30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Rashmi Haralalka
12 May 2019
Houzz India Contributor. I am a blogger who's passionate about not just home decor but little things around that to the aesthetic appeal. It could be your own kitchen garden or even just sprucing up the lights in the doorway. And it's amazing how these minuscule items add up to the bigger picture. Writing and sharing these is my idea of rejuvenation therapy!
Houzz India Contributor. I am a blogger who's passionate about not just home decor... More
There’s really no one-size-fits-all when it comes to sofas. From the classic Lawson to the modern sectionals or the cosy love seat, the myriad styles can become too many to get your head round and confusing to choose from. That is why we have put together 30 top designs that make it easier for you to pick your favourite. They range from traditional to modern and almost everything in between. Go ahead and see which of these sofa types strike a chord with you.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
1. U-shaped sectional
Here’s a modern U-shaped sectional sofa to deliver a luxurious seating experience. Adjustable pillow arms and plump cushions amp up the comfort quotient.
Check out these furniture professionals
Here’s a modern U-shaped sectional sofa to deliver a luxurious seating experience. Adjustable pillow arms and plump cushions amp up the comfort quotient.
Check out these furniture professionals
2. Tuxedo
This brown leather tuxedo has a classic box-shape with neat edges. The crisp angles and unfussy design lend a smart and formal vibe.
How to Buy a Sofa
This brown leather tuxedo has a classic box-shape with neat edges. The crisp angles and unfussy design lend a smart and formal vibe.
How to Buy a Sofa
3. Lounger sofa
This timeless black sectional sofa features retractable back rests for different comfort positions. Finished with leather upholstery, it seems like the ultimate lounger sofa.
This timeless black sectional sofa features retractable back rests for different comfort positions. Finished with leather upholstery, it seems like the ultimate lounger sofa.
4. Curved sectional
A semi-circular or curved sectional sofas (as displayed here) softens the ambience of the living room and is a refreshing break from linear shapes. The ends of the sofa do not have any back support or armrest, giving it a chaise-like feel.
Peep into hundreds of living rooms to see what sofas they have
A semi-circular or curved sectional sofas (as displayed here) softens the ambience of the living room and is a refreshing break from linear shapes. The ends of the sofa do not have any back support or armrest, giving it a chaise-like feel.
Peep into hundreds of living rooms to see what sofas they have
5. Versatile Flap sofas
Displayed here is a flap sofa that lends itself to multiple uses, thanks to the movable parts. Inspired by the flaps of the wings of an airplane, this sofa can be changed to six different seating layouts.
Displayed here is a flap sofa that lends itself to multiple uses, thanks to the movable parts. Inspired by the flaps of the wings of an airplane, this sofa can be changed to six different seating layouts.
6. Built-in
This curvaceous sofa is a clever fit for this compact living room. The built-in sofa lines three walls and allows uninterrupted conversations and foot thoroughfare.
See more built-in sofas
This curvaceous sofa is a clever fit for this compact living room. The built-in sofa lines three walls and allows uninterrupted conversations and foot thoroughfare.
See more built-in sofas
7. Chesterfield sofa
This Chesterfield sofa dons a quilted or tufted style on the back and has plain arms. Some designs may have this pattern on both arms and back, too.
This Chesterfield sofa dons a quilted or tufted style on the back and has plain arms. Some designs may have this pattern on both arms and back, too.
8. Two-way chaise sofa sectional
Here is a two-way chaise sofa sectional that plays the perfect host to an L-shaped seating format. The sections give the flexibility of sitting, lounging or just lazing around with the feet up.
Here is a two-way chaise sofa sectional that plays the perfect host to an L-shaped seating format. The sections give the flexibility of sitting, lounging or just lazing around with the feet up.
9. Low backs
Like the rest of the space, this low-back sofa helps keep views connected and conversations flowing. The neutral flooring and natural light let the vibrant upholstery shine and own the room.
Like the rest of the space, this low-back sofa helps keep views connected and conversations flowing. The neutral flooring and natural light let the vibrant upholstery shine and own the room.
10. Classic cane
Weather-friendly natural cane is a nice pick if you want a sofa that can be moved outdoors as well.
Weather-friendly natural cane is a nice pick if you want a sofa that can be moved outdoors as well.
11. L-shaped sectional with chaise
Upholstered in soft velvet, this L-shaped sectional sofa with attached chaise converts the living space into a super-comfortable lounge. The deep-brown patterned velvet offers a wonderful blend of plush comfort and elegant details.
Upholstered in soft velvet, this L-shaped sectional sofa with attached chaise converts the living space into a super-comfortable lounge. The deep-brown patterned velvet offers a wonderful blend of plush comfort and elegant details.
12. Comfy futon
The laid-back no-armrest style futon sofa sets up a cool contemporary lounging space. Just sink into it!
The laid-back no-armrest style futon sofa sets up a cool contemporary lounging space. Just sink into it!
13. Modern modular
Modular sofa arrangements such as these stand out as multifunctional pieces of decor. One can group them to serve as a long sofa or separate them for smaller seating arrangements.
Modular sofa arrangements such as these stand out as multifunctional pieces of decor. One can group them to serve as a long sofa or separate them for smaller seating arrangements.
14. Cade sofa
With modern stainless steel legs and a refined look, the deep seats of this cade sofa sing relaxation. A chic pick for contemporary homes.
