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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Like many things, the value of an object depends heavily on its buyer. Some might walk straight past a well-loved piece of furniture, while others might only see its character and story. That said, there are some things always worth splurging on, no matter your tastes or style.

The beauty of decorating with antiques is that you never know what you'll uncover, but when you do stumble across something that speaks to you, it's handy to be aware of items worth the investment and the objects that aren't. From rare artwork to well-made cabinets, these are the items that experts say are worth the splurge – and the pieces you should always save on.

Splurge: Good Quality Storage Pieces

While not all vintage furniture trends are worth the investment (all-pine matching sets are a good example), the antique styles that only get better with age are undeniably worth spending a little more on.

High-quality storage pieces are a great place to start. 'I would splurge on a well-made antique case piece,' explains Lauren Sullivan, Founder and Curator of Well x Design and Well Found. 'A chest, cabinet, console, or bookcase. These pieces often anchor a room, and quality construction becomes more apparent over time. A great antique case piece can be used for generations and continue to adapt as a home evolves.'

Whether it's an aged trunk that shows all the best signs of patina or an armoire that's waiting to grace a farmhouse kitchen, sturdy wooden furniture that's remained timeless despite its years is always a safe bet. If it's remained classic for centuries, it'll continue to do so for as long as you own it.

Save: Decorative Trinkets

While meaningful keepsakes are priceless, decorative trinkets that can be found anywhere are always worth saving on. Unless they're rare artefacts or crafted by a notable hand, they're hardly vintage pieces that will add value to your home.

'Smaller decorative pieces are often where the best value can be found,' advises Lauren. 'Bowls, silver-plated candlesticks, planters, and other small objects don’t have to be expensive to make an impact. Some of my favorite pieces have been among the least expensive purchases, and it’s these items that often make a room memorable.'

While, of course, decorative trinkets are worth buying (a midcentury paperweight completes a coffee table, as does a brass candlestick stood on a mantel), you needn't spend hundreds on these pieces, as chances are you'll find them far cheaper elsewhere.

Splurge: Artwork

Art is always worth the investment. The beauty of vintage artwork is that it's a one-off, so you're unlikely to find the same piece again (unless it's a print or replica). If you spot a style that speaks to you (a classic still life of some flowers might be just what your entryway needs; alternatively, a striking abstract canvas woven with color might fill that empty spot above your mantel), buy it – even if it is a little expensive.

'There is nothing we love more than immediately understanding the story a room is conveying the moment we walk through it,' begins Sydney Hale, founder of antique and interiors store, Soul Fed Home. 'For us, good art does that and is always worth the splurge. We believe art tells a story of personal taste unlike any other category can.'

'Whether we’re discussing a painting, a personalized sketch or a curated gallery of engravings, these pieces instantly communicate the feeling of a home and the personality behind it,' says Sydney. 'Some of the very best spaces use layers of art to create a cohesive story to the space or the owners that simply can’t be replicated.'

Save: Generic Glassware

Vintage colored glassware has long been collectable, but the styles worth looking out for are typically the ones you don't often see.

'Resist the urge to overspend when it comes to mass-produced items,' says accredited appraiser Noralen Curl, from JustAnswer Fine Art and Antiques Expert. 'Vaseline Green and Pink Depression glass is lovely and makes a great table statement; however, there is so much of it available that bargain pricing can be had with patience.'

Instead of collecting mass-produced glassware, look out for handcrafted pieces you've not seen before. 'Same goes for recent fads, like Hen on Nest glass figurines,' adds Noralen. 'They are popular now among young collectors, and dealers are taking advantage by increasing the prices on their inventory that has sat unsold for a couple of decades.'

'In the end, though, if it is an item you really love, something that brings you joy, then whatever the piece is, it is worth the splurge.'

Splurge: Tapestries

'I will always splurge on good condition 16th-18th century verdure Flemish and later French Aubusson tapestries,' says Ambrice Miller, founder of Relic Interiors. 'These pieces have been coveted for hundreds of years, given their provenance. Originally commissioned in the “Low Countries,” in the 1500s, they broadened in popularity over the centuries, which reflected a major shift in European artistic leadership from the original great weaving centers to the royal manufactories of France.'

'These tapestries were more than decoration as they served as symbols of wealth,' explains Ambrice, 'political propaganda, and captured the shifts in artistic and religious tastes from the Middle Ages to the humanist and naturalist movement of the Renaissance. Unlike furniture of a similar period, which would have been made with extremely hard and precious woods to last, in order for tapestries (often made of silk and wool) to last 400-500 years, they would have been properly looked after. The pure cost of carry over that time gives insight into their expense now.'

Plenty of benefits come with tapestries. Ambrice explains, 'Though many items go in and out of trends and desire, quality antique tapestries will always represent a certain history, elegance, and craftsmanship that elevates any space and makes them worth every penny.'

Save: 'Trendy' Furniture

Midcentury modern furniture is very collectable, but not all pieces are worth the investment. Overly popular, trend-led styles that you see all over social media will likely have their moment and soon pass.

'It’s safe to say most antiques dealers are obsessed with their trade. That said, it means we scour books, the internet, and the knowledge of peers to create a mental catalogue or price index of most types of antiques that we find interesting,' says Ambrice. 'It also means you can identify trends before they filter down to the mainstream. I try to save on anything I feel does not have a strong record of sustained value or fluctuates dramatically quickly.'

'For instance, certain types of mid-century or vintage “trendy” furniture, such as rattan, bamboo, or hyper stylised pieces, which sometimes lack quality in their construction. I may include a few of those pieces in my collection if I genuinely like them, but I try to steer clear of anything too trendy. If you open social media and everyone’s homes begin to look the same with the same types of pieces, that’s probably an indicator that the aesthetic is on its way out, and maybe wait until you find a bargain to buy.'

Shop Timeless Antiques Worth the Splurge

Items worth splurging on are the ones you'll never see again and think about for years if you didn't pick them up. Whether it's a striking painting you can't take your eyes off or a quality armoire that'll only get better with age, invest in antiques that speak to you, and save on things you've seen a thousand times before.

'As for saving, we tend to stay conservative on pieces that aren’t as rare or that we come across often. We’ve noticed even in antiques, certain items naturally have their moment. We are always drawn to hunting for those one-of-a-kind items that give the home a unique twist,' says Sydney.

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It’s a lesser-known fact that acclaimed Romantic painter J.M.W. Turner, best known for his atmospheric studies of water and light, also had experience as an architectural draughtsman. That detail proved especially fascinating to Love Your Home founder Leigh Harmer, who, while researching the artist’s life and legacy, visited Sandycombe Lodge – the 1813 villa Turner not only lived in, but designed for himself.

The house clearly left an impression. It now serves as the blueprint for Love Your Home’s new collection: a sofa, armchair, and footstool inspired by Sandycombe’s architectural features and designed for modern life.

Each piece traces back to a specific detail from Sandycombe Lodge. ‘The Turner Sofa was conceived as a place for reflection and imagination, qualities that feel central to Turner’s work, and the leg design was inspired by the triglyph brick detailing on Sandycombe Lodge’s exterior,’ Leigh Harmer explains.

‘The Mallord Armchair,' meanwhile, 'draws on the story of Turner’s relationship with his father, who lived with him at Sandycombe Lodge and played an important role in both his personal and professional life. I can imagine him sitting by the kitchen fire in this armchair every night.'

'The shape and lines of the Sandy Footstool reference a distinctive glass ceiling light above the main staircase,' Leigh continues, 'a detail that caught my eye while spending time there.’

Down to the scale, even overarching elements were executed with the house in mind. Rather than subscribing to the increasingly oversized proportions dominating contemporary furniture, for instance, the pieces were designed to suit Sandycombe’s smaller, quainter rooms.

Appropriately, Love Your Home x Turner’s House has returned to Sandycombe Lodge for its official debut. ‘The collection began with time spent in the house, time spent studying Turner, so it felt important to bring the pieces back to that setting, showcasing them in the place that inspired them,' says Leigh.

‘Seeing pieces within the rooms that informed their design helps people understand the connection between the creative process and the finished furniture, completing the story in a meaningful way and helping to bring the house back to life.'

Turner treated Sandycombe Lodge as a sanctuary – somewhere to think, sketch, and escape the city. More than two centuries later, this aspiration hits even closer to home.

'What remains relevant is the idea of creating a home that supports creativity and reflection and offers a sense of calm, and that good design will last for hundreds of years,’ Leigh Harmer tells Homes & Gardens. ‘Turner built Sandycombe Lodge as an escape from the noise and activity of the city, and I think many people are still looking for that balance in their homes today.’

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Smaller and more flexible than a traditional ottoman, these compact finishing-touch mini stools float easily around a room, slot into awkward corners, or provide an extra perch whenever guests arrive.

And we're spying designers using them in droves as a way to introduce texture, shape, or a hit of pattern without needing to commit to a larger piece. You see, in our recent Yond Interiors’ Federalist house tour, it wasn’t the larger furniture pieces in the living room that caught my eye – it was the pair of playful mushroom-shaped stools tucked between the armchairs.

Stealing the show, upholstered in a rich floral fabric, the petite poufs soften the room’s architecture and add a sense of charm, whimsy, and practicality.

The best part is that more and more brands are embracing bolder prints and more playful details that you might typically see on larger furniture pieces – from floral skirts and gingham upholstery to fringing and whimsical mushroom silhouettes (some even complete with storage).

Plus, you don't have to hunt far and wide to find a great stool. Not only have I done most of the hard work, but Shea McGee’s latest Threshold designed w/ Studio McGee drop at Target includes beautifully vintage-inspired upholstered stools that feel far more elevated than their price tags suggest, while brands like Lulu and Georgia, GreenRow, and Kathy Kuo Home are embracing everything from fringed and skirted designs to charming cottage-style florals.

Whether you use one as a practical extra seat or simply as a jolly accent, these tiny stools prove that sometimes the smallest pieces make the biggest impact in a room.

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Just over a month ago, IKEA announced the 10th rendition of its PS Collection with three playful yet functional home products: a bending lamp, a rocking bench, and an inflatable chair. The chair, designed in a deep green color and encased in a sleek metal frame, became an instant talking point for its surprisingly chic look. But at the same time, it left everyone wondering: is it actually comfortable?

I'll be honest, after first hearing about IKEA's inflatable accent chair, dubbed the 'Easy Chair', I was skeptical. I thought that if it's anything like the blow-up plastic furniture from my childhood, then there's no way it could be comfortable.

But that was before I had the chance to sit in it myself. Now, I'm convinced that this chair is more comfortable than most of the non-air-filled furniture I own.

Unlike the blow-up chairs you might have owned in the '90s or early '00s, this chair doesn't make that annoying, crinkling plastic noise when you sit on it, and it's not easily puncturable because of its thick fabric cover. Plus, you can move around on it, lean forward, sit backward, and relax for an extended period of time without feeling uncomfortable – something I can say with confidence after sitting on it myself. This IKEA air chair reimagines the blow-up chair from something childish to something so design-driven, you'd think it's a luxury designer find.

Like most IKEA furniture, the chair is incredibly easy to assemble. Just set up the frame, pump up the air chambers with the foot pump (sold with the chair), and zip each fabric cover shut. Once the cushions are in place, the chair is ready for use. If a spill ever occurs, the covers are conveniently machine-washable, and if the chair ever feels deflated, simply pump more air into each chamber.

Aside from providing extra seating in your living room or bedroom, this chair can become the talking point of your home – thanks to its chic, mid-century-inspired look and its borderline unbelievable means of assembly.

Nowadays, design trends are reminding us that the best furniture and decor can't just look good. It needs to be functional, comfortable, and practical for everyday life, too. Not only does IKEA's Easy Chair tap into that idea, but the brand's entire PS 2026 Collection was designed with the same intention. From height-adjustable stools to tables with hidden drawers, this PS Collection was designed to be stylish, versatile, and built for real life. The surprisingly chic and unbelievably comfortable air chair was just the start.

Shop More Playful and Functional Finds From IKEA's PS 2026 Collection

Though this collection has been available in stores for a few weeks, it just launched online today (28th May). If you've been dying to try the iconic Easy Chair or anything else from this limited-edition collection, now's your chance to shop it.

Clearly, the Easy Chair isn't the only surprising detail from IKEA's 10th PS Collection. These versatile and multifaceted furnishings can add a sense of playful style to your home, making it one that'll never feel short on personality.

Though the PS 2026 Collection has just launched online, it won't stay in stock long. Plus, it's a limited-edition collection, meaning if these pieces sell out, there is a chance they won't be restocked. So, if this collection is speaking to you, be sure to add to cart fast.

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The beauty of antique shopping is its unexpectedness; you never know what you'll uncover. While those of us who enjoy decorating with antiques could likely tell a tale or two about the gems we've unearthed, unsurprisingly, the best stories come from the dealers and design experts who are among antiques every day.

The most extraordinary finds are those that surprise us. From an ornate column capital salvaged from a scrap yard in India to an eight-foot high tapestry sourced from a French flea market, these are the favorite finds of dealers, experts, and designers who love antiques.

1. An 18th Century Oil Painting

'Last December I sourced a huge 18th-century French oil painting in the circle of Alexandre-François Desportes,' begins Ambrice Miller, founder of Relic Interiors. 'The painting depicts a dynamic stag hunt with its composition balancing the grace of the stag with the energy of the scene. I am always partial to a large painting depicting animals, but by coincidence, a dear friend (and fellow antiques dealer) was getting rid of some old Sotheby’s auction catalogues from the 90s-00s, so I grabbed a few as reference documents, as I love to flip through and learn about antiques that way.'

'When flipping through, I saw a piece by Desportes of a stag hunt and was captivated by the scale, energy, and execution of the painting. Weeks later, I was attending an auction in Paris and saw this piece was several lots before the piece I had intended to bid for; it felt like fate. The painting came from a chateau in Provence, and I had to have it. It was simply breathtaking and I was immediately taken by it.'

'I love this piece in large part because of how unexpected it was to find it,' explains Ambrice. 'Especially as I’d seen a catalogue write-up of the circle this artist would have been a part of. It’s difficult to find large-scale paintings in good condition with their original frame and without being relined or having undergone heavy restoration work. I felt like I hit the jackpot!'

'It is currently in our drawing room above the mantle, as we never use the fireplace in there. It’s in pride of place, and given its size, it is often the first piece that is noticed in the room. I feel like large paintings are having their moment again. For the past decade, interiors have been dominated by gallery walls and mixing and matching aesthetics. I love the conviction of having a statement piece and being unapologetic with the space it occupies. Now is a time to be bold with interiors.'

2. A Rare Midcentury Armchair

'During my adult life, I’ve been lucky to both acquire and inherit an array of antiques and vintage pieces, explains Anthony Barzilay Freund, antique specialist and editorial director at 1st Dibs. 'Each wonderful for a variety of reasons (none of which necessarily includes its value or price tag). My most recent acquisition was a mid-century modern armchair that adds the finishing touch to the much-used seating area in our kitchen.'

'Created by Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen in 1948, the lounge chair is from his Laila series, which he created for Asko, the iconic 20th-century furniture manufacturer. I found it on 1stDibs from one of my favorite dealers, Lawton Mull.'

'I’ve always been drawn to the gently enveloping curves of Scandinavian seating, but I’ve never owned a piece in that style. For the last decade, we’ve been slowly fitting out our kitchen with things we love – an 18th-century Swedish farm table here, a mod pair of chrome-based swivel chairs there, a banquette covered in a boldly graphic Madeline Weinrib textile – without a ton of thought about how they all fit together. Missing just one piece to finish the room, I chanced upon the Laila chair on the site, and we snapped it up immediately.'

'Thanks to the help of Cordelia Lawton and Patrick Mull, who reupholstered the cushions in a durable, dark blue Dedar fabric (Purple Flower), which picks up the medallion of the banquette, and stained the legs to better relate to the walnut top of our kitchen island, the chair miraculously completes the scattershot ensemble – and it’s incredibly comfortable to boot.'

3. An Antique Floor Covering

James Yarosh, interior designer and gallerist at James Yarosh Associates, explains the story behind a one-of-a-kind antique tapestry he sourced.

'This antique tapestry, used as a floor covering, became the defining element in a second-floor family atrium. Windows on two floors above allowed daylight to filter down into the atrium, casting a soft and shifting spotlight that animated the floor throughout the day.'

