A Designer’s Guide to the Best Sofas for Your Home (Design Guide)

“I would describe my style as intuitive, a little unexpected and with a little sprinkling of shambolic,” says Donohoe Church. When working on a project for Decus Interiors, she says that 99 per cent of the time when they style a home, the team at Decus Interiors will choose all of the furniture.

The first lounge Donohoe Church believes is one of the best sofas for your home is the Bon sofa by Jardan. “It's so simple, streamlined and clean … it kind of has a bit of a retro feel and ‘70s vibe to it, but it's not overly twee or stylised, so I feel like it could work in almost every space,” comments the designer. “It probably suits people of a younger demographic. And as far as Australian design goes, I feel like it is a real little champion.”

Next in the designer’s guide to sofas is the Za:Za by Zanotta from Cult Design. “It's a little bit of a paradox; it’s heavy and solid on top but sitting on tiny legs.” She continues: “I’ve also heard it described as a bean bag on matchsticks.” Donohoe Church explains how it’s one of the best sofas for your home if you are a design professional or for a young professional who has an avid interest in interior design and values luxury. “It is irreverent and therefore adaptable,” she comments.

The Muir sofa by Hannes Peer for SEM from Moebel could also be one of the best sofas for your home. Donohoe Church praises the lounge for its detailing and flexibility, swooning over its beautiful timber undercarriage and the clean lines of the elevated plinth. “It is an incredibly flexible piece because you can put one in the middle of the space, you can sit at either end and have a conversation in any direction,” she notes. As it is highly textural and exclusive, the sofa appeals to people who value quality and craftsmanship.

Finally, the Alpha by Pierre Paulin from Ralph Pucci is described by Donohoe Church as “iconic, sultry, futuristic and age-defying.” One of the best sofas for your home in a more pragmatic sense, it is also incredibly unique and comfortable to sit on. “We have designed custom pieces of furniture using the exact pitch of the seat and backrest of this sofa,” she says.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint which sofa exceeds others, it seems that each triumphs in certain categories. In her designer’s guide, Donohoe Church affirms that the Alpha is the best value for money, while the Muir is the best example of design ingenuity. The most practical sofa when it comes to combining function, comfort and everyday living is the Bon and the Za:Za boasts the best material choice, due to its contrast between oxblood powdered coated legs and chevron fabric.