35 of the Most Unique & Creative Sofa Designs
By Mihai September 8, 2008 in Freshome's Very Best / Decorating IdeasOne of the most important things to do when furnishing or redecorating your living room is to get a good sofa. Here are 35 of the most interesting and creative sofa designs.
1. The fabric for the Pixel Sofa has been picked up by Danish manufacturer Kvadrat, based on a concept of Cristian Zuzunaga, a Royal College of Art graduate. The contemporary couch is sure to grab attention by virtue of its wide spectrum of colors. High-tech and creative types would love something like this in their studio/office.
2. Metallics like silver, gold and bronze became popular in fashion, and the trend also hit the furniture industry. A great example is the Hollywood Stardom Sofa, a unique piece of furniture that can bring a little Hollywood glamour into your living room. In spite of its clean cut and modern look, this is a sofa you just won’t want to leave, thanks to the four oversized pillows on its backrest. Made of Italian leather, this stylish silver sofa will make you feel like a star.
3. At first glance, you might be asking yourself, “What is this?” because the Feel Seating System designed by Animi Causa has a cool and unusual shape. The shape is inspired by a molecular structure, the basic form for all objects in the universe. It is made of 120 “sofa balls” covered with elastic fabric. You can use it in many ways, as the structure allows you to create multiple forms.
4. An accordion chair or sofa made out of wood and paper, the Flexible Love is, without a doubt, the coolest piece of furniture in the universe. You don’t really need more proof than the video above. I’m not sure how comfortable the Flexible Love is, but I don’t care; I want it.
5. This sofa that looks like a rug is a great design, and I don’t know how nobody thought of it before. This piece of furniture is called East Meets West and it was designed by Tonio de Roover. The idea behind this “carpet sofa” is pretty simple. Although it looks awesome, I don’t think you could sleep very well on this sofa.
6. Rodolfo Rocchetti from Tappezzeria Rocchetti is a master upholsterer from Rome who makes creative pieces of furniture. These animal sofas would work if you had a wild theme for your home. Animal lovers, take note: These are all made from faux fur. Read more here.
7. There is no way you can miss the Canape sofa by Lila Lang. One half is an old-fashioned, curvy style; the other half appears to be climbing the wall. You have to admit there is something whimsical about this design. On one hand, it fulfills a function (a place to sit); on the other hand, it’s a piece of art. If you tilt your head and view the wall as the floor, you will notice the piece is almost symmetrical so it can fit right or left corners. This design was featured in an exhibition (Parcours Saint Germaine) in Paris.
8. Now, this is the kind of smart sofa that I want in my living room. Not only does it look great, but it’s also multifunctional: a sofa that converts into a bunk bed. It even comes with an integrated supporting ladder and guard rails. All you have to do is call up some friends for a sleepover.
9. This sofa looks like a giant brush with thick bristles, but each soft bristle is designed to give you a relaxing massage. It’s a very different take on the most common furniture that we see in every house. The concept is the result of a student from Bucks New University. The design might look interesting, especially to teens, but unfortunately this sofa is not too practical.
10. The Do Lo Res sofa is a creative design by Ron Arad. It’s composed of several soft cubes of various heights, arranged in rows and fixed to a platform by steel pins. They are made of different-density polyurethane foam; a stiffer foam is used at the bottom of each unit in order to grip the steel pin, while softer foam at the top ensures optimum comfort. The units may be rearranged to form a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
11. The Home Sweet Home sofa offers both comfort and privacy. On the outside, it is coated and varnished; the inside is polyurethane foam with a removable leather cover. As you can see, the Home Sweet Home sofa is like a tiny room; just add a curtain for a private place to relax.
12. This modern sofa by designer Manfred Wakolbinger is the first furniture piece that the renowned Austrian sculptor has created for Wittmann. Both work of art and functional seat, the Chill Out was inspired by the designer’s visits to the Orient and suites of the 1970s. This versatile seating unit provides multiple functions as a sofa and double recliner that can accommodate several people (a solo recliner also is available). The design features rows of hand-rolled cushions that have been painstakingly crafted to produce a sleek yet textural aesthetic.
13. If utilized appropriately, lighting can adding warmth and energy to any room. Designers have made use of its effect in brightening homes, but have gone a step further by incorporating it into furniture, as in this sofa made of acrylic that lights up from within. The effect is stunning, as Japanese manufacturer Waazwiz proves. The soft glow of this illuminated sofa has a soothing effect on the eyes, especially while watching television.
14. Patchwork is most often associated with quilts. Once a craft born out of economic necessity, patchwork quilts still enjoy widespread popularity. However, British designer Lisa Whatmough of Squint Limited has adapted the patchwork technique as upholstery material for her fun and funky bespoke furniture line. Just one of her chic furniture pieces will brighten up any dark corner. These are extraordinarily vivid focal pieces.
15. Cor furniture takes lounging to another level with the Lava Sofa. In collaboration with designers Kristen Antje Hoppert and Steffen Kroll of Studop Vertijet, the Lava is both a work of art and a piece of furniture. The possibilities are endless as the soft, upholstered mats transform even the floor into part of the sofa.
