Shopping for a sofa is one of the biggest design decisions you can make in your home. Not only can they be expensive, but they are also the heart of the living room, where you host, unwind, and binge-watch TV.
But beyond comfort and size, it’s the style of a sofa that really sets the tone for a space. And in 2025, sofa trends are moving in a more expressive, personalized direction than ever before.
Whether it’s through luxury fabrics, bold prints, or bespoke upholstery, people are looking to make their living spaces feel uniquely their own in 2025. Which, up until recently, many furniture trends just didn't allow.
So, if you are in the market for one of the best couches, I’ve spoken to interior designers and furniture experts to uncover the fabrics, shapes, and styles dominating living rooms right now, and trust me, comfort doesn’t have to come at the cost of style.
10 sofa trends to look out for in 2025
A sofa is one of the most important pieces of furniture that you will purchase for your living room. As a general rule of thumb, your chosen design should be comfortable and supportive to sit in, crafted from durable, long-lasting materials, and ultimately look beautiful and embody your sense of style – this is a purchase that needs much thought and consideration.
We know that interior design trends can come and go, but many of these designer-approved sofa trends will last way beyond 2025.
1. Rich fabrics with luxurious textures
'Rich colors are always a go-to for us as well when we're designing living rooms,' says Jenna Kincaid, creative director at Lulu & Georgia. 'Velvets in chocolate, terracotta, or sage always add a luxe feel and are especially big news in the sofa trends of 2025.'
'2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold, tactile interiors where layering patterns and textures take center stage,' agrees Andrew Cussins, CEO and design director at Sofas & Stuff. Materials such as velvet, linen, and boucle are particularly favored for their ability to add depth and dimension to living spaces.
'We're seeing a growing desire for fabrics that bring richness and depth to spaces, with velvets – particularly patterned velvet – becoming a defining feature across upholstery and other soft furnishings,' he adds. 'This shift towards touchable textures and vibrant design is allowing people to express their individuality in every corner of their homes'.
2. Loose, skirted upholstery
For those looking for a less formal alternative to a structured couch, a loose linen upholstered piece – or one covered with a slipcover – can really change the look of your living room and create a more relaxed atmosphere in the space.
We have to give thanks here to the Nancy Meyers aesthetic, which was huge news in 2024, for bringing the slip-covered sofa back on trend. Because this is a style that feels comfortable and lived-in, it works particularly well for the rom-com-inspired home.
'Sofas are getting a more expressive and layered look this year, with a resurgence of fringe bottoms and skirted bases,' says Kailee Blalock from House of Hive Design. 'Skirts (whether tailored or loose) help create a grounded, refined silhouette. These elements help conceal dust and dirt, making them as practical as they are stylish.'
Perfect for a coastal living room, like the one seen above by Serena & Lily, the brand's chief design officer, Kirsty Williams says: 'Skirted sofas have always had an enduring appeal as people seek to incorporate softness and layers into their living environments in a tailored way,' she explains. 'Both dressmaker’s skirts and box pleated skirts strike a balance of subtle and thoughtful details that add depth and character without overpowering the silhouette of the piece.'
For a budget-friendly way to update your existing couch, turn to Amazon for linen slipcovers like this pretty striped one made from 100% cotton.
Masters of relaxed coastal style Serena & Lily have released their 'Beach House' sofa that is designed with slipcovers to feel relaxed, simple, and draft beautifully.
Shown here in a texture chestnut fabric, the Rivera sofa from Crate & Barrel is inspired by the Mediterranean coast for a style that is easy, breezy, and on-trend.
3. Relaxed silhouettes
'We're loving seeing the return of more relaxed sofa trends like skirted sofas or roll-arm styles,' adds Jenna Kincaid from Lulu & Georgia. With homes taking a softer, more laid-back approach to design, we want our sofas to feel approachable and inviting, rather than rigid and structured.
These styles are designed for sinking into after a long day. Taking loose covers one step further, there’s something inherently comforting about a roll-arm sofa or one plumped with pillows instead of a more traditional silhouette. Gaining attention for its casual design, a pillow-back sofa features many loose, oversized cushions that provide an inviting seat to sink into.
These low-profile couch styles offer flexibility as you can arrange the cushions to suit individuals' comfort preferences. However, it's important to note that the loose cushions may require regular fluffing and adjustment to maintain their appearance.
