Nancy Meyers enthusiasts, rejoice: old-fashioned details like pleats, frills, and their ultimate archetype, ‘granny-chic’ slipcovers, are going absolutely nowhere as a living room furniture trend in 2027.

Nearly three years into their resurrection, there’s an argument to be made that, like bell-bottoms of the ’70s or monochrome minimalism of the ’90s, these easygoing, fabric-clad couches might be a forever thing. Few brands do deliciously ‘dated’ quite like Anthropologie, whose sprawling, vine-covered Felicity Sectional seats six on deep, feather-blend cushions. Or Joon Loloi, with the softly sweeping curves of the Coralee Slipcover Sofa looking even calmer in Luster Ocean Velvet, a nod to the splashy, country-club-cool Tiffany-blue color trend washing over interiors right now. And in a rare instance where spending less might actually buy you more style, Wade Logan’s under-$700 Wimberly blue-striped Farmhouse Slipcovered Sofa at Wayfair could give Erica Barry’s Hamptons living room in Something’s Gotta Give (2003) a run for its money.

They’re unfussy, comfortable, and full of character. If you’re in the market for a new sofa to marry, there’s something to be said for one with a little history. Shop the seats we keep coming back to.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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Choosing the right couch color for your living room is one of the most important decorating decisions to get right, not least because it is often one of the most expensive. With that in mind, the best approach is to choose a couch color that feels modern and relevant, but still timeless.

But what does that look like as we edge towards 2027? We spoke to interior designers to get their take, and contrary to what you might first think, timeless sofa colors don't have to be neutral. Here, designers reveal the five couch color trends for 2027 that get the balance right between trendy and timeless, and there is a real mix between light, dark, soft, and bold.

Among the range of colors designers are drawn to right now, there's a common thread: each color feels inspired by the natural world – colors that are easy on the eye and don't overwhelm rooms with high saturation. And so, if you're on the hunt for color-forward living room sofa ideas that will stand the test of time, read on.

1. Warm Sand

As wall color trends continue to shift away from flat neutrals towards tones with more depth, so do couch color trends. Warm sand tones offer more personality and soul than pale beige or gray, while providing a similarly versatile base for living room color ideas.

'People are looking for interiors that feel grounded and natural without feeling plain,' says Sarah Brown, founder and creative director at Sarah Brown Interiors. 'Dusty yellows offer this while bringing warmth and softness to a space, which works particularly well for sofas that should exude a feeling of comfort.'

But sand isn't a quickly passing trend – its subtlety gives it a timeless feel. 'Sandy yellow is versatile enough to work with an evolving palette, meaning you can make changes to the room around it without needing to replace the sofa,' Sarah explains. 'As a color rooted in nature, it doesn’t have a link to a specific trend that might otherwise feel dated in years to come.'

When styling a sand-colored sofa, layering textures and decorating with vintage can enhance the look. 'Its understated warmth makes it easy to pair with different wood tones, textiles, and vintage pieces,' says Sarah. And if you want to add more color to your scheme, consider a pop of green. 'Chalky whites and fresh greens work well, but the key is to mix in different textures, so the room doesn’t feel flat,' Sarah advises. 'Materials such as velvet and detailed embroidered cushions can help to introduce more depth and a fun touch.'

2. Sage Green

Variations of green sofas are always in style, but for 2027, designers are leaning towards soft sage green to bring calm and balance to living rooms. Not too saturated, this gentle tone works seamlessly with plenty of color palettes, while encouraging a restful, nature-inspired look.

'We're always inspired by nature and the beauty of the color stories found outside,' says Lindsey Herod, who paired a sage green sofa with light blue in this living room. 'Green is always timeless to me. There are so many beautiful shades of green found in nature, and they will always be an enduring reference.'

To keep things looking modern with a sage green sofa, don't make the mistake of everything matching too well: you don't need a green living room to pull off this sofa color trend. Contrast is key in adding interest and design flair, and designers are especially enjoying analogous color schemes. 'Blue always plays well with green,' says Lindsey. 'We love it with a bit of pink, cream, warm tans and browns, and a dash of brass is always nice nearby.'

3. Deep Plum

While designers are loving quietly confident sofa colors for the year ahead, much deeper and moodier shades are just as relevant. One such color is plum – an instantly sophisticated shade that adds depth and warmth to rooms, without feeling overly trend-led.

Designer Rebekah Zaveloff, co-founder and creative director at Imparfait Design Studio, sees plum as a couch color trend that adds soul and personality to rooms. 'There’s a real hunger right now for interiors that feel lived-in and personal, not staged,' she says. 'Deep, saturated color on a sofa does that instantly. Plum specifically hits a sweet spot: it reads as rich and considered without being loud.'

The reason why plum-colored sofas feel timeless is that it's a color that dates back centuries. 'Aubergine and deep plum have been in European interiors forever; think old Parisian apartments, English country houses, the kinds of rooms that look like they evolved over decades,' says Rebekah. 'What makes it feel current right now is the contrast: when you put a plum velvet sofa against a very clean white wall with natural materials and modern art, as you see here, it feels fresh rather than stuffy.'

When choosing paint ideas for your scheme, go for light neutrals to keep the room livable and not overwhelming. 'White or off-white is the easiest and most effective, and it lets the sofa do the work,' she adds. 'Warm plasters and limewash finishes are beautiful too. I’d avoid anything cool or gray-toned. Plum wants warmth around it.'

'For materials, natural textures are your best friend,' Rebekah advises. 'Woven shades, linen curtains, jute or wool rugs, and marble. They keep the room from feeling heavy. For accents, lean into the warm end of the spectrum with pieces in cognac, camel, warm brass, and deep indigo.'

4. Wine Red

Red sofas can seem like a bold choice, but designers are favoring the richest shades of wine red to bring warmth and moodiness to rooms. Although bold, the earthy red color trend is grounding, rather than lively. This is a favorite for designer Zoë Feldman. 'I think we're seeing a continued appetite for more expressive colors in interiors, and wine red strikes that perfect balance between bold and really timeless and sophisticated,' she explains.

'This particular shade of red has a classic richness,' adds Zoë. 'It's been used in beautiful interiors for centuries, so while it may be having a moment, it certainly isn't new. I love that it can feel traditional or contemporary depending on what's around it, which is exactly what prevents something from being overly trendy.'

Rather than restricting red to neutral living rooms, pairing it with tonal shades or something more contrasting altogether feels fresh. 'I always love going tonal and pairing it with a blush color, and lately I've loved seeing it with a pale, dusty blue,' says Zoë. 'I could see a blue on the walls with the deep red sofa, or even a deep red sofa with a blue or blush piping detail. A mohair sofa in that color would be very luxurious.'

5. Inky Charcoal

Another dark sofa color that designers are favoring for the year ahead is inky charcoal, which feels like a stylish replacement for gray. Although neutral, it grounds a room with depth and adds a polished, modern look that works well with pretty much any other color.

Although inky charcoals are dark, choosing one that shifts in tone slightly throughout the day tends to feel more timeless and easy to live with. 'It is a color that reflects and evolves depending on the time of day or the time of year,' comments designer Lucas Goldbach of En Masse. 'It has a chameleon quality which brings it more depth, richness, and authenticity. I think it reflects the movement toward personalization, coziness, and nuance.'

When going for a dark but neutral tone like this one, leaning into the richness of color with dark walls creates a cozy and immersive space, perfect for snugs or TV rooms. 'There is something unapologetic about the enveloping nature of the space,' says Lucas about this snug. 'The additional elements and accents in the space were inspired by the view of a forest's edge through the windows. The ochre-brown tones, tan, rust, green, and wood tones were brought in to reflect the context of the home and the space.'

While each of these couch color trends feels aligned with the overall direction of stylish interiors for 2027, they feel equally timeless. Even though some shades make a bold statement, they all share a feeling of calm thanks to their inspiration from the natural world – something that is always important when thinking about timeless design.

If you're looking for some more steer with your decision, read all about designers' advice on how to choose a couch color, from working with your existing color scheme to more practical color considerations.

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We’re not supposed to eat or drink on the couch, but life is so much sweeter when we do it anyway. And with hosting season approaching, it’s not difficult to picture Auntie Deb spilling a freshly poured glass of Cabernet on your sofa. Perhaps it’s time to invest in furniture that can handle a little splish-splash.

The lesson: Don’t get mad at Deborah for being messy. Get IKEA’s new LINDÅKRA sleeper sofa, which not only features an easy-care cover (food and drink casualties can be wiped away with a cloth), but also conceals storage beneath both its playfully shaped pouffe and seat. If she’s staying over, you can entertain in the living room without her personal belongings sprawled across it, then convert that very same sofa into a sleeper sofa come nighttime.

Unlike the ordeal of wrestling with a pull-out sofa (probably up there as a top-three hosting woe in its own right), the transformation is actually very effortless. Keep the pouffe connected to the seat, remove the back cushions, and there’s your bed. It’s especially smart for anyone hosting without a guest room, even if that stand-in space is a small living room itself. And when the LINDÅKRA isn't helping you host, the compact, gray-green design is genuinely chic enough to spend the rest of its life as an ordinary couch.

Just as easy to imagine as Auntie Deb's inevitable red wine spill is how useful that hidden storage will be after the holidays. Spare throw pillows, blankets, and whatever else you’d rather not see until next season can disappear beneath the seat. And when the occasion calls for more furniture, rather than less clutter, the pouffe detaches entirely, becoming an extra seat or makeshift coffee table as needed. One less piece of furniture to find room for.

Essentially, the LINDÅKRA is insurance against any potential family tiffs this season, and every Full House moment after. Nowhere to sit? There’s another seat. Run out of surfaces? You have a coffee table. Too many jackets for the closet? Under the sofa they go. Nowhere for Auntie Deb to sleep? It’s a bed, too.

Now, if only it could pick everyone up from the airport…

More IKEA Sleeper Sofas

IKEA’s sleeper sofas are a rather slept-on corner of the brand’s sprawling living room furniture empire, but there are a few gems worth waking up for.

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Buying a couch isn’t simply about finding a style you love or opting for the most comfortable seat in the showroom. As one of the biggest furniture investments you’ll make, and often the centerpiece of a living room, it needs to deliver on looks, comfort, practicality and durability day after day.

How we use the best couch differs from household to household, which is why understanding how you actually live should come before aesthetics. As interior designer Lily Flatley explains, 'When choosing a couch for our projects, we work really closely with our clients to understand the rhythms of their daily lives, from how they move through a space to the frustrations they experience within it.' It’s an approach echoed by interior designer Nina Lichtenstein: 'Good design should support human behavior rather than require people to adapt to their surroundings.'

There is far more to a couch than what you see or feel at first, from proportions and construction to upholstery and comfort. With so much to consider, in this month's The Library, we’ve brought together expert advice to guide you through the do's and don'ts of buying a couch, the questions worth asking, and the decisions that really matter.

1. Start With How You Live

A couch for a couple is a very different purchase from one serving a five-person household and the family pet. Do you regularly host? Is the living room at the heart of family life, or do you spend more time elsewhere? Thinking about who will use the couch, and how, is the crucial first step in narrowing down everything from size and style to your ideal comfort level.

It’s also where the professionals start. Kristina Khersonsky, Founder of Studio Keeta, explains, 'We begin by understanding the rhythms of the space and end user, before thinking about construction or fabric. How is the piece actually used day to day? How often? Who uses it? Are there pets? Children? What does it need to withstand? A formalized sitting room has very different demands from that of a family room.'

Who Uses the Couch?

Does the whole household gather there for lounging, watching films, and socializing, or is it used by just one or two people? You don't need to accommodate every potential guest, but it should comfortably fit the everyday headcount of your household.

Children and pets should be considered too. They place greater demands on a couch, making durability and ease of maintenance particularly important. But practicality doesn’t need to come at the expense of style. 'If a piece is going to be used every evening by a young family, comfort and durability are essential, but never at the expense of beauty,' says Lily Flatley. 'They need to work just as hard aesthetically as they do functionally.'

How Do You Use the Couch?

Everyday lounging calls for generous proportions and relaxed comfort, while entertaining can lend itself to something more structured. If your couch is primarily used for watching TV, deeper seats, chaises, and sectionals offer plenty of space to stretch out and relax.

In a more sociable living room that's used more for entertaining, prioritize a more upright couch and a layout that naturally directs attention towards one another and encourages conversation. As interior designer Marie Flanagan explains, 'A beautiful sofa that is slightly more tailored or upright can add contrast and architecture to a room without needing to function as the family's favorite lounging spot.'

And living rooms aren’t just for watching TV or socializing; they’re also spaces for relaxing, reading, and even sleeping. Regular readers will appreciate upright support and comfortable arms, while anyone partial to an afternoon nap will benefit from a deeper seat, generous proportions and softer cushioning.

2. Measure Your Space Properly

Taking accurate measurements before you start shopping, factoring in both where your couch will sit and the entire route it will take to get there, is a crucial step that’s all too often overlooked.