'In searching for the right foundation for the room, I collected antique furniture to create a visual dialogue between design and fine art. While sourcing rugs with Josh Nazmiyal at Rug & Kilim, I was drawn to tapestries, which are typically reserved for the wall. He encouraged me to pursue that instinct, to work outside the expected and open new possibilities. His no-limits approach to beauty met my vision seamlessly. The piece introduced a subtle wedding motif – signifying a poetic “marriage” within the space of fine art and design.'

'It proved to be my favorite solution for the floor,' says James. 'In this private setting, experienced only by family and close guests, it anchors the room, elevates the surrounding furnishings, and serves as an anchoring subplot worthy of connecting the carefully curated artworks surrounding it.'

4. An Indian Column Capital

Known for her love of antiques, Neha Gupta is an interior designer and founder of NU Curations. 'This is the most exceptional antique I have ever sourced and handled: a large 19th-century hand-carved red sandstone column capital, originating from a haveli (traditional mansion) in northern India.'

'During a business trip to conduct traceability work for construction and building material procurement, I encountered a sudden monsoon downpour at an open, cluttered storage yard for old construction materials,' explains Neha. 'While seeking shelter from the rain, I tripped over a massive concrete block. Rainwater washed away grime and coal soot that had accumulated over decades, revealing intricately carved lotus patterns and weathered geometric designs on the block’s sandstone surface. Long crushed beneath a rusted iron gate, the block had been completely forgotten.'

'This century-old stone carving is the most prized piece among all of my private collections. It integrates historical depth, sculptural art, and original inherent textures, and retains clear chisel marks left by craftsmen from a hundred years ago. The natural patina on its weathered terracotta-toned surface cannot be replicated by any modern craftsmanship, and it is fully capable of setting the atmosphere for the entire room.'

'To make architectural remnants compatible with contemporary residences, a high-contrast design logic must be adopted. The author transformed a large stone column capital into a sculptural cocktail table and placed it in a minimalist, well-lit living room,' says Neha. 'This original interior furnishing I created places a piece of rough red sandstone marked by erosion next to a low, ultra-modern custom white linen sofa; the contrast in texture between the two generates striking sensory tension.'

5. An 8ft High French Tapestry

'It's very difficult to decide which antique I have sourced is the most extraordinary as I have been doing this for a number of years,' explains owner and principal designer Debbie Mathews LeRoy of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs.

'If I had to pick just one, it would be an 18th-century French tapestry that I purchased more than thirty years ago. I found it at the Paris Flea Market and instantly fell in love with it. It was hanging in an outdoor booth and featured a pastoral scene in soft shades of green, terracotta, and brown. It measures eight feet tall and fourteen feet wide.'

'It was very expensive for me at the time,' explains Debbie, 'but I did my best to negotiate the price down. I was not successful, and I left the Paris Flea Market empty-handed. But I couldn't stop thinking about this magnificent piece, and I returned several days later. I was told by the vendor that he would take a lower price but that I would need to pay him in cash. My husband and I had to go to multiple banks all over Paris to collect the designated amount of cash since there was a maximum withdrawal amount at most banks. The vendor and I then made the exchange in our hotel lobby just hours before flying back to the United States. We transported this precious cargo in a large duffel bag so that it never left our possession once we acquired it.'

'It is my favorite find because of the story behind it! This piece has always been a focal point in our home because of its size and grandeur. It now resides in my living room right off the entrance hall. Most guests immediately notice it, which is an opportunity for me to tell the story and adventure of how it was purchased.'

Shop Timeless Antiques

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‘Naptime!’ insists almost no one over the age of eight – unless, of course, there’s a daybed involved. Part couch, part bed, these deceptively simple designs invite you to dream on both, offering a place to rest, work, host overnight guests, or collapse dramatically at 4 p.m. without the mechanical tragedy of a pull-out sofa.

In an era obsessed with streamlining, it's this small-space-friendly functionality that has daybeds joining this year's biggest living room trends, from Soho Home's sculptural burl wood silhouettes to IKEA's cleverly drawer-lined frames made for spare linens, pajamas, and occasional overnight guests alike. Elsewhere, asymmetrical styles from Kelly Clarkson Home skip over the daybed's mid-century heyday entirely, harking back instead to its OG archetype: the Victorian fainting couch.

Goodbye, awkward pull-out mattresses. Hello, laid-back living rooms, easy overnight hosting, and the occasional cheeky afternoon nap in a patch of sunlight.

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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If you live in New York, you know il Buco – the Bond Street antique store-turned-eatery known for its Bistecca, Tagliatelle Alla Funghi, and ability to make dinner feel like an evening spent inside some chic curator’s actual Italian farmhouse. And if you’re into design, you definitely know Leanne Ford, the minimalist interior designer whose aesthetic philosophy rests on the idea that warmth and coziness do not, in fact, require much color at all.

Now, the two have found a common medium in il Buco Vita, the restaurant’s equally iconic home line, collaborating for the first time on a high-contrast table decor collection rendered in Leanne’s signature palette of black, cream, smoke, and chestnut.

Every serving bowl, every espresso cup embodies the same sensorially unprecious ease that makes both the restaurant and Leanne’s interiors so spellbinding in the first place – whether you’re walking through the doors of the NoHo institution or hosting friends around your own dining table.

Longtime il Buco Vita devotees will recognize reinvented versions of the brand’s signature lines, including the now-black-rimmed Bevagna collection, Bellocchi casseroles, twisted Collepino candles, and smokier skews of the beloved Pienza glassware. But it’s the Montegranaro splatterware, rendered in a bold black-on-cream glaze, where the collaboration feels most playful. The painterly spots tap directly into the pair’s mutual appreciation for imperfection, giving Leanne’s typically restrained aesthetic a slightly more unruly edge.

Like seemingly everyone else downtown, Leanne had long been an il Buco regular herself. ‘I remember the first time I walked into il Buco on Bond Street. It was so warm, so cozy, so stunning, and so delicious. I was hooked. This collaboration has been a dream of mine ever since. Truly,’ recalls Leanne. ‘There’s something so intimate and transportive about it. I’ve always loved the way il Buco makes a table feel collected, not decorated. Effortless, a little imperfect, and full of soul.’

‘That’s what guided everything we made together,’ she continues. ‘I wanted the pieces to feel quiet but strong. Grounded in our shared love of artistry and craftsmanship, with my signature touch of rock n’ roll edge. Everything was designed to mix, layer, and live out in the open. Nothing precious. They weren’t made to be tucked away behind a cabinet door.’

Because where’s the fun – or frankly, the dolce vita – in a table so polished no one feels comfortable touching it? The best hosts want guests to feel like it’s casa tua from the second they walk through the door, something il Buco has always understood instinctively well. Paired with Leanne’s high-design sensibility, this collection brings that same unbuttoned, unseasonably chic energy home.

So, sit back, relax, and indulge in the rarity that at these mostly-sub-$100 price points, you can finally afford Leanne.

At il Buco, the more, the merrier. If your hosting style follows suit, our guide to long-table styling will help you squeeze in as many personalities, pasta bowls, and last-minute plus-ones as possible.

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Since its first launch in the 1990s, IKEA's PS Collections have challenged the way we think about design. They've always been supplementary to the brand's standard range (hence the 'PS' or, 'post scriptum' title), and since the beginning, each collection has been intended to make good furniture accessible for all people, reflecting IKEA's core principle of democratic design.

Nearly 30 years and nine collections later, IKEA has continued to do just that, and its PS products have become cult favorites in the design scene for their simple yet innovative style. Now, as the 10th iteration of the PS Collection launches, IKEA continues to champion the democratization of high-end design. Only this time, playful functionality is at the forefront of its creations. The collection launches in-store today and is available to shop online from May 22nd.

Maria O'Brian, the Creative Leader of IKEA's PS 2026 Collection, says the series 'combines functionality with unexpected details, interactive elements, and a sense of discovery, turning ordinary objects into something joyful. 'The goal is to create objects that not only serve a purpose but also bring curiosity and something unexpected into the everyday.'

You might remember a few weeks ago when IKEA teased this iteration of its PS Collection at Milan Design Week with a bending lamp, a rocking bench, and a surprisingly chic inflatable chair. These pieces embody the notion of playful functionality – and the rest of the collection does, too.

IKEA enlisted the talents of twelve designers to bring PS 2026 to life – each asked to reinterpret Scandinavian design aesthetics through their eyes while blending innovation, practicality, and playfulness. From there, the imaginative, 44-piece collection was born – consisting of chairs, rugs, vases, lamps, and so many more pieces that are bound to become conversation starters within your home.

'The pieces you see in the collection invite people to touch, explore, and engage with them, revealing functions, surprises, or character beyond what first appears,' Maria muses. Like a reminder to embrace curiosity and the childlike sense of wonder that exists within all of us, these pieces are proof that good design doesn't have to be so serious all the time.

Aside from the inflatable green chair that became an instant fan-favorite, there's so much more to love from IKEA's 10th PS Collection. The woven wood cabinet, for instance, is a definite standout with its unique formation, its visual appeal, and its texturally rich style. As is the metal mirror with its abstract metal frame – a practical feature and an art piece. Even smaller decorations like the cheeky vases with ear-shaped handles and the portable lamps with colorful bases demonstrate the expressive nature of this collection.

These pieces have been made to help your home function more efficiently, but with their playful design elements, they'll turn it into a place that's filled with excitement around every corner.

IKEA's PS 2026 Collection couldn't come at a better time, especially as design trends are taking a turn away from rigidity to embrace personality and character in interior spaces. Though simple in form, each piece is built to bring joy into your home in one way or another – whether that be through the fun rocking feature on the rocking bench or the unique briefcase-style fold of the folding side table.

But the best part? It's all accessible. This collection's prices range from $4.99 to $499, with most products falling below $100 – further demonstrating IKEA's commitment to making high-end, well-made Scandinavian furniture and decor available for all.

Since PS 2026 is a limited edition collection, it won't be around forever. Shop it in stores now, or mark your calendars for its online drop on May 28th.

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An ottoman is dressed for every occasion. It softens a room. It gives you somewhere to kick your feet up after a long day, acts as emergency seating for an overflowing guest list, and, topped with a tray, becomes home to a growing candle collection. And a Negroni.

Epitomizing every delectable contradiction of our favorite anytime, anywhere accessory is Olivine Design Studio, who transformed a pattern-filled ottoman into the de facto bloom-and-book-holding coffee table of an English countryside living room, lending fresh purpose and a little joie de vivre to the sun-drenched 1700s space.

Designer-retailer collaborations from Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu and Georgia to LALA Reimagined for Anthropologie are doing the genre justice, shaking up lackluster seating arrangements with prowling tiger upholstery or the unexpected, but very welcome, introduction of a triangle.

Some are sprawling enough to absorb your entire coffee-table ecosystem, while others, from tastemakers like Shea McGee and Joanna Gaines, tuck hidden storage into petite, almost stool-scale silhouettes fit for even the tiniest apartments.

Living room or bedroom, table or seat, these 20 standout ottomans are ready for whatever.

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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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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It was a sign of the times. Put on any sitcom circa 1970, and you’ll find a gaggle mid-gossip, mid-martini, sunk into the plush perimeter of a sunken living room – a chic, adult version of a lounge pit. While the commitment to leisure is admirable, this feature has long lived in the 'architectural fantasy, probably-too-expensive' corner of the imagination. That is, until a clever sofa made it suddenly attainable without the renovation bill.

Sofa by day, bed by night, and conversation pit on demand, this foldable Wayfair design taps into the 'boneless couch' trend that took off on TikTok over the summer. Its cushions arrive vacuum-sealed, then expand over 48 to 72 hours after unpacking, creating that signature sink-in feel once fully fluffed.

With eight different configurations, you can scale it from compact to sprawling simply by shifting the pillows within its sleek chrome frame. It's ideal for small spaces that don’t want to commit to being a full-time lounge pit (which, in my studio, would absolutely be the case).

Most reviewers take a practical view of this piece, often turning to it as a stylish solution for guest bedrooms – far more elegant, and arguably more comfortable, than an air mattress. They frequently highlight its sturdy build and unexpectedly supportive feel. When fully extended, it comfortably fits two children, or even a pair of petite adults.

But for me, this shapeshifting sofa is less about practicality and more about indulging a very specific retro fantasy – a space designed for sinking in, lingering, and losing track of time in good company. I’ve spent years coveting Mary Richards’ Minneapolis apartment in The Mary Tyler Moore Show; now, thanks to its current $360 sale price, I finally have an excuse to do exactly that.

How I'd Style It

Perfect for intimate parties, overnight guests, or simply stretching out like a starfish, here’s how I’d style the freshly resurrected sofa trend into the ’70s-style setup of my dreams.

We’re always in the mood for mid-century, and our recent edit of retro-style pieces makes it hard to move on from the era. All of them pair perfectly with your new conversation couch.

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Leopard. Cabana stripes. Polka dots. If there’s a pattern worth knowing this season, it’s already wrapped around the internet’s favorite cylindrical silhouette: the Jane Mirror Vanity & Stool Set by UO Home – a space-saving, mid-century-style piece that I, like seemingly half the internet, have yet to successfully buy, thanks to a steady cycle of sellouts.

Not that it needed a rebrand. The Jane Set has held its own in solid velvets since its initial release in early 2025, but if there was ever a moment to commit to this cleverly nesting duo, that time would be now. It has never been chicer, more of-the-moment, or more ‘worth’ the investment.

Alongside the new pattern plays, the viral makeup vanity now features a smarter construction, making it even more compact than before, with the stool sliding neatly underneath. The fold-down mirror conceals a hidden compartment for essentials, meaning this beauty hub can double as a desk in a small bedroom once you’ve wrapped up your daily ritual.

‘This new and updated version of the Jane Vanity is even more worth the tag,’ observes one reviewer. Compared to earlier iterations, ‘the mirror is safer to close with a sturdier hinge and adhesive pads to soften contact with the base. They used actual screws instead of glue, too. Thank goodness,’ adding, ‘Only note is my cat loves to scratch on it, so beware of your feline friends.’

It’s still a splurge, but as a style editor whose job is to stay on top of bedroom furniture drops across high and low, I’ve yet to see anything that really competes with this particular cylindrical silhouette. The earlier Janes walked so these little sisters could run – which is exactly what you should do if you’re even slightly interested. Shop the three styles I’m betting will fly first.

The Jane Vanity may have launched at the start of 2025, but this pattern-filled drop keeps it firmly in line with (and arguably ahead of) 2026 bedroom trends, from character and texture to the returning notion of the 'nook.'

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As a perpetually space-conscious New Yorker whose outdoor space is, in reality, a fire escape, I’m acutely aware of (and deeply averse to) anything unnecessarily clunky. I love the whimsical wrought-iron bistro trend happening right now, but didn’t think those charming curves would make sense in my ‘backyard’ – until I found the answer not in France, as you might expect, but in Sweden.

IKEA’s LÄCKÖ outdoor chair, designed by house legend Jon Karlsson, pulls from the traditional wrought-iron styles I’ve admired on my travels, but – of chief importance – it stacks. You could buy twelve and only sacrifice the footprint of one in the off-season, or simply stack a few away for more intimate alfresco gatherings. Actually, that’s not even the best part about this small patio gem: it’s $55 – less than a decent steak au poivre pretty much anywhere in the city.

Which, of course, raised my eyebrows. The quality has to be questionable, I thought – but the reviews insist otherwise. This is one of IKEA’s more raved-about patio pieces (and I cover a lot of them).

With a 4.7-star rating across 150-plus reviews, people are gushing praises like ‘we love the way these chairs look and perform’ and ‘they look expensive.’ Most seem to be buying multiples to romanticize their suburban backyards – often paired with the matching bistro table, which keeps the Euro whimsy theme going with delicate cutouts that echo eyelet lace.

At this price, my small backyard is in for at least two of these slender seats. And yet, as far as my apartment is concerned, it’s still just one chair.

How I'd Style It

The mood is Euro summer. Here’s how I’d bring that where-we-all-wish-we-were feeling to your own backyard, starting with our new favorite patio seat.

You’re going to need some shade. My recent outdoor umbrella edit, quite literally, has your LÄCKÖ setup covered with cabana stripes and fringe.

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They had us at hello. We’d love to say it was the charming host or the manicured curb appeal, but any time we walk into a home, our eyes go straight to the entryway table. It’s the one place where a tight, often utilitarian space reliably delivers a design moment – even if said moment comes with hanging dog leashes and scattered shoes.

