a chair
A lounger is a piece of furniture that has the frame of a chair but offers the seating comfort of a sofa. His home country is France, where the term “chaise lounge” – a long chair – was originally presented as a daybed. Back then, daybeds looked like upholstered armchairs with a built-in stool and backrest. They can be recognized by the richly ornamented wooden legs and upholstery made of silk or velvet. They usually looked good in the bedrooms directly in front of the window.
In the 1960s, numerous designers were inspired by the piece of furniture and gave it a modern look. Le Corbusier's relaxation lounger became particularly popular - today it is considered an absolute classic and is still very popular. Metal frame replaced the wooden legs, an adjustable backrest with integrated pillow and a slightly curved ergonomic shape ensure optimal sitting and lying comfort. Instead of elaborate ornaments, the lounge chair attracts attention through the choice of materials. Leather, linen fabric or even cowhide decorate the tubular steel furniture. It's hard to believe that the designer was originally inspired by the barber's chair.
The modern lounger adapts smoothly to every body shape and has anatomically shaped lines. Shown above – a design classic from the renowned Italian brand Cassina – model LC4. We have summarized the most important features of the relaxation chair for you:
- The lounger usually only offers seating for one person. The exception is large-format relaxation loungers that offer enough space for two people.
- It is low, you lie or sit low.
- The backrest is height adjustable.
- A pillow ensures optimal comfort while reading.
- Armrests are usually omitted in favor of a simple, modern look.
Stage a reading corner in the spacious living area
Nowadays, the lounger in the living room fits harmoniously into the interior - depending on the available living space and the other furniture in the room, it can be staged in a variety of ways. In the open living area, where the different zones fulfill different functions, it serves as a visual connection between the reading corner and the seating area. The model from BB Italia pictured above scores with a timelessly elegant design and high-quality manufacturing.
As an accent in the living room
In the medium-sized living room, it offers additional seating space and at the same time sets accents in the room with its sculptural look. The manufacturer Sitia presented an interesting minimalist interpretation of the modern relaxation lounger (above). Their clear lines and simple design language transform them into a real statement piece of furniture. The material combination between metal and leather makes it look elegant, and thanks to its neutral ivory color it looks homely. Together with the two-seater sofa with linen upholstery, the floorboards and the short-floor cowhide carpet, it creates an inviting ambience where residents can relax after a long day at work.
A design classic for niches and corners in the living area
Another design classic – the 921 Lama chair from the renowned furniture company Zanotti fits even in small living rooms. This means that niches and corners can be used optimally. The backrest, armrests and footrest merge together - the end result is a perfectly formed whole. Space-saving and functional - two people can sit comfortably on it, one person can lie comfortably or one person can sit and use the footrest as a side table. The sturdy frame made of steel tubes allows its curved shape to come into the foreground. The leather cover in camel color gives the lounger the finishing touches.
Additional seating around the coffee table
The “Wink” model from Cassina combines an armchair and a lounger in one. A backrest that can be adjusted at the touch of a button together with a two-part headrest promise the highest level of sitting and lying comfort. The design is available in numerous colors, and additional covers for the head section can even be supplied when ordering. Such an eye-catcher must be positioned centrally in the room - the contrasting mix between a simple beige sofa and the grass-green wing chair looks particularly appealing. It adds color accents and brings variety to simple interiors.
The French manufacturer Roche Bobois presented a lounger with quilted upholstery and an ergonomic frame. Its trendy retro look also looks good in contemporary interiors. The contrast between the exposed concrete floor and the extensively glazed facade of the minimalist building and the cheerful colors of the furniture loosen up the strict lines and create a cheerful atmosphere in the living area.
Set up living rooms without a sofa
Admittedly, the sofa is an integral part of the living room. If you want the ultimate lounge area in front of the fireplace, you can opt for several loungers instead. In the example shown above, the armchairs are made by George Nelson and are equipped with a tilting mechanism so that your guests can sit comfortably low or lie comfortably flat.
Set up a seating area in front of the fireplace with a lounger in the living room
Several club chairs, a lounger and a sofa create the ultimate seating area in front of the fireplace. The height-adjustable lounger from Cassina promises comfort at its best. Upholstered in cowhide, the piece of furniture gives the living room in a modern country house style the finishing touches. So you can end the evening reading in front of the fireplace or enjoy your favorite show with the family.
