The right spot for a nest chair is a quiet, low-traffic place with soft light, a pleasant view, and enough room around the chair to sit down, turn, and stretch out without bumping into anything. For most homes, that means a living room corner, a spot beside the fireplace or a window, a bedroom corner, or a calm corner of a home office or basement family room.
This guide is for anyone in Calgary who has fallen for the idea of a nest chair and is wondering where it should go. It walks through the best spots room by room the clearances that keep a round chair from crowding a room, and a few habits that help you unwind. If you already know where your chair will go and want to set up the corner itself, our companion guide on creating a cozy reading corner covers lamps, side tables, rugs, and storage in detail.
How to Choose the Right Spot for a Nest Chair
A nest chair is a deep, rounded chair made for curling up, so the best spot is one where you will want to stay for a while. Start by thinking about how you plan to use it. If it is a place to read, nap, or have a quiet coffee, look for a spot away from the TV, the kitchen, and the busiest walkways. If it is a place to chat with family while still feeling cozy, a spot close to the sofa or the fireplace makes more sense.
Then check the practical details. A good spot has soft natural light by day and room for a lamp at night, an outlet within reach for a lamp or phone charger, and a comfortable temperature, away from cold drafts and direct heat vents. It should also have a pleasant view, whether that is a window, a fireplace, a piece of art, or simply the rest of the room. Finally, make sure there is enough floor space for the chair plus a clear path around it. Choosing the spot first makes it easier to pick a nest chair Calgary showrooms offer in the right size.
Nest Chair Calgary Living Rooms: Making the Most of a Corner
The living room is the most popular home for a nest chair, and an empty corner is often the best place to put one. Corners are naturally sheltered, since two walls wrap around you, and they are usually out of the main walkway. A round nest chair also softens the hard angles of a square corner, turning what was dead space into the coziest seat in the room. Angling the chair slightly toward the centre of the room keeps you part of the conversation even when you are curled up with a blanket.
Before you commit, check how the chair will relate to the rest of your living room. It should not block a doorway, a window you open often, or the view of the TV from the sofa. The nest chair Calgary families place in a living room corner often becomes the seat everyone heads to first, so it is worth taking the time to get the placement right.
Beside the Fireplace: A Warm Spot for Winter Evenings
Few spots feel cozier on a cold Calgary night than a nest chair beside the fireplace. The fireplace is a natural focal point, and a round chair angled toward it creates a warm, inviting place to read, talk, or simply watch the flames. In a larger living room, two chairs on either side of the fireplace frame it beautifully and create a sense of symmetry, while a single nest chair on one side and a sofa facing the fireplace works well in smaller rooms.
Safety and comfort matter here. Keep the chair a comfortable distance from the fireplace opening, and as a general guide, many designers suggest leaving around three feet, following your fireplace manufacturer's instructions for clearances. Upholstered furniture placed too close can get very warm, and heat can dry out fabric over time. A swivel base is handy beside a fireplace, since you can turn toward the fire in the evening and back toward the room when friends arrive. A nest chair Calgary families set by the hearth often becomes the favourite winter seat.
Across From the Sofa: A Nest Chair in the Conversation Area
A nest chair does not have to be tucked away. Placed across from the sofa or at the end of a coffee table, it becomes part of the conversation area, giving guests a soft seat and keeping you part of the group. An L-shaped or semi-circle arrangement around a coffee table feels open and welcoming, and a round chair helps soften the straight lines of a sofa or sectional.
A few measurements keep this arrangement comfortable. As a general guide, leave about 18 to 24 inches between the edge of the chair and the coffee table, so you can reach your drink without stretching or squeezing past. Try to keep the seat height close to the sofa's, often around 17 to 20 inches, so conversation feels natural. If you are pairing your nest chair with other accent chairs in Calgary homes already have, leave at least 18 inches between chairs. Mixing a round nest chair with the living room chairs Calgary families already own, such as an armchair or a pair of slipper chairs, works best when they share a colour, texture, or leg finish. Many of the living room chairs Calgary showrooms carry are designed to sit comfortably beside a rounder, softer piece.
Facing the TV or Turning Away: Swivel Chairs in Open-Concept Rooms
Open-concept homes are common in Calgary, and they bring a placement challenge: one chair may need to face the kitchen, the dining table, the TV, and the window, all at different times. This is where a swivel base earns its place. A swivel nest chair lets you turn toward the TV for a movie, toward the kitchen to chat with whoever is cooking, or toward the window to read in the afternoon light. It is a big reason swivel chairs Calgary families choose for open spaces are so popular.
