Relaxing Retreat

It has been said that a house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless.

Most homeowners have discovered this fact on their own: Witness the way families tend to spend relaxing downtime together on the cushioned sofas and overstuffed armchairs in the typical family room.

But the standard seating formula -- one sofa, two matching or complementary armchairs, and a coffee table in the middle -- is not necessarily the best way to create intimacy or accommodate your family's interests and needs.

What if your kids are young, and you need a cozier, more casual setup for snuggling while reading bedtime stories or watching videos? What if you have teenagers who enjoy entertaining large groups of friends at one time?

Browse our arranging tips on the following page for more.