Need a little extra space to unwind? You can’t go wrong with a bedroom seating area—especially if you take inspiration from these designer looks (and as long as you promise not to use it as a catch-all for your laundry and other miscellaneous items).

Photo: Ema Peter

Add a pair of chairs

We’re obsessed with the cloud-like chairs that designer Gillian Segal brought into the bedroom of this stunning Vancouver home… and we’re even more obsessed with the fact that there’s a pair of them. Two seats are better than one!

Photo: Ema Peter

Stick to similar shapes

If your seating area wouldn’t be complete without a chair and side table, consider following in interior designer Suffron Keay’s footsteps and select pieces that have the same general shape. The circular furniture creates a sense of balance and visual harmony in this modern country bedroom.

Photo: Tina Kulic

Don’t limit yourself to just one piece of furniture

The seating area in this Andrea Rodman-designed bedroom has it all: a swivel chair and ottoman from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, a custom area rug from Banner Carpets, a side table and a lamp.

Photo: Ema Peter

Embrace an unexpected material

There’s no rule that a sitting area has to be all curvy and soft and filled with cushy recliners. In this White Rock home, designer Andrea McLean completed the bedroom with a sleek, wood-framed chair.

Photo: Ema Peter

Put your best foot (of the bed) forward

Don’t have room for a chair, ottoman and side table? A narrow bench placed at the foot of the bed will do the trick, as evidenced by this Sophie Burke-designed primary bedroom.

Photo: Janis Nicolay

Take advantage of the views

From the kitchen to the bathroom, nearly every space in this Evoke-designed Vancouver home overlooks the ocean—and the primary suite is no exception. The Eames chair in the corner of the room is homeowner Cristina’s favourite reading spot.

apartment bedroom view with blue painted walls, new wall moulding, patterned bedding, and vintage side chair
Photo: Jarusha Brown

Give new life to a vintage piece

In this compact Vancouver apartment, David Tyl and Jenny Bassett of Twobytwo Architecture Studio leaned into the idea of colour drenching, using blues throughout the entire bedroom. The blue floral-patterned side chair, a meaningful family heirloom, was reupholstered in Svenskt Tenn fabric to match the walls (which are coated in Benjamin Moore’s Kensington Blue).

soothing bedroom victoria design
Photo: Ema Peter

Opt for an unusual silhouette

Take a cue from this Andrea Rodman-designed primary suite and select a seat that has an organic shape, like the Etcetera lounge chair from Hem Interiors. The wavy silhouette is as elegant as it is comfortable (read: ergonomic).

Remember the ottoman!

What’s the point of adding a relaxing sitting area to your bedroom if you can’t put your feet up? Make sure you can kick back (literally!), like the owners of this calligraphy-inspired home designed by BattersbyHowat.

Photo: Michelle Johnson

Make it monochromatic

Accent chairs don’t have to be a stand-out colour. In this Calgary home, Katie Rioux and Candice Arcuri of DWK Interiors created a bedroom sitting area that blends right into its surroundings and creates a sense of drama.

Photo: Conrad Brown

Brighten up a neutral space

That said, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using a seating area to inject a little colour into your sleeping space—like the team at Studio Roslyn did in this beautiful bedroom. The rose armchairs are the perfect foil to the otherwise beige-on-beige-on-beige palette.

Photo: Phil Crozier

Chill out on a chaise

The seat in this contemporary bedroom from Paul Lavoie Interior Design is technically called a récamier (backless sofa), but you get the point—chaises are among the most charming options for bedroom sitting areas.

Photo: Ema Peter

Mix and match seating styles

This West Vancouver bedroom designed by Lucila Diaz of Harmony Sense Interiors features multiple seating options, including a pillow-lined window seat and a fireside accent chair.