Ever since I discovered barefoot shoes and the world of natural foot care, I have dreamed of turning my living space into a movement friendly utopia. Because when it comes to the body, everything is connected.
This is how we transformed our living room to support our overall foot and body health without sacrificing on comfort OR going overboard on cost.
Why We Needed a Change
Your spine and hip mobility all impact what you can do with your feet, and that means your lifestyle has a tremendous impact on your foot health. The lowest hanging fruit here is how you sit.
Sitting in chairs all day every day for years is not a good way to keep your spine and hips healthy. When you don’t have traditional furniture you change position often, moving SO many more parts in your body than you would in a chair. This keeps things limber and strong, from your head to your toes.
But as a society we are very attached to chairs and couches. And my family thought not having those things would mean being uncomfortable at home. No one wants that!
So here is how we took a measured approach to reducing the traditional furniture in our house while still keeping it cozy. And now, 6 years later, we primarily sit on the floor (or stand, run, jump, and roll around)!
How to Prepare Your Body for Chair-less Living
Because floor sitting requires more strength and mobility than sitting in chairs, it can take time to adjust. One way you can drastically increase your comfort on the floor is by learning how to bolster with pillows or other household items. This was a game changer for us.
And if you feel extra stiff and creaky you might want to try Petra Fisher’s Joints For Life program. Besides being a great tool for lifelong joint health, it can also speed up your transition to floor living (and is a low-cost, easy to use program).
We also eased into it by making our space more dynamic by adding options before we got rid of any furniture. Because you don’t have to make a huge change in order to start benefiting from floor sitting.
Alternative Seating
Before chucking the couches out the window, we started by adding floor seating options to our living room. Here is a list of the exact items we added before we swapped the bigger furniture.
- Rag rugs – for floor “picnics” and family games
- Floor Cushion
- Air Chair – oh how we love these, and oh how much movement they bring to our life. You can’t help but roll around on it.
- Bean Bag
Things did get a little crowded after a while 😅 but it started a change both in our bodies and our mental attitudes toward floor sitting.
We learned that having multiple low seating options was important, because Justin’s hips and hamstrings weren’t ready for being all the way on the ground. So we kept an eye out for low seats that fit the bill (see the Kitchen Table section for what we settled on).
It also was fun! And felt good! The kids seemed to enjoy the bodily freedom and we all began exploring the endless movement possibilities available.
Floor texture
In addition to this, I also have a lot of floor texture devices in my house. These are great for foot health, and also incentivize moving more – you want to walk over them because the sensory stimulation feels good! You can find these foot health tools in our living room:
- Rock Mat
- Sensory Floor Puzzle – Link automatically applies 10% off.
- Balance Beam – link automatically applies 10% off at checkout. I have the longest 6′ beam, so we tuck it behind cushions or push it against the wall when not in use.
While I LOVED the movement possibilities all this new stuff opened up, the reality is human beings will opt for the energy saving solution wherever possible. If there’s a chair, we will sit in it. So we decided it was time to remove all chairs from the living room space – the most frequented room in our house.
Here is exactly how we did that without making our home uncomfortable.
Kitchen Table
Our living room includes our kitchen table, which we use both for eating and as a work desk. This was the easiest and cheapest change of them all! We simply unscrewed the legs from the kitchen table and put plastic storage bins underneath so it was the right height. Voila! A low table without spending a dime. And considering that our kitchen table was $25 from the thrift store over a decade ago, I am feeling like we got some serious bang for our buck.
Long term, we would like to get a custom table made to our preferred dimensions and height. But for now, this jerry-rigged low table is perfect.
Low Seats
We were able to use our collection of rag rugs as mats around the table (easy to throw in the wash) but we also wanted some higher cushions for people who aren’t mobile enough to be comfortable fully on the floor.
This is where our biggest expense came in: Venn Designs floor cushions. We tried one cushion last year and were completely sold on it, so we decided to invest in a full set for the dining room. Each side has a different firmness, and they hold their shape. You can even stack two on top of each other for something in between traditional chair height and low. We keep them around the table so people can choose what to sit on, and then we can easily stack them and push them out of the way.
Couches
Oh how my family resisted getting rid of our couches! After we had plenty of bean bags and floor cushions, I convinced them to try one play couch from Nugget as a trial run. Well, they loved it. It’s comfy and firm, folds up easily, and the kids have a blast playing with it (but I would buy it even if we didn’t have kids).
After that test run, they were ready to get rid of the second couch, which we replaced with another low couch from Nugget. To cover the cost of the new Nuggets, which cost a lot less than a traditional couch from a furniture store, we sold our original couches.
I prefer these play couches to traditional chair-height couches for these reasons:
- They provide comfy seating, but are still low to the ground (so you don’t get stuck in that 90-degree chair position).
- You can use them with both layers or just one to be even lower.
- They fold up and can be stored or aired out
- The cloth upper can be removed and washed.
