Barack and Michelle Obama’s 2004 Living Room Makes the Case for a Forgotten (and Unorthodox) Sofa Trend That Elevates Overlooked Spaces

Oftentimes, looking back at archival images is the most powerful way to remind you of furniture that goes overlooked. Such is the case in Barack and Michelle Obama’s Chicago living room, seen in an image from 2004, five years before he served as the 44th president of the United States. In the image, I spotted a forgotten sofa trend: A divan.

As a celebrity style editor, I've written about hundreds of living rooms, but I rarely see figures decorating with a divan. Perhaps the most bohemian of all sofas, a divan is characterised by its low profile, designed without a back, sort of like an upholstered bench. Famously, Sigmund Freud's patients reclined on a divan during psychoanalysis, but Obama's green, brown gold living room is the most stylish twist to date.

While some sofa trends come and go, the divan remains an unsung hero. It's never dominated design conversations in ways that sculptural shapes and skirted upholstery seem to do. Instead, it's always had a quiet place in overlooked corners and small living rooms, and Obama's space is the ultimate blueprint.

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A divan's functionality is undeniable, but as experts explain, there are aesthetic benefits to following Obama's example. The secret to sucsess is in the styling, just as he has done.

'When styling a divan sofa, my advice is to think of it as a design tool rather than a purely practical seating solution. Because of its compact, elongated shape, a divan works beautifully in areas that often feel overlooked, such as wider hallways, landings, or transitional spaces, where it can add intention and elegance without interrupting circulation,' comments Nicky Emlick, the creative director at Sofa.com.

Plus, while Obama's divan is more traditional than ultra-modern, Nicky says there are some contemporary alternatives that are both sculptural and beautiful. I love this sofa from Wayfair for a versatile starting point.

'Traditionally, divans were defined by soft curves and visible wood detailing, but I would encourage looking at modern interpretations, which are far more sculptural and architectural, making them ideal for contemporary homes where furniture is selected as much for its visual presence as for its function.'

This sofa has felt like an unsung hero since 2004, and I suspect it'll spend another two decades (at least) quietly upgrading forgotten corners of any home. If it's good enough for Obama, it's good enough for us.