Sofa Trends for 2024 — 9 Styles That are Setting the Tone for Living Rooms This Year
These sofa trends for 2024 highlight shapes and styles that are both trending and timeless, so you can invest knowing your couch has longevity
If you're looking for a new couch, knowing the sofa trends is a good place to start in your research. These fresh styles, shapes, and designs may have been chosen by trend forecasters and designers for this year, but each of them has a timeless quality, so you will never be stuck with a couch you've fallen out of love with.
Each of these sofas has its own character, but there are some wider trends at play. 'Up until a few years ago the usual tailored rectangular sofas were strong, but now, new styles have emerged,' says Jane Lockhart, founder of Jane Lockhart Design. 'Puffy, feather-filled, and more curved, sensuous, and lush forms are taking over.'
If you're redecorating, then these interior design trends in sofas might just inspire a more comfortable living room.
1. Tufted sofas
Make your living room a picture of rest and deep relaxation with a tufted, low-level sofa. Choose a bulbous, curvaceous form like the Camaleonda, designed by the legendary designer Mario Bellini for B&B Italia.
'What I find particularly appealing about Bellini's designs, including the Camaleonda sofa, is their emphasis on modularity,' explains architect Agi Kuczyńska, founder of Takk Studio. 'This characteristic makes the sofa an ideal choice for private spaces, as it allows for flexibility and adaptability in any given interior.'
2. Chaise sofas
Daybeds in living rooms have been a trend for a while, as this piece of furniture is highly versatile. It can be used as the primary seating piece or to fill up a corner. While it has always had a casual vibe to it, with its growing popularity, the daybed is now available in many modern versions and looks as stylish as any high end sofa.
'This is a cozy daybed; its soft shape and unique stitching make it stand out,' says Luca Nichetto, founder of Nichetto Studio. 'This piece adds warmth and charm to any room with its unexpected design. It avoids being symmetrical and has a shape like a spontaneous drawing.'
3. Modern sectionals
A sectional or L-shaped sofa is the ideal piece to use in a small living room or an awkwardly-shaped room. This piece offers plenty of lounging area, without the need for more chairs or sofas. A coffee table or a side table could be great companions to a sectional but the piece is quite self-sufficient. You can even add hidden storage inside this piece to increase its functionality.
'Sectionals are timeless,' says Regan Baker of Regan Baker Design. 'The textural scale alone begs for relaxation and invites intimate conversation. With a few cozy blankets and pillows galore, it’s a perfect timeless backdrop for personalization.'
4. Fluted sofas
The allure of fluting from top to bottom is undeniable. This design element gives the living room furniture a hugely tactile form, plus provides a soft, sculptural visual that instantly uplifts the entire space.
'These sofas are so desirable because of their versatility for traditional and transitional interiors,' says Eddie Maestri, principal and owner of Maestri Studio. 'The lack of back cushions allows for a simpler and tidier look, and the tufting and fluting keep the sofa looking structured even in a home with children, dogs, and a busy life all over.'
5. Chesterfield sofas
This distinctly recognizable furniture piece has its roots in European design. The Chesterfield has high arms and tufted upholstery that makes the piece look like it belongs to a gentlemen’s club, an aristocratic home, or inside a CEO's cabin. This modern furniture piece has always stayed relevant in interiors and is iconic.
'Chesterfield sofas offer a classic and timeless look,' says Eddie. 'They’re traditional, but the tufted back without back cushions allows the piece to complement interior spaces with their clean lines.'
6. Sunken sofas
Eye-catching, and deeply relaxing, architects love this living room trend for conversation pits. Creating a wonderful conversation pit, the built-in design creates the feeling of increased spatial volume and a more intimate sense of lounging.
'We wanted to create a comfortable and cozy living space where the family could all have space to sit and hang out together,' says Roisin Lafferty, founder of Kingston Lafferty Design. 'The step-down sunken idea for the space came from the levels of the house. We wanted to keep an uninterrupted view of the garden space from the kitchen and dining areas which are adjacent to the living room. Comfort was key, so we worked with the existing Mah Jong sofa from Roche Bobois as it is incredibly comfortable to sit or lounge on and encased it in concrete with a base plinth to form a conversation pit with a seating height raised of the floor. The rich fern green was chosen to again like the planting in the garden.'
7. Curving sofas
The love and popularity for the curved sofa have risen significantly in the last year. Its sinuous shape, cozy appearance, and undeniable mid-century vibe have gripped homeowners. Not only do these seamlessly fill up corners, awkward niches, and more, but they also help create more space, expanding circulation room for people to move about. Plus these pieces have an inherent stylish appeal. In a debate of curved sofas vs straight sofas, the former is gathering a lot of support.
'Danish design classics coexist with 'tailor-made' pieces to create and forge a particular atmosphere...one which is timeless and emotional,' says Gema Gutiérrez, founder of PUNTOFILIPINO. 'The living room, with a curvy olive green velvet sofa, invites you to relax. Side tables in black and marble offer a minimalist aesthetic along with the large disc floor lamp that provides soft, focused lighting. The black floating shelving unit creates a practical and stylish focal point.'
8. Multi-directional sofas
The multi-directional living room sofas of 2024 — as the name suggests — focus on socializing and conversation as their main function, and the result is wonderfully practical, as well as beautifully sculptural. If you're wondering how to find a style of sofa you'll love for years to come, this one checks the box.
