You might be nervous about the prospect of buying a sofa based on it being 'on trend', and I don't blame you. It's one of your home's biggest purchases, especially if you want one that's both comfortable and durable, so you don't want it to fall out of fashion quickly.
But it's nearly impossible not to have some relationship with design trends when you're making decisions for your home — even so-called 'timeless pieces' have ebbs and flows in their popularity. My advice? It's best to engage with what people are currently choosing to sit on in their living rooms and make your decision on the best sofa for you with that knowledge in mind.
That's where we come in. I spend all day every day looking at the world's most beautiful houses, so I can spot the emerging, and persisting, trends in couches. This curated edit is how designers are using sofas in their spaces right now.
Some of these trends have continued on from 2024, but we're constantly updating this guide, and I've been sure to update our advice on how to style them for 2025 to ensure you're always ahead of the bandwagon.
1. Box Pleat Sofas
The box pleat sofa was something we spotted emerging at the very end of last year, and it continues to hit the right tone for the coming year.
But what exactly is it? It's a sofa with a 'box pleat' skirt around the base, a type of pleating that creates an alternating in-and-out pleat, or a series of square pleats with gaps between. They're often seen on more traditional furniture, but have been given a more modern feel for 2025.
"The box pleat dresses up the sofa in a crisp, modern way, adding subtle verticality and playfulness to the overall composition," says David Alhadeff, founder of Future Perfect who collaborated with Colin King on a box pleat sofa design.
However, this is a style that, right now, you can only find from more premium retailers. The most mid-range I could find was this one from Anthropologie, but that still retails for over $4,000. It's a good sign that this style of sofa is still on the "breaking" side of the trend scale, rather than being over the hill, but means if that's out of your budget, you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for new wallet-friendly designs as and when they launch.
However, my one trick for getting the look for less? Bemz, a company that retails modern IKEA sofa covers, has a box pleat design for just over $700, but you'll need to factor that in on top of the cost of whichever IKEA sofa you choose too.
Price: $729
This sofa cover from Bemz combines the box pleat trend with a pattern trend for wide stripes we've seen in iconic sofas like those from London-based Buchanan Studio.
2. Croissant Sofas
Let's face it, curved sofas are going nowhere. But, where once the lines of these designs were organic and wobbly, the new take on the curve is a little bit neater and more refined.
The new shape is reminiscent of a croissant, with a sweeping curve and low back that marries elegance with cocooning comfort.
"While it has a formal aesthetic due to its clean lines and elegant form, its comfortable seating makes it versatile enough for casual relaxation as well," say Joëlle Alexa Kütner and Jesse Rudolph, founders of LA-based studio Ome Dezin, who chose a croissant-shaped sofa (in form and, surprisingly, color) for this project. It's an evolution of the curved boucle sofa craze and, honestly, one that's a lot more sensible for the majority of homes.
Price: $1,999
'Croissant sofas' with a lower back tend to look good from 360 degrees, making them a great choice for more open-concept spaces.
3. Dual Aspect Sofas
The multi-directional living room sofa functions as a clever way to stop this piece of furniture from becoming a block to how the room flows, and how you can use it to interact with the rest of an open-concept space.
"Multidirectional sofas are ideal for people who host a lot of guests," says Richard Misso, creative director at the Stylesmiths. "They help disperse a crowd and create intimate smaller groups which make it easier to converse. They are also great for dual-purpose living zones. For example, one side can be used for a semi-formal living room and the other could be utilized as a TV sofa. This would ideally take up less floor space whilst providing a dual purpose."
"In general, these sofas take up less floor space than two traditional sofas back-to-back, making them ideal when space is an issue," says Richard. "Additionally, in many cases, the purchase of one multidirectional sofa could be less costly than two traditional sofas. Multidirectional sofas can provide a more interesting aesthetic and help break up a room into separate zones, especially in an open concept space."