- The pieces are not attached to each other , so it promotes a lot of shifting and adjusting (aka movement).
While I wish they made one designed to be sofa length (theirs are just a little short for a tall person to lay out on) we are overall very happy with them and don’t even miss our old “regular” couches.
Home jungle gym
This one is not in our living room, but I had to mention it. We put this Swedish Jungle Gym (again, Black Friday deal) in our basement over a year ago and I just love it. It’s another one of those things that you use because it’s there, so just having it means more movement and strengthening.
Keeping The Floor Clean
I will say that having all this lightweight, moveable furniture on the ground does mean the room can look like a tornado came through in approximately 2 minutes. But the flip side is that all the elements are easily stacked and cleaned up! We actually feel like we have more space now, and aren’t afraid to spread out and make a mess.
I also feel like I need to mop the floor more regularly. We have a “no shoes in the house” rule but inevitably the kids run in without taking them off. I don’t want to be on the floor after that! So I diiiiiid get a robotic vacuum/mop combo on major discount for Black Friday. Don’t tell Katy Bowman, but I kind of love it.
Yes I know I could add even more movement to my life if I did it by hand, but what’s more likely is the floor just won’t get cleaned. So it was worth it to me. Putting a little white vinegar into the mop makes me feel much better about being directly on the floor.
Conclusion
This step-wise approach to a movement-friendly home worked for us. The slow pace of the transition reduced the strain on our finances and on our bodies – and ensured that every member of the family would be happy with the change.
And now we have a living space that we love, that feels good, and that still is cozy. We also don’t have to make the tiring decision over and over to get out of the chair, because there are no chairs in reach!
We do have a couch in the basement, bar stools, and a folding table and chairs if guests need them. But they occupy less-used spaces and aren’t immediately in our way on a daily basis. I hope to continue replacing items for movement-friendly alternatives over time. Next up, a climbing wall!
If you’re here to learn how better shoes and small lifestyle changes can make your feet feel a whole lot better, get started here.
34 thoughts on “How I Turned My Living Room Into a Foot Health Haven”
Woohoo thanks for this. I’m moving in a few months and want to make my new house chairless. I’ve been sitting on a cushion in front of a low table with my computer on it for a couple years and have wanted to get rid of the couch and chairs. I didn’t know where to start looking for cushions. The low couches look great and you’ve helped me figure it out thank you. I’m 63 and want to get even more flexible.
Would also like to floor sleep just don’t know where to start? I’m on a futon mattress with a 3 inch foam topper. On a metal bed frame. It’s firm which I like but hot. The new house will have carpet in the bedroom. Just not sure how low I want to go. So mattress and very low frame options if you have any?
I don’t know as much about floor sleeping, but I did see this company pop up recently:
https://laylostore.myshopify.com/products/floorbed
Katy from Nutritious Movement talks about her sleeping situation in this article and in the video at the end:https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/furniture-free-ahs13/
Hi Laura, I’m a floor sleeper so thought I would chime in on your comment. I started sleeping on the floor about 6/7 years ago after I forgot my sleeping pad while on a camping trip. My body felt better sleeping on the firm ground than it did sleeping on the memory foam mattress I had at that time. When I got home did a test run of sleeping on my carpeted floor with a yoga mat and some a couple extra blankets on top of that. After doing more research on how traditional Japanese people lived I came across a company called Japanese Futon Beds. These are handmade mattresses made by hand in Japan, the traditional way and are filled with cotton which makes them light and easy to carry around to air it out every few months. I’m still using mine and throughly enjoy the benefits of it. If you do decide to go this route and if you don’t already, I would recommend working on your mobility to help your body adapt to this new stimulus and so that you wake up feeling refreshed and not like trash. Hope that helps and good luck on your journey.
https://www.futonbedsfromjapan.com/futon-shikibuton-mattress/
Hi Anya,
Please could I ask how high your boxes are that support the table? Thank you.
I was wondering if you would comment on how guests feel in your home, or how you accommodate guests? I have elderly parents who are over often who would not be comfortable without chair height seating options (regardless of how much it might benefit them). Thanks!
Great article, Anya! I have the Venn floor cushion and can vouch for the quality. I’d like to get their air chair, but I’m not sure what size. Did you get the 55 or 65 mm chair? How tall are you? Thanks.
I have one of each, and the bigger one is a little bit too tall for me at desk or table height. I am 5′ 3″. So I actually use the smaller one if I need to get comfy and sit still for a bit. I also use the bigger one, but more for rolling and playing on, because I have to be on tip toe to touch the floor.
Thank you! I’m 5’4″ and I think the smaller one might be better for everyday casual sitting. This is such a good post! So many helpful practical ideas, regardless of how far one wants to take this. I’m 74 and won’t ever get rid of our sofa and chairs (nor is my husband interested in doing so), but I am incorporating more floor sitting and movement work (Petra’s Take10 Program, for example). Thanks again for all you do to share your experience and help educate us.
