Decorating
11 Great Sofa Styles for Luscious Lounging
It’s a big investment piece, so check out these chic designs to be sure the sofa you plump for will be loved long term
It’s the linchpin of our living rooms and the place we retreat to at the end of each day. We apparently spend 17 years of our lives sitting on the sofa, so we need it to be just right. However, with so many choices, it’s all too easy to buy the wrong one and end up with an expensive mistake. This handy guide looks at the various styles and designs available so you can choose the perfect sofa for your needs.
Modular
Who doesn’t love a big, modular sofa? It’s a smart solution when two sofas adjacent or opposite one another isn’t an option. Plus it has a cool 1970s vibe that’s very on trend. A modular sofa also provides ample opportunity for more than one family member to stretch out, avoiding those arguments about who puts their feet up.
This type of sofa involves careful planning, as you need to think about your segment permutation. Do you want an L-shape, U-shape or something else? Measure up accurately before you order – marking out the shape with masking tape on the floor can be helpful. This type of sofa can also be surprisingly deep, so think about the width of your room, too.
Want to style up your sofa? Be inspired by these creative ideas
Who doesn’t love a big, modular sofa? It’s a smart solution when two sofas adjacent or opposite one another isn’t an option. Plus it has a cool 1970s vibe that’s very on trend. A modular sofa also provides ample opportunity for more than one family member to stretch out, avoiding those arguments about who puts their feet up.
This type of sofa involves careful planning, as you need to think about your segment permutation. Do you want an L-shape, U-shape or something else? Measure up accurately before you order – marking out the shape with masking tape on the floor can be helpful. This type of sofa can also be surprisingly deep, so think about the width of your room, too.
Want to style up your sofa? Be inspired by these creative ideas
Chesterfield
With its iconic buttoned back and scrolled arms, the chesterfield was once a stalwart of gentlemen’s drinking clubs, often upholstered in brown leather. However, this traditional sofa also looks good in contemporary living rooms, adding a dash of timeless charm. Choose bright velvet upholstery, as here, for a luxe twist on a classic style.
With its iconic buttoned back and scrolled arms, the chesterfield was once a stalwart of gentlemen’s drinking clubs, often upholstered in brown leather. However, this traditional sofa also looks good in contemporary living rooms, adding a dash of timeless charm. Choose bright velvet upholstery, as here, for a luxe twist on a classic style.
English sofa
The well-cushioned English or club sofa tends to have low arms and turned legs on castors. It’s a classic choice in traditional rooms, but can also work beautifully in a more modern setting. It’s also comfy, given its relatively compact shape, but look for updates with higher arms if you want something more substantial to lean against.
This elegant room also proves that a pair of sofas don’t have to match to look good – the hot pink works well with the grey and adds a dash of cheery colour.
The well-cushioned English or club sofa tends to have low arms and turned legs on castors. It’s a classic choice in traditional rooms, but can also work beautifully in a more modern setting. It’s also comfy, given its relatively compact shape, but look for updates with higher arms if you want something more substantial to lean against.
This elegant room also proves that a pair of sofas don’t have to match to look good – the hot pink works well with the grey and adds a dash of cheery colour.
Minimal and modern
If your look is sleek, designer and contemporary – and you don’t mind sitting upright – a minimal sofa could be for you. Don’t assume they only work in pared-back lofts, either – this vibrant sofa looks brilliant in this glorious period room. Minimal sofas often have low backs and no arms, so choose one with extra depth if you want more comfort. Also look out for curved designs, like this cool orange number, that offer more support.
If your look is sleek, designer and contemporary – and you don’t mind sitting upright – a minimal sofa could be for you. Don’t assume they only work in pared-back lofts, either – this vibrant sofa looks brilliant in this glorious period room. Minimal sofas often have low backs and no arms, so choose one with extra depth if you want more comfort. Also look out for curved designs, like this cool orange number, that offer more support.
Vintage update
Choose a sofa with a striking retro-inspired shape for a living room with attitude. Here, the angled seat nods to 1950s wingback designs, and the wooden legs have a midcentury appeal. There are currently lots of sofas around inspired by yesterday’s best features, but with more practical modern elements, so shop around to find the right one for you.
Choose a sofa with a striking retro-inspired shape for a living room with attitude. Here, the angled seat nods to 1950s wingback designs, and the wooden legs have a midcentury appeal. There are currently lots of sofas around inspired by yesterday’s best features, but with more practical modern elements, so shop around to find the right one for you.
Grey and boxy
Along with the grey-painted wall, the grey sofa in a boxy, modern shape is a modern interiors staple. Neutral, practical, stylish and elegant, grey goes with most other shades, while adding a soft, sophisticated edge. However, if you have grey walls as well, the effect may become a little too drab and “rainy day” in mood. Choose an upholstery fabric that’s tough and easy to clean for extra lounging mileage.
