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Take it from me — shopping can be quite hard. It's not easy buying an on-trend sofa. First, you need to work out which of the current styles you're after, and then you need to decide if the fabric, shape and vibe of the moment is practical for how you live.
But fortunately the best couches and sofas right now are super easy to live with, and I think that because of that they'll stay as sofa trends for the next few years to come. 'Considering that a couch is a significant investment, prioritize longevity over short-term trends,' said Aino Heinasuo, head of design at Redecor, a home design simulator available on both desktop and mobile platforms. 'Opt for a piece aligned with your own enduring preferences.' Shawn Zar, an interior designer and furniture expert at Superior Seating, agreed with that sentiment: 'While it's great to follow trends, it's more important that your couch reflects your style and meets your comfort needs,' he said. 'After all, trends will come and go, but a good couch can be the heart of your home for years.'
If you are inclined towards on-trend sofas, though, 'selecting a couch with replaceable covers provides an eco-friendly and flexible option for potential changes in taste' down the line, Aino suggested. You should also pay careful attention to the dimensions of any contenders on your list; 'Always, always measure your space before making any purchases, posited Joyce Huston, lead interior designer & co-founder at Decorilla Online Interior Design. 'It doesn’t matter the trend, if it swallows your entire living room, it may not be the perfect choice for you. Just go for sizes that will complement your space.'
Of course, to follow the couch trends you must first know what they are. So let's now dive into the styles, fabrics, and more that are expected to dominate the interior design trends in 2024, guided by insights from our A+ slate of interior design experts.
The on-trend sofa shape of 2024
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The Camaleonda sofa by B&B Italia
Expect sectional sofas like Ligne Roset's iconic Togo sofa and Mario Bellini's Camaleonda to dominate this year, Aino told me. 'Embracing organic shapes and curves, the style gravitates towards spacious, plush sofas with concealed or absent legs, creating a grounded, floor-to-sofa aesthetic.'
Shawn is in total agreement with her prediction and separately suggested considering a modular couch for its versatility. 'It's perfect for adapting to different spaces and seating needs,' he said.
The on-trend sofa fabric of 2024
Velvet looks offers the luxe plushness we all crave right now
According to Shawn, the leading fabrics of the year 'include velvet for its luxurious look and comfort, as well as durable textiles that can withstand daily use,' he told me. Aino thought similarly: 'Stepping away from the white delicate bouclé trend of 2023, the focus shifts to smooth, easy-to-maintain fabrics with a soft velvety look.'
'Velvet will give couches the flair they will lack in shape since more sober lines and classic designs will be back,' Joyce posited. That said, however, linen sofas 'will be the perfect complement to the traditional sofa comeback in homes with rustic and beach vibes,' she went on. 'I’m talking about a robust, heavy sofa covered in linen that will envelop guests in cozy yet fresh vibes.'
The on-trend sofa color of 2024
Dusty rose will be one of the big colors this year
Expect to see lots of natural shades like 'beiges, browns, and grays' this year, but also some 'muted colors and earth tones that bring warmth to the space,' Shawn told me. Aino agreed with the enduring penchant for neutrals but called out 'muted burgundy, rich blue, powerful pink, and warm yellow' as 'vibrant hues' she expects to break through. 'A sofa can truly be a statement piece, and color allows you to make that statement more than anything else!' she said.
Meanwhile, after agreeing that 'green and warm neutrals like gray and brown aren't going anywhere in 2024,' Joyce threw another color possibility into the trend equation: dusty rose. 'It’s a very subtle and chic tone that brings color to living spaces without disrupting neutral schemes,' she said of the shade. Plus, it 'blends perfectly with the greens, browns, and peaches that clients are loving at the moment, so it will integrate seamlessly into the current aesthetic.'
The most on-trend couches for 2024
WARM YELLOW
Price: $1099
Was: $1299
Let's not forget that Shawn picked warm yellow as an on-trend sofa color, and, well, does it get warmer or more yellow than this? The curves are the perfect shape for cocktails with friends — it's smart — or hunkering down into to watch TV.