4. The Camaleonda
When it comes to iconic sofas, the Camaleonda, designed by the legendary designer Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, still remains the go-to for contemporary homes with character.
"What I find particularly appealing about Bellini's designs, including the Camaleonda sofa, is their emphasis on modularity," explains architect Agi Kuczyńska, founder of Takk Studio. "This characteristic makes the sofa an ideal choice for private spaces, as it allows for flexibility and adaptability in any given interior."
5. Pit Sofas
The conversation pit might feel like a retro throwback, but it makes a lot of sense for the way we want to use our homes in 2025. Whether sunken in the living room, or by opting for a "pit sofa", it's a way to turn the sofa from something simply turned towards a TV, to something that makes a living space sociable.
In this design for her own home, interior designer Kelly Keay created this sunken space with this in mind. "The sunken living room was to create a space where people would be able to relax and enjoy each other," Kelly explains. "This acts as a designated space for socializing before and after dinner parties as well as a space we go to relax with each other — it is surprisingly used daily."
Price: $1,599.99
This pit sofa is a take on the trend that doesn't require digging into your floor. A modular design can be rearranged for better hosting, too.
6. Sofas With End Shelves
Integrating a side table into a sofa design helps to streamline your furniture, helping create a more minimalist living room.
"This particular sofa design with a built-in side table not only provides structured yet casual seating but is also an innovative feature," says Emilija Hopenaite from The Stylesmiths. "It adds convenience and also maximizes space in modern settings. By providing a designated area for drinks, electronic devices, or soft furnishings, this built-in side table eliminates the need for additional furniture pieces, making it particularly appealing for smaller living spaces or modern apartments where space is at a premium."
Price: $3,097
This platform sofa from West Elm has double integrated side tables, and has great reviews on the site, with an average of 4.3 out of 5.
7. Fluted Designs
Soft and sculptural, fluting brings a new dimension to living room furniture.
"These sofas are so desirable because of their versatility for traditional and transitional interiors," says Eddie Maestri, principal and owner of Maestri Studio. "The lack of back cushions allows for a simpler and tidier look, and the tufting and fluting keep the sofa looking structured even in a home with children, dogs, and a busy life all over."
The design above, used in an apartment by Madrid-based design studio De La Villa, is a take on De Sede's Serpentine sofa — an iconic fluted design. "This sofa has a unique design, with a structure of wavy lines that give it a sculptural character," says interior designer Victoria Sánchez Maestre. "We chose it because, aside from being a striking piece, it combines comfort with a strong visual appeal."
Price: $2,999
Channeled designs bring texture to larger expanses of fabric, making it a great choice for a larger sofa.
FAQs
What sofa textiles are on trend for 2025?
Having visited Milan and Paris Design Week this year, I can speak to two big material trends that we're going to see more and more of in interiors in the year to come.
Boucle sofas aren't a new trend by any stretch of the imagination, but the take for 2025 is less about the gleaming white fabrics we've seen before, but different colors and combinations that still benefit from the texture of these looped textiles. One of the biggest micro-trends I spotted in terms of boucle sofas in particular was the use of "two-tone" boucle, where the base is a darker shade than the loops. It's a subtle effect, but gives the material the sense of a richer, deeper color.
Another textile I spotted in abundance was chenille — the retro, more dramatic cousin of velvet. It's a fabric with a lot of texture, even compared to classic velvet sofas, and that has a vintage leaning, coming through in the 1970s revival we're seeing in interiors right now. It's a bold but glamorous choice that I'm hoping people pick up on for a fresh take on luxurious-looking couches.
What color sofas are on trend for 2025?
2025 about bold and daring designs, statement-making hues, and more. Sofa color trends such as deep blue, punchy red, charcoal grey, and moss green will be big for sofas.
"I’m excited about combining rattan with couture craft details such as high gloss lacquer, sculptural black steel, and flashes of color," says interior designer Jonathan Adler. "It’s laissez-faire fabulousness, with a hint of pop!"
