When we spent four years house hunting, my husband and I had one non-negotiable (in addition to a main floor bedroom and bathroom): no wasted space. Over and over, we walked through homes with massive primary bedrooms, only to find sitting rooms awkwardly tucked inside. Why put a sitting area where you need darkness and peace? It never made sense to us. We also wanted our bedroom to feel like a true retreat—free of clutter, bulky furniture, and distractions. That meant no dressers blocking pathways and, much to my husband’s dismay, no TV in the bedroom.
Then, during a home tour of Pulte Homes in St. Louis, we found the solution we didn’t know we needed. Instead of a sitting room inside the bedroom, it was positioned between the bedroom and bathroom, almost like a private lounge. It was genius! One person could sleep while the other read with a lamp on or got ready for the day—without disturbing each other. And after much debate, we finally reached a compromise: the TV could go in the sitting room, not the bedroom.
Designing Our Peaceful Retreat
When we built our home, this concept became the heart of what we now call the “East Side.” We spent countless hours sketching floor plans, probably going through an entire book of tracing and block paper. The priorities were clear:
- A smaller-than-average primary bedroom (we wanted more space in the closet and bathroom)
- A backyard door, since we planned to add a pool later
- A dedicated space for relaxation, free from bedroom clutter
- No bulky furniture—all our clothes and shoes would go in a primary closet
And let me tell you—this room has changed the way we live.
Sitting Room Must-Haves
If you’re considering a sitting room, here are a few game-changing features to include:
- TV Battle? Solved. Keep the TV out of the bedroom while still having it close enough for late-night movie watchers to crawl into bed.
- Coffee Bar. Because coffee in the morning should be as easy as rolling out of bed.
- Beverage Fridge. Stock it with essentials like:
• Medications that need refrigeration
• Breast milk (so you don’t have to trek to the kitchen at 2 AM)
• Creamer, water, and other go-to drinks
Bonus: A Double-Sided Fireplace. This was the best decision ever. It adds warmth, ambiance, and was a lifesaver during a snowstorm power outage.
More Than Just a Sitting Room
After eight years in our home, this space has become more than just a sitting area—it’s a quiet, private haven we use every single day. It’s our:
- Date Night Spot. Especially during COVID, we’d have a sitter, order dinner on wheels, and escape to our little retreat.
- Breastfeeding & Pumping Sanctuary. Whether I needed privacy from visitors or just a quiet moment away from a sleeping spouse, this room was a lifesaver.
- Rest for the Hosts. When we have guests in town, sometimes even we need a break!
- Safe Space for Our Dog. When visitors aren’t dog-friendly (or vice versa), this is his cozy retreat.
- Noise Control. A place for mom, dog, and older brother to hang out while the baby slept—without tiptoeing around the whole house.
- Morning Chaos Solution. The kids can watch a show while we get ready without running wild.
- First Nursery. Both of our babies spent their first six months in this room—it’s the perfect setup for newborn naps while I got things done around the house.
This isn’t just a sitting room for our family. It’s a multi-purpose retreat, a sanctuary of peace and convenience, and a space that has adapted to every season of our lives. It’s proof that a well-designed home should work for you—not the other way around.
Follow along for more design ideas, family-friendly spaces and real-life home inspiration @thetiffanydill on Instagram.