4. Soft and sculptural shapes
Fluid, sculptural sofa designs featuring elegant curves have been popular sofa trends over the last few years, and are still proving popular in 2025. Helping to create a more relaxing and calming atmosphere, these softer silhouettes come in all shapes and sizes, from grand three-seaters to compact and cozy loveseats, and create a cozy, cocoon of comfort.
Vermont-based interior designer Joshua Smith says, 'We are seeing more sectionals become curved instead of square. Curves reemerged in the past few years but are coming to a climax this year, from sectional sofas to dining tables to coffee tables. The curves lean more biophilic and biomorphic as we crave more nature. Mother Nature does organic shapes best, so it makes sense we’d want to pull that inspiration into our homes.'
We explore in our dedicated piece, are curved couches still on trend? Spoiler: it's a resounding yes.
Curves and comfort meet together in the contemporary Gwen sofa. With four throw pillows included and a foam core base, this is certainly a design statement.
Featuring a gentle curve, this spacious 5-seater sofa offers plenty of space for family gatherings that some sculptured couches lack, and is made using high-density foam for comfort.
Seen here in a beautiful caramel velvet that has been tested to 50,000 rubs, this kidney bean-shaped sofa will create a statement in your living room in a subtle, quiet luxury way.
5. Contrast trim
For a fun way to elevate a traditional sofa, adding contrast trim like piping, fringe, or box pleating is a great way to give it a new lease of life and feel super on-trend for 2025.
'Fringe adds a sense of movement, softness, and a touch of vintage glamour, but beyond fringe, we’re seeing a rise in contrast welting and piping,' Kailee continues. 'Instead of relying solely on accent pillows to bring personality, designers are integrating color and contrast directly into the upholstery. This allows for a more customized and higher-end feel where even a neutral sofa can have an interesting edge with a complementary or unexpected piping detail.'
'Contrast piping is another trend we’re seeing as people look to create statement pieces that feel personal to them – it’s an effective way of creating a striking look by emphasizing the lines of the sofa silhouette,' adds Andrew.
Adding a subtle pop of color or texture to your sofa with a trim, like piping, helps to highlight and accentuate the overall look of the sofa. This subtle yet impactful detail allows you to introduce additional color and dimension into the living room without overwhelming the existing decor.
This Lulu & Georgia exclusive is available in a myriad of different velvet fabrics with contrasting piping for a bespoke and sleek design.
Looking to the '70s for inspiration, this playfully trimmed settee will make a statement wherever it is placed – as additional seating in a snug or as a banquette seat for your breakfast nook.
For another piped option, this 3-seater sofa is upholstered in the most beautiful color fabric that is made from a durable poly blend that mimics the look of woven natural linen.
6. Earth tones
This year, the color palette for sofas is without doubt one derived from a palette of warm, rich, earth tones, and we've got this on pretty good authority that decorating with brown is set to endure in 2025 and beyond.
'I’m noticing a shift towards deeper, earthier tones like terracotta and umber – hues that instantly evoke a sense of warmth and grounding,' says Lucy Uren, founder & creative director at Rowen & Wren. 'When paired with tactile fabrics such as brushed linen, these tones add a beautiful depth and richness to a room.'
Designer Kathy Kuo agrees, suggesting this can also be introduced with smaller items like cushions and blankets. 'Try adding warm earth tones like terracotta, sienna, and mahogany and mixing different woven textures together,' she suggests. 'I love the idea of adorning your sofa with a mix of throw pillows with different cozy tones in chunky knits, distressed leather, and even hair-on-hide.'
7. Personality-packed pattern
The great thing about adding a patterned sofa to your space is that it allows you to be more expressive and show your personality – think of it as a more subtle alternative to patterned wallpaper ideas, and depending on your chosen style, the effect can be both bold and understated.
Designer and co-founder of Andrew Martin, Martin Waller, is seeing a resurgence of more folk-inspired prints and patterns in particular. 'Sofa trends for 2025 are showcasing a vibrant blend of cultural influences and artistic expressions, with a notable emphasis on folk-inspired embroidery and South American textiles,' he adds. 'Embroidery techniques such as chain stitch and crewelwork are used to add texture and dimension to fabrics, creating a handcrafted look that stands out in any space.'
Designed with a jolly stripe that feels like umbrellas that line the Italian coast, this boucle and linen sofa feels both classic and modern.
Made in a relaxed linen with a pretty skirt base, this refined and cozy petite sofa comes in many different patterns and prints to suit your space.
An Anthropologie exclusive, this traditional sofa silhouette has been reimagined in a maximalist House of Hackney floral design for a striking statement piece.