Along with the grey-painted wall, the grey sofa in a boxy, modern shape is a modern interiors staple. Neutral, practical, stylish and elegant, grey goes with most other shades, while adding a soft, sophisticated edge. However, if you have grey walls as well, the effect may become a little too drab and “rainy day” in mood. Choose an upholstery fabric that’s tough and easy to clean for extra lounging mileage.
Danish
Our passion for all things midcentury and Scandi isn’t disappearing any time soon. Defined by wooden legs and frames and slim cushions, there’s no doubt Danish-style sofas look lovely. Hunt around in vintage stores for true originals, and get shabby seats reupholstered in the fabric of your choice. However, this style of sofa may not suit you if you want something squishy to burrow into during a Game of Thrones marathon.
Browse thousands of Scandi-style living rooms
Our passion for all things midcentury and Scandi isn’t disappearing any time soon. Defined by wooden legs and frames and slim cushions, there’s no doubt Danish-style sofas look lovely. Hunt around in vintage stores for true originals, and get shabby seats reupholstered in the fabric of your choice. However, this style of sofa may not suit you if you want something squishy to burrow into during a Game of Thrones marathon.
Browse thousands of Scandi-style living rooms
Country
Modern isn’t for everyone, nor should it be. If your interiors taste leans towards the cottagey, follow through with a country-style sofa. The fashion in modern sofas has been to expose legs for a greater sense of space but here, pleated valances give a cosy, traditional feel. The plump cushions mean it’s very much a place to relax with a nice cup of tea (scones optional).
Modern isn’t for everyone, nor should it be. If your interiors taste leans towards the cottagey, follow through with a country-style sofa. The fashion in modern sofas has been to expose legs for a greater sense of space but here, pleated valances give a cosy, traditional feel. The plump cushions mean it’s very much a place to relax with a nice cup of tea (scones optional).
Patterned
Sofas should be neutral, right? Not necessarily. While received wisdom is that we choose plain upholstery and brighten things up with contrasting cushions, a floral, striped or checked sofa can be a thing of joy, adding energy, life and personality to a room.
Sofas should be neutral, right? Not necessarily. While received wisdom is that we choose plain upholstery and brighten things up with contrasting cushions, a floral, striped or checked sofa can be a thing of joy, adding energy, life and personality to a room.
Linear
If your look is modern and simple, a linear sofa like this one can look fantastic. However, you may need to throw a few extra cushions into the mix to ramp up the comfort factor. Choose a model with a higher back for extra support, and a longer length so you can stretch out at the end of a long day.
If your look is modern and simple, a linear sofa like this one can look fantastic. However, you may need to throw a few extra cushions into the mix to ramp up the comfort factor. Choose a model with a higher back for extra support, and a longer length so you can stretch out at the end of a long day.
Ultra-squashy
Do you dream of sitting on a sofa that’s like floating on a cloud? One that you can sink into blissfully with a tub of ice cream and your latest Netflix crush? The iconic Togo by Ligne Roset, seen here, is that sofa, but unfortunately, it doesn’t come cheap.
However, if comfort is important to you, look for sofas with high backs, plump cushions and soft upholstery. With so much choice these days, comfort doesn’t have to mean tacky or ugly.
TELL US…
What sofa style did you go for? Share your choices and pictures in the Comments below.
Do you dream of sitting on a sofa that’s like floating on a cloud? One that you can sink into blissfully with a tub of ice cream and your latest Netflix crush? The iconic Togo by Ligne Roset, seen here, is that sofa, but unfortunately, it doesn’t come cheap.
However, if comfort is important to you, look for sofas with high backs, plump cushions and soft upholstery. With so much choice these days, comfort doesn’t have to mean tacky or ugly.
TELL US…
What sofa style did you go for? Share your choices and pictures in the Comments below.
When picking a sofa, there are three main things to consider: design and shape; comfort and practicality; and the dimensions of your room. Sadly, a sofa that ticks one box may not tick others, so some compromise is often inevitable.
Be honest with yourself – if you love to sink into squashy cushions, will you be cursing that chic, low-backed minimal number in the months to come? Similarly, if you like to stretch out, often have visitors or your family is growing, you’ll probably want to invest in the largest model that works in your room. Be realistic, too, when considering elements such as back height or seat depth – for example, a too-deep sofa can make a small room feel skinnier.
Think about the materials used in your sofa: feather-filled cushions are squishier than foam, but require more plumping up. Can the covers be removed and washed? Leather is eminently wipeable, but it can feel cold or “clammy”. Do you want large arms to rest on?
Then there’s the ever-changing tide of fashion – Danish styles and all things grey are currently a thing, but will they be outdated in five or 10 years’ time? Read online reviews and, though this might sound obvious, try to visit a sofa showroom and actually sit on your potential choice. It’s more hassle to return a sofa than post back a dress you don’t like.