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Nothing feels quite as luxurious as installing a piece of furniture in your home that you want but don’t necessarily need. While options abound, 2026 is undoubtedly the year of the occasional sofa–and if you’re not yet acquainted, here’s what you need to know.
Coined by Jodie Hazlewood, founder of upholstery studio The House Upstairs, the occasional sofa is exactly what it sounds like: a piece designed for presence as much as for purpose. This isn’t the dependable, sink-in staple you retreat to for a Netflix marathon. Instead, it is more likely to live in the more formal corners of a home, called on for service only occasionally.
Because it isn’t subject to daily wear and tear, the occasional sofa offers rare creative freedom. Practicality becomes more about personality; think, interesting silhouettes, tactile trims, striking prints, and fabrics chosen for beauty rather than resilience. Forget hardwearing and easy-clean. This is your opportunity to indulge, experiment, and have a little design fun. “One of the great joys of an occasional sofa is that you can be more expressive with fabric–mohair, patterned linens, moirés, and even something gently eccentric can feel entirely appropriate,” says interior designer Martin Brudnizki. Undeniably a luxury, their rise signals a renewed interest in conversational seating, says Nasia de la Haye, managing director of upholstery studio Lorfords Contemporary. “They are pieces designed not for sprawling but for connection, encouraging people to sit, talk, and engage.”
Where to place them? Really, anywhere. “I often use them at the end of a bed, particularly if there’s no separate dressing room,” says Brudnizki. “They’re perfect for laying out clothes, enjoying a quiet moment or indulging in a brief siesta with a book.” They can also be tucked into the corner of a sitting room, positioned in a generous hallway (where they make a convenient perch for putting on shoes), or placed beneath a window, styled out with cushions as a picturesque nook.
That said, they’re impressive enough to stand on their own, says Lucy Hammond Giles, director at Sibyl Colefax John Fowler. “The occasional sofa is freed from the functional demands of a TV sofa, so you don’t even really need a floor lamp or side table,” she notes.
Vogue’s Guide to the Statement Sofa Trend
Suitably tempted? Here is Vogue’s edit of the best occasional sofas to know about now.
The Ruffled Ones
A ruffle-skirted sofa is guaranteed to turn heads, bringing a touch of English country charm to any space. Offering a softer take on the trend, this style is as welcoming as it is good-looking–and is made even better with pattern, whether gingham or floral. “With a hint of Dalí’s iconic lips sofa about it, the Haseley sofa is sculptural and easily tucked into a nook for chatting or framed by a window,” Hammond Giles suggests. Wherever you place one, they simply must be seen.
The Floral Ones
Kendall Jenner has one in her home. So does Zooey Deschanel. Floral sofas just work: As well as disguising a multitude of sins (including spills) they make a confident statement. “Sofas feel much lighter and less domineering when they have a pattern rather than solid velvet,” says interior designer Rita Konig, whose new homeware and furnishing line–featuring an armless occasional sofa–launches this summer. “A chintz is especially classic.” She says floral statement sofas work particularly well in the kitchen; her own is upholstered in Schumacher’s Elizabeth Chintz.
The Striped Ones
Think stripes couldn’t possibly work on a sofa? Think again. Whether you opt for a classic ticking stripe or something bolder, a striped sofa brings color and individuality to a space without overwhelming it, notes de la Haye. Try something in a simple shape, like Sabai’s clean-lined green option, to keep it from taking over the room.
The Ones with All the Trimmings
Fringing and trim–ideally both at once–are always a good idea. De la Haye notes that they add depth and craftsmanship to an interior, while Brudnizki often leans towards adding a trim… or two. Consider his Goodworth Sofa, inspired by classic English house cane furniture and reinterpreted in a cleaner, more relaxed way. “I wanted it to feel welcoming and evocative of a golden era,” he explains. “The proportions are deliberately elegant yet comfortable.” For all the style at a more accessible price point, we like Arhaus’ cream-colored settee or this emerald piece with white trim from CB2.
The Curvaceous Ones
Since comfort isn’t the primary driver, an occasional sofa allows you to prioritize silhouette and structure. “Curved sofas work beautifully when you have the space,” say Adele Lonergan and Maria Lindgren, founders of Covet Noir. “They soften formal rooms, introduce a sense of play and encourage a more social flow.”
These forms work particularly well in libraries, drawing rooms, and studies, their relaxed lines lending themselves to more fluid, asymmetrical floor plans. “Wherever possible, we keep sofas away from walls,” the pair note. “Allowing space to circulate around them lets the piece be appreciated from every angle and gives the room a more considered, layered feel.”