Expert approved
Price: $7995
The Togo silhouette is as timeless as they come — a total design mainstay, as Aino pointed out. If you're looking to splurge on a stylish piece that will elevate your living room for years to come, this is it.
Expert approved
Price: From $19,581
The Camaleonda is the most covertable couch of our times —almost every home we feature in Livingetc now seems to have one. Its plush frame mixed with that floor-to-sofa aesthetic is what makes it just so comfortable-yet-elegant. Easily one of the best sectional sofas.
RUSTY TONES
Price: $4995
An exaggerated and sensual frame that can be situated however you please — meet the Muse Sofa, which looks to me to be the most comfortable high-design couch I've ever seen.
SINGLE-CUSHIONED
Price: $1999
Joyce had another prediction when asked about trending couch shapes for 2024: 'Single-cushion sofas are pretty much a nod to the unassuming homey vibes we will see more of this year,' she told me. This option from CB2 combines that suspicion with her earlier thoughts on linen to create the perfect piece for the current moment.
ASYMMETRIC
Price: $2698
Did someone say dusty rose? It's not quite one cushion but its unique curved shape plays into the current aesthetic otherwise. This artfully asymmetric velvet sofa deserves its place in this list.
Price: $4896
You can't get much more 'floor-to-couch' than this. Leave it to CB2 to create a sectional that so perfectly matches the tone of the forecasts above: low-profile, modular, a warm neutral, and velvet. Chef's kiss.
perfect green
Price: $1230
What I like about this piece from Target is that it boldly combines the silhouette of a tuxedo sofa with the leg-less/leg-absent look experts say will be big this year. A bit of old with a bit of new.
rose velvet
Price: $1598
This is one of the best Anthropologie sofas I could find: chic, plump, dusty rose, velvet....does it get more on-trend than that? This exact shade of pink has such a warmth to it - pair with equally warm neutrals for a subtly uplifting look.
Price: $1069.99
Was: $1199.99
This lovely peachy Wayfair option reminds me of The Muse, but a bit more accessible price-wise. Plus, its neutral upholstery means it should fit into your living room as is.
boucle
Price: $2599
When I want something funky, I look at Burke Decor — and the retailer absolutely delivered here once again. Wide, exaggerated arms, a single cushion, plus linen upholstery? Could this be the understated white sofa of the year?
Price: $715.99
You know, Amazon sofas are not to be overlooked. They're often affordable, and often very on-trend. The Karl's modular, it's practical, and would be great for a family or starter apartment. A bit less design-forward than these other options, but for kids or pets, that's often the best choice.
Price: $6898
This curved mustard yellow sofa designed for Lulu and Georgia in collaboration with Sarah Sherman Samuel isn't leaning into the whole "leg-less" thing, but its coloring, and fun, curved design nonetheless works well for the new year (if you ask me).
arched curve
Price: $3687
And of course, this 3-seater sofa from Castlery has been on my mind since I first saw it, primarily because I'm quite intrigued by the pattern. I think that'd be such a great and bold choice for 2024.
Price: $3699.99
My favorite of them all. This piece has that muted burgundy some of the experts called out, plus a contemporary look that pulls it forward to the now. It's less modular than, say, the Camaleonda, but it is reminiscent of it given the tufting and rounded edges.
What are the best tips for styling a couch?
For starters, you can try to 'mix and match pillows and blankets,' Joyce suggested. 'Play with the textures, patterns, colors, shapes, and sizes to create more visual interest and dimension to your couch without doing [180-degree] overwhelming shifts.'
Generally, though, you'll want to 'aim for a balanced pillow arrangement,' Aino added separately. 'Max 4-5 pillows on a regular 3-seater sofa, strategically placed on each side, and optionally one in the middle for an inviting and visually appealing setup.'
A rug will completely change the vibe here, as will lighting, Joyce went on. 'By layering different lighting sources you can create an amazing ambiance in your living space that will complement your couch.' And 'if you’re into seasonal decor, you can change small elements like throws, pillows, and coffee table decor to keep the couch as it is while still looking fresh with every passing season.'
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