5 Sofa Trends for 2026 That Make the Most Important Piece a Focal Point – ‘It’s the Epicenter of Your Home’

If there’s one place not to cut corners, it’s the sofa. Ostensibly for sitting, it's the first thing you register when you walk into a living room – not to mention where most of us eat, ‘rest' our eyes, binge bad TV, and host the people who matter most.

When an upholstery or silhouette feels even slightly off, that discomfort is not imagined. You’ll absolutely notice, as will everyone else.

The flipside is that, as the epicenter of domestic life, this is the furniture where you’re allowed – encouraged, even – to make a splash, especially in a time when living room trends are bolder and more characterful than they have been in a long time. That's why Homes & Gardens asked designers what they’re planning to kick back on next. Ahead, the sofa trends for 2026 that the chicest people you know are already sitting on.

1. Chic Slipcovers and Skirts

Cottagecore ushered in ruffles and skirts on nearly everything, from throw pillows to tablecloths, and sofas were hardly spared. In 2026, that romantic impulse hasn’t totally jaded, but according to Dorothee Junkin, founder of New York–based Dorothee Junkin Design Studio, the ‘girlish’ look is graduating.

‘The skirted sofa is coming back, but in a much more tailored, intentional way,’ she explains. ‘My clients are gravitating toward generous skirting with crisp lines and thoughtful proportions. It feels closer to quiet luxury than anything decorative or frilly. Visually, a skirted sofa softens a room and grounds the seating, creating a sense of calm and continuity that feels timeless rather than trend-driven.’

Dorothee, for one, is thrilled to see a design trend rooted in something practical this time: ‘Slipcovers are removable, washable, and easier to replace over time, which makes them ideal for real homes with kids, pets, or weekend guests.’ For the fully committed, a slipcover-specific sofa makes sense; for everyone else, a well-cut cover offers an easy, affordable reset. ‘I often tell clients that this is one of those rare moments where beauty and function truly align,’ she explains.

2. Hushed Patterns

Quiet luxury may be losing its cultural chokehold, but its tonal instincts are still showing up – especially on sofas. The trend isn’t toward louder patterns, but smarter ones.

‘Rather than bold statements, we’re seeing sofas upholstered in subtle patterns,’ says Shelley McIlroy of Shelley McIlroy Design, pointing to soft stripes, small geometrics, and muted florals that read more like texture than print at first glance. ‘They add depth and personality while remaining timeless and easy to live with,’ she explains.

This is pattern with a delayed effect. From across the room, the sofa may read pretty plain. Up close, the ‘surprise’ rewards attention. The interest reveals itself slowly, waiting for you to notice.

3. Low-Slung, Lounge-Ready Silhouettes

A sofa is, at the end of the day, meant for lounging. It can earn all the visual attention in the world, but if it isn’t the first place your feet drift after a long day, you’re doing it wrong. In the sofa trends of 2026, comfort is back in charge and paying homage to what the ’70s got right.

‘A low-slung, deep sofa with a simple silhouette designed for lounging,’ tops the list of 2026 sofa trends for Megan Lynn Schlabaugh of Minneapolis-based Megan Lynn Interiors. Specifically, she favors arms wide enough to hold a coffee cup or a glass of wine (a surprisingly practical litmus test), while pointing out how easily the look can be elevated. ‘Lately I’ve been adding a contrasting, exaggerated knife edge to give it a bit more personality,’ Megan tells Homes & Gardens.

4. Expressive, Highly Tactile Materials

We called it last fall: shearling is the new bouclé. Not because plush pandemic-favorite textures are going anywhere, but because if they’re going to survive into 2026 – especially after a long head-spinning cycle of texture-on-texture interiors – they need to loosen their manners.

‘Sofas are becoming more tactile and materially expressive,’ says James Gomez, co-founder and creative director at Yarn Collective, who suggests leaning into a bit of drama. ‘Dense woollen weaves, brushed mohair textures and fabrics with visible structure bring warmth and permanence, especially when used in deeper or mid-tone shades,’ he continues. ‘These sofas feel grounding and comfortable, designed to be lived with rather than styled for effect.’

Call it comfort on steroids. Expect faux fur and outerwear-grade fabrics to do the talking.

5. Singular Statements

We’re firmly in the Age of Aquarius, and copying anyone else now reads as a design faux pas. Which helps explain the renewed pull toward vintage – first in clothing, and now in couches. For Dorothee Junkin, founder of Dorothee Junkin Design Studio, it’s one of the simplest ways to get a custom-feeling piece without starting from scratch.

‘Rather than everyone buying the same new silhouette, I see growing interest in sofas that carry history or personality,’ she explains. ‘Reupholstered vintage pieces and antique sofas are becoming focal points again,’ noting the paradox of choosing something that, despite never being yours, feels ten times more personal than pulling from a big-box catalogue.

Vintage, she adds, is also where you can afford to take risks. The market is full of strong options, from sinuous, serpentine silhouettes to niche mid-century Danish designs – pieces you’re unlikely to encounter twice. If there’s a moment to go specific, this is it.

‘A statement sofa brings character and depth to a space in a way that is hard to replicate with something brand new,’ she continues. ‘I love working with clients to find a piece that feels uniquely theirs, whether that is a beautifully worn frame or a classic shape reimagined in a modern fabric. It immediately tells a story.’

Your sofa might be perfect, but the accouterments matter, too. These are the outdated living room trends designers are leaving behind in 2026.