What Is a Majlis? Meaning, History, and How to Create One at Home
- 4 min reading time
A majlis is a room, and a style of low seating along its walls, where family and guests sit together. Here is what the word means, where it comes from, and what you need to set one up in an American home.
By Mariam, Floorsofa.co · Updated October 2026
A majlis is a sitting room where family and guests gather, furnished with low cushioned seating placed along the walls. The word is Arabic (مجلس) and means "a place of sitting." Today people also use it for the seating itself: a set of floor-level base cushions, backrests, and armrests arranged in an L or U shape.
What does "majlis" mean?
Majlis comes from the Arabic verb jalasa, "to sit." It describes both the gathering and the room it happens in. In homes across the Arabian Peninsula, the majlis is the room where guests are received, tea and coffee are served, news is shared, and family matters are talked through.
In 2015 UNESCO added the majlis to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, describing it as a cultural and social space. The listing was submitted jointly by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar. You can read the UNESCO entry here.
What does a majlis look like?
A traditional majlis has no chairs facing a television. Seating runs along the walls so that everyone faces each other. The center of the room stays open for a rug, a low table, and a tea tray.
The seating is low. Most modern sets sit 4 to 8 inches off the floor, with firm backrests against the wall. Shoes stay at the door.
What pieces make up a majlis set?
| Piece | What it does | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Base cushion (floor sofa) | The seat. Two form an L, three form a U. | 75 x 27.5 in, 4 or 8 in thick |
| Backrest pillow | Leans against the wall behind the seat. | 37 x 16 x 4 in |
| Armrest pillow | Closes the ends and divides seats. | 20 x 8 x 8 in |
| Floor cushion | Extra seats for children and guests. | 27 x 20 in |
| Ottoman | Low table or footrest in the middle. | 24 x 24 x 8 in |
| Rug | Defines the center of the room. | 47 x 71 in |
These are the sizes of our own sets. A complete L-shaped set has 14 pieces; a complete U-shaped set has 19.
Is a majlis the same as a diwan or a Moroccan sofa?
They are relatives. A diwan is a long low seat along a wall, common in Ottoman and Persian homes. Moroccan salons use similar wall-to-wall seating, usually on a raised wooden frame. A Gulf-style majlis sits directly on the floor with no frame, which makes it lighter and easier to move.
How do you create a majlis at home?
- Pick the wall or corner. An L shape needs one corner with about 102 inches on the long wall and 75 inches on the short wall.
- Choose the thickness. 8-inch cushions sit closer to regular sofa height and are easier to get up from. 4-inch cushions sit lower and cost less.
- Lay the bases, then the backrests. Put the base cushions against the wall, stand the backrests behind them, and close the ends with armrests.
- Leave the middle open. Add the rug, the ottoman, and floor cushions for extra guests.
There is no frame and no tools. Most people finish in about 10 minutes.
Who is a majlis for?
Families who host often, households that pray or eat together on the floor, and anyone who wants seating that can be rearranged. Because every piece is separate, the same set can line one wall today and split into two seating areas tomorrow.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce majlis?
"MAJ-liss," with the stress on the first syllable. The plural in Arabic is majalis.
Is a majlis only for Arab or Muslim homes?
No. The seating style is used across the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Central Asia, and many American buyers choose it simply for a relaxed, low living room.
How many people does a majlis seat?
Each 75-inch base seats three adults. An L-shaped set seats five to six on the bases, and a U-shaped set seats eight to nine. Floor cushions add three more places.
Can you sleep on a majlis sofa?
Yes. A base cushion is 75 inches long and 27.5 inches wide, close to the length of a twin mattress and somewhat narrower, so it works as a guest bed.
Ready to see one? Browse the 8-inch L-shaped sets, starting at $850 with free UPS Express delivery and duties included for US orders.
