At a Glance:
Having a den in your home is like having your own secret hideout, and with a den comes a whole list of benefits. A den is a functional and comfortable bonus room that can shapeshift to fit your family, whether you need a home office, playroom, or game room. Because it’s not centrally located like a living room, it doesn’t always have to be picture perfect to receive guests. This makes it a great place to relax and lounge—or to experiment with different design styles and express your unique personality. Looking to build your dream den? We have plenty of ideas for how to style your den, including our favorite den furniture picks to fill your multipurpose space.
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Shop NowWhat Is a Den?
A den is an extra living space that tends to be more informal and can serve many purposes. A living room or family room may be more formal, and they are typically located near the front of a home. On the other hand, a den is often located toward the back of a home, on the second story, or in a basement. While a living room might be part of an open floor plan, a den will be its own confined space. Dens get their names from bear dens and, thus, tend to prioritize comfort over appearance and formality. However, that doesn’t mean that your den can’t be another space to flex your design muscles and display your creativity. In the next section, we’ll talk about different ways to style your den, but first, let’s examine the multipurpose nature of dens, their emphasis on comfort and function, and their potential to add resale value to your home.
Multipurpose Space
Because it is not as strictly defined as a living room and because it is a bonus room in addition to a living room, a den can flex to serve many purposes. For example, your den could be used as another living space, an office, a library, a game room, a movie room, a playroom for kids, or a hobby room for adults. You could even add a bed, sleeper sofa, or Murphy bed to create another sleeping space for guests.
Comfortable and Functional Space
Comfort and function are at the top of the list when designing a den. Lounge furniture, like sectionals or recliners, is very typical for dens. You need to choose the functions that matter to your family before you can choose furniture for your den. Is this a space primarily to relax, or do you need a desk for someone who works from home? Do you want this to be a getaway for adults, or do you need kid-friendly furniture and storage for toys? The first step to designing a den is dreaming up how you will utilize the space and then planning from there.
Resale Value
Especially as we’ve all been doing more life from home over the past few years, a multifunctional bonus room like a den can add resale value to your home. One major payoff is to stage your den when you’re selling. Rather than having an empty room and calling it a den, stage the space so that people can imagine how they could use it.
How to Style Your Den
Just because dens prioritize comfort and functionality does not mean they can’t also be beautiful. Get creative and carry the design theme you have throughout the rest of your home into your den interior design plan, or you can use your den to experiment with a design style that you’ve been wanting to try. You could create a modern, rustic, farmhouse, boho, or “man cave” den. Let’s look at five examples of den design.
Modern Den
Modern design is all about sleek lines and simple decor. Black and white, as well as other neutrals like gray or cream, are frequently used in modern design, but you can add a pop of color to accent a neutral color palette. Choose furniture that has simple lines and geometric shapes. You are free to mix materials like wood, metal, and glass. Modern design can feel a bit cold or stark, so it may not be your first thought for a den, but you can warm it up with soft textiles throughout your space. The more masculine, bachelor-style modern design approach is a popular option for styling a den.
Rustic Den
Rustic style is a big departure from modern design. While modern design is polished and pulled together, rustic design feels aged and all natural. Plenty of design styles co-opt the word rustic from coastal to eclectic to farmhouse. The common denominator is natural and organic materials, namely wood. Wood and other natural finishes can create a warm, lived-in feel perfect for a relaxing den. You have a lot of freedom to add color, texture, and unique decor pieces.
Farmhouse Den
Farmhouse style is great for a den because it is known for being cozy and making a space feel like home. Farmhouse style can lean more modern or rustic, depending on what you prefer. You can incorporate elements from a modern or rustic den, with freedom to mix and match rustic wood and modern metal and glass elements in your space. For your color palette, think calming neutrals rather than bold colors.
Boho Den
Bohemian style is an eclectic design style that embraces natural fibers and finishes, warm desert tones, and a laid-back feel. A boho den is a great place to rest and recharge with the right balance of comfort, color, and simplicity. You can mix and match colors and patterns, incorporate global or handmade accessories, and enjoy the warmth of rustic finishes. This is a great way to create a lighter and brighter den that is still great for lounging.