Proportion is equally important. ‘We look at the whole composition, from ceiling height, sight lines and walkways to surrounding pieces and how people move through the space,’ explains Kristina Khersonsky. ‘The right sofa should feel generous and inviting without making the room feel smaller or heavier than it needs to.’

Start by measuring the room itself, noting windows, doors, and any architectural features that might influence where your couch can sit. Marking its exact footprint on the floor with masking tape is a quick way to see whether the proportions feel right before you commit. As a general guide, a couch around two-thirds the length of the wall behind it will often sit comfortably within a room. As interior designer Lily Flatley reminds us, ‘When the scale is right, there’s a sense of balance that you may not immediately be able to identify, but you can certainly feel.’

Consider the space around your couch at the same time. Around 14–18 inches between the couch and coffee table should keep it within easy reach without restricting legroom, while main walkways should ideally have around 30–36 inches of clearance where space allows. ‘Leaving enough openness around furniture allows people to move comfortably and gives the room a sense of balance and breathing space,’ says Interior Designer Nina Lichtenstein.

Think about how you naturally move through the room, particularly between doorways and other frequently used areas. If the couch interrupts these routes, reconsider its size or orientation. It’s an approach Interior Designer Marie Flanagan takes from the beginning: ‘Once we understand how a client moves through and uses the room, we can determine the right depth, seat height, configuration, and level of comfort.’

Finally, measure the entire route your couch will need to take to reach the room. Check the narrowest points of doorways, hallways, and corridors, paying particular attention to corners where it will need space to turn, as well as radiators, handrails, and light fixtures that could restrict clearance. If stairs are involved, measure them at their narrowest point and check the available headroom, noting any landings and turns where the couch will need enough room to tilt and rotate.

3. Choose The Right Size, Shape and Silhouette

The sofa you love at first sight may not necessarily be the best fit for your space. Take into account the proportions and style of your home, alongside how you like to relax, entertain, and live, before settling on a silhouette. As Lily Flatley puts it, 'Couches are the piece of furniture clients live with and look at throughout the day, so they need to work just as hard aesthetically as they do functionally.'

Two-Seater Sofas

Designed specifically with smaller proportions in mind, a two-seater offers the comfort of a full-size couch without overwhelming compact rooms. Look out for slimmer arms and raised legs to preserve a sense of space.

Best for: Apartments, small living rooms, and awkward or compact spaces.

Three-Seater Sofas

The versatile all-rounder, a standard full-size sofa is a three-seater, and thanks to its pretty consistent proportions across a variety of different designs, it works well in most living rooms and suits households wanting comfortable everyday seating.

Best for: Everyday family living and average-sized living rooms.

Extra-Deep Couches

Made for curling up rather than sitting upright, extra-deep couches suit relaxed family rooms and generous spaces and tall people. They're particularly good for lounging, napping, and family film nights, but far less comfortable for shorter people who prefer sitting upright.

Best for: Lounging, large rooms, and taller households.

Sectionals

An ideal choice for larger households and airy open-plan spaces, a sectional sofa provides a generous amount of seating and can help zone a living area that lacks architectural features. A sectional’s substantial footprint makes careful measuring essential.

Best for: Larger households, open-plan spaces and creating distinct zones

Modular Sofas

A modular sofa is made up of individual sections and can be rearranged as your needs change. They're particularly useful for evolving family homes, awkward living room layouts, or anyone who values flexibility.

Best for: Flexible layouts, evolving family homes, and awkward spaces

Curved Sofas

With their sculptural silhouette, curved sofas soften spaces dominated by straight lines and naturally encourage conversation. They work particularly well floating within larger spaces rather than pushed against a wall.

Best for: Larger living rooms, open-plan spaces and sociable seating arrangements

Slipcovered Styles

Relaxed and informal, slipcovered sofas blend well into comfortable, lived-in homes. Removable covers also make them an especially practical option for family homes, particularly when they're washable.

Best for: Family homes, relaxed interiors and high-traffic living spaces

English Roll Arm

The English roll arm is characterized by its low, rounded arms and deep, comfortable seat. It’s one of the few designs that balances real traditional elegance with everyday comfort and can work equally well in a formal space as it can in a relaxed family home.

Best for: Traditional interiors, family living rooms and timeless schemes

Track Arm Couches

Straight, slim arms define the track-arm sofa and maximize the seating space, while its clean, contemporary silhouette makes it a great choice for minimalist interiors. Its neat, squared-off shape also makes it particularly easy to plan around.

Best for: Contemporary interiors, compact spaces, and maximizing seating space.

Tuxedo Style

The arms and back typically sit at the same height with a Tuxedo sofa. It has a tailored and architectural feel to it, and its upright proportions make it a great choice for formal living and entertaining spaces.

Best for: Formal living rooms, entertaining spaces, and tailored interiors.

Mid-century Silhouettes

Defined by low frames, structured upholstery, and slim wood or metal legs, mid-century sofas have a simple, timeless quality. Being slightly elevated, they help a space feel lighter, with the added practical benefit of making it much easier to clean underneath.

Best for: Smaller spaces, contemporary interiors, and rooms where you want to create a sense of openness.

4. Find Your Ideal Comfort Level

Trying a couch in a store is invaluable, but a few minutes sitting upright with your shoes on won’t replicate an evening spent lounging at home. How your household naturally uses the couch, alongside seat depth, height, cushioning, and support, will all contribute to long-term comfort.

For everyday seating, Interior Designer Nina Lichtenstein advises looking beyond that first sit. 'Comfort and durability need to work together,' she says. 'Look for upholstery that supports the body, offers an appropriate seat depth, and uses materials capable of withstanding the realities of daily life.'

For occasional seating, however, the priorities can shift. 'We have a little more freedom to prioritize silhouette and sculptural form,' adds Marie Flanagan.

Seat Depth

Deeper seats, typically 24 inches or more, suit taller people and those who enjoy curling up and lounging, while a shallower seat better supports an upright position with feet comfortably on the floor. For a more relaxed feel, Nina Lichtenstein favors 'a deeper seat, supportive cushions, and a fabric with a beautiful texture' to make a couch feel particularly welcoming.

Seat Height

The average sofa seat sits around 15–20 inches from the floor. Lower designs create a relaxed, contemporary look, while a higher seat can make sitting down and standing up easier, which is a particularly important consideration for older users or anyone with limited mobility.

Cushion Firmness

Firmness determines whether you sit on or sink into your sofa. Firmer cushions, often made from high-resiliency foam, provide great support and structure, while softer fillings, such as feather and down, allow you to sink deeper into the cushion for a more relaxed, enveloping feel.

Back Height

Low backs encourage relaxed, informal sitting positions, along with greater freedom to lounge. If you prefer sitting upright, reading, or want more support over longer periods, a higher back will better support the shoulders and upper body.

Support

Good support comes from how the seat, back, and cushioning work together, distributing your weight evenly and supporting your spine without making you feel as though you're collapsing into the sofa or being pushed forward.

Suspension Systems

Beneath the cushions, the suspension determines how responsive and supportive a sofa feels. Eight-way hand-tied springs bring balanced support, sinuous springs a firmer bounce, while webbing creates a softer, more flexible sit.

Cushion Fill

Cushion fill determines how your sofa holds and responds to your body. Foam cushions will give you a structured, supportive feel; feather and down create sink-in softness, while blended fills balance the two.

5. Pick The Best Upholstery

Upholstery can completely transform a couch, bringing color, texture, and personality while also playing an important role in how well it wears over time.

Texture deserves particular attention, with Nina Lichtenstein reminding us that 'the experience of an interior is multisensory. Spaces are not simply seen. They are touched, felt, and physically experienced.'

The best choice should strike a balance between beauty and practicality, the demands of your household and how much upkeep you’re prepared to embrace. It’s a balance Marie Flanagan also prioritizes: 'Ultimately, I choose fabric based on both aesthetics and the way the piece will actually be used.'

Linen

Linen is ideal for a relaxed, lived-in look, with a beautiful natural weave that only gets softer with age. However, it is prone to creasing and staining, making it less practical for young families or pets.

For everyday use, opt for a heavyweight weave or washable covers; otherwise, save pure linen for more formal spaces. Founder Studio Keeta, Kristina Khersonsky, favors linens from Cowtan & Tout 'for spaces that do not need as much maintenance,' while for a more elevated finish, the studio looks to Pierre Frey, de Le Cuona, Savel and Holland & Sherry'

Cotton

Soft, breathable, and available in endless colors and patterns, cotton is a versatile all-rounder for upholstery. It’s reasonably hard-wearing, and a darker shade will absorb spills and dirt marks. A washable cover or a durable cotton blend would be a wise choice for family life. Make sure to check the fabric's durability rating, as this can vary significantly between weaves.

Velvet

With its soft pile and subtle sheen, velvet instantly makes a couch feel more luxurious. Cotton velvet in particular can 'add richness and absorb color beautifully,' says Marie Flanagan, developing character as it wears over time. Performance velvet offers the same rich look with easier cleaning and maintenance, making it a viable choice for homes with children and pets.

Performance Fabrics

For busy households, performance fabrics offer perhaps the best balance between good looks and practicality, and they’ve come a long way aesthetically. 'In the past, performance fabrics had a hand that was adjacent to that of outdoor fabric, stiff, crunchy, not inviting says Kristina Khersonsky. 'Now, they are so soft and plush, it’s sometimes hard to believe that it’s a performance fabric!' Designed to resist stains, fading, and everyday wear, quality can vary, so always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and durability specifications.

Bouclé

'Bouclé is a wonderful way to introduce texture without relying on pattern,' something Marie Flanagan particularly loves. 'Its looped weave works beautifully on curved and sculptural couches and can disguise minor wear, but may catch claws and collect pet hair. For busy households, opt for a tightly woven, low-loop performance bouclé, and save looser weaves for occasional seating.'

Leather

Leather is a luxurious finish and an investment that ages beautifully. It develops a rich patina over time, while remaining easy to wipe clean and resistant to odors. It's excellent for family life, but pet owners should embrace the fact that claws will leave their mark.

Chenille

Soft, plush, and inviting, chenille offers much of the same appeal as velvet, but with a warmer, more relaxed feel. Good-quality upholstery chenille is durable, and its textured surface absorbs everyday wear. Be mindful that it can trap pet hair and snag on claws, however. Cleaning requirements vary, so check the care instructions and make sure they fit your lifestyle. For busy family homes, performance chenille is always a safe bet.

Wool Blends

Wool is a naturally resilient fabric and is great at resisting wrinkles, stains, and odors. Its soft, matte finish lends itself particularly well to tailored sofas and more formal interiors, although it's robust enough for everyday use too. Blended upholstery wools will give you greater durability at a lower price point, but professional cleaning is often recommended, so bear that in mind.

6. Consider Color and Pattern

The couch will arguably be one of the largest pieces in a room, so its color or pattern will have a significant impact on the overall scheme. While it’s great to keep up with current couch color trends, choose a couch color you can happily live with long-term, whether that's a versatile neutral, a rich color you love, or a pattern with plenty of personality.

Neutrals

Cream, beige, warm gray, and taupe are simple and effective choices that allow a couch to evolve with your decorating style. To prevent a neutral from feeling too flat, choose a textured fabric such as linen, bouclé, or a tactile wool weave. This small consideration will add depth and character without sacrificing the versatility of neutrals.

Earth Tones

Earth tones sit somewhere between a neutral and a statement shade. Terracotta, chocolate, olive and sage bring warmth and character without overwhelming a room. These shades connect to natural materials and, in turn, makes them particularly easy to live with, pairing beautifully with wood, stone and other organic finishes in the room.

Rich Colors

If your style is bold and impactful, choosing a couch in a deep, rich shade such as forest green, indigo, or burgundy can give a couch a real presence in the room. For longevity, slightly muted shades will stand the test of time over bright trend-led colors.

White Sofas

Nothing creates the light, elegant feel of a white sofa, but practicality needs consideration. Performance upholstery and removable, machine-washable covers have made white far more achievable for everyday use, but it will inevitably show marks between cleans. For a household with children or pets, easy-clean fabric should be non-negotiable.

Dark Upholstery

Navy, charcoal and deep brown ground a room and are particularly forgiving of everyday marks, making them a practical choice for busy spaces. Very dark upholstery isn't completely maintenance-free, however. If you have a household pet, hair can be far more visible. For longevity, opt for a textured weave, it'll disguise wear and tear far better than a smooth, flat finish.

Patterned Fabrics

Patterned sofas bring personality while also cleverly disguising minor marks and everyday wear. Stripes, small geometrics, and subtle florals are easier to decorate around than bold statement prints. If you're hesitant about committing but still want a flash of pattern, keep the sofa relatively understated and introduce pattern through cushions.

