If you’re as chronically online as me, you’ll likely have seen the viral Omhu teddy sofa all over your Instagram feeds. Designed in Denmark, the furniture piece is infused with that distinctively Scandi blend of retro minimalism. Boasting a Seventies cord look, the spacious sofa transforms in to a bed – marrying style with functionality.
Whether it’s a TikTok shop purchase, a viral lip product or a Zara jacket, we’re influenced by countless products daily. Some live up to the hype, while others fall flat – but when it’s such a big purchase as a sofa, you want it to deliver. Omhu’s trending sofa certainly isn’t cheap, with the two-seater starting from £1,400, while the most shared design, the corner sofa, which will set you back £2,297.
Just like a good mattress is worth investing in, a comfortable and durable sofa will set you up for years to come. Whether it’s weekends spent binging a TV show, evenings enjoyed lounging with a good book or wine-fuelled get-togethers with friends, we spend an inordinate amount of time on our sofas.
The focal point of any living area, style matters nearly as much as substance. When it comes to Omhu’s teddy design, you can choose from 22 colourways and various configurations. The frameless design pays homage to the famous Togo sofa – a 1970’s It-furniture piece that revolutionised home seating by offering laidback, low-slung lounging. Showing you truly can get inspiration from anywhere, the Togo’s designer, Michel Ducaroy, based his sofa on an aluminium toothpaste tube folded back on itself.
Engineered with no hard base or frame, the polyurethane foam sofas sell for up to £10,000. Omhu’s teddy take offers a similar look, with a modular design, low cushioned backs and chromed metal bars to help keep its shape. But, unlike Togo’s cult design, Omhu offers extra versatility by transforming into a huge bed to cater for overnight guests, children’s playdates or even simply hangover days (I’m not one to judge).
When it comes to interiors, I gravitate towards anything mid-century or Seventies, so it was love at first sight when I laid eyes on the Omhu (on my Instagram feed, of course). But did it live up to expectation in real life? Here’s my verdict.
Read more: Best sofas, tried and tested by interior experts for style and comfort
Omhu teddy corner sofa, open
Colourways: 22
Materials: HR Foam, chrome-plated steel, polyester, nylon
Size: 300cm x 200 cm
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Turns into a sofa bed
- Stylish
- Removable and washable cover
- Modular versatility
Take note
- Expensive
- Too big for small living rooms
- Easily stained
Delivery and assembly
Omhu sofas are made-to-order, taking anywhere between four-eight weeks, depending on the size. Once the sofa has been shipped, you should get a text from the delivery company about arranging your delivery on a day that suits you. Unfortunately, my sofa arrived on a day I hadn’t nominated for delivery – while Omhu itself wasn’t at fault, a seamless delivery is needed with such a large item as a sofa.
Each of the open corner sofa’s parts – the four bases, two corner backs and two straight backs – are packaged in protective plastic inside a cardboard box (it’s a shame the brand have used unsustainable plastic wrapping). The steel frame is wrapped in foam in separate cardboard boxes. Assembly is effortless: it’s as easy as laying out the steel frame, stacking the four bases and laying out the backs.
Design
The Omhu teddy sofa comes in four sizes: a two seater, three seater ‘plus’, a corner and a corner open. There’s also an armchair available and an ottoman. Offering choice when it comes to your space, the two seater (200 cm x 100 cm) is ideal for smaller living rooms, while the corner (300 cm x 200 cm), forms the focal point of any larger abodes. My flat is on the small side, so I was worried the open corner sofa would make the space appear even smaller – in fact, it had the opposite effect. Owing to the low profile and the light sage green finish, it actually opened the space up and grounded my living room – giving the illusion of luxurious scale rather than random clutter. I love the modular design, too. If you moved somewhere larger with the two seater, you could easily extend it by purchasing the armchair or ottoman. The cord-effect finish achieves a retro look, and the cover is removable and machine washable – so you can keep your sofa looking brand new for longer.
The sofa bed versatility is stellar. Unlike more traditional hybrid sofas, with fiddly mechanisms and lumpy surfaces, the Omhu sofa transforms into a bed by simply moving one of the base layers onto the floor. It takes seconds and is the size of a spacious double bed once laid out. The rolled back cushions are low enough to act like a pillow. Many lazy days have been enjoyed lounging on the bed, while overnight guests have given their seal of approval, too.
The sofa instantly injects some seventies flair into your home, combining a sprawling surface area with a cool cord finish and a Bauhaus-style silver frame. But, perhaps most importantly, is it comfortable?
Comfort
One of the most commonly asked questions online is whether the Omhu sofa is actually comfortable. My concerns included whether the low back offered sufficient support, and if the base firm-looking base offered enough cushioning. On first impressions, the base is very firm and solid – but once you relax back into the cushions, the sofa offers cloud-like comfort.
Owing to its sofa bed design, the bases are made from both supportive and comfortable mattress-like cold foam. This means it feels different to standard sofas, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The support the sofa is designed to give you overnight equally applies to daytime-use. But if you prefer a sofa base that you can sink into, then you might find the Omhu design a little rigid.
The low backs – a soft and malleable blend of fibre and shredded foam – are the perfect height to support your neck, head and shoulders in a lounging position. If you’re sitting more upright, they are comfortable against your lower back, but there’s limited support for your shoulders and head.
With no internal structure, you’d think the sofa would loose its shape over time – but the steel frames and firm foam inner ensured the Teddy didn’t loose any of its appearance or comfort over the month I spent testing. I can’t comment on the longterm, but I have high hopes.
Buy now £2297, Omhucph.com
Is the Omhu teddy sofa worth it?
The Omhu sofa isn’t cheap, but the Instagram-viral brand easily rivals premium names like Swoon, Darlings of Chelsea and Arlo & Jacob. Offering something a bit different, the Togo-inspired design adds some retro character to your home. Boasting a sprawling size that can fit the entire family and friendship group on – I counted up to six people – the sofa easily transforms into a sofa bed for overnight guests. Far more comfortable and supportive than most sofa beds on the market, the design’s versatility also makes it a great option for families with young children. Thanks to a choice of 22 colours, you can customise the sofa to your interior space, with various sizes and configurations available. The quality is faultless and the cover is machine washable. If you’re looking to invest in a well-crafted, stylish and comfortable sofa bed, Omhu’s teddy sofa lives up to the fanfare.
How I tested the Omhu teddy sofa
I’ve lived with the Omhu teddy sofa for a month, noting everything from delivery and assembly to the design and comfort. I also took into consideration the fabric finish, interior materials and the supportive structure, while assessing its value for money and versatility in my home. Testing how easy it was to transform into a sofa bed, I spent a night sleeping on the Omhu teddy and had guests over to give their thoughts.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Daisy is a senior shopping writer at The Independent, with five years experience reviewing products, from mattresses and bed frames to sofas and appliances. When it comes to interiors, she looks after the gift guide on the best housewarming gifts. She knows which brands to trust for durable and high quality designs, while keeping in mind budgets and trends.
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