8. Custom upholstery
One of the biggest trends this year, across the board, sees interior designers embracing a movement towards custom pieces, allowing for more unique pieces that perfectly fit, pattern match, or align with their creative vision.
The reason this is gaining popularity is due to our shared desire to make our homes sing with personality in 2025. This means you can really look to show off your personality with a print or color that resonates with you – moving us away from mass-produced, matchy-matchy sofas.
'I am officially shouting from the rooftops that everyone needs to invest in a custom-upholstered sofa,' says designer Kathy Kuo. 'Spending a little more upfront for a sofa that is fully customized for your lifestyle and needs, and that has the exact color, texture, and size that you want is the best investment in your home decor that you can make,' she suggests.
'A high-quality custom-upholstered sofa goes beyond 'trend' – this is a timeless purchase that is going to save you money in the long run since you will be able to have it for years and years, and it's also more sustainable.'
9. Nod to nostalgic designs
Of course, many trends are influenced by designs and styles of the past, and one nostalgic trend that is back in a big way is an 80s influence on interior design. A fabric trend that has seen a resurgence across upholstery in homes both classic and contemporary, and that is synonymous with an 80s style, is charming chintz.
Chintz is often defined by beautiful patterns of lively, colorful florals, and can be a wonderful style to use for both your curtain ideas and living room seating ideas – especially for an English country decor look.
Martin Waller says, 'In fabrics, we are seeing a trend for vintage florals, which are relaxed and colorful, being punctuated with rich velvets for casual and comfortable living.'
10. Extra deep cushions
For many of us, the key thing we look for when purchasing a new sofa is how comfortable and cozy the design is.
Of course, these factors are not so much sofa trends, but more crucial requirements; however, this year we will see sofas that exaggerate these important features, with big, oversized designs with deep, plump cushions taking center stage. Gone are the uptight cocktail sofas that offer a stiff perch, replaced by deep, slouchy seating that's designed to make you kick up your feet and sprawl out.
Martin Waller suggests, 'The importance of curating a space to re-connect with friends and loved ones has been brought into focus in 2025. Whether it’s indoors or out, comfortable seating requires pieces big enough to lounge on, however many guests you are entertaining. Extra depth means seating is always relaxing.'
FAQs
What sofa colors are on trend in 2025?
From earth tones to warming, bright color palettes, there are many sofa colors to look out for in 2025 sofa trends – as well as what couch colors to avoid.
It seems we are stepping away from classic neutrals such as gray (most definitely gray) and stark white (it's just impractical), and making way for bolder sofa colors, from deep blues and greens to rich reds and chocolate browns.
Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf, agrees: 'Light, pastel tones always work well in interiors, but we’re seeing homeowners become more adventurous with color by using brighter shades. We’ve noticed that customers are looking to come away from the gray and similar neutral shades and instead are opting to inject more color into their homes.'
At brands like Crate & Barrel and Lulu and Georgia, the new-in sections of sofas and sectionals prove that deeper, moodier colors are en vogue. Think chocolate brown velvets, olive greens, rusty terracotta hues that play into a retro, '70s vibe and work wonderfully to liven up a neutral living room.
Meanwhile, at Anthropologie and Serena & Lily, lighter hues remain popular, but we're seeing more and more shades, such as light blue or on-trend butter yellow hues, emerging.
What sofa styles are out of style in 2025?
Of course, sofa trends come and go, and, ultimately, your sofa should reflect your style and integrate perfectly with the decor and size of your space. However, there are a few couch styles that are no longer feeling as fresh for 2025, according to designers and interior experts.
Designers are moving away from overly coordinated and impractical sofa styles. Matching furniture sets – once considered a safe choice – are now seen as outdated. Instead, there’s a growing preference for mixing pieces with character, whether vintage finds or contemporary designs, to create a more curated, lived-in look.
Another big no-no for sofa shopping is selecting style over substance. Even though 2025 will see a rise in more bold and colorful sofa trends, we are moving away from 'overly-stylish' designs that feel impractical and occasional, and instead, are choosing sofas that prioritize comfort and properly work with the layout and functionality of our spaces.
Gone are the days of exaggerated, high-drama designs that are merely for show. A sofa is one of the central seating spaces in the home, and, even though it sounds obvious, should always provide comfortable seating for you and your guests. So while bold shapes and colors are trending, impractical, overly stylized sofas are falling out of favor.
If you're currently in the market for a new sofa and are struggling to pick the right color, we explore the most underrated sofa colors in our dedicated feature – these are the colors that deserve a little more love.