7. Assess Quality Before You Buy

A high price tag and good looks don’t always guarantee quality, so knowing what lies behind a beautifully finished couch is key to making an informed choice. 'I look closely at the construction before I ever consider the fabric,' reveals Marie Flanagan, pointing out that 'a well-made frame, properly engineered joinery, quality suspension, and cushions that hold their shape' are all important signs to look for.

Quality should reveal itself in how a couch performs over time, not just how it looks on day one. As Nina Lichtenstein puts it, 'A well-made piece should feel substantial and supportive, function beautifully, and age gracefully rather than simply look good when it first arrives.'

Joinery

Look beyond the material to how the frame is constructed. Traditional mortise-and-tenon or dowelled joints, reinforced with glued and screwed corner blocks, are signs of quality craftsmanship. Staples aren't necessarily a concern when used alongside proper joinery, but shouldn't be the only thing holding the frame together.

Suspension

Good suspension provides support beneath the cushions and prevents a sofa from sagging prematurely. Eight-way hand-tied springs remain the gold standard of traditional craftsmanship, while good-quality sinuous springs offer excellent support at a lower price point. The seat should feel evenly supported, without squeaking or bottoming out onto the frame.

Cushion Construction

To keep the outward look of your sofa great for years to come, you’ll want to look out for high-density foam that quickly regains its shape. Higher-end couches may combine springs, foam, and down, while zippered cushions are useful for inspecting, maintaining, and potentially replacing the filling over time.

Fabric Quality

Good upholstery should look as considered up close as it does from across the room. Nina Lichtenstein recommends paying attention to 'pattern alignment, consistent seams and stitching, and the way fabric is applied around curves and corners.' For durability, check the fabric’s abrasion rating too, particularly for a couch designed for a busy household room.

Warranty

The warranty can serve as a useful indicator of a manufacturer's confidence in their construction. Look beyond the headline warranty period and check exactly which components are covered, for how long, and under what conditions.

Craftsmanship

A few simple checks reveal plenty about craftsmanship. Gently lift a corner to test the frame, listen for creaking, check cushions regain their shape and inspect underneath for a neat, sturdy finish.

8. Think Long Term

It’s easy to get caught up in what works for your home and lifestyle today, but ask yourself whether your couch will still suit you in years to come. From choosing a style with staying power to allowing for changing tastes, future moves, and evolving needs, a little forward planning can help ensure it works for you long-term.

Trends Vs Timelessness

Look beyond the current top sofa trends to classic, well-proportioned silhouettes. If you crave something more of-the-moment, introduce it through cushions and throws instead; these can easily evolve with your tastes without committing your couch to a trend you may not love in ten years' time.

Future Homes

Your couch may well outlast your current home, so avoid choosing something that only works in one very specific space. Standard proportions tend to work far more easily between homes, while oversized or unusually shaped designs can prove harder to accommodate.

Flexibility

Modern couch designs often come with clever features that allow them to evolve rather than be replaced. Removable covers offer the opportunity to completely change the look, while replaceable cushion inserts and a quality frame suitable for reupholstering can give a well-loved couch a new lease of life down the line.

Modular Options

If your household is likely to grow, shrink or relocate, a modular design offers practical flexibility. Individual sections can be rearranged, removed or added over time, adapting easily to a change of room, home or household.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Think realistically about how much maintenance you’re prepared to commit to before choosing your couch. Some fabrics and cushion fills require regular cleaning, plumping, or specialist care, while others are far easier to live with day to day.

Removable, machine-washable covers are invaluable for busy households, while checking the manufacturer’s care requirements will help you avoid choosing a fabric that demands more specialist cleaning than you’re prepared for.

Some upholstery will require professional cleaning to keep it looking its best, so factor this into your decision before buying. Delicate fabrics in particular may bring additional long-term care requirements and costs.

Expected Lifespan

Think about how long you expect your couch to last and buy accordingly. A shorter-term purchase may not warrant the same investment, while a couch you hope to keep for decades makes quality construction, repairability, and a timeless design far more of a priority.

The Best Couches to Shop Right Now

The best couch isn’t necessarily the most expensive or the most fashionable, it’s the couch that feels completely at home in your space and suits the way you live every day. Take the time to get the practical details right and invest in quality where it matters most to you, and you’ll have a piece that looks beautiful, feels comfortable, and works hard for years to come.

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For those who aren’t chronically online, allow me to fill you in on the most stylish, space-saving, sink-in-comfort couch you’ve probably never heard of. The “boneless couch” is essentially a very elaborate cushion that, like a mattress-in-a-box, ships in an impossibly tiny package and expands over a day or two into its final, full-fledged form.

While the sofa trend initially went mega-viral on TikTok for its college-dorm space (and budget) friendliness, over the past two years, it’s graduated into a legitimate living room furniture staple, striking a soft spot among space-conscious students, frequent movers, serious loungers, and people like me in third-floor Manhattan apartments, where a couch doctor would normally be in order just to get the thing upstairs.

Styles are, increasingly, very sophisticated, scratching a high-end itch with sculptural lines and chenille upholstery, from Rove Lab's low-slung, Italian-inspired silhouettes to surprisingly polished options on Amazon and Wayfair. Better still, many ship in days rather than the weeks a traditional sofa can take. Having reported on this boneless business since the very beginning, these are my favorite structureless styles to shop for 2027.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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Overnight hosting season is finally here, a time when I’m acutely aware of my lack of beds. I live in New York, everyone wants to stay, and while I’ve considered a sleeper sofa, the few pockets around Thanksgiving and Christmas when I actually need one hardly justify surrendering precious square footage year-round.

Offering the same mattress size in roughly half the sofa, Macy’s Radley Chair Bed is pretty much exactly what I needed for my spare city corners. Like other sleeper sofas, it pulls out to reveal a single-sized bed (which, by the way, I’d always pair with a mattress topper). Unlike most in the category, though, it’s not heinous-looking – the lines are actually quite clean-cut and nicely tailored. And as a chair, which it will be 99% of the time, its cushy, chenille-upholstered foam cushions make it a genuinely nice spot to kick back for some cozy-season TV.

The Radley is actually not new – only new to me – and is one of Macy’s exclusive offerings, arguably one of its more popular ones at that. It’s kid- and pet-friendly, with removable covers that can go straight in the wash.

‘I’ve had this couch for 10 years with five kids,’ one reviewer writes. ‘This couch has held up through moving three times. I’ve removed the cushion covers every few months over the last 10 years, washed them in the washing machine, and put them back on. They have held up great. The couch is sturdy and made very well. The fabric is very thick, great for somebody that has kids or pets.’

So it’s practical for daily life – because, again, this chair-couch, whatever you want to call it, will be part of your existing living space – in more ways than one. If you love (or, at least acquiesced to) the idea of hosting without a dedicated guest room, but don’t want to give up precious space for the handful of nights you’ll actually need one, this ‘chair bed’ might be the smartest addition before the holidays.

More Chair Sofa Beds We Love

Ahead, a few more chair beds for when you need an extra bed, but not all that sofa.

Any of these ‘chair beds’ could also make room for one more in an existing guest room. Ahead of holiday sleepovers, visiting relatives and last-minute plus-ones, see our top ideas for creating the ultimate home away from home.

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I never thought I’d say this, but I’m over timeless couches (for this month anyways). I want fun: cheetah print and polka dots, coquette bows and whimsical, fluttering butterflies. The problem is that there's nothing particularly fun about forking over thousands for a sofa you might want to replace in a couple of years. Or, worse for someone like myself who lives in a third-floor NYC walk-up, calling the Couch Doctor as a final Hail Mary to get the thing out.

Urban Outfitters' new Universal Cotton Sofa Slipcover, available in nine of-the-moment colors and patterns, is a low-lift way to thoroughly indulge whatever sofa trend tickles your fancy without ever really having to commit. The slouchy, ‘grandma’-style silhouette fits most couches – hence the 'universal' – while conveniently tapping another trend you may have been eyeing. (Tastemakers like Nate Berkus insist the once-outdated slipcover is back.)

And don’t get it twisted: each statement might be having a moment, but they’re not rooted in nothing. Take, for instance, the powder-pink-on-chocolate-brown antique floral – a pattern that, as someone like Shea McGee would argue (who recently taught me the secret to styling one), is forever.

So if you’re feeling florals today, then want blue pinstripes à la Nancy Meyers come next summer, you actually can. Simply give the cover a wash (machine washable, by the way), tuck it away in the linen closet and, like anything else in your wardrobe, slip it on again when you're back in the mood.

Sofas aren’t usually like ballet flats – you can’t just buy another pair next season. But perhaps they should be. And as a style editor often of two minds about these things – the objectively better investment versus the mouthwateringly novel alternative that gives me a six-month serotonin boost – I like the idea of my sofa being afforded a phase, too.

If you’re a fan of UO Home in any capacity, you probably already know about the viral, space-saving Jane Vanity – also freshly restocked in every pattern that matters for 2026.

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Three floors up, less than 500 square feet, and riddled with tight corners – from the day I signed the lease, I knew my pre-war New York apartment would be difficult to furnish. I managed to fit a queen-sized bedframe, and a slim armoire gave the space some semblance of a normal apartment. But as for a sofa – there was simply no way a standard pick would work. I needed something modular.

Since this would be my first time owning a sofa (all of my previous apartments came pre-furnished), I had research to do. Of course, I didn't want something so cheap that I'd have to throw it away in a year. Instead, I wanted the best sofa I could get. But with a slew of parameters for my open-plan living room, my search proved to be more challenging than I thought. After a few weeks of feeling like I'd never find the right sofa, I came across modular sofa experts, Cozey.

After narrowing down my options, I landed on the Gaia XL in Flax Haven – a two-seater modular sofa in a soft tan color. I took a leap of faith and ordered it online. Just under a week later, it arrived.

I vividly remember sitting on the floor of my hardly furnished studio, staring at the five boxes that supposedly contained my new sofa. Was this the right decision, or was ordering a sofa online a huge mistake? Spoiler alert: it was, without a doubt, the right call. Ahead, read about my experience receiving, assembling, and living with Cozey's Gaia Sofa.

Setting It Up

A few things surprised me about my Gaia sofa's delivery. First: the speed. The sofa arrived at my apartment less than a week after I'd ordered it – faster than some of my online clothing purchases. Not only that, but I couldn't believe how compact it was. Only five boxes held everything, along with a sixth that held the adjustable side table I had also ordered.

Though I recruited help for set up (shoutout to my generous mother and sister), I could've easily assembled the Gaia sofa on my own. Set up is very straightforward, with instructions available online and inside the box.

Since I ordered the two-seater sofa with an ottoman, I received three square-shaped base pieces (two for the seats, one for the ottoman), two flat back pieces, two armrests, and several cushions and covers. I was very surprised at how easy it was to assemble the sofa structure – just a few simple steps and assembly was nearly done.

Oddly enough, the hardest part of the setup wasn't putting any of the structural pieces together. In fact, it was stuffing the cushions into their fabric covers. Because the cushions themselves are so big and the fabric covers are designed with zipper openings that are slightly too small, squeezing the cushion into the cover was a two-person job – one that caused both my mother and I to break a sweat and laugh at how ridiculous we probably looked trying to do this.

The only other challenge that my mother, sister, and I encountered while assembling the Gaia sofa was connecting the base seats. Two plastic connectors are supposed to hook onto the hidden feet of the sofa, connecting the left seat with the right seat in the middle. It seems simple in theory, but this was rather challenging for us – we'd hook the back connector, then the front one would pop off, and vice versa. I blamed this on the fact that the floor of my pre-war apartment is egregiously uneven – causing the feet to not line up properly – and decided to not use the connectors. Thankfully, the sofa didn't slide apart without these connecting pieces.

Much to my surprise, the entire process – unboxing, assembling, cushion-covering, and pushing into place – took just under an hour. And though I had help, I definitely could've done this alone.

Living With the Gaia Sofa

I've lived with the Gaia sofa for a few months now. It has quickly become a fixture in my studio apartment – a spot where I work, read, and watch TV. I've even had a friend sleep on it while staying overnight at my place (they glowingly said it was more comfortable than their mattress at home).

As with any furnishing, the Gaia sofa comes with pros and cons. Here's what I've experienced so far:

Final Thoughts

Before the Cozey Gaia Sofa arrived at my apartment, I was so nervous that I'd made such a huge mistake. After all, ordering a sofa online without ever sitting on it is risky. However, I've been extremely pleased with my sofa so far. Its easy assembly and comfort have convinced me that I did, in fact, make the right decision.

Because I've only owned the sofa for a few months, I'm still unsure about its longevity. However, I'm pleased that because of its modular design, I can bring this sofa with me from apartment to apartment and get more pieces if I ever need to.

Aside from the Gaia, Cozey makes lots of other modular sofas that are just as practical for renters, small space dwellers, or those who like the convenience of furniture with several adjustable components. Below, find a few more of the options I considered before ordering the Gaia.

