What do you think about the idea of ​​placing a sofa in the dining room?

It may seem unusual, even unexpected, to place a sofa in the dining room, but this essential living room element can create a lively dynamic that is often lost in this space.

“I think a dining room, in particular, is a conversation room,” says Michael Wyrock, principal designer and co-owner of Nistenhaus Design. In a recent project (pictured above), Wyrock and design partner Justin Maine combined a curved sofa, a tufted-back sofa, and a group of chairs—one with skirted fabric upholstery—into one piece to create interest and versatility. “For us, it’s about creating a collection that’s big enough to make the table feel like it’s not just this static dining room setup that you’re used to seeing,” Wyrock says.

For homeowners who enjoy entertaining, creating a space for a sofa in the dining room is one way to create an atmosphere that’s conducive to entertaining. It makes it easy to transition from the dining room to the den, Wyrock says, noting that this style works especially well in a large room. Sofas may not be the ideal solution for those who prefer a more formal or minimalist setting, he says.

David Kent Richardson of DKR Interiors agrees, saying that incorporating a sofa helps break up the typical dining room layout. “It can make a room more versatile, and it also gives you the opportunity to play around with the layout of the room a little bit,” he says. Richardson suggests mixing different styles of benches, chairs and sofas to play around with the balance of the dining table.

So while sofas can be a source of creativity, it’s important to consider their practical use. Think about how you use your dining room and how a sofa or banquette will fit into your space.

“If someone has a smaller space and we’re trying to add more pieces for more seating, sometimes we’ll put a sofa in the middle of the table with the lighter chairs around the rest of the perimeter to get more comfortable seating,” Wyrock says. “But we’re not going to make it too heavy on the ends because the piece itself is too small or the table is too small to support it.”

Both designers say confidence is key when choosing this type of design. A sofa in the dining room is rare, which can be a challenge for homeowners if it’s outside their comfort zone, Wyrock says.

“To achieve this, you have to have confidence in yourself and know how to arrange a room,” Richardson adds.