At a glance, you might miss the most innovative feature of Jennifer Aniston's retro-style living room.
Designed by the acclaimed Stephen Shadley, it's a celebration of mid-century charm, featuring sleek wood paneling, statement artwork, and a mosaic lamp (the latter of which is described by Stephen as one of his favorite finds).
In all this beauty, however, it's easy to overlook Jennifer's clever 'conversational seating' arrangement, which, in my opinion, is one of the smartest features of her living room. It's also one of the easiest elements to replicate on a smaller scale, and, designers say, its impact is transformative.
This living room seating idea involves arranging a sofa and accent chairs to make it easy and comfortable to hold a conversation (instead of facing a TV or speaker, for example). It's so simple to follow, but Jennifer's space offers the ultimate blueprint.
Shop the look
Inspired by the barrel chairs in Jennifer's living room, this set is the first step to recreating her look. The chair's spacious design and swivel feature make it practical for relaxation, while the pumpkin barrel shape adds a unique, stylish touch to any living space – perfect for lounging during a good conversation.
Add a touch of life to your living room with a bouquet in a black matte vase on your coffee table (just as Jennifer does). I love the tapered shape of this stylish and affordable version. Style it with light colored flowers for a visually interesting contrast.
Bring Jennifer's chic style home with this square pillow, featuring a gold braided pattern reminiscent of her cushions. The design blends boldness with traditional charm, making it a standout accent on any sofa. Complete with a removable goose feather insert, it provides both plush comfort and timeless elegance.
Unsurprisingly, Jennifer's living room layout isn't lost on designers. One being Stephen, the aforementioned figure behind the space, and the other being Mike Durbridge, the CEO at Andrew Martin, who follows a similar technique. Alongside using barrel chairs and a sofa (like Jennifer), he explains how you can also get the look with two sofas.
'Placing two sofas directly opposite each other with a coffee table in between creates an intimate yet open arrangement, ensuring that guests are naturally oriented toward one another. This setup encourages easy dialogue while maintaining a relaxed, inviting atmosphere,' he says.
'Conversational seating is all about balance – keeping seating at a comfortable distance, avoiding barriers that disrupt eye contact, and incorporating soft textures to enhance a sense of warmth and ease.'
Plus, if you love Jennifer's swivel chair, you're in good company. 'Swivel chairs bring both style and functionality to a space, offering a dynamic seating option that encourages conversation and flexibility,' Mike adds.
'Their ability to rotate makes them perfect for open-plan layouts, allowing seamless interaction between different areas of a room. With a sculptural presence, they create an inviting focal point while ensuring comfort and practicality.'