After you've found the perfect Cozey sofa for your home, be sure to check out the brand's other offerings – including tables, beds, pillows, and washable rugs. Soon enough, your entire house will be furnished by Cozey.

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Last summer, everyone and their mother was smitten with a somewhat ridiculous-sounding furniture concept on TikTok: the ‘boneless’ couch. It’s a lightweight, structure-less sofa that ships in a tiny box and, over the course of a day or two, expands into its final, cloud-like form. Take it from a style editor: they're far chicer than the name would have you believe.

One particular Wayfair find reminded me why they went so wildly viral in the first place. It has a channel-tufted, surprisingly sculptural silhouette, an ergonomic shape perfect for marathon study sessions, a dozen upholstery options, and, as luck would have it, a $300 sale price.

With dorm room move-ins finally upon us, this chic sofa should definitely make the dorm room checklist.

Lugging a real (bone-in?) sofa into a dorm while hundreds of other families are attempting similar feats is a logistical nightmare. This sofa trend, on the other hand, arrives compressed into a single box small enough to disappear into a hallway or common room until you’re ready to let it work its magic. No assembly required, either.

Once it’s fully expanded, the cocooning silhouette has all the ease of an ordinary couch. Push it into a corner, layer in a washable rug, like these chic options from Ruggable, swap the included throw pillows for something with a little more je ne sais quoi, add some stick-on framed artwork (we love this option from Amazon) overhead, and a woefully institutional dorm starts reading like a real living space. A collegiate hero accessory, if I’ve ever seen one.

More Small Couches for Dorm Rooms

If I were moving into a dorm again tomorrow, these are three more compact 'boneless' couches I’d be considering. Every one ships compressed in a lightweight box and requires absolutely no assembly.

When I was in school, I convinced my parents to overspend on structured seating that ultimately looked terrible and got abandoned by the end of the year. I’d have traded every one of them for a ‘boneless’ sofa in a heartbeat.

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One of the biggest (literally) purchases you can make for any home is a sofa. Hard not to notice, it's the first thing you lay your eyes on, so picking a timeless color that's unlikely to date couldn't be more important.

Taking up the most visual and physical space in a living room, the couch sets the tone of a scheme, so avoiding fleeting styles and staying up to date with sofa color trends for 2026 is the right way to ensure your purchase lasts for years.

'A sofa is one of the longest-standing investments in a room,' explains interior designer Jennifer Baxter of Baxter Hill Interiors. 'It will outlast the paint color, probably outlast the rug, and may outlast several rounds of redecorating. So choosing one based on what’s trending is exactly the thinking that leads to expensive regrets.'

1. Navy

'If I had to single out one couch shade that’s losing its footing, it’s cool, saturated navy,' explains interior designer Hannah Goldberg of Hannah Charlotte Interiors.

'For years, navy has been the default 'safe statement' – a way to bring in color without fully committing,' explains Hannah, 'or what I tend to think of as a non-neutral neutral. But that’s also exactly why it’s starting to feel a bit tired. The truest versions of navy – very clean and crisp and very blue – can come across a little rigid.'

'I also find it to be a surprisingly tricky color to work into a scheme in a way that feels natural. More often than not, it pulls a space slightly coastal,' she adds. 'If I’m bringing blue into a statement piece like a sofa, I almost always look to nature for direction. That’s where things feel the most timeless. I’m much more drawn to muted, nuanced colors – a soft blue-gray, something that feels a bit weathered, or a gentle sky blue that shifts throughout the day. They give you a sense of calm and depth, but in a way that feels more grounded and layers beautifully with almost every color palette imaginable.'

2. Gray

Gray isn't included in this year's sofa trends; instead, more playful, kitschy (yes) styles are taking over as designers continue to embrace character over clinical.

While cold-feeling gray is taking a backseat, patterned sofas are making their mark, bringing a whimsical dose of charm and eclecticism into living rooms. Mary Patton, of Mary Patton Design, says, 'Gray and pale neutrals are giving way to more expressive upholstery – think richly patterned fabrics, especially florals, as a fresh update for sofas, particularly when paired with clean, contemporary silhouettes.'

While there will always be room for neutrals (whether that's through paint color or smaller decorative touches), today's trends embrace quirks and charm, so going big with your sofa is the perfect way to assert your personality. While committing to a bold pattern might be daunting, see it as a way to keep the rest of your palette restrained and pared-back.

3. Brown

'Brown is having a really concentrated moment right now, with mocha, chocolate, cognac, caramel,' says Jennifer. 'The appetite for it is understandable as these are warm, complex tones that work well with the natural materials and aged finishes that are everywhere in interiors right now.'

While plenty of colors go with a brown couch, Jennifer says the obviously trendy mochas are the ones best avoided. 'The brown that has been showing up more and more from the Mocha Mousse color trend risks dating to 2025-26. It’s not the cognac leather Chesterfield that’s been around for decades. It’s not the tobacco-colored velvet sofa that looks like it came from a 1970s Parisian apartment.'

She adds, 'But if brown is genuinely your palette, and if your room has warm wood, aged brass, linen, stone, you’d probably have arrived there anyway, and it will serve you well.'

Shop On-Trend Sofa Colors

'The one caution I’d offer: be careful with very trend-specific colors', advises Jennifer. 'If you’re drawn to whatever shade is having a moment, make sure your room genuinely does it justice, because trend colors date faster than classic ones, and a sofa isn’t easy to replace. If you’re going bold (with color or pattern), just take a little time to reflect and if you love love love it, the chances are you will love it for a long time.'

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Don’t buy a new couch – I’m serious. I came to this conclusion while scrolling Anthropologie this week – admittedly, for couches. Whimsical ones. (It’s 2026; who isn’t?) But a $158 price tag, in lieu of the usual eye-watering three-to-five thousand, stopped me in my tracks.

I found myself distracted by a cream cotton sofa topper, trimmed with a ruffled border and scattered with technicolor antique florals. It’s essentially the romantic, slightly enchanted sofa trend I’ve always wanted – frilly, but not overly so – distilled into a single cushion that runs the length of the seat, instantly waking up whatever (probably sleepy) seating situation you already have.

One reviewer styled it on a deep berry sofa – coincidentally Anthropologie, though the topper works across brands – a color I’d typically brand as ‘fall,’ but takes on an entirely different, decidedly spring cadence here, softened an idyllic garden scene. It also solves a problem I hadn’t considered.

'We bought this sofa topper for our velvet Anthro sofa,' they write. 'Our cats love lolling on the sofa, but they leave a lot of fur (and unfortunately some scratch marks). I wish we had gotten this sofa topper from the very beginning! It really helps protect the sofa from damage and cat fur.’ For pet owners tired of unsightly furniture covers, take this as a chic alternative – a protective layer that, in some cases, is better than the original it sits on.

I tend to enter a mild but very real style crisis every spring – when everything reads to my style editor eye as a tad tired – and this sofa topper feels like a lower-lift way to indulge that new, new, new instinct without diving off the deep end.

If you’ve been feeling similarly restless, consider this before dropping thousands: you don’t need a new couch. You’re probably bored – and one very good cushion could be the cure.

More Anthropologie Sofa Toppers

Before you prematurely lug your three-seater out in a fit of frustration, consider something lighter with a few more non-ruffled, but equally lively options to shake up your seating.

Even the chicest couch-changing cushion is better with company. These throw pillows complete the look.

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It’s never just about the sofa. You can buy an objectively fabulous one, but the best designers know how you style a couch matters just as much. It is, after all, the visual anchor of the living room. A few throw cushions, the particular weave of a blanket, the by-the-inch placement of art above it, even whatever is happening behind it can matter rather disproportionately.

However effortless the setup might seem, there’s always a choreography to it. So we asked the designers of some of our favorite sofa-centric projects to decode the little tweaks they rely on to make that hero investment really sing. Ten small adjustments, it turns out, are all it takes to turn a good sofa into a great one.

How to Style a Couch Like a Designer

Like a great pop song or a breathtaking celebrity on screen, a beautifully styled sofa is rarely accidental. From choosing a couch with the right proportions and pattern to texture, fill, and the tiny finishing touches where an inch can really make a mile of difference, designers get into the specifics below.

1. Start With Pillow Proportion

Don’t get too dazzled by the scallops, fringe, or leaping tiger motifs before locking in one rather less exciting detail: pillow proportions.

According to designer Bethany Adams, this is where most people slip up. ‘Sofas need two elements to feel complete: pillows and a throw blanket,’ says Bethany. ‘Sounds simple enough, but I’ve seen many a disaster made out of these two ingredients. Pillows should be in direct proportion to your sofa. Most big-box retailers sell pillows in a single size – e.g. 16” x 16” – which is woefully undersized for most sofas. A typical sofa will need at least 20” square pillows in the corners, plus a single lumbar pillow,’ she advises to help anchor the arrangement. That ubiquitous 16-inch square, then, is probably better left to the loveseat. On a full-size sofa, think bigger, then build out from there.

Equally important is knowing when to stop. ‘Decide which of your pillows will be the showstopper and let the others play a supporting role,’ Bethany adds. Not every throw pillow needs to be big and bold. The rest might actually benefit from being a little less interesting.

2. Master the Art of Mix and Match

First throw pillow size, then style. Mixing patterns can feel intimidating, but according to designer Sean Symington, the key is surprisingly simple: opposites attract. ‘When mixing patterns, I like to play with scale,’ says Sean. ‘If the sofa fabric has a large-scale pattern, I’ll go for small-scale prints on the cushions, and vice versa.’

A plain sofa affords more freedom. ‘If the sofa is plain, however, you can have a bit of fun and do either,’ Sean says. He also recommends contrast piping or fringe that picks up another color in the room, keeping things cohesive without becoming too coordinated.

Color can provide that same connective tissue. ‘I like to mix and match patterns with similar color tones,’ says Laura Williams of Living Oak Interior Design. ‘A subtle checkered blanket with a block print pillow is a perfect combination in a related colorway.’

So start with a couple of prints you genuinely love, and let the solids fill in the blanks. Checks can meet block prints, large motifs can sit beside small ones, and fanciful finishes like fringe are welcome, provided they share a throughline.

3. Layer Textures for Warmth and Depth

Speaking of texture, a balance of materials and tactility is essential for styling a couch that feels inviting rather than flat. ‘Another thing to consider when styling your pillows is how you might introduce texture to the arrangement,’ adds Emma Sims Hilditch of interior design agency Sims-Hilditch. ‘Using natural fabrics or heavily patterned and printed materials paired with more neutral fabrics creates a pleasing contrast and helps to inject life into a room.’

Designer Kathy Kuo always ups the variety, favoring ‘pillows covered in soft velvets, rich tapestry patterns, and textural materials like wool shag’ to create instant depth. ‘An expertly styled sofa starts with the pillows,’ she adds. ‘For a cozy, layered look, I love to include one or two throw pillows in each corner of the sofa, mixing patterns and textures to infuse plenty of dimension and visual interest.’

Consider pairing West Elm's Classic Linen Pillow Cover with CB2’s nubby Boucle Throw Pillow, or H&M’s ruffled Slub-Weave Cushion Cover with McGee & Co.'s Bellevue Velvet Pillow Cover (monogrammable, if you want to get personal). Smooth with nubby, and crisp with plush. The goal here is contrast.

4. A Throw Blanket Can Make or Break It

A sofa without a throw can look a little naked, but that doesn’t mean just any blanket will do. Designers say this seemingly ‘toss anywhere’ accessory requires quite a bit more consideration than its name suggests.

Bethany Adams advises matching the material of your throw to the mood of your couch. ‘For the throw blanket, choose a material and fabrication that is in keeping with your sofa,’ she continues. ‘For example: a chunky knit throw, like the Colossal Handknit Throw from Pottery Barn, belongs on your comfy, cozy family room sectional, while your boucle living room sofa should get something more chic and manageable,' like Quince's famous Mongolian Cashmere Throw.

Placement is another matter. British interior designer Birdie Fortescue uses throws to break up a large expanse of fabric, but stops short of styling the life out of it. ‘Layering in a throw adds softness and helps break up a large expanse of fabric, but I always leave enough space so the sofa still feels inviting and usable,’ she says.

5. Don't Overlook the Power of Filling

A throw pillow with a thin, skimpy fill will cheapen even a very expensive couch. Handmade cover, real velvet, buttery leather, no matter. Without the proper ‘puff,’ it will fall flat. Literally.

‘I love layering sofas with big, generous cushions; it’s one of my favorite ways to make a space feel inviting and lived-in,’ advises Sean. ‘My top tip for that beautifully full cushion look is to always go for an inner that’s slightly larger than the cushion cover. It gives you that full, luxurious shape that makes cushions look so inviting.’

Material matters, too. Kathy Kuo recommends: ‘Feather and down are far and away the most comfortable fill materials (perfect for sneaking in an impromptu nap!), as well as the easiest to shape.’

