Move over, Cloud Sofa: 3 designers share their take on the new 'it' couches of 2023

A white Mario Bellini Camaleonda sofa sits in a living room in front of a large sliding glass door.
This modular sofa called the "Camaleonda" was launched in 1970 and is having a moment again. B&B Italia

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  • We spoke with interior designers and scrolled through Instagram and TikTok to find the next "it" couches.
  • Whether you want a statement piece or something soft and cuddly, there's a sofa for everyone.
  • Here are four sofa trends to check out if you're looking to change things up.
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If you scroll through many furniture sites, the couches and sofas look like variations on a theme. That's starting to change. While you can still find plenty of straight-armed sofas, you'll also see more distinctive shapes and unique fabrics. Recently, people have been drawn to the Cloud Sofa and its many replicas, but others are looking for distinctly different options.

"I think the next 'it' sofa is more of a statement piece than just a functional piece in a room," said  Christine Vroom of Christine Vroom Interiors. "Whether it's curved or upholstered in a pop of color, has a super nubby texture, or is designed with geometric and angled arms, I see sofas marrying comfort with style."

She said furniture designers are also making pieces that are ergonomic and comfortable. To find some of the most interesting trends in couches and sofas, we spoke to three designers and searched sites like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.

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Curved and serpentine sofas

A blue Kayra curved sofa from Article with a matching footstool sits in a living room near a white armchair.
Article

Both Enrique Crespo of Crespo Design Group and Alex Alonso of Mr. Alex Tate Design said more people are embracing curved sofas. Crespo especially loves Vladimir Kagan's serpentine sofa. "Its organic and fluid shape provides the home with a very sculptural piece, but also a conversation piece," he said. "Making a statement with furniture as art is a bold move."

Alonso likes the conversation spaces that curved sofas create. "They're such a fun design choice and can be casual or formal while still adding an element of sexy to the space," he said.  

Find more curved sofa options in several styles and prices here.

TRNK Collection Maura Modular Concave Semi-Circle Sectional

Alex Alonso of Mr. Alex Tate Design loves this circular sofa from TRNK Collection. It’s available in many fabric choices and is 122 inches long.

Article Kayra Sofa

Article's Kayra sofa is 87 inches long and has a frame made of kiln-dried pine. It comes in yellow or blue velvet fabric or ivory bouclé and has wood legs.

Anthropologie Asymmetrical Serpentine Sofa

The aptly named Serpentine sofa from Anthropologie is 98 inches long and made of kiln-dried hardwood, foam, and velvet. It comes in three ready-to-ship colors, or you can customize the sofa (which adds to the ship time and cost).

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Mario Bellini Camaleonda sofa

A green Mario Bellini Camaleonda sofa sits in a living room in front of floor-to-ceiling windows.
B&B Italia

Designer Mario Bellini launched the Camaleonda in 1970. The beauty of it is its modular design. You can even turn it into a bed if you have enough pieces. It was out of production for decades, but furniture brand B&B Italia recently revived it. 

You can find the sofa (reproductions or the real thing) getting hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok (including Ashley Tisdale's video), but it is a big piece of furniture. "I do think in a large space and a space that maybe presents more challenges, it would be a really good solution, given the uniqueness of the size," said Anna Franklin of Stone House Collective. It would work well for someone who loves changing up their seating options, she said.

Eternity Modern Mario Bellini Sofa

A reproduction of the Mario Bellini Camaleonda, this tufted couch from Eternity Modern is modular and available in many fabrics and colors.

Rove Concepts Belia Open End Sofa

The Belia Open End Sofa from Rove Concepts is a dupe of the Mario Bellini Camaleonda. It can be arranged in different configurations and is available in a few colors.

Red Barrel Studio Reversible Modular Sofa

Not quite as modular as the Mario Bellini Camaleonda, each piece of the Red Barrel Studio sofa can still move independently. It comes in orange velvet or beige linen.

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Storage sofas

The chaise storage compartment of the Pottery Barn Celeste Upholstered Trundle Sleeper Sofa opened up.
Pottery Barn

Sofa beds are nothing new, but they typically hide more conventional (albeit thin) mattresses inside. This iteration, which we've seen a lot on TikTok, is a bit like a sofa-bed and futon hybrid with added storage under the chaise. 

The cushions and chaise become part of the bed, and an extra section pulls out from the couch. Combined with the storage, it makes these types of sofas great for small spaces. 

You can find versions of this style of sleeper at several retailers. Many of the Ikea reviews mention the firmness of the Friheten sofa, which is something to keep in mind if you like plusher cushions. 

If you're worried about the sofa's comfort, Franklin suggests paying attention to what the cushions are made of. "Down fill would probably be more comfortable to lay on than a stiff polyester," she said. And she said a good mattress topper can also help for the nights you have guests.

Ikea Friheten Sleeper Sectional

This clever sleeper sofa from Ikea has hidden storage and pulls out into a bed. Many owners describe the cushions as firm, so don’t expect to sink into this sectional.

Raymour & Flanigan Brynn 2-Piece Sofa Chaise

Raymour & Flanigan’s Brynn sofa transforms into a queen-size bed, and you can store items under the chaise. It’s only available in a dark gray polyester fabric with the chaise on the right side.

Pottery Barn Celeste Upholstered Trundle Sleeper Sofa

You can get the Pottery Barn Celeste with the chaise (with its hidden storage compartment) on either the left or right side. While it’s available in several neutral fabrics, most of them are custom orders and will take longer to arrive.

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Bouclé sofas

The Lulu and Georgia Zaha sofa covered in ivory boucle fabric sits in a living room decorated in neutral colors.
Lulu and Georgia

Beloved on TikTok and by celebrities like Gabrielle Union, bouclé is a soft, nubby fabric that's made a comeback over the last few years. "It feels like a new fabric," said Franklin. "It's not, but it feels like it is." 

What's nice about this trend is you're not limited to a particular sofa shape or size, and you can reupholster your existing couch instead of getting a whole new one. 

You'll often see ivory or white bouclé that mimics its woolly style, but you can find it in other colors, too. Franklin suggests getting matching pillows instead of bright or contrasting ones, otherwise, "I think you're gonna notice the pillow before you notice the sofa," she said. For throws, she said she likes to stick with other natural fibers to match the aesthetic of the bouclé.

Article Gabriola Loveseat

Covered in polyester and acrylic bouclé fabric, the lightly curved Gabriola loveseat is 64 inches long, making it a good fit for smaller spaces. We've rarely seen its price this low, so this sale is a good opportunity to save.

Lulu and Georgia Zaha Sofa

The 84-inch curved Zaha Sofa from Lulu and Georgia is covered in bouclé fabric and seats three people.

Kardiel Blanc Boucle Cabbie Fabric Sofa

The 85-Inch Kardiel Cabbie Sofa comes in a few colors and fabrics, including a stain-resistant white bouclé made of 95% polyester and 5% acrylic.

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