Both a marker of taste and a sound investment for your home, a statement sofa is a piece of furniture you're likely to spend a decent amount of time either looking at or lounging on – so you might as well indulge yourself by getting one that's a bit of a statement piece for your home.
The internet has democratised the landscape of fine furniture design, allowing the everyday consumer into the homes of Instagram influencers and furniture stores that contain some of the 20th century's biggest feats in statement sofa design – so it's little wonder that we've seen unorthodox shapes and fabrics having a resurgence in popularity over the last decade (many having slipped out of production since their hey-day in the 70s and 80s).
While a simple grey modular moment is enough for some, the allure of a bright orange Togo armchair, or of the unconventional silhouette of a Terrazza sofa by de Sede, are enough to make us scour 1st Dibs and Ebay for hours on end, in the quiet hope that we might be able to secure one of our own. For those, like us, who are statement sofa-obsessed, here are 10 of our favourites, and where to get your hands on them in Australia.
1. Togo Sofa by Ligne Roset
Inspired by “a tube of toothpaste folded back on itself and closed at both ends,” according to designer Michel Ducaroy, French funiture designers Ligne Roset's Togo lounge collection quickly became a global icon in the décor industry when it was released 50 years ago.
It's remained an enduring and timeless lounge room centrepiece over the last few decades, and is now purchasable in Australia via furniture retailer, DOMO.
2. Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Furniture designer Mario Bellini designed this low slung sofa in the 1970s for B&B Italia, which was discontinued at one point, but brought back into production due to its immense popularity on second-hand sites. The Camaleonda (a cross between the two Italian words for 'Chameleon' and 'wave') aptly describes both the shape and modular functionality of the sofa.
3. Muse 3-seater by Sarah Ellison
Contemporary Australian furniture design is perhaps best distilled in the designs of Sarah Ellison. The brand's Muse sofa series features rounded proportions and neutral fabric swatches inspired by vintage 70s silhouettes and palettes. Designed for everyday use, they're constructed using high-quality fabrics and construction methods, with a two-year limited warranty.
You can buy them direct from Sarah Ellison, or via one of their stockists.
4. Terrazza Sofa by Ubald Klug for de Sede
Redolent of a stepped, terrace-like slope, these modular DS-1025 Terrazza Sofa pieces designed by contemporary Swiss designer Ubald Klug are a unique focal piece for a lounge room. Comprising of seven leather-wrapped cushions set on a rectangular base, they can be placed together in a number of different ways to create hill-like terrain or simple sectionals.
Terrazza sofas can be purchased direct from de Sede's website, or you can find vintage versions via websites like 1st Dibs.
5. DS-600 Sofa by de Sede
The iconic caterpillar-like couch from de Sede was designed in 1972 by Swiss and German designers Ueli Berger, Eleonore Peduzzi Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt. Named after a mythical alpine creature, the Tatzelwurm, its modular elements can be zipped together to create conventional and unconventional free-flowing furniture arrangements.
DS-600 sofas are purchasable in Australia via furniture retailer, DOMO.
6. Maralunga Sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Emblematic of the iContemporanei collection by Cassina, the Maralunga Sofa was designed nearly 50 years ago by architect and industrial designer Vico Magistretti. It's unpretentious design is hallmarked by its adjustable headrests and soft padding, and comes in a plethora of finishes (which are removable).
You can purchase Maralunga Sofas from Cassina's website.
7. Rhythm Sofa by Casa Blanca
A more contemporary design is the Rhythm modular sofa from Casa Blanca (who have a show room in Sydney's Alexandria). The multiple design combinations, paired with the addition of a loose and detached weighted cushion that sits securely on top (or which you can store securely under the sofa in a dedicated hideaway compartment) make for a particularly versatile lounge piece. It comes in three beautiful colour ways, but we're particularly fond of this sunburnt 'Mojave' tone.
You can purchase the Rhythm Sofa direct from Casa Blanca's website.
8. Blok Sofa from Kave
Minimalism meets its match in Kave's Blok sofa series, whose cubic silhouette and low-slung back offers a more pared-back approach to the term 'statement sofa'. Wide armrests and deep seats make it great for setting down a plate or a book, and visually gives the design a sense of harmony and balance. We're loving this wide-seam corduroy finish in forest green.
You can purchase Blok sofas from Kave's website.
9. Cello Sofa by MCM House
MCM House are expertly designing 'mid century modern' furniture that has all the character of their half-century old counterparts. The Cello sofa is a particular standout, not least for its sleek and rounded silhouette and tubular metal legs that give it a 'floating' feel. MCM House offer a range of exclusive fabrications and colour ways for upholstery in this range, so you can customise the sofa to fit your personal aesthetic needs.
You can purchase the Cello sofa exclusively via MCM House's website.
10. Soriana Sofa by Tobia and Afra Scarpa
Made up of soft, generous and chunky expanding polyurethane wrapped in leather and cinched with a shiny metal belt: this is the innovation of the Soriana sofa, designed in 1969. Production of the originals stopped back in the early 80s, but their resurgance in popularity (and clambering for vintage models) drove furniture purveyors Cassina to reintroduce the design.
You can purchase the Soriana sofa via Cassina's website.