Timeless Wall and Sofa Colour Combinations
With modern stainless steel legs and a refined look, the deep seats of this cade sofa sing relaxation. A chic pick for contemporary homes.
Timeless Wall and Sofa Colour Combinations
15. Ornate camelback
The rising sections on the back of this ornate sofa look like the camel’s hump – hence the name. With its carved gold-toned design, it gives a regal finish to the living room.
The rising sections on the back of this ornate sofa look like the camel’s hump – hence the name. With its carved gold-toned design, it gives a regal finish to the living room.
16. Settee sofa
More compact than a sofa, this blue settee doubles as a seating area for the bedroom. The back of the sofa is aligned with the bed height to ensure uninterrupted views.
More compact than a sofa, this blue settee doubles as a seating area for the bedroom. The back of the sofa is aligned with the bed height to ensure uninterrupted views.
17. Comfy Bridgewater
Casual and comfortable, this Bridgewater sofa design has slightly rolled arms which are lower than the sofa back. With their luscious purple upholstery, these sofas clearly steal the show in the living room.
Casual and comfortable, this Bridgewater sofa design has slightly rolled arms which are lower than the sofa back. With their luscious purple upholstery, these sofas clearly steal the show in the living room.
Loaf
18. Atticus sofa
The squidgy Atticus sofa is all about comfort. With feather-filled back cushions and deep, soft seats, this one couldn’t get more indulgent!
The squidgy Atticus sofa is all about comfort. With feather-filled back cushions and deep, soft seats, this one couldn’t get more indulgent!
19. Love seat
When there’s just two of you, the intimate love seat sofa is a clear winner. Quaint and modern.
When there’s just two of you, the intimate love seat sofa is a clear winner. Quaint and modern.
20. Lawson twist
This sectional Lawson design with pastel upholstery is a pleasant change from monotones. It has a patent boxy look, with the arms and back of equal height instead of the usual case where the arms are lower than the back.
Which Sofa Upholstery Is Better: Fabric or Leather?
This sectional Lawson design with pastel upholstery is a pleasant change from monotones. It has a patent boxy look, with the arms and back of equal height instead of the usual case where the arms are lower than the back.
Which Sofa Upholstery Is Better: Fabric or Leather?
21. Wraparound
For smaller areas like this, wraparound styles that cover almost all the wall lengths are a space-saving choice. Pouffes and ottomans (instead of tables) sans sharp corners prevent injuries when passing through.
Want some professional help to choose the right sofa?
For smaller areas like this, wraparound styles that cover almost all the wall lengths are a space-saving choice. Pouffes and ottomans (instead of tables) sans sharp corners prevent injuries when passing through.
Want some professional help to choose the right sofa?
22. English rolled arm
Here’s a relaxing English sofa or English rolled arm known for low arms in relation to a high back. It has tight, cushioned upholstery all over for optimal comfort.
Here’s a relaxing English sofa or English rolled arm known for low arms in relation to a high back. It has tight, cushioned upholstery all over for optimal comfort.
23. The corner sofa
Upholstered in neutral grey, this customised corner sofa is the perfect spot to read quietly, or enjoy a conversation over a cup of tea.
Upholstered in neutral grey, this customised corner sofa is the perfect spot to read quietly, or enjoy a conversation over a cup of tea.
24. Daybed sofa
Carved daybeds like these infuse the living room with an ethnic or traditional element. For me the bolsters seem to sing, “It’s nap time.”
Carved daybeds like these infuse the living room with an ethnic or traditional element. For me the bolsters seem to sing, “It’s nap time.”
26. Recliner sofa
This dreamy sofa features a patented soft back and comes with a recliner option. With the press of a button it slides forward so you can put your feet up.
This dreamy sofa features a patented soft back and comes with a recliner option. With the press of a button it slides forward so you can put your feet up.
27. Divan sofa
Reminiscent of a baithak, this divan sofa in monotone grey is the perfect spot for family lounging and ensures wall-to-wall seating.
Reminiscent of a baithak, this divan sofa in monotone grey is the perfect spot for family lounging and ensures wall-to-wall seating.
28. Wooden charm
This design accentuates an ethnic charm, with hand-carved motifs. Storage below the sofa is an added bonus.
This design accentuates an ethnic charm, with hand-carved motifs. Storage below the sofa is an added bonus.
29. Cane backrest sofas
This 1940s sofa was redone to give it a more contemporary look while retaining its vintage charm. The woven cane back adds a sense of expanse and airiness to the decor.
This 1940s sofa was redone to give it a more contemporary look while retaining its vintage charm. The woven cane back adds a sense of expanse and airiness to the decor.
30. With a twist
This is one of my favourites because you don’t have to worry about the sofa getting drenched in the rain or being worn out by the sun. Love how the solid earthiness of the grey stone is transformed into a warm, inviting spot with cushions.
Read more:
The Essential Sofa Buying Guide
8 Swish Sofa-cum-Beds Perfect for Compact Living Rooms
Tell us:
Which of these sofas do you want for your home? Tell us in Comments below.
This is one of my favourites because you don’t have to worry about the sofa getting drenched in the rain or being worn out by the sun. Love how the solid earthiness of the grey stone is transformed into a warm, inviting spot with cushions.
Read more:
The Essential Sofa Buying Guide
8 Swish Sofa-cum-Beds Perfect for Compact Living Rooms
Tell us:
Which of these sofas do you want for your home? Tell us in Comments below.
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