A good one makes a splash despite all of that and more, some going about it more memorably than others – seen most recently in a colonial renovation by J Patryce & Co, where the architecture’s original ‘frilly’ details are offset by a sleek, low-slung entryway table that brings a bite to a traditional shell.

This season, brands like Anthropologie and Soho Home are ensuring no shortage of chicness, keeping the art of impression alive with verdant garden scenes rendered in canvas and undulating olive ash burl pedestals topped with Spanish-sourced Dark Emperador marble. And while we’re magpies for a good statement piece, a few names – like TOV Furniture, with drawers tucked beneath a high-gloss hunter lacquer finish – are catching our eye for their hidden storage, too, giving all those stray essentials a proper place to land.

You can style one in a sprawling estate, and you can style one in a studio apartment – no entryway is too small for one of these 24 major design moments.

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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A patio chair is just a patio chair without a proper companion – floating, untethered, and never quite achieving the cozy, could-pass-indoors look we want from an outdoor living room. Unless, of course, it has a side table.

Because our brains don’t immediately associate ‘backyard’ with ‘furniture,’ a side table brings a loose mix of chairs and sofas a sense of cohesion, insisting that the space is, in fact, a real room.

Of course, it helps when these tables could pass indoors. Thought glass was off-limits outside? LA-based House of Leon says otherwise with its airy, iron-framed Provence Side Table, inspired by the sculptural work of Diego Giacometti. Meanwhile, Jake Arnold, in his collaboration with Crate & Barrel, takes a more substantial route with a sinuous, statement-making all-weather wicker silhouette that, while petite, can handle a few mojitos without issue.

For cocktails, cordless lamps, and whatever else you’d rather not get up for, these 24 side tables aren’t just outdoor accessories. They’re essentials.

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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You've spent hours meticulously checking the measurements and layout details of your island, ensuring there is plenty of legroom for comfortable seating, so it's only right to introduce bar stools that do your design justice.

Getting your kitchen island seating ideas right requires more than picking a couple of stools and placing them in situ. The best designs balance unrivalled comfort with enduring style to create a place people actually want to spend time.

And the success really hinges on choosing the best bar or counter stools. From charming wooden designs with decorative details to fully upholstered seats and colorful styles, these are the best stools to make island dining all the more appealing.

Think of your island seating as a way to add personality to your design. A wavy back or a playful color brings a whole new level of style to your space without the same commitment as a cabinet detail or paint color. And when you mix in the added comfort, you'll wonder why you didn't upgrade your bar stools sooner.

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We can all agree that kitchen islands have moved well beyond their functional roots. Today, they are the gravitational center of the kitchen – used for coffee in the morning, homework in the afternoon, and dinner prep in the evening. Seating sits at the crux of it all, as the detail that transforms a kitchen island from purely practical into something genuinely sociable.

Done well, island seating connects the kitchen to the wider living space, creating a natural place to eat, chat, and generally hang out. ‘Seating around the island almost always makes sense, whether it’s a friend perched with a glass of wine while you cook, someone chatting as dinner is prepared, or children grabbing a quick bite to eat,’ says John Law, co-founder, Woodhouse & Law. In open-plan kitchens especially, the island becomes a social anchor, encouraging interaction without interrupting the cook.

But while the idea is simple, the execution is not. The wrong proportions, poor spacing, or awkward layouts can quickly leave stools unused, or disrupt the natural flow of the room. In short, a kitchen island may well be the perfect place to gather, cook, and eat, but if your seating isn’t right, it can quickly become uncomfortable and cramped. Here’s how to get it right.

Seats and Spacing

The number of stools your island can accommodate should be dictated by both its size and how you intend to use it. A casual perch for coffee allows for tighter spacing, but if you expect people to sit for longer meals or extended conversations, generosity is key. ‘As a guide, allow around 24 inches of width per seat to avoid elbows clashing and to give each person some personal space,’ advises Reuben Ward, lead designer, Blakes London.

Overhang depth is equally important. Without sufficient room for your knees, stools feel temporary and uncomfortable, forcing guests to sit side-on rather than properly facing the island. ‘Aim for around 12 to 15 inches of overhang on a breakfast bar for comfort, so you can sit properly at the island without knocking or scuffing the cabinetry below,’ says Reuben. ‘If you’re planning more than three seats, it’s often nicer to wrap them onto two sides of the island rather than lining everyone up in a single row, as it makes conversation and eye contact feel much more natural.’

Height and Ergonomics

Comfort begins with getting the proportions right. Most kitchen islands have breakfast bars at either counter height (around 36 inches) or bar height (around 42 inches), and stools should be selected accordingly. A mismatch here can quickly lead to awkward seating positions, squished legs, and stools that will ultimately be avoided. Height-adjustable stools take the guesswork out of choosing the right seat height and are particularly useful in family kitchens, where user heights naturally vary.

But ergonomics goes beyond stool height alone. How easily you can get on, off and move while seated plays a big part in overall comfort. Unlike dining chairs, which can be moved in and out with ease, bar stools tend to stay fixed once you’re seated, making their positioning more important.

‘Swivel stools are a good option as they allow you to turn the seat to get on and off, or to admire a view to the garden or just turn and face the person seated next to you,’ says John Law. ‘Add the ability to adjust the height into the mix and you have a practical, comfortable, practical solution for all.’

A well-positioned footrest is equally important to seating ergonomics. Without one, island seating can feel awkward to mount and leave your legs dangling uncomfortably, making it difficult to sit at ease. By contrast, a properly placed footrest supports posture, relieves pressure, and makes longer periods of sitting far more comfortable. Without it, even the most beautifully designed stools can quickly become tiring to use.

Ultimately, it’s the seat that determines how comfortable a stool really is. Hard materials like wood are low maintenance and can work beautifully if they are ergonomically shaped – a gently contoured seat is the aim. Anything hard and flat will quickly lead to a numb bum. Upholstered cushioned designs will offer the best comfort – aim for a medium-firm cushion that supports without sinking. Too soft, and you risk creating pressure points over time. If you’re worried about sticky fingers and everyday spills, opt for robust seat materials like faux leather or performance fabrics that are easy to wipe clean.

Accessibility

Getting on and off island seating easily is shaped as much by the design of the island as it is by the stools themselves. Your breakfast bar needs to be generously proportioned, with enough width not only for each person to sit comfortably, but to move in and out without a squeeze. If stools are hemmed in by cabinetry, end panels or legs, they quickly become awkward to use – and are often left empty as a result.

Designing a bar area that’s open at the ends makes a noticeable difference, especially in small kitchens. ‘What I like about a straightforward overhang breakfast bar is that it prioritizes ease. People can move in and out easily from the ends, with the flexibility to reposition a stool around the corner to ease spacing when all seats are occupied,’ says Brad Ramsey, founder, Brad Ramsey Interiors.

Style and Design

Island seating offers an opportunity to layer in personality and bring an extra material, color or shape to your kitchen moodboard. Whether you choose to match finishes or introduce contrast, stools can act as a subtle but impactful design element.

‘Bar stools are a great place to repeat an accent colour elsewhere in the kitchen,’ says Benjamin Johnston, partner and creative director, Benjamin Johnston Design. ‘Here, the deep red upholstery mirrors the tone used in the display cabinets above, so the seating feels connected to the rest of the design while adding warmth and contrast against the blue island.’

Unexpected contrasts can work beautifully – a contemporary stool against classic Shaker cabinetry, for instance – but it needs a point of connection, whether through material, tone or detail, to stop it looking out of place. Material selection also shapes the atmosphere. Timber brings warmth and tactility, metal introduces a more architectural edge, and upholstered designs soften the space, helping it feel more aligned with adjoining living areas.

Backed vs Backless Island Seating

The choice between backed and backless stools should reflect how the island is used. Backless designs are visually lighter and can tuck neatly beneath the counter, making them ideal for smaller kitchens or where circulation is tight.

However, if the island is intended for longer, more relaxed use, backed stools offer a noticeable shift in comfort. ‘If you want island seating to feel truly inviting, rather than like a temporary perch, backed stools make all the difference,’ agrees Brad Ramsey. ‘A stool with a proper back encourages people to stay, settle in, and actually use the island as part of daily life.’

Brad also notes their visual impact in this kitchen. ‘The low profile and gentle curves soften the clean lines of the island, helping the island feel less like a sleek monolith and more like a welcoming center of the home,’ he explains.

Multi-use Kitchen Island Seating

In many kitchens, the island must work hard, balancing prep, storage, and seating within a single footprint. Making this work comes down to careful zoning, ensuring each function has enough space to operate without compromise.

Seating should be positioned away from the most intensive prep areas, allowing people to gather without interrupting cooking. ‘Tucking a dining table right at the end of the island is an easy way to separate eating from cooking and will keep children safely away from sharp knives or a hot cooktop,’ says Laura Britt, founder, Britt Design Group. ‘Here, the warm wood against the cool blue island draws you in, marking this as the space to slow down and gather.’

Island storage also needs careful planning so you’re not sacrificing cabinet space for seating. Deep cabinetry beneath seating areas can limit legroom, so it’s often best to run full-depth units on the working side of the island and reduce the depth on the seating side to allow for a comfortable overhang.

Where cabinets are positioned beneath a breakfast bar, they’re best reserved for items used less frequently, as stools will need to be moved to access them. Push-touch openings will help keep the front of the island streamlined, avoiding handles where knees and legs need space, while maintaining a clean, uninterrupted finish.

Achieving generous seating alongside practical storage may require rethinking your island layout ideas rather than forcing everything into the existing island footprint. ‘Our clients wanted a kitchen where their friends could sit and enjoy a drink, so we reconfigured the island to an L-shape, with seating at the end,’ says Autumn Pochiro, founder and principal designer, Autumn Dawn Design.

‘We also added significant storage by relocating a 48-inch range to a wall position – a reminder that creating seating space often comes down to rethinking the layout and making every inch work harder.’ This kind of reconfiguration allows each function to breathe, rather than competing for space within a single, overworked island.

Seating Layout Considerations

The arrangement of seating has a direct impact on how the island performs, both socially and practically. A single row of stools creates a clean, linear look, while wrapping seating onto two adjacent sides introduces a more relaxed, sociable dynamic.

Placing stools on opposite sides is less common, but, as designer Brad Ramsey explains, it can completely change how the kitchen is used. ‘It creates a more conversational setup where people naturally face each other, turning the island into more of a gathering table than a breakfast bar,’ he says. ‘It works particularly well on longer islands – usually 9 feet or more – where you have enough surface area to fit both prep and seating without them competing.’

Ultimately, seating placement comes down to clearance. There needs to be enough space to pull out stools and sit comfortably without interrupting circulation behind. Factor in the depth of your seating too – chunkier, high-backed designs require more room. Walkways should measure at least 36 inches, with 42 to 48 inches preferable where stools back onto a main thoroughfare, ensuring movement remains fluid even when seats are in use.

In larger kitchens, L- or U-shaped islands can transform seating into something even more sociable and table-like, wrapping guests around the cooking space rather than lining them up. This can work particularly well for families or frequent entertaining. That said, they rely on generous proportions – without sufficient clearance, corners can feel tight, and getting to the cooking zone can feel like circumnavigating the globe.

Double Kitchen Island Seating

For larger spaces, a double-island layout offers a sophisticated solution that separates function without dividing the room or making the chef walk miles during dinner prep. One island can be dedicated to prep and cooking, while the other becomes a more relaxed, social zone for seating.

‘What I love about this approach is that it allows people to be part of the kitchen without being in the cook’s way,’ explains Laura Tribbett, founder, Outline Interiors. ‘Friends or family can sit comfortably at the second island, have a drink, do homework, or chat while someone prepares a meal. In larger kitchens, especially, it keeps the space feeling social and connected while still supporting the practical needs of cooking.’

Built in Kitchen Island Seating

Built-in seating offers a more relaxed, dining-led take on island design, shifting it from a perch-and-go setup to somewhere people genuinely settle. Typically designed at table height and often in a banquette style, it can be positioned at the end of an island or run along the front, depending on the best layout flow.

Comfort is a big part of the appeal. ‘One of the advantages of attaching a banquette to the island is that it allows you to use full dining-height seating rather than counter stools. Proper chairs offer far better support and comfort, which encourages people to stay longer and use the space more like a dining table,’ says Benjamin Johnston. Upholstered seating also introduces softness, colour and texture, helping to balance harder kitchen finishes.

Going built-in can also be a clever space solution, particularly where there are no separate dining facilities, often allowing you to seat more people around the table.

However, it does come with trade-offs. Built-in seating increases the overall size of the island (and build costs), so it requires a clever layout to avoid the cook having to walk excessive distances. Access can also be trickier, particularly for middle seats, and some people find it tricky to scootch across. Pedestal-style tables a more practical choice than legged designs.

Common Kitchen Island Seating Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most beautifully designed island seating can fall short if the practical details aren’t tackled. From proportions to comfort, these are the most common pitfalls designers see, and how to avoid them.

• Misjudging scale
Too many stools can crowd the island and disrupt circulation, while too few can leave the seating area underused. As a rule of thumb, allow around 24 inches per seat – simply divide the usable width of your breakfast bar by this measurement. For example, A 72-inch (6-foot) run will comfortably accommodate three stools.

• Choosing the wrong stool height
Incorrect proportions quickly lead to awkward seating positions – with legs feeling cramped or the bar sitting uncomfortably high – making even the most stylish stools difficult to use. Ideally, when seated, your forearms should rest at a right angle to the countertop for proper ergonomic comfort.

• Not allowing enough overhang
‘In terms of seated comfort, the depth of the overhang is key,’ says Brad Ramsey. ‘I usually recommend around twelve inches as a minimum, but fifteen to eighteen inches creates a more generous seating experience.’

• Overcrowding the space
Particularly in narrower kitchens, bulky stools can quickly block walkways. ‘When you're working with a narrow island, stool selection is so important,’ says Courtnay Tartt Elias, founder of Creative Tonic. ‘Think slim, backless profiles that slide right underneath. It keeps the walkway open and your kitchen actually functional.’

• Prioritising style over comfort
While it can be tempting to focus on aesthetics, seating that isn’t comfortable simply won’t be used. ‘If you really want people to hang with you at the island, it’s worth looking beyond standard bar stools and choosing something that feels closer to an armchair,’ says Autumn Pochiro. Supportive backs, padded seats and armrests all encourage longer, more relaxed use, while swivel designs can improve accessibility in tighter spaces.

Kitchen Island Seating FAQs

When proportions, placement and comfort align, seating becomes the detail that defines your island’s sociable side – and the smartest kitchen seating ideas are those that make sitting, and staying, a pleasure.

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As someone who works from home fairly regularly, I understand firsthand the importance of having a designated at-home workspace. But more often than not, that workspace can feel like the focal point of a room – drawing unwanted attention to work-related matters and undermining the room's aesthetic with its utilitarian setup.

I noticed this exact scenario happening in my apartment. Despite my best efforts to position my WFH setup out of the way, it was starting to look like the statement piece of my small studio – the first thing you'd notice when you walked through the front door. Rather than a space for living, my studio was beginning to feel like a space I designed solely for work.

Instead of letting my dominant desk completely take over the aesthetic of my apartment, I decided to start looking for something that could help me create a work-focused zone that blurred into the room. The solution was IKEA's LÄNGDHOPP desk – an unassuming, multi-functional desk that acts as a workspace when needed and tucks away when it's time to log off.

Unlike most desks, IKEA's LÄNGDHOPP desk isn't large and bulky. Instead, this model is subtle and unobtrusive by design. Built with two tiers – the lower of which can slide out to provide an additional surface – this desk is highly versatile and can adapt to your needs throughout the day. During work hours, you can pull the lower tier out to create a full-sized desk, and once work is over, just push it back underneath and out of the way.

For those who don't want their WFH setups to become the focal point of their room, this desk is clearly the ideal candidate. But aesthetics aside, this desk is one of the most practical space-saving ideas I've ever seen. If you live in a studio apartment or work from a small bedroom, this desk will make sure your at-home workspace doesn't take up more floor space than it needs to. When work is over, simply push the lower tier away, and this full-size desk transforms into an unassuming credenza that'll sit flush against the wall to allow more space for moving around.

