The necessary tools for maximum lounging

KAREN WIGHT

As the mother of three children, two of whom are teenagers, I have

witnessed a remarkable amount of a recreational activity called

lounging.

Lounging is the preferred activity in the house, especially when

the dishwasher needs to be unloaded or laundry needs to be done.

I, on the other hand, err on the opposite side. I find it hard to

sit down and really enjoy doing nothing when there is something that

needs doing. I’m Type A with a bullet.

Somewhere in between the extremes in our house is a healthy

balance. I think my husband has balance; I’m still working on mine.

On the occasions that I do allow myself to unplug, I find lounging

very compelling, maybe even habit-forming.

Over the years, we have cycled through many incarnations of family

room furniture and I have found that certain shapes and styles

maximize the lounging experience. If you have space in your family

room for a sectional sofa and you like to lounge, then this is a

must-have. If you want to make the sectional sofa even more

lounge-friendly, use an upholstered ottoman as a coffee table. When

you bring the ottoman together with the sectional, it’s like having a

bed in the middle of your living space. Make sure that the ottoman

and seat height match.

If you like the look of a tight back sofa (no loose cushions on

the back), the measurement from the back of the sofa to the end of

the arm should be at least 36 inches. Less than that compromises the

lounge effect. If you have a sofa with loose back cushions, you’ll

need a generous 42 inches to achieve the comfort zone.

The fill in the couch is a personal preference. An all-down sofa

is very squishy and comfortable, but you will spend your nonlounge

time beating it back into place. The next level is a down-wrapped

foam cushion, with foam in the center literally wrapped with a layer

of cotton-covered down. If you’re tired of beating the pillows into

submission, then there are many new foam products on the market that

are lounge-able. Minimum seat thickness on a sofa should be four

inches. Personally, I like five inches. I say go big or go home.

Now for the extra pillows: not too many, not too few. The size of

an average throw pillow is 18 inches by 18 inches. Pillows larger

than 24 inches square are awkward and pillows that are smaller than

14 inches square don’t do much good. Think about the way you use the

sofa. A rectangular pillow for your head that rests against the arm

of the sofa is a popular choice.

The number of lounge lizards you host determines your pillow

collection. Make sure everyone has his or her pillow allotment or you

will be refereeing during the next movie night.

Lounging accouterments also include beanbag or foam pellet chairs,

and the timeless papasan. There is a new generation of accessory

pillows called Mogu that are quite possibly the most comfortable

lounge enabler around. The Mogu come in round balls, rectangular

bolsters and I found a flower-shaped Mogu for princess Mary Rose.

Throw blankets are the last piece of the puzzle. The trick is to

find a blanket beautiful enough to keep on the sofa and still

comfortable enough to snuggle with. I have a leopard print blanket

lined with satin in the family room. I should have purchased two;

there is always a high demand for this item. If you want to keep

extra blankets close at hand, stash them in the entertainment

cupboard. If your sofa has a skirt, you can hide the extra blankets

underneath.

Cushy sofa? Ottoman for your feet? Soft pillows for the head? Cozy

blanket for the rest? Remote control? Ready, set, lounge.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.