Like the pillows you actually sleep on, the right inner creates that sink-in softness while still allowing for a more sculpted, designer look. Crate & Barrel's Feather-Down Fill 20"x20" Pillow Insert ticks both boxes: feather-down fill and that golden 20-inch size, for less than $30.

6. Provide a Mix of Pillow Shapes and Sizes

Squares on squares on squares can start to look a little snoozy. A well-styled sofa needs some variation, so work with two or three sizes and a mix of shapes. Start largest at the back, then layer smaller cushions in front. And break up all those right angles with a lumbar or bolster. ‘Adding a lumbar pillow in the center of the sofa and bolster pillows on the ends is a clever way to create a tiered look that highlights a variety of shapes,’ Kathy Kuo adds.

There’s a tiny bit of math involved, too. Follow the rule of three: Odd numbers tend to look more natural, so three or five pillows will generally feel more balanced than an even-numbered lineup.

7. Consider Coordinating Your Wallpaper

According to designers, your couch and wallpaper, arguably the two focal points of the living room, should be thought of as a cohesive unit. But they’re different mediums. If there’s geometry on both, for instance, vary the scale or color, or break things up with a few solid throw pillows.

From ikats to botanicals, ‘If you try to match the pattern of your wallpaper exactly to the fabric of your couch or sofa, it could create too much business in your space, and not give your eyes a place to rest within the design,’ cautions interior designer Natalie Meyer of CNC Home & Design.

‘I recommend coordinating the wallpaper and sofa fabric through complementary colors in the same palette but balancing out the proportions through size and scale. For example, if your wallcovering has a large-scale print, such as florals, in shades of blues and greens, you could incorporate a sofa fabric in those same colors, but in a smaller-scale print such as a herringbone pattern, to tie the pieces together while visually balancing out your space.’

But don’t despair if you love stripes-on-stripes. Even the best rule can occasionally be broken. ‘Thoughtful repetition of pattern can bring great results,’ says interior designer Gaia Guidi Filippi of Gaia G Interiors. ‘Matching the patterns of your sofa and living room wallpaper can indeed create a stunning and cohesive look if executed correctly.

‘Rhythm and repetition are fundamental principles of design, and using them can create harmony and cohesion in the room and really make it a “wow factor” space.’

If you do go all in, give the eye somewhere quieter to rest. Solid pillows, throws, or window treatments can temper chatty pattern play without undoing the impact.

8. Go Big With the Art Above Your Sofa

Leave the wall above the sofa blank and, yes, even with fabulous wallpaper, the entire arrangement can look a little unfinished. It’s prime real estate, and permission to let some of your grander wall decor ideas run wild.

‘You have so much choice when it comes to playing with scale when hanging art,’ says Georgia Spray, founder of Partnership Editions. ‘One large statement piece can offer instant impact, brightening a space and making a room feel truly special.’

And don’t let a small living room convince you to go small. ‘People often assume they should buy small-scale art for your small living room ideas, but that actually makes a space feel smaller,’ adds Sheena Murphy, partner, Nune. ’Don’t be afraid to fill the room – invest in an oversized piece of art that fully fills the wall, and don’t skimp on the frame either.’

Alternatively, consider a gallery wall, which, having recently shaken the ‘cheugy’ allegations, is finally cool again. Great for the indecisive or the personality-packed, it offers a little more creative leeway, ‘allowing you to curate your collection in an interesting way and liven up a room with personality,’ says Georgia.

Finally, art doesn’t necessarily need to come in a frame. ‘Being a small space, this room needed a sense of intimacy,’ says interior designer and antique dealer Max Rollitt. ‘Wall paneling adds architectural texture and creates shadow and depth to a room.’ A mirror works, too. And if you’re lucky enough to have glorious views, forget the wall entirely and situate your sofa in front of the window.

9. Put the Space Behind Your Sofa to Work

The back of the sofa is more than a no-man’s-land where spare coins and crumbs go to die. Designers often, in an act of courage, pull the sofa away from the wall and toward the center of the room. It creates intimacy in a larger living room and turns otherwise wasted space into something useful.

‘The solution is to give it purpose. I tend to think in terms of function first: a desk, a game table, a bar, even a pair of stools tucked under a console,’ notes interior designer Zoë Feldman. ‘The area behind a sofa can easily become wasted real estate, especially in larger rooms where furniture floats. Once it has a role, you can layer in lighting and objects to make it feel considered. These areas don’t need to be grand, but they should feel deliberate.’

Nor does the room need to be particularly sprawling. Narrow sofa tables, often fairly inexpensive from retailers like Wayfair, not only zone a living room layout, but replace side tables or bookshelves that might not otherwise fit, holding the lamps, books, and coffee mugs instead.

10. Think Beyond the Couch

Beyond the back, and beyond the wall above, there’s the rest of the room. Ambient lighting, a great coffee table, greenery for a sign of life, and, grounding the whole scene, the right rug matter a ton, too.

Lighting is particularly important. ‘To foster a sense of relaxation in your living room, it’s important to pay careful attention to the lighting surrounding your sofa. If your sofa is up against a wall, strategically placing wall lights on either side will accentuate the sofa and act as a centerpiece in the room, creating ambient flow and fostering a feeling of coziness,’ says Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of homeware brand Industville.

Whether it’s a lamp, sconce, or pendant, consider its position in relation to the sofa. ‘You don’t want them to shine too brightly onto the sofa or create unwanted glare in your eyeline. Alternatively, if your sofa is away from the walls, use a side table with a lamp to illuminate this zone and make it feel cozy,' says Mara.

Then, look down. ’A well-chosen rug can instantly elevate the feel of a sofa area and is one of the simplest ways to reinvigorate your home,’ she adds. ‘Handcrafted designs will add warmth and character, while choosing a rug made from natural materials such as wool or jute will ground furnishings and create coziness underfoot.’

From there, fill in what the sofa can’t do itself. Consider adding an ottoman for extra seating or storage, a coffee or side table scaled accordingly, and something living.

’Nothing elevates a space quite like plants. Whether it’s a potted tree beside the sofa, flowering branches in a vase behind the couch, a trailing vine on a nearby shelf, or a small vase with fresh flowers on the coffee table, greenery adds a natural, refreshing element to the space,’ says interior designer Nina Lichtenstein.

Couch Styling Essentials

It's never just living room seating. What surfaces are within reach? Are the pillows proportional? How does the lighting make guests feel? Styling a couch is really about orchestrating the experience around it.

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January is an odd month. Whatever climate you live in you're battling with some version of a post-holiday comedown. It might mean less spending, it might mean less going out, or it might mean finding ways to battle against the cold and dark.

Thankfully designers have found ways to beat January blues by employing these clever design tricks which make homes feel more inviting, warmer, and like somewhere you'll want to hunker down.

1. Add jewel-toned moments

A surefire way to warm a space – other than turning on the heating – is to layer in some jewel tones. Anything with a hint of red in it – this could range from orange-tinged yellows to brown-tinged blues – as long as it has fire in there somewhere.

And it can be as simple as changing the throw pillows or couch blanket. 'We use a lot of warm colors, to create jewel box moments,' says the Washington, D.C.-based designer Zoe Feldman of Zoe Feldman Design . 'It allows you to feel ensconced in a space, layering textiles, to make it cozy, upholstering pieces to cocoon you,' she adds.

2. Layer lighting

'Getting the light right is a huge part of creating perfect spaces,' says the interior designer Liz Hoekzema, co-founder of the Michigan-based studio KLH. 'It’s those little, quirkier, softer, and more ambient moments that make you want to settle in and stay a while, drawing you in and making you feel close to those you’re sharing your home with.' This is a mood that encapsulates how to survive January perfectly.

'So use your lighting ideas to highlight key artworks or objets, tuck lights into shelving and gather people around and into those corners which feel most cozy and inviting,' Liz continues.

This could be soft downlights over dining tables or simply a well-shrouded table lamp on a cocktail table next to your favorite chair. 'What you want from a home is for people to be able to wander in and feel comfortable enough and sit right down rather than simply to be impressed,' Liz says.

3. Think about your purchases

While we may live in an age of fast fashion and rampant consumerism, the New York-based designer Miles Redd of the studio Redd Kaihoi says now is the time to consider what you're buying. It's a reminder about sustainability, sure, but it also helps you edit what ends up in your home, rather than filling it with more stuff.

'It’s more that I am focused on desire – we ask ourselves: "Do you really want it?"' he says. 'If you don’t want it, it’s back to the drawing board. Every purchase, every choice, should be tested this rigorously. In decorating, there are so many options, but you don’t necessarily want them all when you really examine them, and this approach will lead to a more conscious home.'

4. Visit stores and showrooms

Following on from Miles' point about shopping with more consideration, Zoe Feldman thinks that if you stop scrolling and go out to the stores and showrooms you'll find yourself making better decisions this month, too.

'How a piece feels is an underrated aspect of design – online shopping has taken that element away,' she says. 'I’m very conscious, as we should all be, that a rug not just feels good underfoot, but when you lie on it too (I have dogs and am always lying down on the floor on with them!). So I wouldn’t choose sisal, but something softer. I’ve just bought a mohair rug by Jennifer Manners for my own home and I’m totally obsessed!'

5. Discover meaningful artwork

The Santa Fe-based designer Heather French of the studio French & French thinks that if there is one thing she'd like us to embrace it's folk art. That's art created locally by craftsmen that usually come from a specific cultural background.

'There is an unplanned aspect to folk art, coming straight from the heart or soul,' Heather says. It plays into the January mood of imbuing your home with work that gives it meaning. 'Folk art continually adds layers and makes spaces seem special,' Heather says. 'Often it has a naive aspect that gives your home real charm.'

5. Squeeze a sofa into your bedroom

If January is about anything, it should be about finding ways to connect with the people you love. And those people are going to need something to sit on. David Kaihoi, the other half of Redd Kaihoi, says that a couch in the bedroom is always a good idea, as it's the space in which people are the most relaxed, most ready to get cozy.

'A sofa is just a good place to lounge, and it's fun for the family to have sofa in the main bedroom,' David says. 'The kids all come in, you can chill, someone crawls into bed. It's a really comfortable way to live.' And comfort is a must-have for this time of year.

January definitely gets a bad rap. But it can be a wonderful month to reset after the holidays, both your home and your lifestyle. With all the busyness of the holidays out of the way, you inevitably have more time to spend tweaking and updating your home, making it a cozy, welcoming space to spend the rest of the winter months.

Entertainment rooms are the adult version of a playroom. However, this doesn't mean that the decor needs to be childish. Benny Blanco's luxe movie room is the perfect example of how to make an entertainment space simultaneously fun and elevated.

The producer's movie room idea was created by designer Keefe Butler of Studio Bad, inspired by Paris's Odeon Theater and Old Hollywood aesthetics. It's rich with sumptuous texture, from the redwood on the ceiling to the velvet on the walls to the patchwork sofas in front of the movie screen. A home bar has been converted into a full candy bar with dispensers for every type of sweet imaginable. Blanco's light wood ping pong table provides extra space for fun. Though the design is over-the-top, it never falls into the trap of feeling overwhelming. Instead, it's whimsical and kitschy in the best way possible.

Part of what makes Blanco's media room so appealing is that it is grounded by its supreme coziness. To add warmth to your own entertainment space, the experts at Sofology recommend a focus on lighting. They state: 'Create a sense of intimacy and elegance with carefully placed ambient lighting around the room and on small side tables within reach.'

For recreating Blanco's space, a focus on promoting actual comfort alongside the appearance of comfort will go far. In terms of cozy decorating ideas, the Sofology team recommends: 'Rugs, throws and cushions won't just elevate the space but will go some way in improving acoustics, restricting unwanted noise and reducing echo. Deep seats, wide arms, and reclined positions saved to memory add a sumptuous side of luxury to any homemade theatre space.'

Everyone knows that the snacks are the best part of going to the movies, so don't forget to build the capability for food into your entertainment space. You could modernize a home bar, as Blanco's team has done, or incorporate a popcorn cart for a fun, vintage feel.

Why go out to the movies when you can make a space that is so much more beautiful at home? Benny Blanco's entertainment space is the perfect inspiration.

The Substance actress Demi Moore may be accustomed to setting fashion trends across Hollywood – but her home is just as ahead of the curve. To celebrate Moore's Golden Globe victory, we revisited her Instagram account (a profile that's already served as a source of inspiration for the celebrity style team), and we almost missed a focal point sofa that was way ahead of current design trends.

This 2025, designers predict we'll get more daring with our furniture color choices – and arguably, no piece offers this opportunity quite like our living room sofa.

'A bold, patterned sofa is the ultimate focal piece that can transform a neutral room. Patterns – whether inspired by Kilim, Moroccan prints, vintage florals, or stripes – bring texture, depth, and a touch of worldly charm,' comments David Harris, the design director at Andrew Martin.