One of the things I like most about this desk is that it creates a clear boundary between work and life. Because of its movable lower tier, you can physically tuck work away at the end of the day and reframe your space for living. Sure, it's a small adjustment, but it's one that can make your home feel much more relaxed and designed for you – not your job.

With its multi-functional design and its undeniable versatility, this desk makes a strong case for reimagining what a WFH setup can look like in 2026. And since it's sold for just under $100 on IKEA's site, I'm certain that it's well worth a spot in your home.

Shop Desk Accessories from IKEA

Whether you use IKEA's LÄNGDHOPP desk as a part-time WFH setup or a daily desk, you'll need some accessories to help increase its functionality. Shop must-have desk accessories from IKEA, below.

With IKEA's LÄNGDHOPP desk, your at-home work setup won't overtake your room. Instead, it'll adapt to your daily needs and minimize the amount of space you dedicate to your job – making your home a place meant for living rather than working. Not only that, but it'll give you more floor space to work with, too.

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Just over 30 years ago, IKEA debuted its first PS Collection at the Milan furniture fair. It was a collection built to challenge exclusivity in the design industry with pieces that were not only well-made and stylish, but affordable, too. The PS Collection became a cult favorite, and IKEA continued to expand upon it over the years.

Now, back in Milan once again, IKEA has announced the 10th iteration of this collection – designed with the same intention, but underscored with a hint of playful flair – which is set to launch in stores and online on May 13th.

IKEA teased the launch of the collection at Milan Design Week with three standout products, including a blow-up (yes, blow-up) accent chair that looks as chic as a luxury find.

At first glance, you'd never guess that this chair is inflatable. But alas, it's filled with air, not foam or fiberfill. Created by IKEA designer Mikael Axellson, the 'Easy Chair' reimagines iconic inflatable furnishings from the '90s into something so sleek, you'd actually want to give it a dedicated spot in your home.

While blow-up furniture tends to have a short lifespan, this chair was built for longevity. It features a carbon steel frame for increased durability as well as a fabric cover that eliminates any squeaking or sliding. Plus, this fabric cover prevents damage to the inner air chamber, too.

Although the Easy Chair requires some manual labor with a foot pump for assembly, once blown up, it'll become the focal point of any room – not only for its stylish and slightly retro design, but for its unexpected assembly, too.

Along with the Easy Chair, IKEA unveiled two other products at Milan Design Week to tease its new PS Collection: the Floor Uplighter and the Bench.

Designer Lex Pott created the Floor Uplighter, a colorful floor lamp that bends every which way to cast its ambient glow wherever you need it to. Its form is sleek, and its shade looks trumpet-like, creating a lamp that's not only practical for your home, but statement-making, too.

As for the bench, that was designed by IKEA Designer Marta Krupińska. It features a slightly U-shaped base that gives it its rocking capability. And since it's made from solid pine, it's a highly durable piece that can handle the pressure of constant use.

Just as the first PS collection reflected the effortlessness of modern Scandinavian style and IKEA's principles of Democratic Design, this new collection does the same. Each piece has been made with form, function, quality, sustainability, and low price held to the same degree of importance, and it shows.

These three pieces are just a taste of what to expect from the rest of IKEA's PS 2026 Collection – highly functional furnishings that look good, are made well, and can go the distance in home design. Between their unique forms and playful capabilities, these three furnishings can become the multi-faceted personality pieces of your home, and I expect the rest of the collection will be just the same.

IKEA's PS Collection drops on May 13th, so be sure to mark your calendars for the launch of these exceptional designs.

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The BILLY Bookcase is undoubtedly an IKEA icon. First launched in the '70s, it has been a home decor staple for decades, keeping interiors organized with ease and looking stylish while doing so. But now, our old friend BILLY has a brand new, bright blue look.

IKEA's renowned BILLY Bookcase that's been everywhere from living rooms and home offices to school classrooms (my middle school homeroom had the BILLY Bookcase), is now, for a limited time, available in a bold and electrifying shade of blue. Nothing else about the bookcase has changed – it's just as spacious, just as easy to assemble, and just as well-priced as it's always been. The only difference is that now with this new color, BILLY commands attention, becoming a style statement in its own right.

In the past, the BILLY Bookcase used to be nothing more than a simple bookcase. Of course, it was a good one – reasonably priced, spacious, and long-lasting. But it was never a statement piece or a focal point – that is, until now.

With the launch of this new, bright blue colorway, BILLY has a whole new personality. No longer just a spot for books or decorative objects, this bookcase is a vibrant furnishing that can act as a dopamine decor idea to enhance the aesthetic of your home. BILLY is now an eye-catching feature piece, and perhaps even a conversation-starting furnishing.

One of the reasons why the BILLY Bookcase has been loved for so long is because of its versatility. It can be used in nearly any room, for any purpose, and it can be paired with more to create a larger bookshelf. This new model is still the same in that way, but in this shade of blue, it can make any room feel so much more exciting.

Use BILLY to make your living room more colorful while simultaneously organizing the space, or add it to your bedroom to store books while bringing color to the scene. You can even use it as an entryway idea – to keep clutter at bay while stylizing the busy space. The BILLY Bookcase is bound to enliven the atmosphere of any room in which you place it, all thanks to this vibrant color.

Since this blue shade is a limited edition colorway for the BILLY Bookcase, it's certain to sell out fast. So, if you're interested in getting your hands on this top-rated, iconic bookcase in this exceptionally exciting color, you better not wait.

How To Style IKEA's BILLY Bookcase

IKEA's BILLY Bookcase presents a styling opportunity like none other. With each of its five shelves boasting a weight capacity of 30lbs, BILLY can hold anything from old magazines and current reads to flower vases, picture frames, and small trinkets. Below, find some bookshelf styling ideas from IKEA to complete the shelves of your blue BILLY Bookcase.

IKEA's BILLY Bookcase has been a sought-after style for years, and now that it's available in the limited edition blue colorway, it's even more desirable. This is the type of furnishing that'll become a staple in your home for years to come – no longer just for its storage capabilities, but for its alluring style, too.

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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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Shea sells seashells by the seashore. How’s that for a tongue twister? By Shea, we, of course, mean McGee, and by seashore, we mean Target. Her latest drop flirts with last summer’s biggest trend – only now, these shells are here to host.

Shea kicks off the new collection's decidedly social agenda with a portable table lamp disguised as a conch shell – which, believe it or not, might be the best host’s accessory of the summer. It passes as a pretty paperweight (something in the vicinity of a Judith Leiber clutch) until the sun sets and you switch it on, the shell lighting from within. There’s no doubting its sculptural presence, but it’s also a surprisingly practical party trick, illuminating the table as insurance against any late-night, elbow-led margarita mishaps.

For those less taken by the novelty, the shell-shaped pieces are rounded out by outdoor living essentials you were actually planning to stock up on, too (such as rattan chargers and sculptural serving spoons), alongside a broader lineup of coastal inspired outdoor essentials that feel refreshingly less themed.

Namely, a series of silver, wavy-edged serving pieces – from two-tiered stands to champagne buckets – for your more opulent alfresco moments, while sea-blue and coral-pink outdoor cushions, finished with ruffled eyelet lace, bring that cottagecore-meets-whimsy mood outside for the quieter ones.

Last year’s seashell moment skewed more sedentary with neoclassically inspired sconces, accent mirrors, and trinket dishes, but Shea gives the seaside motif a new purpose this season: to party, indoors or out.

You don’t need a sixth sense to know that anything by Shea will fly fast, but we have an inkling these nine hosting-ready pieces will shell out first.

In case there was any doubt that 'coastal' is the look Shea's betting on this summer, the designer leans in just as heavily with her own homewares brand, McGee & Co. Seashells aside, there are three additional – and highly complementary – summer trends for 2026 from the lineup that deserve a place at the table.

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It’s hard to get too entrenched in the annoyances of adult life when your seat has a case of the wiggles. For a certain set of good-humored interior designers, wavy furniture has become a kind of shortcut to playfulness – a reminder not to treat life, or design, so seriously.

That’s certainly the case inside a London family home by Gunter & Co, where designer Irene Gunter reworked an awkward, aging layout with a lighter touch, tempering antique references with the deliberate whimsy of Studio Sam’s Astoria dining chairs, their wavy backs echoing the controlled irregularity of the Noguchi Museum in New York.

And sure enough, this joie de vivre ripples across the pond. New-school, fun-loving brands like Society Social are all in on the furniture trend, with wavy consoles, upholstered stools, and lounge chairs that refuse to sit straight, while fun-loving brand Urban Outfitters, reliably on the pulse, has a new cult favorite: a low-slung, scalloped three-seater designed for big laughs in small spaces.

If there’s a lesson here, it’s this: where they go straight, you swerve. Ahead, 16 unexpected pieces of wavy furniture to bring a little more movement – and a lot more joy – to your daily routine.

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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There’s something about a rocking chair that changes the feel of a space straight away. Indoors, it brings a sense of ease – somewhere you naturally end up with a book, or a cup of my coffee that turns into a longer pause than you planned. I’ve always had a soft spot for one inside, so the idea of having that same feeling outdoors makes perfect sense.

And at the moment, ALDI has made that idea surprisingly accessible.

Their Belavi Folding Rocker is one of those pieces that feels like a bit of a find. It looks and feels more considered than you’d expect at this price point, yet it comes in at under $50. It’s a simple addition that will completely shift how you use your outdoor space.

Rocking chairs, of course, have been around for a long time. The original design dates back to the early 1700s and is often linked to Benjamin Franklin, who helped bring it into the mainstream. What’s interesting is how little the idea has changed since then. That gentle back-and-forth has always been tied to slowing down – whether it’s on a front porch, in a nursery, or tucked into a quiet corner of the house. Bringing that outdoors feels less like a trend and more like a natural extension of how we’re starting to use our gardens and outdoor living rooms now.

Because the reality is, when it comes to backyards, outdoor seating does a lot of the heavy lifting. You can invest in landscaping or lighting, but if there’s nowhere comfortable to sit, you’re less likely to spend time out there. A good chair draws you in. It gives the space a purpose.

That’s exactly where something like this works so well. A rocking chair, in particular, has a way of encouraging you to slow your pace without even thinking about it. Morning coffee feels a bit more intentional, and evenings stretch out a little longer.

This one also gets the practical side right, which matters just as much. The frame feels sturdy but not overly heavy, and the fabric is breathable enough to stay comfortable on warmer days. It doesn’t feel delicate or overly precious – it’s made to be used.

The folding design is another detail that makes a real difference. Even the best outdoor furniture can sometimes feel like a commitment, especially if space is limited. Being able to fold it down and store it away easily gives you a bit more flexibility, whether you’re working with a compact balcony or just prefer to keep things uncluttered.

In terms of style, it’s refreshingly straightforward. The neutral tones mean it blends in without much effort. It doesn’t dominate the space or demand attention – it just fits, which is often exactly what you want with garden furniture.

If you’ve picked up any of ALDI’s seasonal home pieces before, you’ll know how quickly they tend to go. Once they’re gone, that’s usually it. And this feels like the kind of piece people spot and immediately see a place for.

For me, it comes back to that same feeling I already love indoors. A rocking chair makes a space feel more settled, more inviting – like it’s somewhere you’re meant to spend time, not just pass through. Having that outside, even in a small way, changes how the space feels day to day.

And at this price, it’s an easy way to make your garden feel a bit more like a proper extension of your home – without overthinking it.

Shop Alternative Garden Rockers

ALDI’s Belavi Folding Rocker is currently available for just $49.99 while stocks last – a rare chance to pick up stylish garden seating at a genuinely accessible price.

If you can’t get to a store or it’s not available in your area, there are plenty of equally considered alternatives from trusted home and garden retailers, so you can still bring that relaxed, design-led seating moment into your outdoor space without compromise.

At the turn of every season, I try to buy one piece of decor that sets the tone. April is finally here, and, despite looking for months, I couldn’t find that spring-forward hero to revive my NYC studio from the temperature trauma that was winter 2026. So I turned to the original spring urtext: the Nancy Meyers archives.

In a rewatch of Something’s Gotta Give (2003), I landed on the answer – a seat. A swivel seat. With flowers.

My final, perfect find is the Upholstered Slipcovered Swivel Barrel Chair from Wayfair (over 50% off, I might add), and it looks like it could feasibly exist within this Hamptons universe of my dreams. In the film, the living room seating is slipcovered, punctuated with throw pillows done in Nancy’s signature whisper-soft, antique-style florals – so why not blend the two? If anything, this piece captures the essence of a ‘Nancy Meyers spring’ even better than the original (which, to its credit, is technically set in summer).

By now, you – like me – have likely already fallen for the clean but cushy, tailored profile of this slipcovered, generously padded seat – occupied by visions of yourself reading for hours, drink in hand, nowhere to be. But lest you forget: the real hook here is that it's a swivel chair. At its core, this is a social seat, turning with the flow of conversation or inviting a few sun-drenched 360s for your inner child.

And if one of those spins ends in spilled Sancerre all over your florals? The slipcover is washable.

Right now, I’m imagining it styled with an equally Nancy Meyers–coded wooden side table – something with turned legs and an antiqued soul – topped with a ceramic or glass vase of powdery blue-and-white hydrangeas. Maybe tucked into a corner as a standalone moment, or better yet, in a pair, angled toward the sofa in a way that almost teases its lack of mobility.

Candidly, it’s not that I hadn’t considered a floral accent chair as my spring 2026 hero (I’m a style editor; I had, obviously), I just didn’t think I’d find one I loved this much at a price this sweet.

It’s already starting to sell out, which I’m taking as confirmation that great minds are catching on. The weather in New York may still be stuck in the 40s, but I, for one, am not waiting a minute longer to claim my sunshine.

More Nancy Meyers–Style Swivel Seats

This isn’t It’s Complicated (2009) – don’t overthink it. These seats are moving quickly, so I wouldn’t wait to snag your own Nancy-style swivel. If you want a few more options, here are the floral finds that caught my eye.

There’s been a lot of talk about ‘Nancy Meyers spring’ among the Homes & Gardens editorial staff – we all want it. But if you’re thinking ahead to summer, there’s a similarly spin-happy seat, already viral on TikTok and over 80% off, that feels better suited for the beach.

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Once a home necessity, now a beacon of a bygone era, the telephone bench (also fondly known as the gossip bench) was designed for the sole act of sitting back, putting your feet up, and enjoying nothing more than a good old chit chat.

Like a sofa whose purpose is to cradle you after a long day, the telephone bench was created to fulfil one (important) need: gossip. Whether it was a sleek midcentury bench fitted with a handy shelf for a directory, or an upholstered armchair with a mahogany side table attached, past makers knew a thing or two about furniture with style and purpose.

From the now extinct IKEA SPARTA telephone table from the 1950s, 'ideal for people who liked a long chat on the phone', to Emma Chamberlain and West Elm's brand new gossip-aiding creation, here at Homes & Gardens, we're pining for a vessel for catching up with friends. While the gossip bench fell out of favor in recent decades (along with wired-in phones, which gave these benches their purpose) like all good things, this charming vintage furniture trend has officially come back around.

While we may not have a use for a gossip bench in quite the same way they did in decades past, adding a bench to perch on, with a bit of extra storage, is always a good idea in an entryway.

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You’d be surprised how truly gargantuan most coffee tables are – unless, of course, you’ve ever tried to furnish a small living room. Online, scale is hard to grasp, but pull out a measuring tape and suddenly that ‘compact’ option feels anything but.

Living in an NYC studio myself, I know this viscerally. In six years of trial and error in what is, essentially, a glorified dorm room, I’ve landed on one key rule: the best small coffee tables for small living rooms fall between 36 inches long (my current setup) and, at most, around 40 inches – if you’re lucky enough to have a bit more breathing room.

From there, extra living room storage is essential. In a small living room, clutter is less easily forgiven, so the best small coffee tables pull double duty with hidden compartments – an art and science still rarer than it should be, but increasingly well-executed by CB2 in luxe fluted oak finishes, and even by entry-level, all-style retailers like Wayfair.

It’s a tall order, but considering the coffee table is the hub of the living room, it’s worth getting right. You might have fallen for that 60-inch burl-wood behemoth, but with any luck, you’ll love these 16 small coffee tables more.

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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'Too bold,' or 'I wish my living room were cool enough to pull that off,' are common patterned-sofa knee-jerks. The assumption, of course, being that whatever print you love now – geometric, floral, otherwise – will probably age like milk.

