I know this doesn't answer your question about furniture but the attitude and demeanor of the host is what determines how comfortable and welcome I feel.

Since I have no friends, one chair for the missus and one for me. If someone wants to stretch out, I'll make the bed and have it look purty!

I agree with Sweet Betsy, the host or hostess makes me feel comfortable and welcome, not the furniture.

As for the poster that made you doubt your furniture, would he/she actually stretch out on the sofa when they visit? I suppose it would depend on whether this was an overnight visit, but I wouldn't make myself that comfortable during a daytime visit.

I wouldn't even consider changing my furniture so one person could "stretch out" .....if you are happy with your furniture. then I would say...it is just what it should be...

I'm trying to envision a circumstance where I'd want to stretch out on someone else's sofa, and I'm drawing a blank. I also can't imagine myself redoing my furniture to suit an as-yet unidentified guest who might possibly prefer a sofa.

I think Sweet Betsy is definitely on the right track.

PS: I have a sofa, but I prefer stretching out on my loveseat. Yes, all of me doesn't fit, but I'm still comfortable.

In terms of providing seating for guests....two people can occupy a sofa without feeling too close....three CAN use it but usually don't. I'd be totally shocked if a visitor came over and proceeded to stretch out and languish on my sofa; makes me laugh to think about it. A love seat will seat two, but they'll be very cozy.

For myself, I love my sofa and will lay down under a quilt on a cool afternoon. Robert will nap.

I wouldn't give a second thought if I visited a home without a sofa. I think that comment sort of silly.

Just give me a soft chair with arms and a cup of coffee and I am comfortable and welcome. It's the friendship that matters, not a person's furniture.

ditto ruthie and alisande about someone stretching out on my sofa while visiting. Although, I can see them stretching out their legs on an ottoman, if that helps. I'm happy to sit on a hard wooden chair without a cushion in the home of someone who loves me though. Stick with what you have if you are comfortable with it.

We have friends that we met through e-mail and who live in another area of the country. I communicated with the husband for a couple of years and we finally invited them to come visit. Shortly after they arrived she laid down and stretched out on the sofa. I was shocked but then found I didn't really mind. We liked them and they visited quite a few times.

I can't remember a time when a guest has laid down on my sofa. Years ago when we bought our very first house, the local decorator (and aunt of my BIL) said, if you are that tired, go to bed, sofas aren't to be laid on. ;)

I have a large living room and tried to make it welcoming with seating for a variety of sized people - people 5'2" like me who don't want dangling legs, and comfy for taller folks as is my 6'7" BIL. A sofa and a love seat, cushy oversized chair with ottoman, chair more a womans proportions, and a straightbacked chair with arms for those with back issues (I do have friends with back issues).

Anyone with a real need to lay down is welcome to my guest room or even our bedroom.

Only very rarely these days will I lay down on my own sofa, and that's probably going to be a winter evening when I have the fireplace lit and would like to watch something on TV. And I fall promptly asleep and don't see the program every time.

When I read the title to this post my first thought was the same as the first post - a welcoming relaxed host or hostess makes me in turn relaxed and comfortable more than the furnishings.

gmom, your friend may have the same problem as DH's cousin. She doesn't travel well and must lie down when she arrives. We understand and it's no problem. She just gets here and goes straight to bed. In answer to OP's question, I'm with everyone else. It's the attitude of the hostess not the furniture that makes me feel comfortable. I would hope my friends liked visiting me because they enjoy me not my furniture.

Four people will sit on:

A sofa and two chairs.

A loveseat and two chairs.

Four chairs.

No one chooses to sit in the middle section of a sofa.

I suspect the last time people expected to recline 'in company' was during the Roman Empire.

Our DS prefers one of two button-back tub chairs in our living room that are exceptionally comfortable. He's 6', 220 lbs. (These are 'spring/down' chairs from Century Furniture.) Our LR sofa is the same; I make a point of sitting in the middle to read, just to give that section a little *wear*.

In our area,the majority of ppl visiting prefer to sit at the kitchen table-rarely the living room

The house I currently have is extremely small,the living room cannot accomodate even 4 ppl comfortably-I have a large couch/sofa,and my chair-thats it.

When ppl have visited,it is cramped to say the least-I've decided that when its time to replace the couch,I am going to go with a couple of recliner chair for our own comfort-and will continue to try to "entertain" when necessary at the kitchen table

Well, I don't think any visitor is going to leave your house and say " I can't believe she only had a loveseat and I wasn't able to stretch out. " If the furniture suits you, then that is all that matters. Personally, I do like a sofa to nap occasionally or to watch TV when I'm sick. I have to say though that I would not expect adult company to sit in a bean bag chair---I think they are for kids, teens,young 20's.

