Top sofa trends for 2023

Comfort is a huge part of what we expect from a sofa – but it's not always a given! While the kind of seat cushion you want comes down to personal taste, there are a few general points when it comes to comfort. Here's a quick list to consider before investing in a new sofa.

• Backrest height: A backrest that is too low might just ruin your enjoyment of your favourite series! It's also important to check that the backrest is sufficiently cushioned and padded for maximum comfort.

• Read up on the foam density of the sofa: the higher the density, the firmer the sofa will be and vice-versa. There is no ideal level of foam density as it purely depends on your own definition of comfort. However, 35kg/m3 is recommended as a good medium point.

• Sofa fabric: Once again, comfort is all about your own preferences – some people don't like the raw feel of leather while others don't enjoy the feel of velvet.

If you need a bit more help, read up on our tips for choosing the perfect sofa.

Once you've got to grips with how to pick out a comfy sofa, you can get down to the serious business of finding a model that is bang on trend! It's important to find the perfect balance between durability, modernity and, of course, your own tastes. But be warned – it's not always easy!

From cord to washed linen, bouclé to cotton, there's an endless selection of choice when it comes to sofa fabrics. Your decision will come down to your preferences and the atmosphere you're trying to create.

Velvet: it's back and bigger than ever

Velvet has come a long way since the questionable prints of the '70s. Completely overhauled and brought up to date, velvet is enjoying another well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Cosy and soft to the touch, velvet sofas help to make a living room feel warm and welcoming.

Velvet comes in a wide range of styles and finishes:

• burnout velvet with raised patterns to add a touch of character and boldness to a room;

• crushed velvet for a seriously luxurious sofa – darker tones like emerald green, burgundy or navy lend themselves perfectly to the most elegant of interiors.

• plain velvet for unbeatable softness.

That said, our vote is for a velvet cord sofa for a central piece that will really steal the show. This fabric has it all: a velvety soft feel, volume, character and little pops of colour.

Another advantage of cord sofas is that there's a model for almost any interior décor. These sofas generally feature solid, oversized designs and often come without feet for even more charm. From neutral tones like beige, white or grey for minimalist interiors to dusty pink or mustard for a shabby chic living room and black for a streamlined, high-end look, there's something for everyone.

Leather sofas: durable and comfortable

Leather sofas are so timeless that they will never go out of style. But to make sure you invest in a piece that feels contemporary, set your sights on a design with sharper and cleaner lines than what we might have seen in the past. For ultimate comfort, go for the winning combination of soft leather and a wide seat. Add on some black painted metal or unfinished wood legs and you've got the perfect leather couch!

Bouclé sofas: an on-trend option

After taking over curtains, armchairs, rugs and cushions, bouclé fabrics have made their way onto our sofas – and we couldn't be happier about it. This fabric symbolises a wider movement back to all things natural alongside materials like raw cotton, linen and other plant-based fibres. The original bouclé fabric was first used to make clothes in the 1950s and is made up of looped yarns which are left intentionally uneven. These days, a wide range of synthetic materials imitate wool bouclé fabrics to perfection. Easy to maintain and hardwearing, a bouclé fabric sofa just needs a light patting down from time to time to get rid of any dust.

Like the look of the fabric but aren't ready to go all out with a bouclé sofa? A nice armchair, throw or a few bouclé cushion covers will go a long way to warming up your interior.

In addition to providing a comforting feel, bouclé sofas are decidedly in vogue and can bring a touch of sophistication to any interior. And we're not just spinning yarns! Get it...?

Linen sofas: for a timeless look

Linen and sofas are a match made in heaven. This natural fibre provides a sense of delicacy and makes for a sofa covering with bags of elegance. Ideal for all seasons, linen sofas keep you warm in winter and cool on the hottest days of summer. Soft tones can be used to invite a touch of nature into your home including white, beige or pale greys. A coloured linen sofa, in shades like dark green or brown, will pack more of a punch. Linen has the advantage of being a completely timeless fabric – no matter the shape or design of the sofa, it'll always hit the right notes!

And while you're at it, linen curtains will be a great match to dress your windows.