If our couch reporting has proven anything, it’s the opposite. Patterned upholstery has cycled through the Victorian era and Rococo, resurfaced in the grandma-coded charm of the 1950s, and, more recently, landed on our top sofa trends lists for 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Which is to say, it’s not really a trend at all. If anything, it’s a constant. Even the latest couch cohort – spanning tapestry-inspired upholstery from Joon Loloi, picnic-skirted charm from Anthropologie, and high-contrast ‘piano key’ prints from CB2 – would have made sense 100 years ago, and will again 100 years from now.

From sartorial stripes to brocades that read more like wallpaper, you have little excuse not to make a splash. Shop twelve seats we’d love to see in our living room – not just this year, but forever.

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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Whether you're hunting for the perfect vintage armchair or simply looking to inject your home with a little more character, there is an impressive array of antique markets, happening across the country this April.

The beauty of decorating with antiques isn't just the charm it adds to a home; the journey of hunting down treasures is part of the fun. Spring (also known as antique-hunting season) is well and truly underway, meaning plenty of outdoor (and indoor) markets are getting started this month.

From the Antiques Extravaganza that takes place along a seven-mile strip across Adamstown, Pennsylvania, to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, the largest antique show in Northern California, here are the best antique fairs and flea markets taking place throughout April.

The Best April Antique Sales to Add to Your Calendar

If you are looking for shows, markets, and sales in your local area, select your region below for a tailored list:

Antiques and vintage sales in the North

Antiques and vintage sales in the Northeast

Antiques and vintage sales in the Southeast

Antiques and vintage sales in the Midwest

Antiques and vintage sales in the Southwest

Antiques and vintage sales in the West

Antique and Vintage Sales in the North

1. Minnesota's Antique Spectacular

When: April 18th & 19th
Time: Sat 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: 1265 Snelling Ave N, Falcon Heights, MN, United States, Minnesota
Entry Fee: Regular admission $10

With 250 dealers offering a range of antique furniture and antique collectables, Minnesota's Antique Spectacular is a real gem. It's open rain or shine, there's free parking, and a convenient drive-up and easy loading access.

2. Bull Yoke Flea Market, Michigan

When: April 16th-19th
Time: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Where: The Bull Yoke Flea Market, 2034 9 Mile Road, Union City, MI, 49094
Entry Fee: Free

The Bull Yoke Flea Market offers a range of antique goods, tools, vintage clothing and more. With food trucks and craft stalls to enjoy in between shopping for antiques, it's the perfect day out for locals or visitors staying in the area. Parking is free.

Antique and Vintage Sales in the Northeast

1. Antiques Extravaganza, Pennsylvania

When: April 23rd – 27th
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (hours vary per vendor)
Where: Renninger’s Antique Market, 272 Reading Road (Route 272), Adamstown/Denver, PA
Entry Fee: Free

Held three times a year, The Antiques Extravaganza takes place along a seven-mile strip of Antique Malls & Shops on a single road in northern Lancaster County. Home to some of the best antique sellers in the region, the market is impressive in size. With free parking and free entry, it's undeniably worth attending.

2. Vintage Bazaar, New England

When: April 10th – 12th
Time: Fri 1:00 pm-6:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Sun: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Where: 2064 Woodbury Ave, Newington, NH 03801
Entry Fee: $10 per adult, free admission for children under 18

Since 2011, Vintage Bazaar has attracted visitors from across the Northeastern region. Located in the former Savers store next to the Fox Run Mall, it's the perfect location for all to enjoy, no matter the weather. Expect to see over 100 vendors selling all kinds of vintage and handmade goods.

3. New York International Antiquarian Book Fair

When: April 30th- May 3rd
Time: Thurs 5:00 pm-9:00 pm, Fri 12:00 am-8:00 pm, Sat: 12:00 am-7:00 pm, Sun: 12:00 pm-5:00pm
Where: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, New York
Entry Fee: From $10-$75 (depending on attendance day)

The NY International Antiquarian Book Fair is 'the world's leading antiquarian book fair in its 60+ years of existence. Once a year, exhibitors from across the world convene at New York City's historic Park Avenue Armory, presenting a trove of materials including rare books, maps, illuminated manuscripts, fine bindings, illustrations, historical documents, photographs, prints, memorabilia, and ephemera.'

4. Elephant's Trunk Flea Market, Connecticut

When: April 12th
Time: 5:30 am-3:30 pm (depending on ticket)
Where: 490 Danbury Rd, New Milford, CT 06776
Entry Fee: $4 General Admission, $20 priority (cash or credit)

Elephant's Trunk Flea Market has been running since 1976. Stocking all things home-related, from antique art to rustic furniture, it's perfect for home enthusiasts looking for a specific piece. It's not just vintage homewares you can find at the market, expect to find plenty of vendors selling homemade gifts and food, too.

5. Stormville Airport Antique Show and Flea Market, NY

When: April 25th & 26th
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: 428 NY-216, Stormville, NY 12582, United States
Entry Fee: Free

For over 56 years, the Stormville Airport Antique Show has offered a place for antique and vintage lovers to shop. Boasting hundreds of vendors, its size makes it the perfect day out for all to enjoy. With over fifteen food trucks, you'll be able to indulge whilst you shop. With free parking and entry, it's one worth attending.

Antique and Vintage Sales in the Midwest

1. Shipsewana Auction & Flea Market, Indiana

When: Every Tuesday & Wednesday in April
Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: 345 S Van Buren Street, Shipshewana, IN 46565
Entry Fee: Free

The Shipshewana Flea Market is a huge outdoor flea market. The size of thirty football fields, there is a range of antique and vintage stalls, as well as live auctions and food carts to enjoy. General admission parking is $5 for the whole day, and there are electric scooters to rent. Shopping carts and wagons are also available to rent.

2. Kane County Flea Market, Illinois

When: 11th & 12th April
Time: Saturday 11:00 am-4:00 pm & Sunday 7:00 am-3:00 pm
Where: 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, IL 60174
Entry Fee: $7 (children under 12 are free)

With up to 400 dealers each month, you're sure to leave with bags full of goodies at Kane County Flea Market. Located an hour West of Chicago, the Flea Market is held on the first Sunday of each month and the preceding Saturday (March-December). Parking is free.

3. The Springfield Antiques Show and Flea Market, Ohio

When: 18th & 19th April
Time: Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 a.m - 4:00 pm
Where: Clark County Fairgrounds, 4401 S Charleston Pike, Springfield, OH 45502
Entry fee: From $3-$12 depending on day and time. Tickets on sale at the gate. Cash Only

The Springfield Antique Show has been running for more than 40 years. Held at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ohio, it attracts collectors from neighbouring states and further afield. Known for its antiques and vintage goods, it's a long-established event that plenty attend. Parking is free.

4. Grayslake Illinois Antique Flea Market

When: 11th & 12th April
Time: Saturday 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday 9 am to 3 pm
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E Peterson Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 United States
Entry Fee: $9 (at the door), children under 12 free

Filled with an array of vendors selling vintage clothes, jewelry, antique decor, and collectables, the Grayslake, Illinois, Antique Flea Market is loved by locals. Held inside the Expo Hall, it's an event that everyone can attend, rain or shine, and with free parking, it's a no-brainer for vintage lovers.

Antique and Vintage Sales in the South

1. Liberty Antiques Festival, North Carolina

When: 24th & 25th April
Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Pike Family Farm, 2855 Pike Farm Rd, Staley, NC
Entry Fee: Adults, $10; Children under 12, free

'Held just twice a year, 400 dealers from more than 25 states migrate to this 100-acre farm near downtown Liberty, North Carolina', says the Liberty Antiques Festival website. From real antique treasures dating as far back as the 18th century to more contemporary pottery and toys, there's an array of pieces waiting to be discovered. There's free parking, too!

2. Antique & Design Center of High Point, North Carolina

When: 23rd - 29th April
Time: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Thurs- Tues) 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Wed)
Where: Ground level of Historic Market Square, 316 W Commerce Ave, High Point NC 27260
Entry Fee: High Point Market is open to the trade only

If you're an interior designer or work in the vintage or antique industry, High Point Market features more than seventy of the country's most talented and creative antiques dealers and has been running for 15 years.

3. Covington Antiques & Uniques Festival, Louisiana

When: 18th & 19th April
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Thurs- Tues) 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Wed)
Where: 419 N. New Hampshire Street, Covington, LA 70433
Entry Fee: Free

Covington Antiques and Uniques Festival features over fifty vendors selling fine art, antiques, vintage decor and more, meaning you're sure to leave with bags filled with treasures. With a live auction, appraisals by experts and walking tours and live music, it's an event you're guaranteed to enjoy.

4. Old Court House Spring Flea Market, Mississippi

When: 18th & 19th April
Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (Thurs- Tues) 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Wed)
Where: Old Court House Museum, 1008 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS
Entry Fee: Free

Known for its Arts & Crafts made by local artisans, the Old Court House Spring Flea Market is a charming little faire that's worth attending if you're in the local vicinity. While the market edges on the smaller side, there are food booths to enjoy, too, while you browse the stalls of gifts.

5. Ringgold Feed & Seed Antiques, Georgia

When: 17th & 18th April
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: 403 High Street, Ringgold, GA 30736
Entry Fee: Free

The largest antique market in the Chattanooga area, Ringgold's Antique Event, attracts thousands of guests annually. The event is free, and parking is too, so there's every reason to visit them! Running for over ten years, it's now a market that spans over 7500 square feet, filled with antique and vintage stalls.

Antique and Vintage Sales in the Southeast

1. Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival, Georgia

When: 25th & 26th April
Time: Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: Art-Tiques Vintage Market, 110 State St, Commerce, Ga
Entry Fee: Free

With over three hundred vendors, Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival is the perfect day out to enjoy with family and friends. Expect food trucks, handmade gifts, and an array of vintage stalls.

2. Scott Antique Market, Atlanta

When: 9th-12th April
Time: Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: Atlanta Expo Center, 3650 & 3850 Jonesboro Road, Atlanta, GA
Entry Fee: $5 at the door (cash only)

Since 1987, the Scott Antique Market has attracted buyers across the region for its unique vintage and antique pieces. Known for its homeware and interior pieces, it's perfect for homeowners looking to revamp their home. Free parking.

3. West Palm Beach Antiques Festival, Florida

When: 24th-26th April
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday and Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday
Where: 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Entry fee: $11-$25

Florida’s largest monthly antique market, the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival, hosts hundreds of vendors every month, offering a diverse mix of antique and vintage furniture, retro finds, artwork, clothing, jewelry, and more. Spanning three days, the March event is just around the corner. Beat the queues by purchasing tickets online in advance.

Antique and Vintage Sales in the Southwest

1. Alameda Point Antiques Faire, California

When: 5th April (the first Sunday of every month)
Time: 6:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: 3900 Main Street, Alameda, CA 94501
Entry Fee: $20 for VIP shopping (6:00 am-7:30 am), $15 Early Buy (7:30 am-9:00 am), $10 Morning (9:00 am-12:00 pm), $5 Afternoon (12 pm-3:00 pm)

The largest antique show in Northern California, the Alameda Point Antiques Faire boasts over 800 dealer booths. Remember, it's cash only at the Box Office. Parking is free, and a shuttle service operates between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm to shuttle customers from the parking lot to the Faire Entrance.

2. Junk In The Trunk Vintage Market, Arizona

When: 24th-26th April
Time: Friday VIP - April 24th: 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday Early Entry - April 25th: 9:00 am to 11:00 am, Saturday General Admission - April 25th: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sunday General Admission - April 26th: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale - North Hall 16601 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Entry Fee: $10-$50 depending on admission date and time

With over 160 vendors to shop and 120,000 square feet in size, Junk In The Trunk Vintage Market is worth a visit if you're located in the Arizona region. With live music, DJS, and food trucks, you can shop to your heart's content and enjoy a beverage or snack while you're at it. Remember, it's $10 to park in the WestWorld car park. Bring cash, but most vendors do accept cards.

3. Sweet Salvage Vintage Market, Phoenix, Arizona

When: 16th-19th April
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Where: 4648 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Entry Fee: Free

Parking & Entry is FREE. Located in the Melrose District, the Sweet Salvage Vintage Market is open just four days a month. Each event is themed (this month is 'Down to Earth') and filled with vintage and antique picks and seasonal treasures.

4. Melrose Vintage Market, Phoenix, Arizona

When: 19th April
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Melrose Vintage Market, 700 West Campbell Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85013
Entry Fee: Free

Enjoy the sun and shop for your favorite vintage pieces at Melrose Vintage Market. From vintage clothes to home decor, the market is the perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon. Note, it's dog-friendly, and there's free parking behind Campbell Place Plaza and additional street parking nearby.

5. The Duce, Melrose, Phoenix, Arizona

When: 12th April
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: 525 South Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004
Entry Fee: Free

The perfect way to spend a Sunday, The Duce is the hot-spot for vintage lovers, where live music and food make shopping feel even more fun. Shop pre-loved designer clothes or home decor with ease. It's free to attend, but dogs are only allowed out on the patio. There's free street parking available. Valley Metro Rail – Buckeye/Central Ave Station. Valet available.

6. Thieves Market, Arizona

When: 4th April
Time: 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: 1601 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Entry Fee: General admission: $5 (8:00 am – 2:00 pm), Kids 12 and under are free

Described as 'an old school flea market', Thieves Market is a popular spot with locals, occurring every first Saturday of the month. Expect yummy food, coffee trucks, and an array of vendors selling antique, vintage, and handmade treasures. There's tree parking, too!

7. The Rose Bowl Flea Market, Pasadena, CA

When: 12th April (the second Sunday of every month)
Time: Early Bird Admission Tickets allow entry from 5:00 AM to 8:45 AM, General Admission Tickets allow entry from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103
Entry Fee: Regular Admission: $15, Early Bird ($22), Children under 12 are free

With over 2,500 vendors to peruse, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is iconic for a reason. Described as 'the most well-attended and vendor-profitable flea market in the entire country. The market is known all over the world because of its uniqueness, the quality of vendors, and great shoppers of all ages.' Remember, no pets allowed, and buy your tickets online before! There's free parking, too.

Antique and Vintage Sales in the West

1. Junk-tiquen in the Burg, Washington

When: 18th April
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Kittitas County Event Center, 901 E. 7th Avenue, Ellensburg, WA
Entry Fee: $5 admission at the door

A smaller-scale vintage market that's perfect for vintage lovers looking to peruse stalls without committing to a whole day of shopping, Junk-tiquen in the Burg is open to the public only twice a year, so if you're a Washington local, you might want to keep the 18th April free. With free parking and fair-priced admission, it's a visit worth making.

2. Rusty & Dusty Vintage Market, Washington

When: 18th & 19th April
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: 615 Arrowhead Ranch, Camano Island, WA, 98282
Entry Fee: Free

Filled with antique and vintage vendors and plenty of food and beverage stalls, Rusty & Dusty Vintage Market is an event many flock to. Best known for its vintage decor, it's perfect for homeowners looking for the right piece for their schemes.

3. The Great Junk Hunt, Puyallup, WA

When: 24th & 25th April
Time: Fri: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Sat: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Washington State Fairgrounds, 110 9th Avenue, Southwest Puyallup, WA, 98371
Entry Fee: Fri: $16-$21 (online, depending on entry) Sat: $11-$13 (online, depending on entry)

An award-winning flea market that boasts an array of vintage and antique sellers, The Great Junk Hunt is a highly anticipated event that plenty attend. With wine and beer to drink, delicious food, and music to enjoy, it's more than just a shopping site. Free parking is located in the Blue lot, and kids under 12 go free.

4. The Great Junk Hunt, Salem, Oregon

When: 10th & 11th April
Time: Fri: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Sat: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center, 2330 17th St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Entry Fee: Fri: $16-$21 (online, depending on entry) Sat: $11-$13 (online, depending on entry)

An award-winning flea market that boasts an array of vintage and antique sellers, The Great Junk Hunt is one worth attending. With wine and beer to drink, delicious food, and music to enjoy, it's more than just a shopping site. Free parking and kids under 12 go free.

Antique and Vintage Fair Shopping Tips

A vintage-lover's paradise, whether you're attending a flea market known for its impressive selection of archive clothing or you're spending the day, wagon in hand (like Amazon's collapsible wagon cart), hunting for antique home decor exclusively, there are a few things worth knowing, no matter what you're shopping for.