'These patterns are more than decorative; they tell stories of travel and discovery, adding layers of personality and warmth. In 2025, it's about blending cultural influences with modern design to create a space that feels both sophisticated and adventurous.'

Shop the patterned sofa edit

In Moore's living room, she exhibits a mosaic-style patterned sofa – comprising reds, oranges, turquoise, and navy hues. The honeycomb pattern is eclectic and, in many ways, risky, but it pays off against her otherwise neutral backdrop.

Since patterned sofas are among the expert's favorite design trends for the year ahead, knowing how to style them is vital. Following Moore's lead and pairing your sofa with a neutral-painted wall and wooden floor is a failsafe starting point. This will allow your room to breathe and consequently prevent it from feeling overwhelmed. Megan Holloway, the creative director at Maro Home, also recommends choosing your throw pillows wisely.

'Choosing to place a bold pattern on a sofa is a brilliant way of elevating and adding impact to a room with one unique piece. It creates a focal point and will add that all-important wow factor, especially in neutral spaces. It also allows you to show off your own unique style and personality in your home,' Holloway begins.

'If you do choose a bold, patterned sofa, then layering it with cushions in stripes, plains, or contrasting patterns will help to create a real 'lived-in' look without it feeling overdone, and this will also help to offset neutral walls beautifully. A good rule of thumb is one large scale print + a stripe + a small print for an effortlessly put together scheme. If a multi-print fabric feels too much, then opting for a large-scale print in a single color will help add interest while still feeling easy to style with other patterns or plains.'

Decorating with antique and vintage pieces is one of the simplest ways to bring character into a home. At their worst, an excess of older furnishings can make a space feel museum-like, cold, and dated. At their best, a combination of antiques with more modern pieces gives a home an eclectic, cozy, and interesting feel. Zooey Deschanel's living room embodies the latter.

Deschanel and her husband, Property Brother Johnathan Scott, have a classic – but interesting – living room idea. The couple's space starts with a velvet sofa in a modern moss color. It's the perfect complement to the rest of their dark wood space. Behind Zooey on the couch, a wooden sideboard is home to an orchid in a white pot and a vintage phonograph. On the wall, an oil painting in an antique frame gives the whole room an old-world luxe energy.

According to experts, the mix-and-match style of their space is right in line with interior design trends. Megan Slack, Head of Celebrity Style, states: 'For 2025, minimalism is out, and characterful interiors are in. People are increasingly interested in spaces guided by their personal interests, and Deschanel's take on the look is especially elevated because it also integrates vintage. It takes her interest in music and mixes it with the heirloom trend.'

What makes Deschanel and Scott's design impactful beyond trends is how it seamlessly blends decorating with vintage and contemporary pieces. For instance, the antique oil painting above the sofa in a trending shade keeps the painting from feeling too old-school, which keeping the sofa grounded in classic design. Together, each furniture piece makes the others feel more interesting. The same is true of the potted orchid, which is a small accessory that makes a big impact on the energy in the space.

The best interiors have a strong point of view, and Zooey Deschanel's living room is a great example of this. Integrating a collection of antiques with more modern pieces lets one easily take a point of view that is uniquely theirs.

Stepping into a well-done coastal design is like stepping onto the beach: breezy, inviting, and warm. Richard Branson's home features the perfect example.

The business magnate took to Instagram to share a shot of his indoor-outdoor living room idea, and it's full-on coastal chic. The space features tan stone floors and tan walls grounded with wooden furniture. A wicker sofa is the ideal place for sitting. Branson's range of blue and white decorative cushions bring visual interest, comfort, and a luxurious feel. Greenery from the outside in the background brings an open energy to the entire space.

What defines coastal decor? More than anything, it's the feeling you get when you walk into a space.'A coastal-inspired room should feel refreshing and relaxing in equal measure, serving as a happy reminder of warm, sunny days spent relaxing at the beach,' says design expert Shelley Cochrane.

Shop the Look

Luckily, this means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recreating Branson's look. Instead, it's a matter of bringing together different elements artfully. Cochrane advises: 'To style this look, combine a neutral color palette of light hues and sandy shades with warm tones of blues. Opt for whitewashed or light wooden furniture to add a nautical touch.' Wicker furniture and accessories are easy ways to accomplish this.

Accomplishing a coastal color scheme requires proper accessorizing. Decorative pillows are one of the simplest accessories that can be switched out quickly, depending on how you want to change the design over time. Classic coastal patterns include starfish, chevron, and seahorses, as seen on Branson's sofa. Or you can do as Cochrane advises and, 'Complete the look with a stripe - an essential addition to any coastal-inspired room. For a playful and contemporary spin, choose wider stripes in bold primary colors for a modern twist on classic coastal interiors.'

Though coastal designs seems difficult to nail, Richard Branson's living room design proves that it's just about selecting the right combination of colors and materials. You can't go wrong with a bit of wicker, warm neutrals, and a splash of blue.

Practicality is key for the living room, and the layout you select should not only be able to accommodate your lifestyle but also enhance it. Inspiration on how to master this layout comes from Anne Hathaway's conversational seating – the product of Pamela Shamshiri, the co-founder of Los Angeles-based Studio Shamshiri. The design firm first shared the room in 2019, but as we look toward 2025, the layout is just as impactful.

The Devil Wears Prada actress and her husband, jewelry designer Adam Shulman, have perfected a clever living room seating arrangement in their chalet-style residence in California. It epitomizes a 'conversational seating' method that, top designers say, is the perfect example of how to maximize your floorplan.

Design icon Nina Campbell is a champion of what she calls 'conversational seating.' Essentially, it's a living room layout designed entirely around your seating arrangement, best exhibited in Hathaway's space.

Shop the look

Figuring out your floor plan is vital to ensure that your living room works from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. Start by working out the central point of the room; this will guide you as to where to place large pieces of furniture, such as sofas and chairs.

'For example, when designing a living room with a traditional fireplace, this will be a central point,' Campbell says. 'You can then either have the sofa to one side with a couple of chairs opposite. Alternatively, you can position the couch so it’s facing the fireplace and chairs on either side.'

It’s always good to throw off the symmetry of the room and add an extra dimension with mismatched furniture, color schemes, shapes, and styles to make the space feel more relaxed and encourage conversation.

But there is so much more to choosing a living room sofa or chair than just their appearance. The number of chairs you set out is an important consideration, too. Odd numbers are good for seating plans in general because they allow for some rotation of guests.

The interior designer Elsie de Wolfe wrote in 1913 that you must never place a chair on its own in a room; she was very shy herself and noted that it is always the shy person who arrives first, sits on the lone chair, and then is often rooted there for the whole party. But two next to each other does not always work, either. I find that two people sitting side by side do not always speak to each other, so having an occasional chair pulled in at a diagonal can create conversational triangles, similar to the seating placement in Anne Hathaway's home above.

Another way to arrange your seating is to place them within arm's reach of a side or coffee table. Can you imagine having to get up every time you – or your guest – wanted to reach the remote or sip their drink?

Perfecting the 'conversational seating' method is a good idea at every point of the calendar, but there is no time like the present – considering we're deep into hosting season.

This December, we suggest replacing art books and vases with small, tabletop Christmas trees while leaving room for a charcuterie board in the center of your social place. This way, your guests are all at an equal distance from the board – making it easy to eat, drink, and be merry long into the evening. I love how Hathaway's layout (with the coffee table in the middle) demonstrates this look perfectly.

Finally, you should never skimp on the most important piece of furniture in your living room: the sofa. 'The sofas and bigger pieces of furniture should be covered in a tough, strong, and relatively plain fabric so you don’t tire of it; they are expensive to recover. You can jazz them up with cushions and throws,' Campbell adds.

A new year is the perfect excuse to spruce up our homes and experiment with new pieces, and for 2025, we are thinking of ways to incorporate color into our spaces.

While some of us naturally gravitate towards neutrals, dopamine decor, and primary colors continue to be on trend. As such, we are taking cues from the always classy and sleek Victoria Beckham, who has managed to infuse a bold dose of color into her dressing room via a colorful sofa.

In a post shared to the designer and former Spice Girl's Instagram page, we can see a lime green couch making a subtle statement in the otherwise neutral space. It serves as a complementary piece against the reclaimed wood floors, navy blue rug, and crystal chandelier, adding just the right amount of vibrancy to the space. It turns out this color is right on trend for the coming year, in case you need further convincing.

While introducing a brightly colored sofa to a room is a statement, experts say that color infusions can be implemented in small doses for those who are used to neutrals.

'Experimenting with a bold color can feel like a daunting task, especially if it’s in a main room in your home and you haven’t played with color before,' says interiors expert Jade Crooks. 'You could start small, with colorful cushions or an eye-catching rug. However, to make a real statement, select a focal piece of furniture – like a sofa or an ornate armchair – and go all out.'

She continues, 'If you’re unsure where to begin, think with your heart rather than your décor. Bright colors are often more energizing than neutrals, bringing strong associations with them. Yellow, for example, adds a refreshing burst of energy to any room.'

Green is a particularly versatile color choice, fitting well into popular interior schemes such as Japandi and organic modern design trends.

'The color green is most commonly associated with nature, offering a sanctuary from everyday life stressors,' Crooks says. 'Like spending time in your garden on a sunny evening after a long day, sinking into a green sofa at the end of the day can bring about a sense of calm.'

Beckham's dressing room is certainly calming, with the wood floors adding a natural feel to the room.

'Pairing your green sofa with browns and textured neutrals can help to build upon those feelings of nature,' she states. 'To go one step further, try incorporating potted plants in your space.' Alternatively, you could pair it with a chandelier for the ultimate Victoria-Beckham-inspired look.

Shop H&G's statement green edit

The beauty of green is that there are so many different shades to choose from: sage is a forever classic, while emerald green feels regal, and lime green makes a bold statement.

If you're hosting overnight guests over the holiday period then a sleeper sofa is going to be prime real estate in your home as of next week.

Whether it’s close family or surprise guests, your multi-functional spaces often become the unsung heroes of the season. But knowing how to style a sleeper sofa to make it exude the same level of sophistication as the rest of your interiors – and your own bed – can be hard to master.

To help you create a home away from home for your loved ones we've sought the help of the experts to divulge their very best sleep-inducing tips.

How to style a sleeper sofa

'When hosting this Christmas, styling a sofa bed is all about blending comfort and functionality with subtle festive charm,' says Rhiannon Masters, head of brand at Piglet in Bed.

From selecting the right textiles to perfecting the art of accessorizing, these expert-backed tricks will make your sleeper sofa look more expensive while ensuring your guests feel like they’re staying at a boutique hotel. Sleepover season has never looked so chic.

1. Treat it like any sofa during the day

Your sleeper sofa doesn’t have to scream “guest bed” when it’s not in use. So treat the sleeper sofa as a permanent part of your design rather than a temporary fix to help you host guests without a guest room.

'A sleeper sofa should be treated and styled like any other sofa to ensure it feels intentional and cohesive within your space,' says interior designer Marie Flanigan.

'Pair it with side tables and lamps to create balance and provide practical surfaces for lighting and decor. Beautiful throw pillows in a mix of textures and patterns can soften the look and add personality,' she adds. A high-quality rug can also anchor the sofa in the room and help it feel like a more cohesive part of the design.

2. Choose bedding wisely

Investing in beautiful, well-made bedding rather than pulling something from the back of the linen cupboard shows your guests that their comfort isn’t an afterthought.

Start with breathable, high-thread-count sheets, and avoid old, mismatched bedding; instead, opt for a set that coordinates with your room’s decor – whether that room is your living room, office, or family room. And be sure to get them the best pillow and comforter you can afford.

'Scalloped detailing on bed linens and trimmings adds a charming touch that effortlessly elevates the overall aesthetic,' suggests designer Gray Walker. 'This design element strikes a perfect balance between whimsy and timeless elegance, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels both playful and sophisticated.'

3. Add layers of cozy textures

You don't want your guests to feel like they're staying on a makeshift bed but instead a guest room that feels inviting, cozy, and thoughtful.

'Start with layers of cozy textures,' adds Rhiannon from Piglet in Bed. 'Think luxury linen sheets, wool blankets in warm earthy tones paired with accent cushions that echo the feels of the season – rich greens, deep reds, and striped patterned accents.'

'For a truly inviting touch, drape a linen quilted throw or a knitted blanket of your choice across the foot of the bed,' she continues. 'This adds a cozy farmhouse feel with a modern twist and is also practical for those colder nights when your guests want to pull over an extra layer.'

4. Don't forget pattern and color

'People often set up a sofa bed with basic bedding, plain sheets, a duvet, and pillows, however, we’d suggest dressing your sofa bed in the same way you would any other bed,' Rhiannon continues.

'Texture paired with pattern adds depth and nostalgic charm which will make your guests feel a sense of homeliness.' Pattern and color bring personality and charm to your sofa, making it feel intentionally styled.

