Toshak and majlis floor seating, explained

If you've spent time in an Afghan or Persian home, you'll know the feeling of a majlis: a low, cushioned corner where people gather, lean back, and stay for hours. The seating that makes it is called toshak, and it's one of the most sociable pieces of furniture you can put in a room.

What toshak actually is

A toshak set is floor seating built for comfort and company. At its heart is a long, low cushioned base you sit on, backed by generous bolsters to lean against, and finished with scatter cushions. Traditionally it lines the walls of a room so a large group can sit facing one another, which is exactly why it feels so welcoming.

Why people love it

• It seats more. A wall of toshak holds far more people than a sofa, without crowding the room.
• It's flexible. Add cushions for a crowd, clear them for a quiet evening.
• It's beautiful. In the right fabric, a majlis corner is the most inviting spot in the house.

Setting one up

A majlis works best in a corner or along a wall, often under a wall-hung rug that ties the whole scene together. Lay it over a room rug for warmth and layering. Keep a low table nearby for tea, because in this tradition, the tea is never far away.

A sofa seats four. A majlis seats the whole family, and somehow they all stay longer.

Come and sit on one in the showroom to feel the difference, or tell us your room and your fabric and we'll make a set for it. See our toshak & majlis sets, or read our guide to choosing a rug to sit it on.