Firstly, vendors at vintage markets often only accept cash, and the same goes for the entrance fee. While you might bump into a few sellers who take credit cards, it's always worth being prepared and carrying an ample amount of cash just in case you stumble across something you truly love (and simply can't pass up). If you can, purchase your ticket before you arrive online to beat the queues and get to the goods straight away.

Next, while it may seem obvious, come prepared. By that, we mean, make sure you've packed all the essentials. From a bottle of water to keep you hydrated in the April sun (Californians, we're looking at you) to a tape measure (Amazon Basics Self-Locking Tape Measure is a good place to start) to ensure the armchair you've fallen in love with fits in your living room nook, bringing these staples will make your visit all the more successful. Comfortable shoes, a notebook and pen to jot down vendors' names or pieces you're on the hunt for, and snacks (if you're planning to spend all day there) are worth considering, too.

As well as coming prepared physically, ensure you're clued up on exactly what to look for (and what to avoid buying at an estate sale) so you don't regret your purchase, or worse, end up paying more for an item than it's worth. When shopping for vintage furniture, pay attention to the surface of the piece (scratching, stains, or amateur handiwork) before making a purchase. If you're still considering the piece, ask the seller if they'd take a lower price. If it has potential, reupholstering or reinventing a piece with a lick of paint is more than possible, remember.

And, of course, look for all the markings of authenticity when browsing reputable goods like fine china, artwork, or ceramics to ensure you're not buying a knock-off version of an antique. Things like makers' marks, certain shapes, patterns, and glazes (when shopping for pottery and tableware), and signatures will help you identify the real deal from the unauthentic. Always buy from a trusted seller that's established, and if you can, look for provenance.

April is the best time of year to take part in antique shopping. With a variety of indoor and outdoor markets of all sizes happening across the country, it's more than possible to find preloved treasures you've long been on the hunt for.

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I, regrettably, never lived through the ’70s, but I do find myself nostalgic for its wild textures and low-slung seats. I imagine returning home from a long night at the disco, pushing past a curtain of beads, and sinking into something plush to watch the gooey ebbs and flows of a lava lamp. Whilst exploring what's new in at IKEA, the DYVLINGE corduroy chair seems to be scratching that itch, clichés and all.

Originally designed in 1967 by Gillis Lundgren (a name you might recognize, having also dreamt up the still-iconic BILLY bookcase), the chair was fairly avant-garde for its time. Debuting in IKEA’s catalog under the name ‘MILA,’ this button-tufted corduroy swivel was positioned as an ‘anti-stress armchair.’

Fifty-some-odd years later, it seems to have the same effect. ‘I don’t usually provide reviews for IKEA (though I love the products). BUT, I walked into the store for something else and tried this lounge chair,’ writes one reviewer. ‘It was so comfortable that I felt I was melting away in it, so I decided to get one, though I don’t need one… The installable took 2 mins, so extra points!’

Now revived in a brand-new beige colorway as part of the Nytillverkad collection, which has resurrected several IKEA classics, the retro style still reads as a total time capsule. It keeps that slightly reclined, TV-optimized posture and a surprising stability, thanks to its unusual five-leg base – perfect for The Brady Bunch (1969-1974) then, or a Heated Rivalry (2025)-adjacent miniseries now.

I imagine it back in similar company: a living room full of otherwise sensible seating, interrupted by one electric hit (orange, green, black, beige – whichever you prefer), somehow still cooler than the rest. Probably in some sort of ambery haze, too – then, it might have been tinted glass and cigarettes; now, color-changing light bulbs do the trick, recreating endless iterations of that same nostalgic glow.

They just don’t make ’em like they used to. Except, in this case, they actually do.

‘70s-Style Armchair Alternatives

IKEA’s DYVLINGE swivel chair is a classic, but for something with a similar retro sensibility, these are the alternatives I’m eyeing.

How I'd Style It

If a ’70s version of me got loose in IKEA after securing this unreasonably comfortable seat, here’s what I imagine I’d end up with.

If you like this low-slung seat, you’ll love the rest of IKEA’s Nytillverkad collection, which offers dozens more out-of-the-archive designs that feel surprisingly current.

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Decorator to the stars, Francesca Grace is no stranger to one-of-a-kind interiors. When your roster includes Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Alicia Keys, it goes without saying: custom is the baseline.

So it’s particularly exciting for the rest of us that her latest project isn’t about dressing another celebrity home, or even creating something entirely new, but about reworking what already exists. In a first-of-its-kind luxury collaboration with Stockholm-based slipcover brand Bemz, Francesca channels her A-list sensibility into a more democratic canvas – IKEA frames, existing sofas, and other furniture you already own, but haven’t quite figured out how to love.

‘This collection was born out of a moment in Paris, drifting through La Puce market,’ she explains. ‘Everywhere I looked, there were layers of aged textiles, rich tapestries, and beautifully faded fabrics that told their own stories. I wanted to capture that feeling and reinterpret it in a way that feels modern yet earthy.'

You see those storied layers immediately in the fabrics, which, once set and styled, read less like ‘slipcovers’ and more like living room furniture you might have sourced abroad. Much of this outsized impact can be attributed to the new Mohair Velvet – Bemz’s most luxurious fabrication to date – introduced just for the occasion and rendered in a moody, botanical blend of muted pink and yellow.

Elsewhere, the palette settles into similarly rich, slightly aged hues: a verdant cotton velvet; the Vintage Forest pattern of stylized trees on Bemz’s more accessible Simply Linen; and Vintage Chenille Jacquard, a softened rose motif offered in two old-world colorways.

None of these frills or flounces look remotely practical, but – in keeping with Francesca's own California cool – all of it is machine-washable. Essentially, it's the fantasy version of vintage.

This dialogue between old-world reference and modern-day ease runs left, right, and center throughout this collection.

It's two focuses – antique tapestries and skirted furniture – may be among the most talked-about returns for living room furniture trends of 2026, but they tend to come with a level of preciousness that’s hard to live with. Here, Francesca removes that barrier, keeping the romance of the design trend revival while losing the rules.

‘Tapestry and furniture skirts both have deep roots in design history, but they feel incredibly fresh right now because people are craving warmth and texture after years of stark minimalism,’ she tells Homes & Gardens.

Across everything – from table and chair covers to bed frames – that maximalist Paris flea market feeling is completely apparent. Even the most cookie-cutter couch takes on something new, or maybe something older still: a sense of history, a sense of soul, and the sense that you may have just brought in one of Hollywood’s top interior designers to source it.

Ahead, a few of our favorite pieces from this characterful cover collab.

Patterns abound in this collection, but even so, ‘as a maximalist, I say layer freely,’ notes Francesca. Adding one of the collection’s chenille jacquard slipcovers to, say, an IKEA Hyltarp sofa already reads more bespoke than the bland white it came with, but according to her, it’s what comes next that makes it personal.

‘The slipcover is your foundation, but bespoke is all in the layering around it,’ she notes. ‘An intentionally draped throw, mismatched cushions in contrasting fabrics, a personal object or two nearby. The more considered the details, the more the slipcover reads as a design choice rather than a practical one.’

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Your living room furniture does a lot of heavy lifting. It’s the backdrop for morning coffee, family movie nights, marathon laundry folding sessions, and gatherings with friends. Because the space is often centrally located, it also helps define the overall style of your home, setting the tone for surrounding rooms.

Since it works so hard, it’s a space where it truly pays to shop smart.

Below is a well-tailored guide to shopping for well-built, stylish, and reliable living room furniture. Whether you’re looking for the best place to buy a sofa that stands up to kids and pets, a coffee table that makes a statement, or a quick-ship accent chair that doesn’t blow the budget, these are the retailers we’d start with. We've categorized them into Household Heros, Accessible Style, Luxury & Designer, and Vintage, One-of-a-Kind & Specialty Makers so you can easily shop based on style and budget.

Household Heros

For those in search of reliable quality, style, and customer service at an accessible price point, it's hard to beat the big-name furniture industry stalwarts. The good news? There's a retailer for every style.

Ballard Designs

Ballard Designs leans traditional with an emphasis on crisp colors and classic patterns that give its offering a preppy feel. You’ll find tailored upholstery, skirted seating, and antique-inspired designs that suit more formal spaces. The customization options are many, especially when it comes to fabrics.

Best for: Traditional and transitional living rooms; tailored, polished picks

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: In-stock pieces ship in 1-3 days, custom pieces ship in 8-10 weeks

Anthropologie

Anthropologie’s living room furniture fits its distinct bohemian aesthetic and, and whether you’re looking for a side table or a sofa, it’ll pack an element of whimsy or drama. Think Brutalist-inspired end tables, skirted sofas in pink-and-white gingham, and armchairs with exaggerated proportions.

Best for: Quirky, colorful accent pieces

Price positioning: $$-$$$

Delivery details: In-stock pieces ship in 1-3 weeks, made-to-order options take about 4 weeks

West Elm

West Elm's calling card? Contemporary and midcentury silhouettes and trend-driven accent furniture at approachable price points. The brand also offers a large selection of quick-ship and custom upholstery, and is a great source for apartment-sized sofas and modular sectionals.

Best for: Modern design fans, small space dwellers

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive in 1-4 weeks; custom upholstery can take 10-20+ weeks

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn is a go-to for family-friendly living room furniture, excelling at comfortable sofas, leather seating, and substantial coffee and accent tables that feel built to last. The brand's classic styling means you get longevity in a design sense, too.

Best for: Comfortable, durable upholstery, high-quality wood furniture

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive in 1-4 weeks; custom upholstery typically 10-16 weeks

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel consistently delivers on quality, comfort, and clean-lined style. The upholstery is particularly strong, comfortable, durable, and well-designed. If you want something modern but not stark, Crate & Barrel is a reliable starting point.

Best for: Modern, yet livable furniture, comfortable seating, clean-lined storage pieces

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in as few as 7 days, custom pieces take 8-16 weeks

Accessible Style

There's room in any living space for budget-friendly finds, whether it's a trendy side table or a high-end lookalike. These retailers consistently have the best value-minded finds.

Wayfair

It's hard to beat the convenience and versatility of Wayfair. The site is a true one-stop shop for living room furniture, and it caters to nearly any price point and style. Its breadth can make it tricky to separate the good buys from the lower-quality options, so it's important to read reviews (which are usually plentiful) and check product specifications before purchasing. One highlight: Wayfair's in-house brands Birch Lane and Joss & Main offer custom sofas in a relatively short timeline of just 4-5 weeks.

Best for: Fast, free delivery, budget-friendly accent furniture

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: Most accent furniture arrives in 2-3 days, custom pieces take 4-5 weeks.

Target

Target has become a dependable destination for design-forward living room accents, thanks to well-executed in-house brands, and dependable collaborations with designers like McGee &Co. and Joanna Gaines. While it’s not the place to shop for a forever sofa, it’s excellent for accent chairs, side tables, and trend-forward pieces that refresh a room without a major commitment or expense.

Best for: Trend-driven accent pieces, designer looks for less

Price positioning: $

Delivery details: Most items are stocked an arrive in 2-3 days

Article

Article offers plenty of options for the living room, including sofas, coffee tables, accent chairs, and lighting, and its direct-to-consumer model helps keep prices more competitive than comparable retailers. Most of the styles are clean-lined, making them best-suited for midcentury or contemporary homes, as well as small living rooms.

Best for: Value-driven, stylish sofas and sectionals

Price positioning: $$

Delivery details: Most items arrive in 1-3 weeks

Zara Home

Zara Home is as style-driven as its fashion counterpart, with a furniture collection that leans clean, sculptural, and current. Best bets here include sculptural accent tables, sleek storage, and lighting that punches above its price point. Zara's recent collaboration with architect Vincent Van Duysen signals a turns towards higher-end collections, and includes premium-priced leather and linen furniture.

Best for: Trend-forward coffee and side tables, accent furniture

Price positioning: $-$$$

Delivery details: Most accent furniture arrives in 2-4 days, custom pieces take 4-5 weeks.

Marshalls/TJ Maxx

If you haven't tried shopping online at Marshalls and TJ Maxx, consider this your cue. Each site offers a slightly different selection of designer living room furniture from quality brands like Safavieh, Moe's Home, Theodor Alexander, and Bernhardt at a discount. While the selection is more limited than, say, Wayfair or Target, there are gems to be had if you check back often.

Best for: Accent furniture like side tables, armchairs and ottomans

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: Items are in-stock and generally ship within a few days

Luxury & Designer

If you are looking for living room furniture that's going to last, these are the brands to look out for. Classic styles that never lean into fleeting trends and materials that will last decades – these brands favor craftsmanship and the price points reflect that.

Arhaus

Arhaus is one of the best in the furniture industry at marrying craftsmanship and style. Price points are high, but there’s quality to back it up: much of the company’s upholstered furniture is made by artisans in North Carolina, using materials like hardwood, recycled steel, and premium performance upholstery.

Best for: Quality furniture with style-focused silhouettes, large-scale pieces

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive in 1-2 weeks, Custom pieces ship in 10 weeks

Williams Sonoma Home

The parent company to Pottery Barn and West Elm, Williams Sonoma is best-known for its high-end kitchenware, but its home offshoot is not to be missed. The assortment is tightly curated, with customization available in upholstery, and centers on classic, well-made pieces meant to feel sophisticated now and in a decade.

Best for: Upholstered pieces with timeless sophistication

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive within a week, custom pieces ship in 16-20 weeks

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily is known for its airy, elevated coastal style, but there are gems in its catalog for any aesthetic. Of note is the brand’s extensive range of upholstered furniture, which is bench-made in North Carolina and offers high-quality hallmarks like 8-way hand-tied steel coil springs and mortise-and-tenon construction, along with 100+ custom fabric choices.

Best for: Coastal-inspired design, luxury upholstery

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship upholstery takes 4-6 weeks, custom pieces ship in 8-10 weeks

Design Within Reach

You won’t find an overstuffed family sectional at Design Within Reach. Instead, DWR is where you shop for pieces known by name – the Barcelona chair, the Noguchi table – and for clean-lined furniture for a modernist or contemporary room. If you’re looking for a statement piece, start here.

Best for: Contemporary and modern design fans

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Furniture arrives 1-3 weeks from shipping date

Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen has been a bastion for quality, comfortable furniture for nearly 100 years. While the brand built its reputation around traditional designs, the brand has evolved over the decades to include more streamlined and contemporary silhouettes alongside its classic offerings.

Best for: Traditionalists who appreciate practicality, craftsmanship and comfort

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Most items are custom-made and ship in 5-8 weeks

Arteriors

Arteriors is a designer favorite that's often associated with statement lighting, but its furniture collection is not to be missed, especially if you’re looking for something unique. Expect sculptural silhouettes, mixed materials, and pieces that look gallery-worthy without being impractical.

Best for: Statement-making accent furniture

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Most items are in-stock and ship within three business days

Vintage, One-of-a-Kind & Specialty Makers

If you’re drawn to decorating with vintage or pieces with real character, look beyond the mass-market chains and consider one of these specialty retailers. Whether you’re after a substantial antique that adds depth and gravitas, a custom sofa tailored to your exact specifications, or original artwork to finish off your room, these sources deliver pieces with distinction.

1stDibs

If you’re searching for a custom accent piece, pristine antique or an oil painting with provenance, 1stDibs is the place to start. The platform connects buyers with vetted artisans and antique dealers (no individual sellers allowed), who peddle wares like European armchairs and rare midcentury coffee tables. It’s not a budget destination, but if you have something truly special in mind, it’s a sure bet.

Best for: Investment antiques, collectible designer furniture

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Shipping varies by dealer

Chairish

Chairish operated in a similar manner to 1stDibs, but tends to have more vintage collections and a broader range of price points, in part because Chairish allows individual resellers, too. Think of it as a flea market for those who don’t have time to make the trip in person.

Best for: Vintage accent chairs, unique coffee tables, character-driven pieces

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: Shipping varies by seller

Etsy

armchairsEtsy is an dependable and accessible source for both custom and vintage items. You’ll find everything from secondhand case goods and upcycled arm chairs, to bespoke throw pillows and retro lighting. Price points are equally as varied, ranging from bargain-basement to high-end boutique.