In an open-concept room, use the chair to help define zones. Placed at the edge of the living area, with a rug underneath, it can mark where the living room ends and the dining or kitchen area begins. Leave wider walkways in open spaces, often around 36 to 48 inches along main paths, so the room still feels easy to move through. If you choose one of the swivel chairs in Calgary showrooms carry, leave a few extra inches around the back and sides so it can turn freely without hitting a wall, a lamp, or a side table.
Near a Window: Choosing Light by Direction
A window is one of the best spots for a nest chair, since natural light makes reading easier and gives you something to look at when you pause. The direction the window faces changes how the spot feels. North-facing windows give soft, even light all day, which is gentle for reading. East-facing windows bring bright morning sun, ideal for a coffee spot. South-facing windows are the brightest and warmest, wonderful in winter but strong in summer. West-facing windows bring warm afternoon and evening light, and in many Calgary homes, a western view toward the foothills or the Rockies.
Light also brings glare and heat, so plan for both. Sheer curtains or light-filtering blinds soften strong sun and protect the chair's fabric from fading. Rotating the cushions every few weeks helps them wear evenly in a sunny spot. In winter, Calgary windows can feel cool, so leave a small gap between the chair and the glass, and add a throw for chilly mornings.
A Bedroom Retreat: Corners and Quiet Nooks
A nest chair in the bedroom gives you a place to unwind that is separate from the bed, which is helpful if you like to read, journal, or wind down before sleep. A bedroom corner, especially one near a window, is usually the best spot. It keeps the chair out of the path between the bed, closet, and door, and creates a small, calm retreat inside the room.
Think about scale in a bedroom. Many bedrooms have less open floor space than living rooms, so measure carefully and leave a clear path of about 30 inches around the bed and dresser. Larger nest chairs often do not fit at the foot of a queen bed, where narrow chairs or benches usually work better, so a corner is often the right choice. In a larger primary bedroom, an oversized round chair can create a sitting area of its own, with a rug and a side table, giving you a quiet place for a morning coffee before the house wakes up.
A Calm Corner in the Home Office
If you work from home, a nest chair can make a home office feel far more comfortable. Placed in a corner away from the desk, it gives you a separate place to read reports, take a phone call, or step away from the screen for a few minutes. Having a second seat that is not your desk chair helps break up long workdays and makes the office feel like a room you enjoy spending time in.
Place the chair so it faces away from the desk or toward a window, which helps you mentally step away from work when you sit down. A small side table for a laptop or notebook, a lamp, and an outlet nearby keep the spot practical. In a shared or multipurpose room, such as an office that doubles as a guest room, a nest chair adds a cozy touch without taking over. If space is tight, a compact nest chair tucked beside a bookcase gives you a comfortable break spot without crowding the desk or the walkway.
Basement Family Rooms and Media Rooms
Basements are often where Calgary families gather to watch movies, play games, and spend snowy weekends, and a nest chair is a natural fit for these relaxed spaces. Placed beside a sectional or in a corner facing the TV, it adds a soft, oversized seat that kids and adults love.
Basements have their own challenges, so plan for them. Floors can feel cool, so a thick, warm rug under the chair makes a big difference in winter. Natural light is often limited to smaller windows, so add a warm floor lamp or wall sconce. Keep the chair away from furnace rooms, sump pits, and exterior walls that may feel cold or damp. Check the path down the stairs before you buy, since a large round chair needs to fit through the stairwell and around any landings. With the right lighting and a cozy rug, a basement corner can become one of the most loved spots in the house.
Kids' Rooms, Playrooms, and Nurseries
Children often love nest chairs because they feel like a little den, especially with a few pillows and a soft throw. In a kids' room or playroom, a nest chair makes a cozy spot for reading together, quiet time, or a movie with a friend. An oversized chair has room for a parent and child to share a bedtime story, which can make it the favourite spot in the room for years.
Placement and safety come first. Keep the chair away from windows and window coverings with cords, and away from shelves or furniture that a child could climb from the chair. A stationary base is often a better choice for young children, who may love spinning a swivel chair a little too much. Choose a durable, easy-care fabric, and add washable throws and pillow covers. In a nursery, a nest chair placed in a quiet corner near the crib can give parents a soft place to sit during late-night feedings and early mornings.
Sunrooms, Landings, and Other Unexpected Spots
Some of the best spots for a nest chair are not in a typical room at all. A sunroom or a bright enclosed porch is a wonderful place for one, with plenty of natural light and views of the garden. A wide upstairs landing can hold a nest chair and a small bookcase, creating a quiet spot between the bedrooms. A large entryway or foyer, generally one that is wider than about five feet, can fit a chair as a welcoming place to sit and take off your boots.
