Sofas are a staple in any living room. Designed to seat guests and family members, they’re a much-loved and much-needed piece of furniture that any lounge would struggle without.
Each year we are met with new sofa trends. Of course, smaller snug sofas will always have their place, but we’ve noticed larger, more expansive couches, with a slight retro feel, creeping back into fashion.
To ensure you’re up-to-date with all of the latest sectional living room ideas, we asked design experts to share their thoughts on statement settees, and why they’ll be featuring them in their 2025 projects.
1. They bring a cozy, lived-in feel
(Image credit: Dmar Interiors / Shelby Bourne)
Firstly and perhaps most importantly, large sofas bring a lived-in element that adds to the all-important cozy feel we want out of a living room. Whether you’ve got a traditional living room or a more modern space, this is a space that needs to be designed for ultimate comfort and relaxation.
Kelley Mason, a furniture expert from Lulu and Georgia has noticed a rise in statement sofas this year. ‘Oversized, ultra-cozy sofas are defining interiors in 2025, as we’re seeing homes lean back into a lived-in, cozy feel. We love deep-seated, sculptural designs in rich colors and soft textures like velvet and mohair. Some of our favorites – such as the Yucca sofa and Hughes sectional – bring this trend to life, making a strong case that bigger is better.’
Whether it’s a family room vs living room, they’re a great choice for either. Marea Clark, founder of Marea Clark Interiors says that large couches are great in communal spaces designed for family activities. She says, ‘For cozy, intimate spaces like a TV room or den designed for family movie nights and hosting, a deep, wraparound sectional creates a warm and inviting atmosphere while offering ample seating.’
Yucca Sofa (Rose Vintage Velvet)
Hughes Sectional Sofa (Cinnamon Porto Velvet)
2. They’re more functional
(Image credit: DFS)
Spreading out on a large couch sounds like heaven. While sectional, statement sofas are great for solo use, they’re actually best for families or renters with roommates as they can comfortably house several people.
‘The way in which we connect with our homes has changed a lot in recent years. We now spend much more time in our living spaces, which has underlined a need to prioritize comfort just as much as style.’ says Kellie Wyles, Head of Upholstery at UK sofa brand DFS.
Sofas are the most important piece of living room furniture. ‘Larger, softer, and deeper sofas mean the whole family can get snug, relax and spend time together. And we’ve seen this appetite for supersized sofas increase over the last few years, reflected by the growing sales of our versatile u-shaped sofas’, she adds.
Couch dos and don’ts will help you decide on the perfect piece. While snug loveseats are nice to look at, they’re not quite as functional when you’ve got guests over. ‘Few things say, ‘welcome home’ or ‘settle in and stay a while’ quite like a large, comfortable sofa. Being able to fit the whole family, or a large group of friends at the same comfort level is truly the ultimate luxury. It far outweighs prioritizing the look of chic, smaller pieces’, says Mollie Ranzie from D Marie Interiors.
3. They offer storage
(Image credit: Lulu & Georgia)
Large couches come in plenty of styles making them an easy, transitional piece for all home styles. If you’re looking for extra storage to house your living room essentials and conceal clutter in plain sight a sectional sofa may answer your problems.
Sofas with legs often leave you with some floor space, a nifty way to hide miscellaneous items like board games or extra throw blankets. ‘Large sofas and sectionals can definitely get a bad wrap, but the key is to find one or design a custom version that fits the aesthetic and scale of the room’, says Heather Hilliard, founder of Heather Hilliard Design. ‘If you’re trying to avoid something too bulky, a sectional with legs might be a good option to create some space underneath. And always choose beautiful, rich fabrics of course’ she adds.
If there are signs you need a new couch, it’s worth knowing that sectional sofas have built-in storage. Kellie says, ‘Larger pieces not only offer extra comfort but are often multifunctional, offering storage or in the case of u-shaped designs, the ability to change configuration. By slotting in a footstool between the two chaise ends you can effectively create a big comfy daybed – a major selling point for people looking for hardworking pieces that adapt to the demands of daily life.’
JÄTTEBO 3.5-seat mod sofa w chaise
Trego 3 – Piece Upholstered Sectional (Camel Chenille)
Union Double Chaise Sectional (145″) in Navy
4. They can ‘zone’ a space
(Image credit: Pelican House)
Corner sofas are traditionally tucked against a wall, resulting in optimal living room space. However, sectional or corner sofas work well in open-plan living rooms, perfect for defining a living area that isn’t separated by a set of walls.
‘Corner sofas have many benefits’, says Kellie. ‘With the ability to fit more bums on seats, without sacrificing precious square footage and they also add plenty of space to stretch out without the need for a footstool. With the ability to choose either left or right facing, they are also a great way to ‘zone’ an open plan space, helping to create a definition where there aren’t walls to do so.’
Avoid sofa arranging mistakes by ensuring accuracy when shopping for your sofa. Don’t forget to measure the area and check the measurements of the piece you intend to buy to avoid a clunky, unpractical scheme.
Remember that it’s important to style around a couch to create a seamless, inviting living room you’ll want to lounge and relax in every day.
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