Best for: Vintage finds that add personality, custom cushions and tables

Price positioning: $–$$$

Delivery details: Shipping varies by seller

Our Favorite Living Room Furniture to Shop Now

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As someone who lives in NYC, that awkward gap behind the sofa feels personally offensive. What a waste of space – that’s easily a few hundred dollars of rent doing absolutely nothing. Too skinny for anything useful, right?

Or, so I thought – until I discovered an impossibly slim sofa table from Wayfair that slides right in, turning that awkward, small living room sliver into a surprisingly chic vignette. Judging by the nearly 900,000 views the demonstration has racked up on TikTok, I’d say it’s having a bit of a viral moment.

Because it’s so slender, the wood-top table becomes the perfect landing pad for the things that, in a living room with more breathing room, might sit on side tables flanking the sofa – say, a vase of flowers, an incense holder, a candle, a neat stack of coasters.

Admittedly, this table's minimalist look isn’t reinventing any wheels. What is revolutionary, though, is its waifish proportions. Its long profile (available in three different dimensions) naturally suits the back of a sofa in a tiny living room, but the slim width is also a clever solution for narrow entryways or slim hallways that would otherwise never accommodate a table at all.

While wasted square footage is particularly painful in Manhattan, there’s never a reason not to make more of the space you already have. I don’t know about you, but I’m not letting a $70 table be the reason I don’t.

More Slim-Lined Tables

A few other slim tables caught my eye and may very well pique your interest, too.

How I'd Style One

Whether it lands in an entryway, dining room, or behind the sofa, if I were banishing the awkward gap in your home today, these are the three things I’d style on top of your new super-skinny surface.

Living in New York has forced me to get crafty with space, which, fortunately, has given me an eagle eye for brilliant space-saving solutions. Beyond the skinny sofa table, a few other small-space godsends have caught my attention lately: the Yamazaki countertop drawer, which effectively doubles your cookspace, and a similarly slim shoe cabinet from IKEA that all but disappears into a hallway.

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Office chairs might be the least attractive category of furniture. Too often they’re tactical in the worst way – borrowing from gaming culture and, by the looks of it, the design language of a suburban laser tag arena. Which begs the question: what might change if they took inspiration from somewhere a little more elevated?

Social media, per usual, read my mind when I stumbled across a cognac faux-leather swivel chair available at Wayfair finished with saddle-like stitching and a gleaming brass base that reminded me of the tack rooms from my horse girl days. It still ticks every practical box (a 360° swivel, five casters, a stable base, and a generously padded seat), but aesthetically, it belongs in the equestrian universe I intend to inhabit this Year of the Horse.

One might assume it hails from the homeware line of a house like Hermès or Ralph Lauren. But to the surprise and delight of my wallet, this unicorn of a seat is on Wayfair as part of Kelly Clarkson's home range – and quite possibly the first office chair I’ve seen that is actually… pretty. I do believe this explains the 4.1 million views and counting on the video that introduced me to it.

You may have noticed its tailored, tufted back, which isn’t just decorative, either – it’s ergonomically shaped to support long workdays. Meanwhile, the cognac upholstery has a subtle sheen that looks even sharper against the brass base, which adjusts easily for height. Some assembly is required, but reviewers insist it’s painless – about 20 to 30 minutes, tops.

Personally, I’d lean fully into the Ralph Lauren aesthetic, pairing it with neutral rugs, curtains, and cushions in brown, navy, or hunter green – maybe a pop of orange for swagger – plus tartan, equestrian-style hardware, and, ideally, more leather and brass.

This seat may arrive in a flat-pack box, but it looks like it lives in Bedford. From here on out, your workspace isn’t an office – it’s a study.

More Ralph Lauren-Style Accent Chairs

Here are a few more equestrian-adjacent, heritage-inspired office chairs that caught my eye on my hunt for a home office chair I wouldn't be embarrassed to be spied by guests.

Rich cognac leather and brass may be the cure for the epidemic of ugly office chairs, but we both know this room needs more help than just seating. Home office lighting could use some work, too. Finish the equestrian mood with a cozy, Connecticut-coded glow to really set the scene.

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From layered seating styles to maximalist floral sofas that exude kitschy charm, this year's living room furniture trends reflect the growing desire for homes to embody a rich, layered, and truly liveable feel.

The latest living room trends celebrate the art of eclecticism, so it is no surprise that the most coveted living room furniture pieces effortlessly blend character with function. Drawing inspiration from trending shapes, patterns, and colors, these five furniture styles strike a perfect balance between elegance and durability – designed to make your living room feel unmistakably and authentically yours.

Influenced by this year's top interior design trends, expect to see these five trending styles featured in all of your favorite living room projects in 2026.

1. Floral Sofas

They may have once been included in outdated furniture trends, but maximalist floral sofas are here to stay this year. Inspired by vintage interiors, floral sofas have a whimsical, deeply nostalgic feel, making them a firm favorite amongst designers looking to create a characterful living space.

A sofa trend with maximalist roots, floral sofas are more than just the kitschy styles from the 1980s; they're a stylish way to introduce pattern within a scheme and evoke a sense of playfulness.

Interior designer, Jessica Buckley says, 'I do hope that a floral sofa is a sofa for life, but of course, these trends tend to come and go. I think floral sofas are a perennial classic, especially in country homes.'

Jessica opted for a sofa upholstered in Lee Jofa's 'Althea' fabric in the above project. She explains, 'The sofa fabric was primarily selected to soften the look of the kitchen to be in keeping with the English country house feel: we wanted a floral but one with some character and presence. This particular floral fabric is such a classic, and the colors tie in nicely with the colours of the cabinetry (a dark green).'

2. Built-In Banquettes

Banquette seating may have traditionally been limited to kitchens, but in 2026, designers are taking the familiar style and adding it to living rooms.

Interior designer Blair Parkes of Parkes & Lamb Interiors says, 'We’re seeing more banquettes in design recently, which we're really excited about! It brings a big personality to an otherwise bare corner of a room by adding pattern and extending a welcoming invitation to play a fun game, read a book or have a cocktail and hang out with your friends!'

Anastasia Lewis, founder of Dwello Design, explains, 'There is a strong demand for individuality in residential design right now, which can feel intimidating when you are working with strict square meterage and functional limitations. The concept of bespoke built-in furniture and millwork is gaining a lot of appreciation, especially for smaller spaces. Banquettes offer huge benefits, both aesthetically and practically, making them a winning combination where functionality perfectly marries aesthetics.'

Referring to the pictured project, Anastasia explains, 'Since the property's square footage was slightly limited, but the client's lifestyle called for extra seating and storage, a built-in banquette was a no-brainer. We included hidden storage under the skirting. It was the most sensible tactic to maximize the actual metrage without sacrificing the client's needs, proving that highly functional spaces can, and absolutely should, showcase personality.'

3. More Than One Ottoman

A handy seating vessel that's long been featured in living rooms, it's not hard to find an ottoman of some kind in today's living rooms. While they're hardly a new 2026 furniture trend, designers are honoring the ottoman by featuring more than one in their projects.

In this transitional living room, interior designer Kelsey Leigh used a pair of ottomans to fuse comfort with practicality. She says, 'We layered multiple ottomans and side tables to give the room maximum flexibility. Ottomans function as extra seating, a place for people to put their feet up and relax, and extra tables make an easy spot to drop their phones. They’re intentionally multi-functional and help the space feel livable and adaptable.'

She adds, 'We will see layered ottomans trending into 2026. In this project, we covered them in plaid because we really love the pattern and believe plaid is gaining momentum as a forward design trend.'

4. Laid Back Seating

Daybeds are replacing sofas in 2026, and other relaxed seating options are receiving ample love, too. Historic chaise lounges are set to dominate living rooms this year, as we all crave more informal, laid-back spaces.

Interior designer Taylor Hill explains, 'Recently I've seen a refocus on finding comfort in design, so an uptick in the prevalence of chaise lounges could absolutely correlate.'

Referring to the project pictured above, she explains, 'This room is pretty massive, so we needed furniture that filled the space appropriately. The space's dimensions allowed us to pair two chaises where one would typically expect to see lounge chairs. We placed a more traditional pair of club chairs to balance the size of the chaise lounges on the other side of the room. A sofa anchors the space adjacent.'

Taylor adds, 'Because this home is a destination for the family to unwind at the beach, casual gatherings prevail. Even when hosting friends and family, a relaxing setup like this is perfect for reading a book, watching a movie, or having a conversation. If someone has more formal living room goals, I would probably recommend going in a different direction.'

5. Mixing and Matching Styles

While mixing eras and styles has long been a valued tool in interior design, layering living room seating is a trend to look out for this year. A way of creating a transitional, lived-in feel, it allows opposing shapes to sing beside one another.

Kristina Khersonsky, founder of Studio Keeta, says, 'Layering seating styles introduces dimension as well as tension to the room in a way that feels collected rather than matched. It creates visual depth. Mixing silhouettes and proportions prevents the room from falling flat but also is a perfect representation of our client’s taste and affinity to multiple genres and periods. There is a subtle color palette at play that holds the space together to evoke fluidity.'

Kristina adds, 'I think that layering, in general, has already arrived and will not be going anywhere any time soon. People have discovered that collecting pieces in an intentional way isn’t linear and is what contributes to a room feeling dynamic. Layering is visual interest.'

Hollie Velten, founder of SPACES by Hollie Velten, used various seating styles in the pictured living room. 'It can add substantial visual weight to a room, rather than working with proportions too small or slight. Textiles add coziness and personality, so layering is certainly something we do often. I think flexible, casual, and pattern are all things people seem more interested in, vs fixed and with little soul. Different heights and placements allow a sort of kinetic rhythm, some interplay and places for the eye (and people!) to roam while fabric pattern play gives some movement and interest and can surprisingly feel less stark than a large solid piece of color.'

From vintage-inspired floral sofas to built-in banquettes, this year's living room furniture trends favor character and comfort, designed to make any lounge feel liveable and stylish.

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While its formality was once deemed dated, like plenty of past-loved trends making their way back into the world of interiors, daybeds are being quietly revived, slotting into rooms across the globe.

They might be called daybeds for their low-slung bed-like shape, but the traditional sofa-like seat has a surprisingly preppy feel that lends itself to the current craving for all things characterful and charming. A historic seating style that falls somewhere between a bench and a sofa, daybeds may have slipped under the radar for a while, but for 2026 interior design trends, designers are bringing back the once-loved seating staple.

While it might be hard to believe, designers are skipping sofa trends entirely by opting for romantic daybeds for their projects.

The perfect size for small rooms, daybeds are far more mobile than sofas tend to be, making them a clever addition to spaces tight on square footage. Unlike an oversized sectional, daybeds can slot into a narrow space without compromising on comfort.

Interior designer Hollie Velten, founder of SPACES by Hollie Velten, opted for a daybed instead of a sofa for its relaxed, communal feel. She explains, 'This daybed was designed to house workday naps for a busy executive in her office, which could also host lazy reading visits from her tween daughter if she wanted to hang out in there. We wanted her office to feel elevated but comfortable and cozy.'

Hollie adds, 'I’d not overstyle daybeds. Bolster pillows add volume, maybe a throw pillow or blanket. But keep it pared down for risk of feeling cluttered.'

While they're fitting in small home offices or rooms with multiple functions, sofas are still a living room staple, explains Hollie. 'We have used daybeds in living rooms as a secondary seating option. The longer length but often slimmer profile of a daybed can pair well with another sofa.'

In a world where snug armchairs, plush sectionals and stylish loveseats make up living room layouts, it's easy to forget about the humble daybed. However, their fun-sized shape and ability to bridge the gap between comfort and style make them a fitting choice in living rooms, guest bedrooms, and even home offices.

While a sofa would have sufficed in this guest bedroom-meets-office, a daybed's multifunctionality made it a fitting choice for the client. Interior designer Sarah Vanrenen of Vanrenen Hanbury explains, 'Our client was a single man, downsizing from a larger country house to this two-bedroom modern apartment in London. He needed a study space that could be flexible and house occasional overnight guests.'

She continues, 'We knew that a regular sofa bed wasn’t going to be either smart enough or comfortable enough, so we designed this daybed with a proper single mattress that was feather wrapped, so it is supremely comfortable as both a sofa and for sleeping on. We used an amazing fabric from Le Manach (Bosquet Outdoor, available at Pierre Frey) and upholstered it all over, including the legs; it feels tailored and sophisticated.'

Sarah praises their multi-functionality. 'If the room needs to work as both a living room and a space for occasional guests, a daybed can definitely offer a more comfortable option than a sofa.'

While a sofa brings a soft, lived-in feel to a living room, its presence doesn't exactly go unnoticed. This is where the daybed comes in. Small enough to sit quietly within a pared-back scheme, it's an adaptable choice that's perfect for curated, minimalist spaces.

A sofa would have overwhelmed this serene entryway designed by Kristin Fine, co-founder of The 1818 Collective. She used a statement tiger print daybed in the project instead, bringing a romantic feel to the otherwise minimal space. She says, 'This is an entryway in a contemporary home which needed some softening.' She adds, 'They are a wonderful addition, so flexible without all the visual weight of a sofa.'

When styling a daybed, Kristin advises, 'It is always appealing to toss a beautiful throw and pillow on one end and a small stool nearby to optimize all the possible uses.'

Daybed Styling Essentials

While living room sofas aren’t going anywhere, there are moments when a daybed could be a more beautiful and better fit. Offering both comfort and a sense of considered curation, they lend an effortless elegance and intentionality that sofas sometimes struggle to match. And unlike an oversized sectional, they’re also a refined solution for rooms where space is at a premium.

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Thanks to an insatiable nostalgia for Nancy Meyers interiors and a TikTok-fueled appreciation for cottagecore comfort, classic accent chairs are now hiding 360-degree capabilities beneath ruffles, waterfall skirts, and generously upholstered silhouettes.

They look prim, but behave mischievously – delighting both design devotees and inner children in equal measure.

Given all the hubbub, I asked design experts which styles from this newly sweetened set they’re shopping for 2026 – and why.

What to Look for in a Swivel Chair Love Match

One brand perfecting the gag of the surprise-swivel is decidedly non-basic, color-soaked home decor label Society Social – its chicified gaming furniture collaboration with fine art photographer Nick Mele last year was an early indicator that they're in on the fun.

Society Social’s Poppy Petite Swivel, in particular, embodies every spinning-seat detail to look out for this spring, distilling on-trend Nancy Meyers–coded details – such as tailored lines, notched arms, and a graceful waterfall skirt – into a smaller footprint, giving those less fortunate in square footage the big-house fantasy.

‘When one thinks of the stereotypical swivel chair, they might picture one relegated to an office corner or a nursery glider, but today’s designs couldn’t be further from that stereotype,’ notes Society Social founder Roxy Owens.

2026’s Most On-Trend Swivel Chairs

Below, I’ve curated twelve of the best Nancy Meyers–style swivel chairs to shop now. You’ll notice two dominant silhouettes – rounded backs for softness and ease, and square backs for that familiar, traditional armchair posture – offered in varying heights to suit different layouts.

Upholstery runs the gamut, though light and optimism is the overall mood. Think gingham, vintage-inspired florals, and softly aged color palettes for quieter moments – all, of course, concealing the same spinning secret.

‘I believe the swivel is having such a moment right now because the way we live and entertain has evolved,' Roxy continues. 'Our homes have changed – kitchens open up into living spaces, seating areas overlap, and we entertain more casually.'

It would be silly to suggest that stationary chairs are passé. Still, in an era where everything, from fashion to media, hinges on movement, this furniture trend is unseasonably simpatico.

‘A stationary chair tends to anchor a single moment in a room. A swivel, on the other hand, serves many purposes and shines in settings that benefit from flexibility,’ she adds.

Roxy calls them the most social seats in the house. ‘They are especially wonderful in pairs,’ she continues. ‘Two swivels across from a sofa create an instant vignette, but because they rotate, they can also pivot toward a television, a window, or another seating area when needed.’ Chatty Kathys, consider this your throne.

So no, swivel chairs aren't just for offices. Meet your new favorite party trick, movie-night essential, and surefire way to shake up a sleepy Sunday.

Even the most pattern-filled Nancy Meyers swivel is only as interesting as the sofa beside it. Much like these spinning seats, 2026’s sofa trends aren’t taking themselves too seriously either.

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Styling a small coffee table is a unique kind of torture. There are simply too many beautiful objects to choose from – shiny candle snuffers, santal scent diffusers, stacks of glazed stoneware coasters – and obviously, we want all of them.