I don't like sofas or chairs that I sink down in so much that I have trouble when I get ready to stand up. I also don't like them to be really low to the floor.

We just bought new livingroom furniture. We got another sofa and loveseat. The matching chair was too wide and take up too much room so we're getting a different armchair and ottoman a little later, once the new stuff comes and we get settled.

I was thinking of getting the sofa and 1 or 2 armchairs, but I love the set that we saw, and the armchair is just too big, so the loveseat it is.

Our current set is a sofa and loveseat, with a swivel recliner and footstool. The sofa and loveseat is for sale on Kijiji.

Like many other posters, it's the people that make me feel comfortable. I can perch on an ottoman if need be.
The only place I've ever lounged on a sofa was at Mom's. Never when visiting friends.

guess I never thought about it.

Just don't send them to my house. I have a recliner and a chair in my living room. In a pinch someone or two could sit on my old trunk.

So far, that arrangement hasn't bothered anyone.

Like someone else above, most visiting is done at the table, in this instance, the dining table.

Moni

I had rotator cuff surgery in June so the last 7 weeks I have slept in a recliner that lies almost flat...just in the last few nights have I gone back to a bed...I also love a couch for stretching out and watching the telly!

go with what your comfortable with...it is after all YOUR HOUSE!!

Two people only sit on a loveseat when there is a crowd. I bet the second seat would be the last one taken, either that or the middle of the sofa. My living room sofa had two large seat pillows, so if anyone sits in the middle, they have to sit on the crack. That really bothers me. I;d rather sit on a loveseat alone than on a little chair. Antique chairs are the worst and I have some friends who have them. What makes me feel most comfortable is if the house is relaxed, nit uptight and formal.

My sisters. They always make me comfortable in their homes. Its not the furniture but the people to me. But to answer your question I would say for older people furniture that you can get out of easily. Nothing low or soft. Though pretty just not practical.
Mary

lol..a chair I can get out of! lol....

What does it take for me to be comfortable in someone's home?? Smiles, hugs, and friendship. If I had to I could sit on the floor and be happy~~~my dining room and living room are open to each other, if we have alot of people over they sit on dining room chairs, if that is not enough I can pull out folding chairs from the closet or drag in some yard chairs ~~~it's all good;)

This just happened; DH had a coworker he hadn't seen in 26 years contact us and want to see us, they did not part on good terms. He drove 2 hrs to see DH and grilled him with questions: Did either of us have health problems? Gained weight? Financial situation? I see you still have hair....

He was here 2 1/2 hours....we NEVER asked him to sit down, he stood the entire time and seemed "comfortable".... grilling us.....asking US questions. :0)

As long as WE seemed friendly and didn't ask him to leave....he was comfortable.

So friendliness makes a person feel welcome & comfortable.

What makes me comfortable is a warm welcome and someplace to sit, even if it's a beanbag on the floor !

Nicole, that is downright scary. I'm glad he wasn't an ax murderer! Who does something like that? For 2-1/2 hours? Weird!

I can be comfortable sitting almost anywhere - for a short amount of time. If I am staying with someone, it is nice to be able to stretch out when hanging out, watching tv, etc. I have a recliner that I use all the time and I have a small couch that has recliners in both ends if you want to use it that way.

People that come here automatically head for the kitchen table. They don't complain about those chairs. If I came to your house, I would rather sit in the kitchen.

Around the table seems to be a favorite place for a lot of people. That's where people at our house always gather.

I would never stretch out on someone's sofa. What you have sounds just right. Now, at home at the end of the night, I might stretch out on the sofa to watch that last TV show before bed, but never when I have company.

I now have a small sofa and matching small loveseat (and the beanbag:)

They are fairly lightweight so meet my criteria of furniture I can move to clean around.
Plus I'm getting those SureFit pet throws to go on them and some new dog beds on the floor.
For those who (rightfully) thought that it was the friendship that made the welcome, between me and 5 dogs, visitors might get more welcome than they bargained for:)

Lucille, that would suit me perfectly. I'm always so flattered when someone's pets welcome me and like me ;) I don't have any just now so have to go elsewhere for my 'puppy fixes'.

I'm sure your house is very comfortable and your guests are happy to be there.