Coucher; the French verb meaning ‘to lie down’ from which our word couch evolved. A couch or a sofa is a comfortable piece of fabric-covered furniture which can seat multiple people at once. Couches and sofas are an integral part of social living as sharing the seat with family or friends is one of the most common structures for interaction in the home.
There is a slight difference between couches and sofas, though in modern times the terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, sofas are more formal than couches. Sofa designs tend to be slightly bigger and will have more structured armrests/backs. This is because sofas are intended to be purely for sitting, while couches have a more relaxed design which can be used for sitting and/or lying down. Because sofas are more formal, this term is used more often when it comes to interior design.
Choosing the right sofa or couch for your home is very important. It can also be quite difficult. This is because sofas must serve both an aesthetic and practical function. A sofa can make or break the décor of a room. The right choice of sofa design can unite a colour scheme and interior design style within a home and dazzle guests. However, this is practically meaningless if you find that the sofa is uncomfortable to sit or lie on. Finding a sofa then becomes a quest of uniting form and function.
Considerations
The first thing to consider before beginning a sofa search is your ideal size. This should be informed by your understanding of the space and how the sofa will fit into it, as well as how many people you expect to use the sofa on a regular basis (if you regularly host group game nights or family events, investing in a large sofa is probably a good idea as you never want to leave guests without somewhere to sit).
The next most important thing to consider when sofa searching is the level of comfort you want. How often do you expect to use this sofa? Will it be more for aesthetic purposes or do you plan to spend a few hours every night watching television or something similar? This will determine how much attention you should pay to the practical design of the sofa during the search. For those who are expecting to use the sofa on a regular basis, you should probably search for a sofa in-person at stores such as Castlery, Made by Morgan, and Manapan.
If you find it unlikely that you will use the sofa for extended periods of time – because you have another seating area or for another reason – an online store like Online Furniture Direct might be ideal for you. Prices online are usually cheaper, and it will not matter so much that you did not get to test out the sofa’s comfort level before purchase as you probably won’t be using it to the point of discomfort anyway. For more information about the best furniture stores in Australia see here for in person recommendations and here for online.
Sofa searching can be a tedious task. They are expensive and finding the right one for your seating habits, desired comfort level, family size, likely guest numbers, and home aesthetic can be difficult. To help jumpstart the process, we have put together a list of the best quality sofas Australia for every interior design style and aesthetic. For the most comfortable and best modular couches Australia, look no further.
Looking for the best sofa Australia? Eight cheap Australian made designer sofas on sale
8. Leather
Leather is without a doubt a symbol of vintage luxury. Leather couches are easily damaged, so second hand leather lounges are rarely sold – meaning the value of a pristine leather lounge never goes unrecognized. This stunning 4 seater leather lounge from Castlery has a romantic sense of vintage academia which will work well when paired with bold, dark colours such as deep blue or red. Purchase one of the best leather couches in Australia here for $4000.
07. Armchair
A classic example of Scandinavian comfort design, this solid oak armchair is the perfect addition to any minimalist or neutral toned home. Whether you wish to purchase the matching couch or simply want the sand tones of this armchair to bring a little neutrality into a colourful room design, this armchair is a welcome addition to the majority of design styles and colours. Purchase it here from Icon by Design on sale for $1,759.
06. Corner sofa
A corner sofa is a great way to make use of limited space or to define the living room area in an open plan design. This L-shaped corner sofa is another outstanding sofa design by Castlery which will tone beautifully with warm neutrals and browns. Purchase it here for $4,999.
05. Curved sofa
Curved sofas are all the rage right now. A curved sofa has a more natural feel than mass produced square designs and appears to bend into the space. Curved furniture has an earthy appearance that Living By Design leans into with the terracotta aesthetic of this model. However, it also has multiple colour options including beige and black. You can purchase this sofa here for $1,999.
04. Secret sofa bed
A sofa bed is one of the most inventive ways to save space in the modern home. This couch already looks extremely comfortable when in sofa form, but when expanded out into a bed it looks like a haven of uninterrupted sleep.
Sleeping on a sofa bed like this, your guests will feel like royalty. You can purchase it here from Koala for $1690.
03. Chesterfield
Chesterfield sofas have a classic elegance that draws the eye in any home. Purchase a little of this effortless luxury in the form of the timeless design by PHL above here for $2,799.
02. Velvet
Velvet is the modern chesterfield – and often the two overlap. This gold velvet sectional sofa by Castlery is lush and perfect for the modern home. Purchase it here for $2,799
01. Linen
Linen has an understated beauty that communicates simplicity and ease. The linen sofa pair pictured above is one of the most affordable linen lounge suites in Australia. You can purchase it here from Amart furniture for $2,499.