'Multidirectional sofas are ideal for people who host a lot of guests,' says Richard Misso, creative director at the Stylesmiths. 'They help disperse a crowd and create intimate smaller groups which make it easier to converse. They are also great for dual-purpose living zones. For example, one side can be used for a semi-formal living room and the other could be utilized as a TV sofa. This would ideally take up less floor space whilst providing a dual purpose.'
'In general, these sofas take up less floor space than two traditional sofas back-to-back, making them ideal when space is an issue,' says Richard. 'Additionally, in many cases, the purchase of one multidirectional sofa could be less costly than two traditional sofas. Multidirectional sofas can provide a more interesting aesthetic and help break up a room into separate zones, especially in an open concept space.'
9. Sofas with shelf ends
A wonderful small living room furniture idea, is this the year we say goodbye to the coffee table in favor of a built-in alternative?
'Modular sofas shine with their unparalleled flexibility, adapting effortlessly to various living spaces,' says Emilija Hopenaite from The Stylesmiths. 'Curved sofas make waves with their distinctive aesthetic, adding sophistication with gentle curves. This particular sofa design with a built-in side table not only provides structured yet casual seating but is also an innovative feature. It adds convenience and also maximizes space in modern settings. By providing a designated area for drinks, electronic devices, or soft furnishings, this built-in side table eliminates the need for additional furniture pieces, making it particularly appealing for smaller living spaces or modern apartments where space is at a premium.'
What color sofas are in style ?
The year 2024 is going to be about bold and daring designs, statement-making hues, and more. Colors such as deep blue, punchy red, charcoal grey, and moss green will be big for sofas.
'I’m excited about combining rattan with couture craft details such as high gloss lacquer, sculptural black steel, and flashes of color,' says interior designer Jonathan Adler. 'It’s laissez-faire fabulousness, with a hint of pop!'
3 sofas to buy in 2024
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari started her career at The Address (The Times of India), a tabloid on interiors and art. She wrote profiles of Indian artists, designers, and architects, and covered inspiring houses and commercial properties. After four years, she moved to ELLE DECOR as a senior features writer, where she contributed to the magazine and website, and also worked alongside the events team on India Design ID — the brand’s 10-day, annual design show. She wrote across topics: from designer interviews, and house tours, to new product launches, shopping pages, and reviews. After three years, she was hired as the senior editor at Houzz. The website content focused on practical advice on decorating the home and making design feel more approachable. She created fresh series on budget buys, design hacks, and DIYs, all backed with expert advice. Equipped with sizable knowledge of the industry and with a good network, she moved to Architectural Digest (Conde Nast) as the digital editor. The publication's focus was on high-end design, and her content highlighted A-listers, starchitects, and high-concept products, all customized for an audience that loves and invests in luxury. After a two year stint, she moved to the UK, and was hired at Livingetc. Currently, as the design editor, her focus is on kitchens and bathrooms and she covers exciting before/after projects, writes expert pieces on decor, color, and occasionally reviews exciting travel destinations.
-
Livingetc Editors Share Their Favorite Corner of Their Homes — And How You Can Recreate the Look
From cozy snugs to cleverly designed kitchens, take a sneak peek into the homes of Livingetc's editors and discover their most beloved spots
By Debbie Black Published
-
Halloween Entryway Ideas — 5 Devilish Ways to Decorate for a Bewitching Welcome
Frighten your guests as soon as they enter your home with these stylish yet spooky looks to inspire your Halloween decorating
By Lilith Hudson Published
-
The "Wood Drenching" Trend Layers Millwork and Wooden Furniture for a Sophisticated Feel
Brown tones always feel elegantly timeless, and wrapping your space with wooden features is the best way to bring that sophisticated feel into your space
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
"Pit Sofas" Might Be the Coolest (and Most Comfortable) Take on the Sectional Right Now
This style of sofa is emerging in the most stylish hang-out spaces and media rooms. If you've got the space, it might be the trending alternative to an L-shape couch
By Luke Arthur Wells Published
-
It’s Officially Color Forecasting Season, But What Really is a “Color of the Year” and How Do Paint Brands Choose Them?
Annual "color of the year" announcements signify the emerging trends set to define the future of decorating, but where do they originate? We asked experts
By Lilith Hudson Published
-
"Double Drenching" is the Trending Decorating Technique That Offers a More Refined Approach to Color Drenching
This bold new paint trend is a play on the familiar favorite, allowing for an even more playful color application
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
Designers Are Loving Cork for Textured, Planet-Friendly Schemes – These 6 Homes Nail the Look
Surprisingly versatile and sustainable, architects use cork inside and outside the home for rich texture and functional appeal
By Keith Flanagan Published
-
This “Imperfect” Paint DIY is Much Daintier and More Unique Than Wallpaper
An idea for how to decorate a kid's room has been going viral online, using this buy for under $15
By Cheyenne Brown Published
-
This Trending "Understated" Kitchen Hood Will Make Your Space Feel Minimalist and Serene
Designers are choosing plastered-in hoods to create a built-in look that's far more calm and less fussy
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
Forget a Home Gym, What You Need Is a "Wellness Room" — The Trend for Carving Out Space for Daily Rituals
The next frontier in self-care is a dedicated sanctuary to center and unwind. Here's everything you need to get started
By Julia Demer Published