38 Modern Sofas That Your Guests Will Covet
As the centerpiece of the living room, the sofa presents a ripe design opportunity—and design challenge. After all, the ideal sofa is as attractive as it is accommodating, and durable as it is delightful.
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To turn your living room into the ultimate lounge, we suggest these midcentury modern–inspired picks that sport clean lines, classic hues, and organic shapes that draw from nature. Whether you need a piece that ties your space together or that serves as a jumping-off point, these chic couches are sure to start a conversation.
The Eameses designed their Eames Sofa (1967) to complement their Soft Pad Collection, showing off a harmonious blend of wood, leather and polished aluminum. It stands as a graceful reminder of the honest genius of Eames designs, equally fitting for home or office, with carefully considered details.
Finn Juhl designed the Poet Sofa for his own home in 1941. The open-plan design of his rural abode offered garden views from every room, an organic influence that can be seen in the subtle curvature of the sofa back and arms.
The inspiration for the Eames Sofa Compact (1954) derived from a built-in sofa Charles and Ray Eames designed in the late 1940s for their home in Pacific Palisades, California.
A DWR best-seller for over a decade, the Bantam Collection (2004) celebrates the soft, less-machined brand of modernism that arose in the United States in the 1930s.
With its musical form and sculptural silhouette, the Grand Piano Sofa from 1984 takes both its name and inspiration from a grand piano. The unique design language reflects the designer Gubi Olsen's true interest in classical music as well as soft, feminine forms.
In designer Hella Jongerius' home country of Holland, "polder" refers to low-lying flatlands divided into sections for different agricultural purposes. The Vitra Polder Sofa recalls this landscape with its differing horizontally-shaped cushions and mix of fabric colors and types.
The inspiration for the Nelson Marshmallow Sofa (1956) was launched when an inventor approached George Nelson and Irving Harper with a planned self-skinned injection plastic disc that would be inexpensive to produce and unerringly durable.
Delivering maximum comfort with minimum details, the Mags Soft Low Collection (2007) by HAY began with the idea that a sofa must have a simple look because it’s so dominant in a room. With that in mind, it was designed as a low, deep, welcoming space in which to stretch out and lounge.
Florence Knoll Bassett took a holistic view of interior space planning. As director of the Knoll Planning Unit in the 1950s, her "total design" approach embraced everything about a space – including the furniture.
The Le Corbusier group referred to their LC2 and LC3 Collections (1928) as "cushion baskets," which they designed as a modernist response to the traditional club chair. These pieces reverse the standard structures of sofas and chairs by having frames that are externalized.
The very picture of chic perfection, the UO-exclusive Camila Velvet Sofa features a luxe look, courtesy of the curving silhouette and plush upholstery. Wraparound back features tucked seaming for a ruched look with cushioned seat and tapered wooden legs.
Swell is a minimalistic furniture collection with a playful, light-hearted feel designed by the Swedish designer Jonas Wagell. Modular sofas and armchairs are now available, open up for even more possibilities and combinations in interior design.
Designed by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the Swan Sofa is an iconic symbol of Danish modernism. It may be upholstered in a wide range of fabrics or leathers. A single upholsterer hand-sews the upholstery onto the frame.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Couch (1930) was added to his Barcelona Collection in the year following the introduction of the Chair and Stool.
This midcentury modern sofa boasts a hot retro vibe thanks to its sleek silhouette and button-tufted seat cushions. The backing is a solid piece straight across, offering a smooth look and feel. The piped edges create additional texture and the tapered wooden legs finish off the design.
Lithe lines paired with a sumptuous natural linen slipcover inspired design that will only grow softer over time. The single cushioned Neve Sofa with its sleek low profile and plush seating is a timeless classic made relevant for modern spaces. Photo Courtesy of Ben Soleimani
Era combines modern production techniques with traditional furniture craftsmanship in a timeless and characterful design.
The inviting, smart-looking Kelston Collection (2016) features large seating areas, wide arms, and feather-blend cushions.