Of course it is usually recommended to go for a neutral colour to ensure you won't get sick of the sofa a few months down the line. And while there's no disputing the point, the power of a coloured sofa can really help to transform an interior.

These days, there's really no limit when it comes to colour. For a really dynamic look, go for an orange sofa topped with yellow cushions against a sage green wall. If you're looking for something a bit simpler, choose softer tones combined with a brighter colour like orange or powder pink for a spark of energy. If you're still on the fence, you can never go wrong with navy blue or racing green for a dab of colour without going overboard.

Orange sofas

Orange is said to be the colour of creativity and a great mood lifter. Sound good? Invest in a bright orange sofa to give your décor real personality. For a cosier look, go for a deeper orange tone like pumpkin or terracotta which will go perfectly with all types of greens.

Pink sofas

A pink sofa is perfect for fans of romantic décor – but that's not all it can do! A powdered pink sofa will add a certain softness to your interior while a bold fuchsia pink works perfectly for contemporary décor.

Green sofas

Want to invite a touch of nature into the home? A green sofa teamed with light wooden furniture is just what you need.

Blue sofas

From midnight blue for anyone looking for an understated look to icy blue for a bit of calm and a contemporary feel.

Yellow sofas

Isn't there something captivating about a yellow sofa against the midnight blue background? Yellow is a sunny colour that guarantees positive vibes in the home. Put it against a darker tone and you'll pull off a really personalised modern theme.

As you can see, a brightly coloured sofa is a great point to start from if you're struggling for decorating inspiration. Once the tone is set, all that's left to do is to decorate around your centrepiece!

Is the classic three-seater not quite cutting it? Let's take a look through some of the more modern options on offer to shake things up.

XXL sofas

When we said that the sofa was the centrepiece of the room... well, these models really take the idea and run with it. These days, extra-large sofas are taking up more and more room in our homes. Whether we're all reacting against endless lockdowns or we're just looking for maximum comfort, our sofas seem to be getting bigger and bigger with wider seats and armrests to match. That said, designs are still quite streamlined to ensure the sofa doesn't overwhelm the space. There's only one thing we want to do and it's to spend hours on a super-sized couch! That said, we recommend only getting on board with this trend if you're lucky enough to have a spacious living room.

Modular sofas for an (almost) custom-made design

Modular sofas are a bit like the younger sibling of corner sofas. The only difference is that you can switch around your set-up as your needs change over the years.

These sofas are, as the name suggests, modular which means you can set them up as you like and add, change or remove certain parts as you see fit. You can even move bits around a footrest to create a different seating area or even making a two-seater into a three-seater.

Alternatively, a sofa bed can be a great alternative to a traditional sofa depending on your space and needs.

Sofas just got curvier

Wave goodbye to straight backrests and fixed armrests because our sofas are getting curvy! Designers have really had fun with these models which are made to fit into the most contemporary interiors. Round sofas blend in perfectly with almost abstract results.

When you're working with a tight budget, it's not always possible to invest in a new sofa. But if you are hoping to get your hands on a new model, it's a good idea to be on the ball during sale season. But with a bit of imagination it is also possible to give your old sofa a new lease of life with a few well thought-out accessories.

How to refinish an old sofa

• Add one (or several!) throws to the sofa. Hang them stylishly over a corner or the sofa or cover up the entire thing. Once again, fabrics like linen, wool, cotton gauze and cotton can be brought in to cosy up your décor.

• Play around with cushions to mix up colours, materials and patterns. Or why not choose one colour in a variety of prints to maintain a sense of harmony?

• Depending on the model, it might be possible to purchase a sofa cover to cover the whole sofa. Your sofa will be unrecognisable for a fraction of the price of a new one!

• Change the sofa legs! It might not be the first idea to spring to mind but it couldn't be simpler to do. Go for metallic legs for a designer look or wood for Scandi style. Alternatively, you can get rid of the legs altogether –there's nothing cosier or more on-trend than a low sofa!

Finally, remember to look after your sofa. Once any stains or marks are eliminated from the sofa, you might think twice about parting ways with it! You can also look into the selection of second-hand sofas on offer on online marketplaces and in charity shops.