Hi Anya,
Do you ever use the small one while sitting at a regular height table/desk? I’m 5’2″ and debating which size is appropriate as an office chair replacement.
Yes, I use the smaller ball at a regular desk height. We got the Air Chairs before we converted our table into a low table, so I used it there. And I also have a desk that goes between standing and sitting – I also have used it there.
Thank you. Very helpful as it’s an investment piece.
Fascinating article! I love following your shoe advice, obviously, but I find the other aspects of your movement friendly lifestyle so interesting. Have you ever written an article about clothing choices in general?
I have not! I like stretchy clothing so when I get fancy I have a tendency to choose comfortably dresses with leggings (or bare legs if it’s warm enough).
Hi, thanks for this post! I’m also motivated to transition my appt into a floor sitting place :-), but it was hard to design it all at the beginning (empty 1st appt) and I got some firmer “couches” (they’re like wood palettes made into 2-person seats, seems to be a thing in my new home city in Europe), with foam toppers. I also had a Turkish floor mats set but I sold it to have the palette couch. However, trying different foams I wasn’t really comfortable on any of them so far (they have too much give so the sit bones go down to the hard floor directly and the booty is awkwardly cupped up by the foam next to it). This is why I sold my floor mats, don’t really even sit on the harder wood couches, and also didn’t find a way to sustainability floor sit with pillows or other things I had (too squishy or too bouncy).
The only comfortable foam I found so far is my mattress topper (which is my bed), a latex/rubber blend with just the right amount of give and firmness, but that’s only in mattress size/ not cheap. I also took a cork shoulder stand and put a bit of shredded foam on it and tucked it into a pillowcase, this works for me the best for the floor/uneven chairs to get neutral spine and not tire out my sit bones. But it’s not very versatile for the whole appt. I was wondering if you had this issue ever come up and if the Venn cushions solved it for you (or maybe everyone is different in their tolerance). Sorry the message got so long!
I think I’m understanding what you mean, we’ve had some issues like that with other floor cushions. The Venn Designs are the right amount of firmness that you feel supported and not sinking, but they are not too hard. One side is firmed and the other is a little softer. I prefer the firmer side.
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Anya!
We are moving into a new home. My husband and I are down to do something similar with our three kids (ages 0-4), however our fragile 78 year old grandmother will also be living with us. Yikes. I’m really wanting to help her (re)build some strength, but at this point I don’t know how we would do without a chair at the table for her, and a rocking chair in the living room (for her). Do you have any other suggestions or other ideas for this?? Thanks in advance
Maybe some seating options at different heights? This is more in Petra’s domain than mine, you might look at her resources or see if she has any ideas.
What are your thoughts on buckwheat hull filled floor cushions? I’ve used a buckwheat hull neck pillow in the past, but never for sitting. I’ve seen some that look similar to the Venn pillow. Thanks for being such a great resource!
One side of the Venn Design pillows has buckwheat hulls, and the Brentwood floor cushions I have are all filled with it. It seems to work pretty well! But I prefer the Venn Design cushions that only have it on one side, because the rest of it is more structured. My Brentwood cushions change shape I sit on them.
Wow, the nugget furniture looks amazing! I wish they would ship to Australia. We will have to search for something similar on home turf.
Great post, thanks Anya!
Those play couches have become really popular! You might get lucky and find another seller of something similar that is closer to you.
What was the website for that platform desk “chair”? Thought I archived the email but can’t find it
It was the Primal ATX 🙂
Thank you!
In the photo of the nugget couch – it looks like it has a back section and triangles to lean on. Is that the combination of two nugget couches?
Thanks
The Triangles are the cushions that come with the Nuggets.
About those Nugget “couches” – did you buy extra pillows to go with the Nugget base? I thought they only came with 2 pillows, but your pictures show 3 pillows on each of your two Nugget couches. Thanks!
Yes I bought extra pillows!
This is an interesting concept. What is the difference between an air chair and a stability ball? I frequently use my stability ball as a desk chair and for general sitting. It does feel much better to my body, especially my hips.
I think it’s just marketing. Air Chair is a name I’ve only ever heard used by Venn Design, but they are essentially a firmer higher quality exercise ball. I’ve not used anything labeled a stability ball myself, but it sounds like it’s quite similar.
Hello!
I have been following your blog for a while now, you convinced me to switch my hiking shoes for Vivo’s trackers. I’ve had them for 6 months now and I’m in the process of converting all my shoes to barefoot shoes!
I even converted my brother to them :p
I’m contemplating converting my office space to a floor sitting space as well, but I’m not sure how to go about that.
Do you have some references or blogs I can read on the subject?
Besides this one, not really. I often use this bamboo tray combined with cushions for a floor sitting work space. And you can use a convertible desk like this on the floor or a low table. Katy Bowman over at Nutritious Movement has some good blog posts about dynamic living spaces!