Eleanor Roosevelt & FDR's Living Room Featured a Bold Sofa

FDR and eleanor roosevelt in their 1930s living room — (Image credit: Historical/ Corbis via Getty Images)

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Shop the Statement Sofa Look

Floral sofas may be trending, but they're nothing new. An archival photo of Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt at home shows that the timeless from 1930 shows that the timeless staple has been going strong for almost 100 years.

Bright, botanical patterns have been appearing all over sofa trends lists since 2024. Madgdalena Gierasinska, Design Expert at Barker and Stonehouse, explains: 'Patterned sofas are trending as the demand for more characterful and colorful interiors continues to rise.'

fdr and eleanor roosevelt in their living room in 1930 — Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt in their living room, 1930

Shop the Statement Sofa Look

Traditional Print

House of Hackney Willoughby Velvet Sofa

An Anthropologie exclusive, this traditional sofa silhouette has been reimagined in a maximalist House of Hackney floral design for a striking statement piece.

Blue Chintz

Modern Sofa

Make a statement in your living space with this beautiful, blue-and-white chintz sofa, which features elegant, gold legs and super comfortable cushions. It's a modern coastal take on the look.

Luxe pick

Kangly American Country Solid Wood Sofa

It might be an investment, but this floral couch is a real beauty. I love the classic roll-arm silhouette and the handsome wood legs.

Heritage charm

Avala Damask Throw

For a low lift way to add florals to your space, consider a heritage-inspired print like this one. It's opulent but versatile.

Striking color scheme

Alva Floral Cotton Velvet Pillow

This woven throw from Anthropologie is gorgeous and would again be perfect for trying out the trend with a low commitment. It's the perfect way to bring Regency-inspired elegance to your couch.

Classic print

Velvet Tapestry Pillow

For a more traditional floral print, try this pale pink pillow. It's finished with a contrasting coral trim that adds a dash of whimsy.

First, just because a floral sofa was right for Eleanor Roosevelt and FDR doesn't mean it will be right for you. Choosing a couch is deeply based on personal preference.

Magdalena advises: 'Buying a sofa is a big investment, so it’s important to consider this purchase carefully and not to blindly follow trends. After all, a sofa isn’t something that is swapped out at the start of a new season or in line with changing trends. However, for those who love patterns and want to create a bold focal point in their living room, I would recommend that they follow their heart and invest in a patterned sofa. I’d recommend ordering swatches so that you can judge how the fabric will look in different lighting and decide if it works within your existing space.'

Floral sofas are also a practical option for those with busy families. Magdalena states: 'Aside from aesthetics, a patterned sofa is also a practical option for those who have children or pets – pattern is more forgiving of stains, compared to a plain or neutral color, which is a key consideration when choosing a sofa.' Maybe that's why the Roosevelts (with their two dogs) were so keen to take this option.

Once you've chosen the right couch, styling your floral sofa is the next step. As FDR and Eleanor's home shows, you can choose to go traditional or take it in a totally different direction.

Magdalena recommends: 'Style the sofa alongside neutral walls and pale wooden furniture, or if you wish to go all out, combine it with patterned accessories, from lampshades to rugs – just ensure that there is a common colorway that unites the scheme for a cohesive look.'

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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.