We set up our Christmas tree for the first time since moving into our new home and immediately realized we needed different chairs. We’d planned to replace the IKEA Ektorp chairs eventually, probably after the kitchen remodel, but seeing the tree in place clarified what the room needed. That’s how we discovered our striped armchair.
Many of you noticed a change in our living room over the past couple of weeks, so here’s the story. When we moved in we kept the IKEA chairs with new slipcovers since they were comfortable. I like to live in a space for a while before making big design decisions so I can understand how it functions in every season. Usually I’d avoid judging a room during the holidays, but in this case the tree helped me see the best arrangement.
In previous homes we could shift furniture around to accommodate a tree, but this house is compact and there wasn’t anywhere to move the bulky chairs. Small-home living means you quickly learn what will and won’t work. Once we decided where the tree should go, it became clear that the existing chairs made the corner feel crowded.
Once we settle on the right spot for a piece we tend to keep it, so finding the right chair for this corner mattered. We tried placing the tree as a test and instantly knew this was the spot we wanted it to occupy each year. That single decision helped guide the rest of the design choices for the room.
All it took was one clear choice: the tree belonged in that corner. With that resolved, I could look for seating that complemented the spot and how we want the room to feel year-round. The existing chairs were simply too large for the intended arrangement.
I spotted a pair of cute striped chairs online that felt promising. The neutral stripes, compact scale, and price made them worth trying. Ordering furniture online is always a bit of a gamble, but with quick delivery and an easy return option it felt low risk. If the chair didn’t work in the living room I could always use it elsewhere or replace one of the upstairs IKEA chairs.
We loved the chair even more than expected. It’s the right scale for the corner — not too small, not too large — and there’s enough space behind it for the tree. The smaller arms and visible legs make the chair feel lighter in the room compared with the skirted IKEA style. It’s comfortable for reading or conversation and can be moved around much more easily.
After trying one and confirming we liked it, I ordered a second matching chair. The update solved the crowded feeling in the corner and made the room function better for everyday life and for holiday decorating. It’s satisfying when a single adjustment like this can change how a space feels.
So that’s how setting up our Christmas tree led to a small design change: replacing the bulky IKEA chairs with a pair of striped armchairs that fit the room, improve flow, and make the corner feel intentional all year long.
Recent post you might have missed: 7 Simple Ways We Made Our House Feel Like Home (in the first year!)
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