My mom asked me what I was up to yesterday, and I told her I was using a dresser as a sofa table. She seemed to think it was an odd idea. Sometimes people don’t share my vision, but that’s okay.
First, I’m going to go in the ‘way back’ machine and show you what it looked like when we first moved in. The back door is to your right, so as you walk into the house from the back door, you walk behind the sofa. I thought it felt unfriendly to always be looking at the sofa from the back.
On the other side of the room facing the back of the sofa is the kitchen. So the back of the sofa is not only what you walk past as you enter the room, it’s also what you see from the kitchen.
I felt like we needed a focal point behind the sofa, so it didn’t look like you were being left out of the action. I went with this sofa table.
As much as I loved the table, it felt like there was still something missing, so I added chairs on either side of the sofa table.
Next, I fell hard for this gorgeous Gustavian bench. It’s so pretty, but putting it behind the sofa, wasn’t the best placement for this piece. I moved the sofa table to my daughter’s room, where it’s used as a desk.
Finding just the right piece of furniture sometimes takes some time. I’m not sorry I bought the Gustavian table or bench, and I’ve moved them to other rooms. Next came the ‘let’s try two chests’ behind the sofa.
I liked it, but still, kept looking for the perfect fit. These Gustavian chests have been moved to other rooms. See the pattern? If you buy something, try to find something that will work in more than just one room in your house. That will make it a more flexible piece.
I felt like the best thing was to find something large. The smaller scale things seemed too petite for the space. I also liked the idea of storage, so that I would have one place to store placemats, napkins, and tablecloths.
Yup, another Gustavian piece! And it’s got loads of storage. I also added a rug for this seating area behind the sofa so it would feel like it was just as special as the other side. Can you see Molly napping below? I think I moved her bed out of the way for the photos, but I promise she has a very large, comfy dog bed.
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It’s definitely an oversized piece, but I prefer a piece to look too big, than too small. It does remind me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer had guests sleeping in his chest of drawers. CLICK HERE to see the clip.
Check the list below to see some Gustavian items I found for you. The bench and sofa table above were both found at Wisteria.com
I think the chest of drawers is the perfect fit for your space! It’s the right height and width, colour, it’s perfect!
I also used a chest of drawers as a sofa table behind my sofa in my old house – it was so handy for placements, linens and towels!
I don’t have the space for that in this small house, but I love the idea.
I forgot to add – the shot of your kitchen is stunning!! It’s my inspiration for my kitchen Reno!
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I love the way you move things around, try different sizes and styles, and always come up with something interesting. I have a small home with limited pieces and places to move them to, but I do look to you for ideas that I can incorporate. Thanks for your posts showing how you do it.
How does the height of the chest compare to the height of the sofa? I fell in love with a sofa table that is a couple inches taller than the upholstered back of my sofa. However is is not taller than the height of the cushions on the back of the sofa. Ideally I would like the table to be no taller than the upholstered back. So I’m trying to figure out how it will look. Your chest looks as tho it might be a bit taller than the sofa. Curious to know your thoughts. Thank you!
Barbara, this chest is about an inch shorter than the sofa. I think your chest will work if it is shorter than the cushions. That sounds fine. Send pictures!
I really like the storage available using that piece. It looks great!
Love the dresser as a sofa table. Great idea and tons of storage to boot.
That definitely is the best choice of them all! I looked on Wisteria and can’t seem to find your exact one. Can you please share its name?
Patti, here is the affiliate link for that chest. They don’t have it at Wisteria. It’s a fabulous price considering it is a very, very large piece. https://rstyle.me/~aSF6q
yeah….you gotta watch the SCALE on pieces…I think you’ll be moving those chairs out (Can’t tell if they cause the entire placement to extend beyond the sofa or not, from the photo)…yes, scale is quite important.. it really looks ample
Gilda, I so agree that the chairs are dwarfed by the chest. I was trying to keep my husband happy. He wanted me to keep the chairs there. They do go beyond the sofa, but the sofa has side tables, and the chairs were in front of those. Still the scale was bothering me. It’s tough, since he rarely interferes with my decorating. I think he wanted the chairs there for a place to set his work bag. But now he’s putting it on top of the chest, so he may be okay with the chairs being moved.
I like the chest. We have the same layout but on a much smaller scale. I just moved a console to the back of the couch this year because I too, felt funny with looking at the back of the couch as you walk in the door. There is no entryway either so you are literally stepping into the kitchen and facing the backside of the living area. And, I don’t have any pretty ruffles to look at! I think they did look very nice! I’m also in agreement about having larger furniture and don’t agree with having petite pieces as I think they make the space look smaller not larger. Finally, I had to laugh about your reference to Kramer – just too funny!
Oh Kramer! I know that was a funny episode.
Hello, Anita,
I think you’ve finally nailed the balance and look you have been searching for! Beautiful, elegant and practical.
By the way: I am wondering if you are ever going to once again offer the dining room chairback covers via your store. They were very French; one had a bee emblem. You sold these out awhile back. I should have purchased them … .
We might do that. Amy, let me see if we can offer them again.
Just looking at that pic again and I agree with Gilda that those chairs might be too much beside that big chest. It needs breathing room…
Yup. I agree. I left them there to appease my husband, but I think I’ll have to work out a compromise.
You nailed it with the chest !