“Man Cave” Den
A man den, or “man cave,” is a casual and easy-going space that embraces masculine style. Dark colors, wood paneling, and leather are all at home in this style. If you’re hesitant and fearful of sacrificing style, rest assured that there are stylish takes on this aesthetic. Moody, tonal rooms can be stunning. Painting the walls, trim, and ceiling all one color can give a cave-like feel that’s perfect for snuggling up to watch a movie. Ultimately, a man den is all about comfortable furniture for lounging. You can incorporate fun and functional pieces like a pool table or a wine cabinet.
Den Furniture Ideas (by Category)
As we’ve mentioned, a den is a multipurpose space, so the kind of furniture you need for one depends on how you plan to use the space. No matter your intent, you’ll likely need some form of seating and storage and, if you want to use at least part of the room as a home office, a desk. There are plenty of options for bonus room furniture and spare room furniture for your house den. If you’ve been looking for den design ideas and den inspiration, keep reading for six of our top den furniture picks.
Recommended Den Seating Flexsteel Ellis Brown Reclining Loveseat with Power Headrests
Shop This Flexsteel Recliner Loveseat
This luxurious leather loveseat could be paired with a matching sofa to create a larger seating area, or it could stand alone, giving space for other zones and purposes in the room. The heart of this den couch is its power reclining features and soft leather, which make it perfect for lounging.
Can’t you imagine yourself napping, watching a movie, or gathering with friends to watch the big game? The elevated style of leather, simple lines, and neutral color (it’s also available in a crisp white) of this Flexsteel piece allow it to blend with a number of design styles. You could style it with a cozy throw in a farmhouse, rustic, or boho design or keep it simple for a modern design.
Recommended Den Chair: Signature Design by Ashley Phantasm Chalk Swivel Accent Chair
This accent chair is a perfect choice if you need a little more seating in your room, and it’s available in cream neutral colors that go with virtually any design style. The circular base gives this den chair a sculptural feel that could be warmed up and used as a funky element in a boho design or kept very simple for a modern design. Nestle in on the soft fabric and enjoy the swivel motion that this a comfy place to sit, and it’s super easy to keep clean, no matter how much fun you’re having in your den.
Recommended Den Desk: Signature Design by Ashley Baraga White 61” Home Office L-Desk
If you plan to dedicate part of your den room as an office, then this desk is a great option. The L shape allows you to position it in a corner, giving you added pace to use the rest of the room as you choose. With over 100 5-star reviews, this simple desk is a customer favorite. The combination of glass and white metal makes it a great option for a modern or modern farmhouse den.
Featured Baraga desk review: “Great desk - not too large but offers a lot of work surface. Attractive and fits with a lot of decors. This is actually the second one of this specific desk I bought with all working/ schooling from home. Good value. Assembly pretty simple.”
Recommended Den Storage: The Flexsteel Plymouth Distressed Graywash Media Chest
The gray, distressed finish of this media chest makes it perfect for a rustic or farmhouse den. It is designed for you to place your TV on top while two open compartments allow you to store media equipment for easy access. Three additional and spacious drawers below provide hidden storage space, which is always a bonus and a handy way to keep your space looking tidy. This would be a great place to store games or arts and crafts supplies as well as blankets and any other items you’ve been looking to stow away.
Learn More: How to Set Up the Ultimate Entertainment Space
We Also Love: Powell Royce Silver Storage Drum
This eclectic piece is a multifunctional piece of furniture for a multifunctional space. You can use it as a coffee table, den table, side table for a low-profile couch, or storage. It could even be used as a toy box! However you use it, It showcases classically boho elements with its mix of materials, warm wood top, and unique hammered metal base. A stunner for sure!
For the Den Bar: Liberty Chaucer Aged Whiskey Wine Cabinet
This storage piece isn’t just unique on the outside with its carved wood design. On the inside, it houses storage for 17 bottles of wine as well as a shelf and tray drawer. The wood lends itself to a rustic design while the starburst carved details speak to an eclectic, boho look. The dark wood is also bold enough fit right in with a masculine man den style, and the wine storage fits the feel of an adult-centered den or den bar space.
A den is the perfect at-home getaway to rest, unwind, and gather. Tucked away in its own area of the house, you don’t have to be as attentive to keeping your den spotless and put together. It can be a place to truly breathe and another opportunity to express your design creativity in your home. With our range of versatile den seating, storage, and more, Colder’s is the best place to shop for den furniture in Milwaukee.
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing on your home needs!
Shop Den Furniture at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you explore furniture ideas, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: Interior Design Styles 101: Your Guide to the Best Interior Design Styles