Unfortunately, surface area has other plans.

Take it from a Manhattan-based style editor who has exclusively only ever owned small tables: the trick for your coffee table decor ideas isn’t adding more. It’s choosing smarter.

If you want a petite coffee table to command attention from across the room – without looking like you agonized over every inch – these are the three coffee table styling ideas I'd try first.

1. Corral Clutter With a Tray

Some call it clutter. I call it a collection. The instinct to gather decor – trinket trays, bud vases, that cordless lamp (or two) you swear you need – is strong. And frankly, I’m not interested in suppressing it completely just because the table happens to be small.

Containment, therefore, is key.

A tray grants these little unrelated objects newfound legitimacy and cohesion. The border turns ‘messy’ into an eye-catching design moment. One sparsely styled tray can feel unfinished, but a tray confidently layered with your favorite objects? Now that’s interesting. Suddenly, it’s a vignette – and even the remote looks curated.

2. Layer With Literature

If you’re the kind of person who buys a coffee table book every time you travel, develop a new hyper-fixation (who knew you'd get into F1?), or wander into a dangerously good antique store, consider this your sign to give that library airtime.

No, you won’t have room for Kardashian-level stacks rivaling the square footage of a Nolita studio. But you do have room for one intentional pile – three or four books, depending on their thickness. That single stack paradoxically creates the illusion of more space, adding height and structure while giving the eye somewhere substantial to land.

A happy side effect is that you (and your living room) appear more interesting. Curious guests will cue the conversation.

3. Surprise With a Statement Candlestick

Big statements aren’t reserved for big surfaces. In fact, the tighter the surface, the more potent a single object becomes.

Think of a statement candlestick as a mini sculpture that just so happens to hold a taper. From high-gloss lacquer to swirls, this is the moment to go slightly off-kilter (Anthropologie and Sarah Sherman Samuel’s collection for Lulu and Georgia are particularly good hunting grounds).

This does two things. First, from across the room, your eye lands there immediately. It gives gravitas to the table – and, by extension, authority to whatever ‘collection’ you’ve corralled nearby. Second, it’s still a candlestick. So light it, and set the mood.

Art, ambience, and a little bit of theatre? Not bad for one object.

It’s good if you’ve checked one of these off. Great if you have two. But nail all three? Your friends will start asking who your designer is. For more beautiful style tips and decor inspiration, we explore the biggest coffee table trends for 2026 in our dedicated feature.

And if your coffee table is small, chances are the rest of your square footage is, too. If that extends to the cookspace, don’t miss these no-renovation hacks that make compact kitchens feel bigger.

Unlike the accent wall, which usually just makes a room look unfinished, an accent chair is the perfect finishing touch. It can bring color, pattern, and playful shapes into a room in a more low-commitment way than a couch. Yes, I know patterned couches are having a moment, and my TBC carts are filled with options that I am not quite ready to click “buy” just yet. But an accent chair? More affordable, more flexible – that I can commit to.

And not all accent chairs have to make an accent with color or pattern, the materials can be what makes it more of a feature in the room. There's a reason neutral-lovers were so obsessed with a bouclé accent chair; it added an accent without needing to be bold. Stylistic differences aside, all accent chairs share one common trait – they have the potential to redefine a room without committing to a huge new piece of furniture.

Think about it this way – if you want to tap into some of the hottest interior design trends of the moment, but you're afraid to commit to a total redesign, accent chairs act as the perfect opportunity to test the waters. Unlike a couch, accent chairs aren't a huge commitment. They're usually not a big investment, either.

Consider the living room, for example. If you've chosen a neutral design scheme for the space, but you love the whimsical design trend that's happening at the moment, perhaps all you need is a patterned accent chair to uplift the room and give it some personality. Even if you're not interested in following trends, but you want to give a room a bit of extra energy, all you need to do is incorporate a fun accent chair to immediately refresh the room's atmosphere.

I'm a firm believer that accent chairs are the best-kept secret behind the most stylish interiors. They're the definition of low risk, high reward. Not only do they enrich the character of any room with their aesthetic appeal, but they also act as an opportunity for you to get creative.

So, if you feel eager to give any room in your home a refresh without reimagining it completely, shop 15 accent chairs to help you do just that, below.

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.

IKEA might not be your first stop for forecasting capital 'D' design trends, but perhaps it should be. Between cult, sell-out collaborations (Off-White, Gustaf Westman) and archival pieces now trading for four figures at auction, the Swedish giant has accrued more authority than we tend to grant it.

And yet, for 2026, its style guide is decidedly unserious.

If the past few years were ruled by hushed minimalism and disciplined palettes, IKEA’s new interior trend direction swerves hard in the opposite direction, favoring a chicified, almost childlike whimsy. Color is dialed up. Pattern is layered with abandon. Even typically sober storage solutions are reimagined with softness and wit. The goal, according to IKEA Home Furnishing Direction Leader Abbey Stark, is to ‘let your imagination soar.’

With the retailer’s 2026 Color of the Year landing on a bold, expressive Rebel Pink – pointedly in opposition to Pantone’s whisper-soft Cloud Dancer – you can likely sense where this is going. ‘It replaces white walls with a refreshing, empowering energy,’ Abbey cheekily observes. ‘It’s time for a new era of rebellion.’

Subtle, this is not.

Ahead, five unapologetically playful predictions that prove real design insight doesn’t have to take itself so seriously.

1. Joycore Decor

‘Joycore’ isn’t wildly different from the dopamine decor wave of a few years ago. Home is once again a refuge from the antics of the outside world, and you’re allowed to control the mood. According to IKEA, that might call for a lilac-legged stool or an orange swivel chair that muses a certain French fashion house.

It’s maximalism as an antidote to overly adultified minimalism – and what we guess might happen when the design professor's inner child gets a credit card. But this doesn’t mean you need to toss the beige sofa bought back in 2021. As the guide suggests, ‘With white walls and neutral furniture as a base, build up your unique color story. Start with two primary colors, then add a tertiary for balance. Color is joy, so go big.’

In other words: play.

2. Floral Daydream

Pattern-drenching, pattern-maxxing – whatever you prefer – may be reaching its final boss. Though the look can be tricky to pull off (designers will often caution you to vary tone and scale), IKEA’s latest florals are cross-compatible – ready to mix and mingle from the get.

The STRANDMON slipcover, for example, transforms a dependable solid wing chair into a bloom-heavy backdrop for whatever patterned throws you’ve been accumulating. And while florals are at the fore, they’re far from the only patterns here. The lemonade-yellow FJUNKLOCKA cushion cover offers a choose-your-own adventure: romantic foliage or classic stripes.

3. Lagom Living

There is beauty in the mean – a sense of balance elegantly captured by the Swedish concept of ‘lagom.’ According to the guide, it’s ‘about creating a harmonious, calming zone between clutter and sparseness, where you can relax and revive after a long day.’ This may sound familiar – we’ve been circling this organic look for years. Lagom simply pushes the idea toward something more lived-in.

This trend hinges on contrast, focusing on characterful, carefully curated textures, and light filtered through drapery in varying opacities. Its goal is coziness by way of surprise – a velvet cushion set alongside a rattan room divider, for instance, feels distinctly, deliberately lagom.

4. The Art of Storage

Storage is both art and science – and here, IKEA clearly prefers the former. The solutions are still pragmatic, but they’re also exceptionally imaginative. A shoe unit might moonlight as a coat rack – and a bench – while a woven ottoman could have the capacity to swallow off-season throws. Even an unassuming basket might disguise a clever under-shelf clip to steal back precious kitchen inches.

All of these solutions are smart on their own, but according to IKEA, smarter still if you treat them as design opportunities. Consider lining your closet in a punchy wallpaper, or trading the warm wood of your iconic IVAR shelving for a verdant green. In 2026, storage is meant to be hacked, painted, and customized.

5. Rebel Pink

We hinted hard at this earlier, but again, IKEA’s 2026 Color of the Year is Rebel Pink – and it's not because it’s already trending. In fact, the retailer says the opposite: it chose the shade not because it’s everywhere, but because of the color trend it could become.

‘It’s not about what’s trending, but how color can transform a space, evoke emotion, and reflect the way we live. It’s a bold neutral and our way to energize your everyday aesthetic without compromising our commitment to Scandinavian simplicity,’ notes the guide.

The idea of pink as a neutral sounds almost contradictory – until you remember just how thoroughly Millennial Pink saturated 2016. And if 2016 energy is steeping back into 2026, well… you catch our drift.

So don’t be surprised when by late 2026, there’s a whole lot more Rebel Pink in circulation – and not just from the Swedes.

You never quite know what 20 years will do to a ‘mass’ retailer. Today’s accessible whimsy might just become the IKEA auction-house darling of tomorrow.

So as you load up your cart with Rebel Pink and joycore curiosities, consider this your reminder to hang on to a few IKEA favorites. Future you – or your children – might thank you.

If a chair could plausibly live inside Nancy Meyers’ Father of the Bride (1991), it’s usually a strong indicator I want it in my apartment. Watching George Banks spiral over Annie’s engagement is stressful. Studying those ruffle-bottomed, slipcovered sofas in the background? Effortless. Romantic. Wedding-ready, for sure – a flavor of fanciful that Shea McGee appears to have tapped with her new ruffle chair for Target.

This new version of Shea's viral ruffle chair is Nancy Meyers wedding-worthy not just because it channels that idyllic, California-cream interior (though the palest iteration does feel appropriately ceremonial), but because, for the first time in Shea’s Target lineup, it swivels. Yes, a full 360 degrees. It’s an expansion of her best-selling collection, now with a coquettishly concealed mischief.

Style the classic cream with neutral florals (a coordinating Shea ottoman wouldn’t hurt either) and you’re squarely in Banks-family territory. But there are nine more spring-forward cotton patterns to consider, too. Normally, the patterned versions retail for $700. But right now, they’re 30% off – which means you get that bespoke, 'I had it upholstered' look for far, far less than custom.

From technicolor ginghams to meandering botanicals, even if you’re not hosting a backyard wedding anytime soon, these seats feel like reason enough to gather. Ahead, Homes & Gardens' favorite pattern options to set the scene.

2026 is shaping up to be a battle of the swivels. We adore the fanciful charm of Shea’s ruffled number, but there’s a sleeker contender in the ring, too: a tailored, striped viral favorite that would feel equally at home in Nancy’s cinematic universe – and is currently over 80% off on Wayfair. Consider this your sign to decide which one spins the sweetest in your own living room.

Even the most beloved furniture trends can fall out of favor, and suddenly, something that was once a must-have is starting to feel outdated. And you might just be surprised to hear what's on the chopping block in 2026.

Of course, it's not that these dated furniture trends are inherently wrong or particularly ugly. Many of them still look beautiful, but in 2026, interior design trends are moving away from anything 'of-the-moment,' and instead, we're focusing on collected, unique pieces that will wear beautifully over time.

Ahead, designers share the three furniture trends that are looking past their prime – and offer tips for updating your home in ways that will feel fresh, stylish, and totally chic in 2026.

3 Furniture Trends that Feel Outdated in 2026

Instead of presenting you with a never-ending list of outdated styles, there are just a select few furniture trends that designers see on the out, while the onus has moved to personality-driven decorating. In other words: if you still love it, it's in.

That being said, there are three styles that designers are urging you to avoid if you're searching for something new.

'I think we’re moving away from trend-forward statements and back toward furniture that balances beauty, comfort, and timelessness,' says designer Jennifer Davis of Davis Interiors, describing the mood of 2026.

Whether it’s introducing a sofa with a smaller footprint and a softer silhouette, swapping in more timeless upholstery, or mixing in unique pieces with personality and warmth, these adjustments will help your home feel fresh and inviting in 2026.

1. Serious Scandi Style

For years, Scandinavian-style furniture has been a favorite for those looking to create clean, light, and calming spaces. And while there's absolutely nothing wrong with cozy-meets-minimalist Scandinavian decor, designers say this trend is losing its shine.

As Kailee Blalock of House of Hive Design Co. explains, we're seeing popularity for this style of furniture start to fade. 'Especially pieces that are overly minimal, pale, and generic, because they can make homes feel more like a showroom than a space with personality,' she adds.

While the simplicity and pared-back aesthetic of Scandi pieces is still appealing, overusing pale, minimal furniture can make a space feel flat when used in isolation. Instead, look to the Nordics for inspiration from the Scandi maximalist trend, which favors furniture pieces with a crafty, folk-inspired heritage.

2. Warm and Fuzzy Boucle Accents

Bouclé has been everywhere in the past few years, from accent chairs to ottomans, throw pillows to sofas, but its moment in the spotlight is waning. Jennifer Davis explains why this upholstery trend is starting to feel dated.

'Bouclé, while beautiful, has had its moment,' says Jennifer. 'Its heavy saturation has made it feel less special, and many clients are now prioritizing fabrics that feel timeless, durable, and versatile.' So what is replacing bouclé? 'Think textured linens, mohair, wool blends, and performance fabrics that age gracefully,' she adds.

'Overly modern upholstery with cold, sharp lines is also losing momentum,' Jennifer continues. 'Spaces are craving warmth and comfort again. Softer silhouettes, gentle curves, and pieces that invite you to sink in are replacing furniture that looks good but doesn’t feel good.'

For big-ticket furniture items, instead opt for fabrics and shapes that offer both comfort and longevity, rather than focusing on a trending moment if you want the piece to endure. This way, your sofa or bed will remain a timeless part of your home for years to come, and you can have more fun with smaller accents like throw pillows.

3. Sectional Sofas

Big, neutral sectional couches have long been a hallmark of relaxed, California casual style, but sometimes even the classics fall out of favor. And while it might come as a shock to some to find your beloved sectional in this list, the tough news is that this sofa trend is starting to look a little 'big-box store' in 2026.

Mary Beth Sullivan of MB Sullivan Design says it's time to move on. 'One outdated furniture trend for is a big, neutral sectional – sofas that present low and deep (with a seat height lower than 18”), and sofas with wide-track arms.'

To avoid temptation, Mary adds: 'To ensure that a design doesn’t look dated, I never go to one store as a one-stop shop to furnish an entire room off the floor,' she says of collecting and curating mismatched pieces instead for a more tasteful living room.

So while these large sofas are undeniably comfortable and practical, they can dominate a space and make it feel unique. Mixing in better proportioned seating with a mixture of shapes, colors, and patterns can help you to nail a furniture scheme with better balance and style.

So if your living room or bedroom is still filled with oversized sectionals or ultra-minimalist sofas, now is the perfect moment to take stock. And, for anyone looking to refresh their space without overhauling everything, now is the perfect moment to shop thoughtfully.

It’s snowing in New York City, where I’m currently writing, and I’m already dreaming of a Nancy Meyers summer. Because if there’s anything getting me through winter, it’s mental replays of Diane Keaton’s shingled Hamptons house in Something’s Gotta Give (2003) – and the small miracle that the Nancy Meyers–style pinstriped chair I pined over last summer, once an eye-watering $1,350, is now only $239.99.

Maybe this sudden off-season urge for salty New England air happened organically. Or maybe it was planted by TikTok. (A classic 2020-something chicken-or-the-egg; we may never know.) Either way, those swivel chairs that went viral during the warmer months – thanks in part to tastemakers like Kenzie Elizabeth, affectionately dubbed Gen Z’s Martha Stewart – are back, sitting pretty all over my very après feed. Perfect timing. I needed the rescue.

The shape appears to be that of a traditional armchair, but actually swivels a full 360 degrees – a detail I imagine makes wine nights significantly more spirited. In my mind’s eye, it’s already paired with woven accents like a jute rug or rattan lamp, warm woods, and a slow accumulation of vintage finds. Essentially, it’s cooking up the exact 'Eastcoastal' flavor our favorite film director would have wanted.

And despite the seaside associations, decorating with stripes is not just a summer decor trend. The barrel silhouette is timeless, slipping into more traditional decorating ambitions, too. Frankly, this chair could live quite comfortably in Ralph Lauren’s universe – styled with horsebit details, cognac leather, a hit of velvet – as if it’s been wintering upstate in Bedford this whole time.

I’d give anything to be out East right now. But until the season resumes, I’ll settle for the next best thing: some long-overdue transitional styling, stretched out in my living room in what reviewers insist is an impossibly comfortable chair – comfortable enough, they say, to justify buying a second.

It won’t make summer come faster. But it’s close enough.

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