16. Remember your grandmother’s Chesterfield couch? Its old-fashioned floral fabric and frills may have put you off, but those buttons were a nifty design feature. Well, now you can have your own updated version. The Star System of modern sofas shown here were designed by Enrico Buscemi and Piergiorgio Leone and presented at the Milan Furniture Fair. They are part of the Giovannetti Collezioni, known for its innovative furniture design. It is easy to see why they called their collection the Star System, because those buttons are reminiscent of stars at night. Read more here.
17. The Sitscape is a seating zone nearly 20 feet long. The form transforms the usual use of a couch; the design is based on specific seating positions and smooth transformations between them. Based on people’s preferred relaxing positions, the manufacturer generated six basic positions and formed a perfect fit for them. Consequently, the Sitscape provides familiar possibilities for relaxing. Read more here.
18. This sofa is not for everybody; you’ll need some space if you are going to buy it. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro of Brazil, the upholstered chair sits atop an expansive jacaranda frame, with green glass tops flanking each armrest. It’s big, modern and beautiful.
19. These two pieces, a rocking chair and a loveseat, were designed by Scott Wilson and are from the Purity line of sofas and chairs. The designs are characterized by highly pronounced curves. They are made of steel for strength and durability, and are covered with a polyurethane mesh. Although they look very modern, the rocking chair could use some armrests.
20. Danish designer Phillip Grass‘s Accelerator Sofa is a sleekly futuristic furniture concept. With its jet engine-shaped armrests, the sexy seat is the grown-up version of a race-car bed. This minimalistic design looks awesome, but for now is just an interesting concept.
21. The Yang Sofa can be interlocked to form a sofa or a sectional. You can create a range of different groupings using up to four left- or right-arm sofas. Designer Francois Bauchet created this brilliant sofa for Ligne Roset.
22. At first glance, the Phantom Couch might look like a broken bathtub that was made into a couch. The semi-transparent body, luminescent and colorful, is a sheet of milky PMMA resting on a tubular framework of chromed steel. Some people use large pieces of furniture to hide or cover up things; but with the Phantom, this is not possible.
23. Flavor Design Studio has converted an actual clawfoot tub into a comfortable sofa. Now you won’t have to deal with wrinkled skin if you decide to stay in the bath too long. What a great way to repurpose an old bathtub.
24. Designed by French company La Maison Coloniale, which specializes in incorporating the concept of ancient pieces and original designs, the Jonque Sofa has a big impact in any room. This three-seater combines Asian influences and contemporary lines, allowing you to create a unique space.
25. The innovative SKiN Sofa was designed by Jean Nouvel, a French architect. The supporting structure, made of tubular pretensioned steel, shapes the double-sided leather with geometric incisions. This sofa appears to be lightweight and easy to move, but I’m not sure how much weight that leather can support.
26. The Flexform Oltre sofa features a metal frame that doubles as shelves.
27. What’s not to love about this fresh sofa from Futé Design? The Croissant Sofa, part of the Bobo collection designed by Kenneth Cobonpue, is sure to make a bold statement in any setting. Named for its crescent-shaped form, this piece comes in both indoor and outdoor versions. The indoor sofa is made of hand-woven abaca, commonly know as Manila hemp, a tree-like herb resembling a banana plant.
28. Behind the Wall is a two-sided piece of furniture designed by Jordi Canudas that acts as both wall and sofa. It offers a comfortable sitting area that becomes playful when users interact from both sides at once.
29. This beautiful sofa from Urban Collection was a concept designed by Marta Antoszkiewicz, whose Bulb Table and Table with Chairs have been featured on Freshome. This sofa’s two heat-formed planks and minimal fasteners form the basis of this clean, modern design. Its cantilevered backrest is locked into place when you lay your weight on it, and its leather cushions slip in through large cutouts in the top surface, resting on the second curve.
30. The Volant Sofa was designed by Patricia Urquiola; the range also includes an armchair, a chair and a stool. The frame of the base is a trapezoid, which adapts to the line of the back and seat. This leads to a dichotomy between regularity and irregularity, flat and curved, basic and frilly.
31. The Morpheo Sofa Bed features attached lights for reading — whether you’re sitting up or lying down. It is available for $9,015 at ModernFurnitureClassics.
32. If you love Aston Martins so much that you want one in your house, Aston Martin Heritage Designs presents the Aston Martin DB6 sofa. The limited-edition two-seater is an exact replica and comes with an engraved number plate — as well as a premium price tag.
33. Designed and created by Thierry Nahon and Philippe Landecker, LunaBlocks are based on the transformation and enlargement of the plastic blocks used in building games for children. They come in a variety of colors and configurations; all you need to build a custom sofa are some pillows or cushions, some creativity and a large disposable income.
34. The folks at Coffin Couches have managed to transform 18-gauge steel coffins (from funeral homes in Southern California) into designer Coffin Couches. At first, these sofas look like a luxurious piece of leather furniture until you realize they are made from actual coffins. Fans of “The Addams Family” will love them.
35. Finally, lots of mouse pads are finding their way into the landfill. Instead of tossing them, why not make a sofa out of them?