Born in Portugal, designer Rui Alves wanted to design a sofa that embraced the internal structure and highlights the natural glow of oak wood. Meant to be seen from all sides, the sofa has a light and airy appearance and looks as striking from the back as it does from the front.
Rest is a sofa series with a welcoming and warm appearance that invites you to sit back and relax! Boasting an internal steel base and wooden frame and a defined back and bottom filled with soft cushioning and feather filling, the Rest 3-Seater Sofa is a trifecta of sturdy, stylish, and comfortable...
The design of the Beetle sofa reinterprets the characteristic elements of the beetles’ sections: shape, shells, sutures, rigid outside and soft inside, while maintaining comfort and functionality. The seat and back are in laminated molded veneer.
If you've ever wondered what it feels like to float on a cloud, stop it (it's rather dangerous, after all) and get a Moooi Cloud Sofa to float on instead.
Eoos is a studio based in Vienna that was founded in 1995 by designers Martin Bergmann, Gernot Bohmann and Harald Gründl.
Find your bliss with the Saarinen Womb Settee by Knoll. Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948, the Settee is a product of Florence Knoll asking the iconic designer to craft something that she could “curl up in”.
The Nakki sofa is meant to be a cheerful personality in the room. The sofa has ample, yet firm padding for a comfortable sit. The Nakki series is suitable for both private and contract use. Photo Courtesy of Horne
The Menu Godot Sofa is both a comfortable, generously sized sofa and versatile modern design element.
Crafted in a timeless silhouette, our Harper Sofa features heavy linen, modern track arms, and double-cushioned seating. With sleek lines and natural textures, this piece is the perfect anchor for a room that is calm and light. Photo Courtesy of Ben Soleimani
A solid, smooth and sinuous sofa. Designed by Philippe Starck, the Kartell Uncle Jack Sofa is molded out of a single piece of transparent polycarbonate. The clean, squared-off profile of the back transitions smoothly into wing-like arms and tapered legs.
Is it more like a sofa or a speed boat? The aerodynamic design of the Blu Dot Couchoid Studio Sofa makes it one and the same, featuring a simple back and slick arm rests that like to keep a low profile.
The Baker Sofa was originally designed by Finn Juhl for Baker Furniture Inc. in 1951. The sofa is comprised of sculptural components that were inspired by modern free art, an artistic movement that influenced much of Juhl’s designs.
The Ason Sofa has inset metal legs, and is a professional piece for your office sitting area or formal sitting area in your modern home. The tailored buttons in this modern sofa give it a sharp appearance that will make it perfect for a modern professional office.
Flat-packed upholstered lounge furniture sounds like a crazy idea. Hans Hornemann considered it a requirement that the function did not involve any compromise with the design. Ace is constructed from molded plywood, covered with molded foam for the highest possible comfort.
The Plume Sofa’s two-tone tufts are chic Italian design at its finest. Its cushion provides lumbar support for added comfort, and ultra-sturdy armrests maintain their boxy shape for years to come. Available in several bright shades, the Plume Sofa is also available as a lounge chair.
The Kirnik Sofa XL is a meant for lounging. Overstuffed side back pillows offer up multiple positions for hanging out and getting comfortable. Details like piping accentuate the upholstery, while a solid wood base with tapered lines give it plenty of room to breathe.
Intimacy matters with this rounded luxury sofa by Marcel Wanders. Its appeal comes from how customizable it is, with several soft textile and backrestOnce you sit on the Love Sofa High Back Chair you will absolutely love it. Enjoy an evening relaxing on the loveseat with a loved one or a nice...
Elevate the tone of any room with the sleek and sophisticated Palmer tuxedo style sofa. Lending to the glamour of the silhouette is hand-channel tufting, a high back and arms paired with a luxuriously spacious single seat cushion. Photo Courtesy of Ben Soleimani
Verner Panton’s Living Tower impresses: By its safe size, its revolutionary room concept, its vivid colors, and its extreme modernity. Already designed in 1969, Vitra re-vitalizes the futuristic classic piece. Verner Panton concentrated on newish room concepts in the end of the 1960s.
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Related Reading:
10 Classic Midcentury Pieces That Will Never Go Out of Style
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