It’s one thing to impulse buy a scented candle or a set of gingham table linens; but certain home purchases demand a little more deliberation, and none more so than your sofa. It’s an investment, sure, but also the thing that grounds your living space. To say there’s a lot riding on this splurge is an understatement—so we turned to the professionals, and polled 14 interior designers for their go-to furniture brands, what they love about them, and what their favorite couch du jour is from each.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Designer-Approved Sofas:
Turns out, great minds think alike: For vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces, several recommended 1stDibs. Los Angeles-based Lawson Fenning, known for its rich fabrics and saturated palettes, also got an honorable mention, as did George Smith for the British contingent. Between sleek mid-century finds, oversized slipcovered sectionals, and even a charming striped option with a sofa skirt, designers’ sofa selects span every design sensibility, too.
For more insider secrets to inspire your own purchase, keep reading to peruse designers’ favorite sofa shops.
“RW Guild produces pieces that are earmarked for museum status! The quality is exceptional. I love the Catalpa Sofa—its frame is a rich figured walnut, used with a Gretchen Bellinger velvet. The beauty of the design is that the wood wraps around the entire back. Perfect for floating in a room, it’s a true statement sofa.”
“In every interior my firm and I design, we are always reaching for vintage pieces and materials that feel classic and timeless. I have a vintage Soriana sofa from Scarpa that has been with us in LA, and then multiple homes in New York. Take it to an upholsterer and get it recovered… leather, suede, or any beautifully constructed fabric will make it feel like new. The beauty with 1stDibs and its vintage pieces is that everything will be unique, if not a one off.”
Photography by Ethan Jones; Design by Ome Dezin
“Sixpenny has timeless, modern pieces with clean lines and luxurious upholstery. Customizable fabrics and finishes make them perfect for client spaces, and we love their minimalist modular arrangements. The Amelia is a stand-out.”
“Nickey Kehoe makes my all-time favorite sofa, the Tuxedo. It’s super masculine and anchored, and incredibly comfortable. It can go in any room. They also have fabrics that you can use as part of their line, or you can use your own.”
“With Lawson Fenning I’m always drawn to the way their sofas feel both architectural and relaxed. They cater to clean, classic silhouettes, but the ability to customize fabrics and finishes means each piece can take on a personality of its own, which makes them a staple in my projects. There is a casual, mid-century element to their pieces that work well in a variety of spaces. The Forster sofa has a sculptural presence that brings structure and still feels soft and welcoming; it settles into a space with ease, and gives the room a quiet sense of elegance.”
“Clad Home is a must for people that need a sofa that they can customize; it’s as close to going custom as it gets without finding your own fabricators. They have such a versatile collection of styles that, regardless of the style of your home, you’re likely to find one that resonates with your taste. I also love them because they’re so kind, so accommodating, and communicative. One favorite is the Sherwood sofa, which I used when designing Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita’s house.”
Photography by Nicole Franzen; Design by Gachot
“We gravitate to vintage, and sourcing from 1stDibs is a critical element in creating layered and thoughtful spaces. One of [Gachot co-founder] John’s favorite references is the Janus Collection sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar… it’s tried and true, and remains a constant inspiration. The button tufting is full of charm, while the unique shape makes it perfect for non-traditional spaces, like bay windows.”
“There’s nothing quite like a classic George Smith sofa with an English rolled-arm silhouette and generous feather-and-down cushions. It’s a timeless design that settles into any space, anchoring the room with effortless, elegant comfort. I especially love their signature sofa in a soft mohair fabric.”
“I generally opt for vintage, but if I’m buying something new, I try to go to the next best thing: current productions of pieces that were designed in the past. Knoll has a rich history of collaborating with architects who produced furniture as part of their practice, which I love because the pieces tend to stand the test of time, but are also highly usable and feel better with age. The Bastiano Sofa by Tobia Scarpa is one of the first pieces I got when I moved to New York almost 15 years ago, and I love how the leather looks worn in after all that time.”
Photography by Jasper Fry; Styling by Anna Sheridan; Design by Lizzie Green
“Love Your Home has a fantastic range of contemporary sofas with lots based on more classic designs. Their range of fabrics is brilliant, with lots of stain-resistant options that clients love for playrooms or if they have dogs. One we have used a lot because it’s incredibly comfortable and at a great price point is the Ottilie. I certainly have a penchant for a corner sofa. They are more social, work in so many different spaces, and allow you to push the dial with cushions given the larger surface space.”
“We love George Smith for well-made, traditional sofas, and recently specified their Turkish sofa for a project in Chelsea. I love a layered Turkish-style sofa—it cuts the perfect balance of old and new. I normally think of George Smith for country house-style sofas, but they do have some wonderfully contemporary ones too… you’d be hard pressed to find one that isn’t hard to get out of, which at the end of the day is the most important thing when it comes to choosing a sofa!”
“What I love about the Kravet brand is its dedication to quality, durability, and beauty, and the fact that they fabricate their furniture right here in the United States. Kravet often leans a bit more modern and transitional with their products. However, it offers sofas that are completely customizable—the frames can be wrapped in any leather or fabric of one’s choice, and—best of all—the lead-times are under six weeks!”
Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg; Design by Zoë Feldman Design
“Lawson-Fenning captures the essence of California modernism in a way that is timeless rather than trendy. Their sofas are relaxed but not slouchy, with beautiful wood bases and proportions that invite you to sink in. The Mesa sofa, in particular, strikes that perfect balance between clean lines and comfort. It’s the kind of piece that elevates a room without intimidating it.”
“We love working with Stahl + Band, especially when we are looking for customizable options and sectional seating. If you are looking for a piece that is comfortable, well-made, and still stunning, it’s the place. We recently used the Pouf Arc Sofa in a project in Los Altos, California and covered it in a moody crushed velvet from Dedar.”
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