At BB Italy, the living room is designed according to the popular mix and match trend - old and new are skilfully combined. The parquet floor with a gray pattina forms the perfect background for the timelessly elegant furniture. The high-floor shaggy rug in grass green, together with the low minimalist coffee table and the long sofa create a charming ensemble. But the brand's loungers steal the show - their expansive base and attractively curved shape automatically attract everyone's attention.
Set up according to Feng Shui rules
The Feng Shui teaching says: the furniture should be distributed in the room in such a way that it stimulates the flow of energy. In this way, a feel-good atmosphere is created where the family can relax and rest. It is important that the rooms are furnished as sparingly as possible. Unnecessary home accessories and decorations are specifically avoided. Instead, a few carefully selected pieces of furniture form a seating area. The lounger should not be placed between the window and the door, nor in the corner. If possible, it should be in the middle of the room and offer a view of the door.
The industrial style at a glance
The industrial style emerged as a concept when former factories and halls were converted into residential buildings. The spacious loft apartments have an open living area that houses a kitchen, dining area, living room and library. The seamless transition between the different areas is created by the typical gray and black color scheme. Walls and ceiling with an exposed concrete look form the perfect background for the furnishings.
The lounger is traditionally positioned directly in front of the window. Togetherwith a table lampon the window sill and several modern metal sculptures form the small reading corner. And if you just want to relax there, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the city.
Minimalist living style
Less is more – says the basic minimalist principle. This also applies to the furnishings – minimalist houses are furnished sparingly. Instead of decorating the space, minimalists create tension through contrasts between materials and shapes. The furniture has a simple aesthetic and fascinates with its clear lines. The lounger from Halyard is an excellent example of this - it presents itself in a purist look. But behind what appears to be a simple construction at first glance is a functional piece of furniture with an adjustable foot section, a swiveling headrest and laterally adjustable armrests.
Modern country house style in the living room
By the way, the lounger not only cuts a fine figure in a minimalist interior - together with a bedspread made of faux fur, it becomes a recliner in the country house style living room. The piece of furniture promises sufficient comfort and offers the perfect place to sit in front of the brick or natural stone fireplace on rainy days.
Lounger or wing chair? Model with a retro look promises the highest level of comfort
The armchair/lounger from the Italian manufacturer Poltrona scores with uncompromising quality and maximum comfort - the deep wing chair with footrest can be adjusted backwards if desired. The frame made of steel tubes is inspired by the design classics of the 60s. When it comes to comfort, the deep seat and slightly curved backrest leave nothing to be desired. Covers in variousColors offer numerous design options.
The Canapo rocking chair from the Italian furniture company Cassina has a frame made of stained solid oak. In contrast to other models, the lounger is covered with fabric, similar to the outdoor version. The piece of furniture comes with a foldable polyurethane cover. Its construction presents an exciting mix of minimalism and modern country house style, typical of the Italian manufacturers.
At BB Italia, the chair suddenly becomes a lounger - the backrest is covered with belts that can be adjusted if desired. The piece of furniture can be folded up or transformed into a lounger. Perfect for the small living room where there simply isn't enough space for a longer lounger. It also scores points with its low weight compared to other loungers and can therefore always be repositioned in the room and can be placed not only in the living room, but also in the sleeping area or even in the hallway.
The lounger has become a status symbol since the 1960s at the latest - back then it adorned James Bond's house. Nowadays it's hard to imagine modern interiors without it - it's not just the stars who love the comfort it offers. Interior designers are increasingly presenting furnishing ideas with a lounger as an accent in the room. The reason – it is a functional addition to the interior and can be staged in a variety of ways.
In the beginning, the piece of furniture from France served as a day bed in the bedroom, but in the 1960s designers like Le Corbusier gave it a modern look. Nowadays, the piece of furniture with a tubular steel frame and curved shape is comfortable together with a side table and floor lampReading corner next to the wall shelf, serves as an accent in the medium-sized living room or offers a space-saving alternative to the sofa in corners and niches. The design classic also cuts a fine figure around the coffee table, where it forms an attractive duo with a simple sofa in accordance with the new mix and match trend. Space-saving versions with an adjustable backrest or extendable footrest can even completely replace the remaining upholstered furniture in smaller living areas.
When it comes to living style, the lounger proves to be a real all-round talent - whether with clear lines for furnishing according to Feng Shui principles, or as an addition to the industrial-style interior - it looks good everywhere. The lounger made of leather and wooden frame looks particularly charming in the living room in a modern country house style. The wing chair with footrest brings a retro touch to your own four walls. The rocking chair scores with high-quality manufacturing and a chic, timeless design. A combination of chair and lounger proves to be a space-saving alternative to ordinary models.
