We all know that the sofa is an integral part of the home. A spot to relax, unwind, socialise or Netflix and chill. Marketing Executive for seating manufacturing conglomerate The Bravo Group, Amy Whittam, shared that people are staying at home a lot more, whether they are socialising, entertaining, or just relaxing with family.
‘This, of course, changes our relationship with the spaces we live in and makes people feel a lot more comfortable investing in them. In this regard, when it comes to interiors, seating takes centre stage. As such, there has been a major upswing in consumers investing in seating and sofas,’ says Amy
Here are some insights into the most notable sofa trends for 2020:
Crazy about comfort
Cultural shifts in how we live have seen a major upswing with regards to focusing on functionality, convenience and comfort across all aspects of our lives – from fashion, through to design, décor, and of course, seating. Says Sue Scott from leading seating manufacturing brand, Grafton Everest: “The ability to work, shop, stream theatre-quality content, and virtually connect with anybody from anywhere without leaving our living rooms, has not only changed our habits, but it has also dramatically influenced the way we design and what we expect from our seating, and as a result, comfort and functionality have started to take centre stage.”
She says that with this in mind, Grafton Everest has recently launched its new Ultra Flop range of seating: “This range focuses on, amongst other things, one specific core value – that of unparalleled comfort. It’s a range that anyone will fall in love with due to the exceptional level of comfort it offers. We have achieved its unprecedented level of laidback luxury by the inclusion of multi-layered Hypersoft foam materials, which are characterised by brand new open-cell technologies that improve the material’s ventilation and airflow, as well as its stability and long-term durability.”
Picture: BAHAMA, Grafton Everest
Get crafty
The Millennials have brought about increased demand in craftsmanship and quality, says Theo Van Der Hoven from a renowned furniture manufacturer, La-Z-Boy: “This trend is a reaction to the overwhelming foray into mass consumerism from the ‘80s and ‘90s. It is based on an ethos that more is not always better – instead, the consumers of today would rather have less, but ensure that it is of an excellent quality instead. This is true in what people are eating, what they are wearing, and what they are using to decorate their homes with.”
He says that the focus is no longer merely on owning something, but it has shifted to owning something of true, meaningful beauty, with a definite providence: “More than ever, consumers are looking for quality and true craftsmanship in everything they purchase. An excellent example of this trend is the recently launched Hayden couch from La-Z-Boy – it is manufactured from top quality materials, and upholstered in high-end fabrics. Dimple effect outer arms and backrest provide a highly crafted detail to this sofa, which exudes a feeling of richness to any space it graces. As with all
La-Z-Boy products, the focus of the Hayden couch is on locally produced products of expert craftsmanship, backed by La-Z-Boy’s whopping 10-year limited warranty so that customers can rest assured that they have invested in best-in-market quality, durability and craftsmanship.”
Those were the days…
Décor has seen an increasing rise in the popularity of antique and vintage-style furniture and fittings. Dominique Resnik from popular seating manufacturer, Gomma Gomma, notes: “The rising popularity in antique and vintage-inspired décor indicates a broader return to more traditional interior décor. This trend is categorised by classic shapes, various fabrics with interesting prints and rich textures, wallpaper and colour palettes – all of which combine to create a feeling of exuberance, and layered opulence.”
“Over the last few years, Gomma Gomma has had enormous success in the upmarket niche of classically designed lounge furniture. These suites are often characterised by beautifully designed mouldings that feature ornate carvings, as well as dark timber features and luxurious upholstery fabrics. In line with its success in this market, Gomma Gomma has recently expanded its range to include the newly launched Egoli Collection. This range delves even further into the warm and dramatic nuances of this lounge category – focusing on an old-world style that is romantic, opulent and complex.”
Picture:Hayden couch, La-Z-Boy
Marvellous materials
Luxurious textures and eye-catching designs – this is what is currently in vogue in the world of fabric upholstery. Velvet-inspired fabrics are an especially hot commodity at the moment. Velvet, in particular, has not only returned to the fashion runways but has made great strides in the world of interiors – adding a touch of style, elegance and glamour. Says Amy: “With regards to upholstery trends, velvets are soft, delicate and very comfortable, while velour offers similar qualities to velvet, but it is far more durable and more affordable. Fabrics with interesting patterns are also making a huge comeback – designers are shifting the couch as the backdrop of the living room décor, and instead of using interesting upholstery to make it the star of the show!”
Amy notes that with consumers’ focus on sustainability with a capital “S”, natural fabrics and leathers remain very popular as well: “The environment remains front of mind socially, and this influences the design world too. Natural materials, such as leather, wood and metal, remain bang on trend as a means of bringing a bit of nature indoors as consumers increasingly look to reconnect and find balance with nature.”
Crazy about colour
Amy says that the resurgence of colour and bold prints remains the biggest trend with regards to home décor and furniture design in 2020: “Although nature-inspired tones, such as beige, stone, black and grey, remain ever-popular neutral tones for lounge suites, we are seeing a major resurgence of highly patterned and brightly coloured furnishings. From paint and décor to bedding and upholstery, now is the time when you can truly express yourself with your favourite hues and colour pallets. Deep jewel tones, such as deep purples, emerald greens, sapphire blues, and deep mustard gold have never been more popular. Dusty pinks, greys and mauves are also really hot right now.”
Picture: Tango couch, - La-Z-Boy