Even if the sleeper sofa itself is neutral, adding bold cushions or throws can completely change its vibe. Stripes, plaids, and florals are versatile prints that can fit a range of interior design styles while feeling festive enough for the holidays.

5. Finish with little luxuries

In order to be a really great host, try to predict their needs and mimic the experience of a luxury hotel with sleep-ready scents, a stack of books, and even fresh flowers.

'So your guests feel more special than ever, keep a small side table nearby with essentials like a carafe of water, a scented candle, and a phone charger to create that home-from-home experience,' suggests Rhiannon.

Not everyone likes to sleep at the same temperature so provide a basket of extra blankets and throw cushions. Blackout blinds are essential but often forgotten in rooms that aren't typically used for sleeping, like a home office that doubles as a guest room and dimmable lamps provide both ambiance and reading light.

'Don’t forget to layer in accents like a cozy throw, a nearby floor lamp, or a small piece of art to create a polished, inviting space,' Marie advices. 'These final, thoughtful touches help your sleeper sofa feel like a centerpiece rather than an afterthought.'

Whether you’re hosting for the holidays or just preparing for impromptu visitors, your guests will appreciate all the effort you’ve put into making their stay special.

Living room layouts can be tricky to navigate. They are often such hardworking spaces that wear a lot of hats and need to work for everyone who uses the space. And although not a piece of furniture, a rug is a main player in your layout and the positioning can make or break a room.

There's plenty to consider when choosing the best spot for your rug, but one of the main questions asked is 'Should your couch sit on top of the rug?' and then more specifically, how much of your couch should sit on top of the rug? Should it even be sitting on the rug at all?! There's lots to consider, so we asked designers to help you decide what's going to be best for your living room.

How much of your sofa should sit on the rug?

As is often the case with interior design conundrums, how much of your sofa should sit on the rug, if at all, depends on a multitude of factors; from the room size and configuration to the style of your couch and rug you have chosen. Focusing on living room seating, essentially, there is no right or wrong answer but many a guideline to follow...

1. Consider the scale of both room and rug

The size of your living room will impact your choice of couch and it is important to bear in mind when deciding how far the rug belongs under the sofa too. 'A well-placed rug can define a seating area, enhance cohesion, and improve balance and flow,' begins Lauren Lerner, CEO and Founder of interior design firm Living with Lolo. 'The rug's size is key; it should ideally fit at least the couch's front legs. This setup unites the furniture, preventing a fragmented look.'

Essentially the rug acts as a frame. If you are working with a couch for a small living room and have less room to work with, keep one third of the couch on the rug as a minimum. Los Angeles-based interior designer, Victoria Holly agrese with Lauren about this two front leg rule, since it 'helps unify the seating area while keeping in mind a sense of openness around the furniture,' says Victoria.

Should you have ample space to work with, you may want to anchor the couch in it furthermore, so that it does not fade into the background. Do this by going full hog. 'In larger rooms, I often place the entire sofa on the rug to define a well-scaled and grounded space,' continues Victoria.

2. Think about proportions and the 'relationship' between furnishings

As well as working to the scale of your room and of the rug, fine-tuning the space to balance the overall proportions of the different living room furniture will serve a cohesive and welcoming finish.

'Space planning is key here,' says Amy Pigliacampo, founder of Amy Pigliacampo Interiors. 'Sofa placement is really dependent on the overall proportions of the sofa relative to the rug and room size. We like to use rugs as our base to create the zone and then establish furniture placement based on those goals.'

And of course, the best position for the rug and sofa comes down to the style of both as well as the style and size of the room. 'It really has to do with the relationship between the rug, the room and the sofa; if we need the rug to accommodate a larger area, it's possible that the sofa might just come up to the rug with an intentional gap but these are very specific case by case circumstances,' continues Amy. 'The biggest mistake we see are rugs that are too small relative to a sofa.'

3. Keep a natural flow around the rug

Naturally, furniture directs the flow of traffic around a room and keeping walkways clear is one of the key things to consider when positioning your couch – and you need to keep this in mind when finalizing the placement of your rug too. 'Also, consider traffic flow; the rug should allow comfortable movement without blocking paths,' notes Lauren.

You may have a particularly long living room, or one with various alcoves to consider, so depending on the room shape and any surrounding furniture, this may mean you pull more of the rug underneath the couch or leave more on show. Either way, ensure the rug does not impede unnaturally on walkways. More generally speaking for the couch, you want to 'avoid placing it too close to walls to promote conversation and movement throughout the room,' echoes Victoria.

Victoria offers some specific measurements to keep in mind: 'To help determine the right size rug for your space, I recommend keeping in mind hardwood flooring space around your rug at 12” to 18” wide.'

4. Look to your room's style

Scale plays an important part in interior design not just from a measurement perspective, but also to design depth, and the finished look you are trying to create for your room will influence how much of your sofa sits on the rug too. For example, a living room that wants more energy might want to keep at least two-thirds of a colorful rug on show, whilst some shapes merit accentuating too.

'A sofa doesn’t need to rest on a rug if you have an abstract or unusual shaped rug where you want to appreciate the edges a bit more,' adds Victoria Holly. 'Or in some very small spaces where you want to appreciate the hardwood flooring details.'

As with anything in interior design, do not hesitate to bend the rules when styling a sofa, with your rug. Consider your personal interior design style and how polished or relaxed you want the space to appear at the core of your decision. 'For a formal look, a larger rug fully under the couch and seating gives a complete, sophisticated appearance,' adds Lauren. 'A smaller rug under just the coffee table can feel lighter but might lack cohesion.'

5. Check the overall balance, harmony and comfort

How all of these factors come into play will shape your final design movements. Consider visual and physical comfort, as well as style and practicality.

'Generally, a rug defines a space in a room,' says Amy Kalikow, founder of Amy Kalikow Design. 'Having all the furniture fit properly on the rug is a rule of thumb for our design. It makes the room feel cohesive and defined.' Depending on how your floors lie, it might be necessary to have either the full rug under all four sofa legs or no rug at all. 'Additionally, if a couch is part on and part off a rug, there could be balancing issues which makes comfy seating problematic,' continues Amy.

You might have multiple couches, for instance, in an open-plan living room. If this is the case, and they are spread out, be strategic with which seat you want to be more of the focus Victoria Holly shares. 'If you have more than one sofa, ideally both sofas have their front legs on the rug to help ground the room. But if for whatever reason given the layout and flow of the room, only one sofa can have its legs on the rug, then pick the larger and more dominant sofa.'

When tackling how much of your couch should sit on a rug, focus on how scale, proportion, flow, and feel of the space all come into play. When in doubt, consider the two front couch leg rule and see how it sits in your space, you will know when you have made the right design choice.

In 2021, Drew Barrymore developed a design ideology: to create the things she 'wanted to see in the world,' and that's exactly what she did. Cut to 2024, and her brand, Beautiful, stands as one of the most reputable homeware labels in the modern American home.

What started as kitchenware has developed to cover our entire home – spanning boucle accent chairs and sectional sofas (that are iconic in their own right), bathroom towels, and one of the most stylish air fryers we've ever seen. Currently, some of our favorite Beautiful by Drew Barrymore items are among the best Black Friday home deals we've spotted this week (and trust us, we've scouted through a lot).

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore deals – H&G's top picks

We've listed our curated pick of the most unmissable deals over the biggest sales event on the calendar. However, we recommend being quick, as we don't know when these reductions will end.

'Designing your home can be a lot of fun, and we wanted to bring items that consumers are excited about,' Barrymore says in an exclusive interview with H&G.

'It's a way to bring out your personality while creating a space for comfort for you, your family, and your friends. We hope our pieces, from our cookware to our couches or pillows, bring a bit of joy to your home and inspire you to get creative while designing or redesigning spaces within your home.' Today, they're even more accessible than normal, but these deals surely won't stay in stock for long. Happy shopping.

It's no secret that Dolly Parton takes a maximalist approach to life. From her bedazzled bodysuits to her signature up-do's, the singer-songwriter has a more is more attitude to her stage persona; her affinity for her interiors, however, takes a more muted approach.

In a recent post shared to her Instagram account, we can see Parton sitting on a cream boucle sofa accented by neutral throw pillows. In recent months, this 'outdated' material has divided designers, with some experts asking: What's replacing boucle? However, the singer's placement on the sofa reminds us that it's a classic look that's here to stay. The sofa is perfectly placed in a neutral room, reminding us that it's a staple in the organic modern design scheme – and it's enduringly popular for a reason.

The highly versatile neutral palette (as well as the beloved boucle sofa) can easily be customized to suit personal design preferences, making it a timeless trend in every sense of the phrase. Even though its status has been debated in recent months, the singer makes a case for its enduring appeal.

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According to experts, organic modern design favors neutral colors and natural textures, taking inspiration from the great outdoors.

'The organic modern trend is about blending natural textures with a contemporary feel,' says Monika Puccio, the head buyer at the Sofa Club. 'Neutrals are your best friend for this aesthetic, so focus on beiges, ivory, and soft greys to create an airy feel. Choose furniture which is made from linen, wool, boucle, and textured woven fabrics. These not only add a tactile quality to the space but also bring in the organic elements essential to this sophisticated style.'

She continues, 'Explore textures through accessories to keep the space stylish and give added depth. By incorporating items like woven, natural fiber rugs, chunky, knitted throws, and textured cushions, you can gain a contrast, giving the space interest while maintaining an organic, rustic charm.'

Parton's sofa and pillows capture the essence of this strategy perfectly, with a bit of texture coming through in the boucle fabric and woven cases.

Additionally, comfort is key with organic modern, so think about incorporating soft materials that are both practical and stylish into a living space.

'Modern organic is all about blending minimalism with coziness,' Puccio explains. 'This style focuses on furniture that maximizes comfort while steering clear of bold, overpowering designs. Look for designs that prioritize relaxation.'

Finally, Puccio recommends keeping decor to a minimum when it comes to an organic modern space, and avoid over-accessorizing (less is more).

'Prioritizing openness is key to achieving a modern organic look within your home,' she says. 'Maintaining an open, airy environment can make the space feel larger and more inviting. Also, ensure that the room is decorated to embrace natural light. This not only brightens your space and contributes to that minimalist feel but also highlights the natural textures and neutral tones that define this style.'

I recommend adding in textural details on the ground to further enhance visual interest while still keeping the space feeling open; for example, a woven or fluffy rug.

When it comes to living room decor, I typically prefer to keep furnishings simple and neutral. I tend to implement color and pattern with accessories such as rugs, hanging art, and candles.

However, Benny Blanco's showstopping sofa has me reconsidering my living room design ideas. His large, green patterned sofa, as seen in a snap shared by his interior designers, Dana Vitrano and Rachel Leigh Ward of bonVivant Interiors, is the perfect foil against his white walls. A piece of art hanging above serves as another focal point in the space.

The designer revealed that the living room sofa is custom upholstered with House of Hackney fabric, but many printed and patterned sofas on the market do not require a DIY. Whether you try to customize an existing sofa or purchase a pre-patterned one, styling is key to ensuring it looks sleek and appealing.

First and foremost, when incorporating a statement piece sofa in a space, it is paramount to consider the size of the room. While Blanco's sofa is considerably large, a couch of this size might look out of place in a room that just barely fits it. Ensure that there is ample empty space surrounding the sofa, so that it does not appear that it has been squeezed in.

Additionally, consider the existing styling of your living space. Are the walls painted a bright color, or an eggshell hue? Do you already have an eccentric coffee table, or a bold bookcase? If so, a statement sofa, like Blanco's, might look too busy in a space that is already favoring unique decor.

I recommend placing a statement sofa in a neutral (and modifiable) space. That's not to say that it has to be boring though; textured, natural materials such as rattan and linen pair beautifully with the softness of a sofa, and would look especially beautiful next to a deep green one like Blanco's.

It is also important to choose a pattern that speaks to you. Florals are a classic for a reason, but they are not for everyone. Plaid and stripes are also fantastic options, and can make a space feel preppy or coastal depending on the sofa's color palette.

We love Blanco's ornate, nature-inspired sofa, and the specks of gold can easily be paired with gold accents in a living space, such as a lamp, picture frame, or even coffee table legs.

Alternatively, for those who are not ready to embrace a fully patterned sofa, try experimenting with colors and textures instead. Velvet sofas are trendy yet timeless, while we have seen colors such as orange and pink pop up as part of the enduring dopamine decor trend.

Below, find a statement sofa and some neutral accessories to achieve the Benny Blanco look.

I also recommend keeping throw pillows and blankets to a minimum with a statement sofa, so that it remains a clear and uncluttered focal point in the living space.

No matter your decor style, a patterned sofa like Blanco's can give your home an elevated, design-led feel.

A leather sofa is a simple, versatile, and functional way to bring personality and warmth into your home. For instance, we've long admired the '90s-inspired coziness of Katie Holmes's living room. Despite the presence of a record player and natural wood, it's her fawn-colored leather couch that brings the entire look together.

