Think elegant. Think formal. Think stylish. But if you think chaise lounges are old school, think again.
Most people might regard a chaise as that Victorian piece of furniture with a scrolled back that's seen only on the set of “Downton Abbey.”
But today's chaise lounges are soft and inviting and range in style from formal and modern to casual and cottage.
“The chaise lounge is a really flexible piece of furniture,” says Jennifer Stockdale, marketing specialist for IKEA Pittsburgh. “It can be used for reading or napping by just one person or several people can sit on it like a sofa, if you have guests over.
“The high back of the chaise lounge makes it very comfortable for working on a laptop or watching movies on a tablet. That's why it is such a perfect addition to the modern living room, bedroom or office.”
Tradtionally, a chaise has been a long chair located next to a vanity, clothes closet or bed.
But today's chaises are being incorporated as part of sectional couches found in a family room or other living spaces throughout the home.
“People spend a lot of time relaxing in their family rooms and living rooms ... having a chaise lounge as part of the sofa is a perfect addition,” says Stacy Weiss, owner of Weisshouse in Shadyside.
“Chaises create a lounge-y feeling when you are lying around watching television or getting together for a night in with family and friends. They have ‘come out' of the bedroom.”
Weiss says today's chaise lounges come in all types of fabrics and materials — from leather to plush microfibers.
And prices vary widely, although a typical starting point is $1,000. Some have two arms while others have one, and there are even those with a removable arm, Weiss says.
With so many available, Weiss says, it's easy to find the one that fits your style.
Chaises have gotten bigger and more comfortable, Stockdale says.
Manufacturers and suppliers are taking note of consumer lifestyles, says Cindy Hodnett, upholstery and style editor for Furniture Today and editor in chief of Design Today, both owned by Progressive Business Media.
She calls them “cuddle sofas” for lounging — just a comfortable place for family time.
“A lot of the companies are really embracing that,” Hodnett says. “There is a renewed interest in family time and having time together in the home, so having comfortable furniture supports that lifestyle.”
Today's chaise lounges are gaining popularity because of their multi-functionality, Hodnett says. They help utilize smaller spaces — for those baby boomers downsizing or millenials moving into smaller units.
Also, within the past five years, there has been a movement to have customization in furniture.
Jeanne Johnston, design consultant at the Ethan Allen Design Center in Pittsburgh, says the company's latest chaise options are classic in design, but have a new attitude: modern, fresh and relaxed.
With a wide selection of updated fabrics and finishes, Ethan Allen can custom-design chaise lounges suitable for everything from beach houses to chic urban homes.
“No piece of furniture says ‘relax' more than a chaise lounge,” Johnston says. “Therefore, the chaise is a perfect solution for any space in which a client wants to catch her breath, put up her feet and take a break from the busy world.
“In living areas, adding a chaise or two to a sectional sofa allows more family members to stretch out while watching television, reading or just hanging out. Chaises are also ideal in spaces like offices, sunrooms and dressing rooms.”
An Ethan Allen chaise was featured in HGTV's Dream Home in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., in a luxurious master dressing room.
“While we still offer traditional designs, Ethan Allen's newest chaises are more modern and relaxed,” Johnston says. “Some are extra wide to allow two people to stretch together. And our outdoor chaises are available in all-weather wicker, aluminum and teak and can be customized with a wide range of fabrics and finishes.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at jharrop@tribweb.com or 412-320-7889.