Other unexpected spots include the space under a staircase, the end of a long hallway, a bay window, or the corner of a large dining room. When you look at these spaces, check the same practical points: a clear pathway past the chair, enough light, a comfortable temperature, and a way to get the chair into the space. In a sunroom, choose fabrics that resist fading, and remember that a sunroom can get very warm on summer afternoons.
Condos and Small Apartments: Fitting a Nest Chair Without Crowding
You do not need a large home to enjoy a nest chair. In a Calgary condo or apartment, the trick is choosing the right size and spot. A compact nest chair Calgary condo owners place beside a window or a balcony door gives you a cozy seat without taking over the room. Keep the path to the balcony, kitchen, and bedroom clear, and leave about 30 inches of walkway in front of the chair so the room still feels open.
In a small space, the chair can do double duty as a reading seat, an extra seat for guests, and a nap spot. A small round side table, a wall sconce, and a light-coloured rug keep the corner feeling airy. Choose a fabric colour that blends with your walls and sofa, so the chair looks like it belongs rather than standing out as a large object in a small room. Before you buy, measure the elevator, the hallway, and your apartment door, since a round chair needs to fit through every turn on the way in.
Matching the Chair Size to the Room: Loop, Lennox, and Globe
Choosing the right size of nest chair is just as important as choosing the spot. At Showhome Furniture, the 59 inch Custom Loop Nest Chair is an oversized round cuddle chair, about 59 inches across and 35 inches high, best suited to larger living rooms, basements, and primary bedrooms. The 44 inch Lennox Mini Cuddle Nest Chair fits mid-size rooms and corners, and the Globe Custom Nest Chair, about 37 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 31 inches high, suits condos, bedrooms, and small home offices.
Think about visual weight as well as floor space. A large, round chair can feel heavy in a small room or beside a delicate sofa, while a compact chair can look lost in a large room with high ceilings. Mark the footprint with painter's tape and live with it for a day or two to see how it feels. Compare the chair's height with nearby furniture, so it does not block a window or tower over a low sofa. When the size matches the room, the nest chair Calgary homeowners choose looks like it was made for that spot, which is exactly the feeling you want.
Clearance and Traffic Flow: The Measurements That Matter
A few simple measurements help make sure your nest chair fits comfortably wherever you place it. As a general guide, leave about 30 to 36 inches for main walkways, so people can move past the chair easily, and closer to 36 to 48 inches along busy paths in open-concept rooms. Leave around 18 inches on at least one side of the chair, so you can step in and out and fit a small side table. Keep about 18 to 24 inches between the chair and a coffee table.
For a swivel chair, add a few extra inches behind and to the sides, so it can turn without hitting the wall or nearby furniture. Beside a fireplace, follow the manufacturer's guidance and leave a generous gap, often around three feet. Check that the chair does not block doors, closets, heat vents, or windows you open often, and plan the same clearances for any accent chairs Calgary homes add nearby. Finally, measure the delivery path: front door, hallways, stairwells, and tight corners. Writing these numbers down before you shop makes it much easier to pick the right chair and the right spot.
Making Any Spot Feel Like Yours
Once you have found the right spot, a few small additions turn it into a place you look forward to. A rug under the chair defines the space and adds warmth underfoot. A lamp gives you soft light in the evening, and a small table keeps your tea, phone, and book within reach. A throw and a couple of extra pillows make the chair feel ready for you whenever you sit down.
Personal touches matter too. A plant, a framed photo, a candle, or a favourite piece of art nearby makes the spot feel like yours. If the spot is mainly for reading, our guide to creating a cozy reading corner covers lamps, side tables, rugs, throws, and book storage in more detail. If it is for unwinding in other ways, such as listening to music, sipping a coffee, or simply sitting quietly, keep the area calm and uncluttered, with only the things you need close by.
Simple Rituals to Help You Unwind in Your Nest Chair
The right spot becomes even more valuable when you use it with intention. Many people find that a regular routine helps them slow down, such as a morning coffee in the chair before the day begins, or ten quiet minutes after work before starting dinner. Putting your phone in another room, playing soft music, or opening a window for fresh air can help the spot feel like a true break from the day.
A nest chair is also a lovely place to connect. Sharing a story with a child, chatting with a partner, or curling up with pets are all simple ways to make the spot part of your family's routine. In Calgary's long winters, a warm throw, a soft lamp, and a hot drink can turn a dark evening into something to look forward to. In summer, a spot by an open window with the late evening light is just as inviting. However you use it, the best spot is the one that helps you feel calm, comfortable, and at home.
Nest Chair Calgary: A Placement Checklist
Before you choose a nest chair Calgary rooms can fit comfortably, run through this checklist to find the right spot and the right size:
- Decide how you will use the chair: reading, napping, chatting, or a quiet coffee.