Holmes's gorgeous living room sofa is situated at the center of her space to the left of a round coffee table. It's been given room to breathe from the wall making the whole room feel larger and brighter. The inviting furniture piece has a wide base and a low back, leaning into the era of the room and conversational seating tactics. It's caramel-leather looks soft, broken in and well taken care of. It simultaneously makes the room feel more elevated and lived in.

Are leather couches still in style? The natural material is a staple of timeless design. Though black leather sofas have faded slightly from popularity, warm neutrals like Holmes's are going strong.

Its enduring popularity is largely because the natural texture of a leather sofa fits in easily with the rustic modern interior design trend. Zlatka Dimitrova, home improvement expert, describes the trend stating: 'The rustic modern trend blends the warmth and charm of rustic, natural materials with the clean lines and minimalist aesthetic of modern design. It often combines features like reclaimed wood, stone, and organic textures with sleek finishes, neutral color palettes, and contemporary furnishings. The goal is to create a balanced environment that feels cozy yet sophisticated. It draws inspiration from nature while incorporating modern comforts and technologies.'

Where does leather fit in? Dimitrova says it's essential for adding texture in this design style. 'While rustic design leans towards more rugged textures, modern design incorporates sharp, clean lines. Textured elements like leather, wool, and linen add warmth and depth, and sleek, simple furniture contrasts the organic roughness of natural materials.'

Beyond their looks, leather sofas have emerged as a timeless classic because of how durable they are. Sam Deeble, Furniture Specialist, states, 'Leather sofas are favored for their easy-to-clean material.' Rather than removing an unwieldly slip cover and getting stains out in the washing machine, it only takes one step to clean a leather couch. Deeble recommends: 'Use a leather cleaner designed for leather sofas or a mixture of mild dish soap and water with a microfiber cloth to gently clean the upholstery. This will protect the leather while effectively cleaning the surface, ensuring your sofa remains in top condition.'

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If you love the look of a leather sofa but are stunned by the price point, vegan leather is a great alternative. These high-quality options are the best vegan leather sofas of the year, as chosen by H&G's shopping writers.

To emulate Holme's modern rustic styling, try pairing your new brown leather sofa with natural wood. The two textured materials pair beautifully for a lived-in and unique feel. This sofa choice would also pair beautifully with a textured or shag rug for an extra inviting feel.

Leather instantly makes a space feel more elevated, and Katie Holmes's living room is no exception. How will you be using the material in your own home?

The average person spends nearly a third of their life sleeping in bed. Thus, we are firm believers that quality linens are a worthwhile investment. Naomi Watts is too.

The King Kong and Mulholland Drive star has officially partnered with luxury designer bedding brand Coyuchi as its first celebrity ambassador. Founded in California in 1991, Coyuchi linens are made of sustainably sourced, organic materials and come in mostly calming, neutral shades. Watts has curated a selection of products called the Live Beautifully collection, including a down feather pillow, a classic linen sheet set, and an alpaca cotton throw. The common thread between the products is a sense of quiet luxury that is both beautiful in the home and gentle on the planet.

'Creating a home filled with beauty, comfort, and mindfulness is how I love to live,' states Watts of her choice to partner with the sustainable bedding brand. 'Coyuchi's unwavering commitment to sustainable, organic, and luxurious textiles speaks to the core of what I believe in. I've always felt that the most beautiful things in life are those that remain closest to their natural form—uncomplicated, authentic, and connected to the earth. Partnering with Coyuchi allows me to align with a brand that values conscious luxury, making our homes sanctuaries that feed us and our planet.'

According to industry experts, Coyuchi is a trustworthy (and crowd-pleasing brand). 'I've been in the luxury linens business for over 20 years, and over the last 5 years or so we've seen the largest increase in interest in sustainable textiles and natural fibers,' says Carlin Van Noppen, bedding expert and owner of Fig Linens and Home, retailer of Coyuchi. 'Coyuchi's bedding perfectly taps into this interior design trend. The GOTS-certified yarn creates a product that is not only sustainable but feels high quality and luxurious.

Further, Watts's favorite brand sells some of the bestselling, and best bed sheets of the year. 'The relaxed linen sheet set has become one of our best sellers,' Van Noppen tells Homes & Gardens. 'Clients especially love the relaxed look and the cooling feel. Their pricing is incredibly accessible compared to heritage luxury linen brands for the quality.'

Natural textiles are a surefire way to bring warmth and comfort into your bedroom. We love the look of layering to unite multiple textures for an extra cozy look. Try pairing the relaxed linen duvet set with an alpaca throw for an ultra-plush bed.

Naomi Watts knows a thing or two about luxury, and now it can be both sustainable and accessibly priced.

A stylish accent chair can completely transform a space. From color to fabric to silhouette, a statement seat is a powerful piece of furniture with the ability to draw visual interest to one corner of a room.

Having said all of this, when we got wind of a stunning accent chair at a great price point, we became very tempted. Why? Because it comes from one of our favorite Hollywood stars – and a stand-out celebrity line.

We are talking about the Teddy Accent Chair from Drew Barrymore's Beautiful line, which is only $249.00. Having established her homeware and accessories line in March 2021, we trust Barrymore's collection of stylish yet affordable products, and this new sofa may just be our new favorite. Its deep mustard hues and curvaceous shape tap into the retro style trend that has gained momentum over recent years – and with pieces this affordable, its a sign that this look isn't set to waver.

There is so much to love about this accent chair, but we can't help but re-emphasize its colorway. The butterscotch hue is evocative of '70s modern decor, but its proximity to brown makes it an incredibly versatile color shade. 'When I first saw this chair, I said it was my favorite furnishing I've seen from any celebrity range this fall – and as we continue through the season, it remains true,' comments our Head of Celebrity Style News, Megan Slack.

The shearling fabric is also a highlight, evoking a soft, contemporary feel that is also extremely comfortable to sit on. There is even a removable accent pillow to add dimension and extra softness to the seat. 'I am looking for an excuse to bring this piece into my home, and, rest assured, I will do so before the season is out,' Slack adds.

Reminiscent of cult-favorite cloud chairs, the Teddy Accent Chair features solid wood construction, ensuring that it is a highly durable piece of furniture.

However, with all that said, we can't be all that surprised by the beauty of this piece. Barrymore is synonymous with uber-chic (yet affordable) furniture – trailblazed by her iconic Modular Sectional Sofa, also available at Walmart. You can shop our favorites (including a versatile pillow for any chair) below.

Throw pillows are an addition to a sofa most of us just can’t resist. They may be more modestly sized elements of a room’s design, but they can make an impact all the same.

There definitely is an art to selecting the best throw pillows and arranging them, however. Style them well and they’ll elevate the living room rather than simply adding an accent of color.

And who better to ask for the best styling tips than interior designers who know all the secrets to making throw pillows look more expensive? We got into the specifics about choosing the right sizes, shapes, and fabrics, along with their knowledge of how to place them in order to make them look their best.

1. Always upgrade the cushions that come with the couch

Some sofas come with matching pillows, but to make a sofa look more expensive, upgrade.

‘The first thing I do if a sofa comes with throw pillows in the same fabric as the sofa is to remove the covers and replace them with new ones in complementary colors and textures,’ says Rebecca Ward of Sacramento-based Rebecca Ward Design.

Don’t feel you have to use the same number that were supplied. ‘Odd numbers are a designer’s secret,’ says Rebecca. ‘I like seven pillows on sectionals, five on sofas, and three on loveseats.’

2. Layer sizes and shapes

For a high-end look, don’t opt for a single size or shape of pillow. ‘Layer with varied sizes and shapes,’ says Colleen Bennett of CBB Designs.

‘Start with larger, square pillows (around 22 to 24 inches) at the back and layer in smaller lumbar or rectangular pillows in front. This creates a full, layered look that instantly feels curated and sophisticated.’

4. Factor in sofa depth

While we’re talking pillow size, be sure to take into account the depth of a sofa when choosing for an upscale look.

‘For a perfectly balanced look on a standard sofa, I love using a combination of 20 x 20 inches, 18 x 18 inches, and a lumbar pillow that’s 12 x 20 inches,’ says Tami O’Malley, owner and lead designer at Tami O’Malley Design.

‘If you’re working with an oversized or extra deep sofa or sectional, go for a combination of 22 x 22 inches, 20 x 20 inches, and a 14 x 20 inches lumbar pillow. This variety adds depth and visual interest, making your sofa feel more curated and inviting.’

5. Overstuff your inserts

The secret of a pillow that looks full and therefore more expensive? ‘We always like to select an overstuffed insert that’s 4 to 6 inches larger than your pillow cover size,’ says Victoria Holly of Los Angeles-based Victoria Holly Interiors.

‘For example, if your pillow cover is 20 x 20 inches, opt for a 24 x 24 inches or even 26 x 26 inches insert. This makes pillows look plush and fuller, especially if you're ordering inserts online where they can sometimes arrive less fluffy.’

6. Try the 'chop and fluff' technique

To make throw pillows look more expensive, follow the example of Tami O’Malley when getting pillows into their covers. ‘Make sure to pull the corners of the pillow into the cover snugly,’ she says. ‘Remove any tags that might show, and keep that zipper hidden for a seamless look.

‘Once you’ve got your pillow all fluffed and inserted, place it on the sofa and give the top a light karate chop. This creates a stylish indentation. Then, gently push back on the front face of the pillow for that perfect chop and fluff.’

7. Mix patterns confidently

Decorating with pattern when it comes to throw pillows demands a thoughtful approach. ‘Mix patterns of different scales,’ advises Janelle Patton, the lead designer at Lark Interiors. ‘When choosing patterns, incorporate a variety of sizes.’

But there’s more to putting together patterns on throw pillows than that. ‘Mix organic (free-form, softer) patterns with geometric patterns (stripes, plaids etc),’ says Janelle. ‘Combining different types of patterns can add depth to your space. Organic patterns, such as floral or abstract designs, can soften the look, while geometric patterns like stripes or plaids give a structured feel.’

8. Choose a tried and tested formula

For interior designer Julie Anne Burch pattern can provide a cue for a pillow color palette that has plenty of texture and interest.

‘On a sofa, start with a large solid pillow at the back, then a medium textured one, and finish with a smaller patterned pillow in front to add depth and interest,’ she suggests. ‘Begin with a favorite pattern and pull complementary colors from it to tie everything together beautifully.’

9. Pay close attention to undertones

There’s another dimension to pillow color that’s important to consider and that is the undertones. You don't want them to clash, even if you are keeping things simple and neutral.

‘When mixing patterns, pay close attention to the undertones, especially with whites and ivories,’ explains Victoria Holly. ‘A pillow with a white base will clash against one with an ivory base, so it’s essential to keep these tones consistent.’

10. Focus on fabric

To make throw pillows look better, there are some fabrics you should favor. Certain, more tactile fabrics will always make a set up look more expensive.

‘Choose materials that look and feel luxurious, like velvet, linen, silk, or faux fur,’ says Izabela Tokarski, founder and interior designer at Kabela & Co. ‘These textures tend to exude a high-end vibe. Natural fibers, like cotton-linen blends, can also add a touch of sophistication.’

11. Bring in texture and trims

Don’t overlook the details that can boost style. ‘Add texture like leather, a bouclé or a cool fringe trim,’ says Janelle Patton. ‘By using materials like leather or bouclé, or adding features such as fringe trims, you can enrich the overall aesthetic and make the space feel more dynamic and layered.’

Alex Bass, founder and CEO of art advisory and interior design studio Salon 21, agrees, ‘Pillows with trims have a luxe feel to them as another way to elevate your space.'

12. Don't ignore the small details

When you’re purchasing throw pillows, be sure of what you’re getting. There's a couple of small but significant things to look for to ensure your throw pillows look expensive.

As Victoria Holly notes, you usually want the same pattern to cover the whole pillow (unless it's a very obvious part of the design that front and back shouldn't match). She explains, ‘For a more cohesive and custom look, choose pillows with the same fabric on both sides, rather than a contrasting back. Additionally, hidden zippers at the base give a sleeker, more expensive look than buttons.’

On that note, arrange your throw pillows so you never see any zippers. This will be easier if you pick designers with the zipper running down the side of the pillow rather than along the back.

13. Give your inserts a refresh

Once you’ve selected throw pillows and arranged them, it’s important to keep them looking their best.

‘Ever notice how throw pillows become oddly shaped over time?’ asks Rebecca Ward. ‘Toss the poly insert into the dryer with a couple of tennis balls on the air-dry setting to fluff it back into shape. I always opt for down or faux-down fills to avoid this problem when possible.’

Making your throw pillows look more expensive can be the answer to making a whole living room look more expensive. And it's so simple to elevate these humble pieces of homeware. The designer tips focus on ensuring your pillows always look full and fluffy, layer up the textures and colors, and choose fabrics that are tactile.