Stunning sofas

Discover a selection of bold sofa designs to make your living room come to life.

Consider sizing and space

“Correct sofa sizing along with selecting the right shape and colour are some important factors to consider when buying the perfect sofa. If your living space has an unusual ceiling height, choose a design that is in proportion to the room’s height.

“A sofa with deep seats and a lower backrest will create the illusion of extra space in a room with a lower ceiling. If your living room is used largely for entertaining visitors, two sofas facing one another can prove more sociable.” – Johann de Waal, marketing manager at KARE Johannesburg

Start with a mood board

“I always recommend that you start with putting together a simple mood board of colours and textures you love. Your mood board can be made up of paint and fabric swatches, and anything else that tickles your fancy, from beach sand and pieces of raw wood to chips of coloured glass and tiles.

“A simple mood board will be your style guide. With your sofa being the centrepiece that will ultimately tie your design together, the overall design plan needs to start with your creative dream.” – Jonno Sherwin, managing director of Sofacompany South Africa

Fabric first

“When considering how to choose a sofa, fabric rather than colour should be your main consideration. Texture sets as much of a tone for your home as colour does. Colours should never be looked at in isolation. Think about how your given colour will look in the fabric of your choice, and how that fabric will wear over time, since we invest in sofas with some expectation of longevity. For example, leather sofas age well, often looking better and cosier after several years’ wear.

“While the colours available are often more limited, a leather sofa is also versatile enough to survive several colour scheme changes in your living room. A velvet sofa can require careful upkeep, but looks phenomenal as the centrepiece of a well-designed space. You could also opt for a range of different textured fabrics to create a layered feel in your room.” – Cheryl du Preez, visual merchandising coordinator at Cielo

Go for comfort

“Comfort is a big criterion when purchasing a sofa. How do you feel when sitting on the cushions? Some people want a firm sofa while others prefer one they can sink into – just like your mattress preference. There is most certainly a sofa for everyone out there!” – Cleopatra Fatsilidis, communications manager at Roche Bobois

Try it out

“Nothing beats the age-old ‘try before you buy’ approach. Sit on the couch and determine if there is sufficient leg and back support as well as seat depth and room to manoeuvre if you have longer legs. Consider how you prefer to lounge/relax – i.e. feet up, two on the couch or in a reclining position.

“Purchasing a couch is also more than just an investment. It is a choice that needs to align with your household’s personal needs. It has to withstand the impact of kids, spills and pets. We are so excited to introduce stain-free technology into our ranges. Choosing on-trend lighter, neutral tones is no longer a problem.” – Lerato Mohapi, brand manager at @home

Featured image: KARE Luca Sofa (left), Cielo Modular Burbank Sofa (right)