- Choose a low-traffic spot away from busy walkways and doors.
- Look for soft natural light, a pleasant view, and an outlet nearby.
- Keep the chair away from cold drafts, heat vents, and too close to the fireplace.
- Leave about 30 to 36 inches for walkways and 18 inches on one side.
- Keep 18 to 24 inches between the chair and a coffee table.
- Add extra space behind and beside a swivel chair so it can turn freely.
- Match the chair size to the room, from oversized to compact.
- Mark the footprint with painter's tape and live with it for a day or two.
- Measure doorways, hallways, stairwells, and elevators before you buy.
How Showhome Furniture Helps You Find the Right Spot
At Showhome Furniture, we have helped Calgary families furnish their homes since 1987, and we know that a nest chair is only as good as the spot you put it in. In our showroom, you can sit in our nest chairs, compare swivel and non-swivel bases, and see how a round chair looks beside sofas, sectionals, and other accent chairs. Call ahead if you want to see a specific model, such as the oversized Loop or the compact Globe. Our team can help you choose the right size for your room and your favourite corner.
Our custom nest chairs are made in Canada, with hundreds of fabric choices, a swivel or non-swivel base, and a matching ottoman. More than a third of what we carry is hand-made in Canada, alongside pieces from trusted American and European manufacturers. Book a free design consultation, bring your room measurements and a few photos of the spot you have in mind, and one of our designers will help you plan a layout that leaves room to move and gives you a place to unwind.
Visit Showhome Furniture in Calgary
Showhome Furniture is located inside North Hill Centre at 1616 14th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, in a 70,000 square foot showroom where you can try nest chairs, swivel chairs, and accent chairs before you buy. We are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, closed Sundays, and our free design consultations run Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm.
We offer delivery through a trusted third-party partner, including white glove service and old furniture removal, and in-store pickup is also available. Every purchase includes a one-year manufacturer warranty, with an optional Guardsman five-year protection plan for extra peace of mind. Financing is available through Fairstone. With over 5,300 Google reviews and a 4.9-star average, our customers can tell you what it is like to furnish a Calgary home with us. If you are ready to find a nest chair Calgary evenings will feel calmer in, book a free design consultation and let our team help you find the right spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to put a nest chair?
A quiet, low-traffic spot with soft light and enough space around it, such as a living room corner, beside a fireplace or window, a bedroom corner, or a calm corner of a home office or basement.
Can a nest chair go in the living room?
Yes. A living room corner is one of the most popular spots. Angle the chair slightly toward the room so you still feel part of the conversation.
How far should a nest chair be from a fireplace?
Follow your fireplace manufacturer's guidance. As a general guide, many designers suggest around three feet between the chair and the fireplace opening.
How much space do I need around a nest chair?
Leave about 30 to 36 inches for walkways, about 18 inches on at least one side, and a few extra inches behind and beside a swivel chair.
How far should a chair be from a coffee table?
About 18 to 24 inches between the edge of the chair and the coffee table is comfortable for reaching a drink.
Is a nest chair a good choice for a bedroom?
Yes, especially in a corner near a window. Larger nest chairs usually fit better in a corner than at the foot of a queen bed.
Should I choose a swivel nest chair for an open-concept room?
A swivel base is very helpful in open-concept rooms, since you can turn toward the TV, the kitchen, or the window. Leave extra space around it so it can turn freely.
Can I put a nest chair in a basement?
Yes. Add a warm rug and a lamp, keep the chair away from cold exterior walls and furnace rooms, and check that it fits down the stairs.
What size nest chair fits a condo?
A compact nest chair around 37 to 44 inches wide usually suits a condo or small apartment. Measure the elevator, hallway, and door before you buy.
Is a nest chair safe for a kids' room?
Choose a stationary base for young children, keep the chair away from windows and climbable furniture, and pick an easy-care fabric with washable throws.
Where is Showhome Furniture located in Calgary?
We are inside North Hill Centre at 1616 14th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, in a 70,000 square foot showroom.
What are Showhome Furniture's store hours?
We are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and closed on Sundays.
How do I book a free design consultation at Showhome Furniture?
Book a free design consultation with one of our designers, available Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm. Booking ahead is recommended, and bringing your room measurements and photos helps us make the most of your visit.
Can I try nest chairs at Showhome Furniture before I buy?
Yes. You can sit in our nest chairs in the showroom and compare swivel and non-swivel options. Call ahead if you would like to see a specific model or size.
Does Showhome Furniture deliver in Calgary?
Yes. We offer delivery through a trusted third-party partner, including white glove service and removal of your old furniture. In-store pickup is also available.
