Looking for a new sofa? These are the sofa trends designers are loving in 2025 to help you make good shopping choices

Shopping for a sofa is a pretty big deal. Not only are they quite an investment, but they're the commanding centerpiece to your living room or snug, and most importantly: they need to be super comfy.

There’s a growing desire for homes to feel more curated and characterful, and sofas are a key part of that narrative. 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, and a lot of interior design trends are in keeping with this.

So, if you are in the market for one of the best couches, our thorough research of the top sofa trends of 2025 might just help with your decision process. Here, we've spoken to top designers and sofa makers to get you all the low-down.

12 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 trends can come and go, but many of these designer-approved sofa trends will last way beyond 2025, and we hope they leave you feeling inspired.

1. Rich fabrics with luxurious textures

'2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold, tactile interiors where layering patterns and textures take center stage,' says Andrew Cussins, CEO and design director at Sofas & Stuff. '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.'

Materials such as velvet, linen, and boucle are particularly favored for their ability to add depth and dimension to living spaces. 'This shift towards touchable textures and vibrant design is allowing people to express their individuality in every corner of their homes,' Andrew adds.

'We are seeing a lot of interest in warmer neutrals with texture,' agrees Danielle Le Vaillant from Cox & Cox. 'Bouclés is a classic fabric choice for more contemporary sofas and opulent velvets are soft to the touch with a luxurious sheen.'

2. Loose linen covers

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.

Linen is typically a material that people feel a little nervous about using in furniture, especially in busy homes. But this natural material drapes beautifully, is cool, comfortable and breathable, and plenty durable for daily use. You can find lots of designs that have removable, machine-washable covers too, so you can create this on-trend, laid-back look without the fear it won't cope with the everyday wear and tear.

Perfect for a coastal living room, like the one seen above by Serena & Lily, or a home with boho style, a sofa covered in loose linen feels super inviting – like a home used for living in.

3. Relaxed pillow back designs

Another trend for the more relaxed sofa owners is the pillow-back style. Gaining attention for their blend of comfort and casual design, unlike traditional sofas with fixed back cushions, a pillow-back sofa features many loose, oversized cushions that provide an inviting seat to sink into.

Not only do these look particularly stylish, and are favored by top designers, but a pillow-back sofa offers flexibility as you can arrange the cushions to suit your own specific comfort preferences. However, it's important to note that the loose cushions may require regular fluffing and adjustment to maintain their appearance.

4. Contrast trims

For a fun way to elevate a neutral sofa, contrast trim like piping, fringe, or box pleating is a great way to give your sofa a new lease of life.

'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,' says Andrew Cussins.

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.

5. Earth tones

This year, the color scheme of the moment is without doubt one derived from a palette of warm, earth tones.

'The color palette for sofas in 2025 is all about evoking a sense of warmth,' says David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin. 'We're seeing a resurgence of rich and earthy tones – think warm reds, deep browns, rustic bricks, lush greens, calming blues, and timeless naturals.'

Leigh Harmer, founder & designer at Love Your Home agrees. 'There’s a growing preference for earthy tones and softer, muddier pinks and browns, which reflect a desire for grounding and comfort in our interiors. This trend is influenced by a collective need to feel connected to nature and create calming, nurturing environments to counter our fast-paced, digital lives and all that is going on in the world.'

'I’m noticing a shift towards deeper, earthier tones like terracotta and umber – hues that instantly evoke a sense of warmth and grounding,' adds 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.'

6. Personality-packed pattern

'This year, we’ll see a shift towards bolder, statement fabrics on sofas that draw inspiration from the art world, with designs that feel like a canvas brought to life,' continues Leigh Harmer. 'These pieces allow homeowners to express individuality and bring personality into their spaces.'

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. 'Stripes never go out of fashion and blue and white is always classic,' suggests Danielle from Cox & Cox.

Additionally, David from Andrew Martin is seeing a resurgence of more folk-inspired prints and patterns. '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.'

7. Custom upholstery

Interior designers are also embracing a movement towards custom pieces, allowing for more unique pieces that perfectly fit, pattern match, or align with their creative vision.

'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.'

8. Sustainable, slow living

'The demand for sofas made from natural, plastic-free materials is only going to grow in 2025,' says Greig Robinson of Slow Sofa. 'Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the chemicals used in furniture, particularly flame retardants, and are actively seeking healthier alternatives.'

From recyclable materials and greener manufacturing processes to adaptable modular modules and parts that can easily be fixed and replaced, there is definitely a demand for brands to be more honest and open about their sofa production.

'Consumers are increasingly taking a slow living approach to interiors so we are prioritizing high-quality materials, long-lasting craftsmanship, and designs that won’t date,' adds Danielle.

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.

Designer and co-founder of Andrew Martin, 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. 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 in the coming 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.

11. Statement, color pop hues

'A sofa is a great place to make an impact with a colorful, bold and bright design, and this humble piece of furniture can really transform the look of a room. Often the main focal point in a space, you can use your living room sofa ideas to celebrate a favorite color or pattern, or to create a stylish contrast with the color palette used in the rest of the room,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens.

This statement, sweeping asymmetrical sofa in a warming terracotta finish works in perfect harmony with the cool blue walls, with the large patterned trim at the base providing a luxurious yet playful design feature. Design by Studio Duggan.

Pairing a vibrant sofa with more muted walls and accessories can create a harmonious look that allows the statement piece to shine without overwhelming the space. For more guidance on working with contrasting colors, we explore using the color wheel in interior design in our separate piece.

12. 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. A mix of both sofas and chairs is key to making sure everyone gets a seat, extra depth means these remain relaxing even with lots of people.'

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 and beige, and making way for a new era of neutrals with roots in the natural world, from deep sea blue to moss green and rich rust reds and oranges.

Dani Burroughs from Snug says, 'we are definitely seeing a rise in blues – a deep blue with a gray undertone is the new hottest hue in town. Matching up with dark and dramatic or a calming and chic vibe, what’s not to love?

Contrastingly, we are taking more risk when it comes to using color in our homes, with many of us using furniture pieces such as sofas to make a real statement with color. and pattern'

Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf supports this and says, '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.'

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.