Three Sofa Trends Shaping 2022

according to interior experts Arighi Bianchi

Luxury interior specialist, Arighi Bianchi has unveiled three major sofa trends for 2022, along with top tips for buying the perfect sofa for your home, whatever the size and shape of your space.

Lucy Mather from Arighi Bianchi explains what’s trending – from luxury lounging and vintage glam styles to heritage sofas with a modern twist. 1Alexander & James Editor 2 Seater Sofa £1,509

2Alexander & James Summerton Corner Sofa including Stool £3,535

3Sits Cleo Navy Blue Corner Sofa £3,759

4Alexander & James Jean Maxi Sofa £1,275 A trend that began during lockdown due to the extended periods of time families spent gathered on the sofa, sumptuous ‘oversize’ sofas that offer the ultimate comfort are very much here to stay. We can’t get enough of large, luxurious sofas in tactile fabrics, quilted details and oversized proportions. In 2022 it is also all about loud pops of colour and statement shades – think electric blue, teal and navy. Whilst big and bold, these colours are hugely versatile and will complement an existing colour palette perfectly, bringing it bang on trend for the year ahead. ELECTRIC DREAMS

A current best seller – this Alexander & James Editor 2 Seater[1] electric blue sumptuous sofa is loud, luxurious and great for lounging – available with co-ordinating ‘extra-large pouffes’. Designer tip: Complement the rich velvet with natural leathers and wood.

CORNER COUCH FOR THE ULTIMATE SLOUCH

Another key colour for 2022, heritage green ‘teal’ looks fantastic in velvet. A corner couch is an effective use of corner space and for those that like a large sofa. Alexander & James’ Summerton Corner Sofa[2] features hand-crafted detailing in the form of pleats, super-sized metallic buttons and delicate gold piping. OVERSIZED STATEMENT SOFA

With quilted detailing and quality upholstery the Sits Cleo Navy Blue Corner Sofa[3] is enjoyed as much for its comfort, as for its iconic and luxurious style. VINTAGE GLAM

Luxe touches and glam accents are making their way into homes across the country and vintage glam sofas are at the heart of this trend. With art deco inspired lines and plush velvet fabric, this is a fabulous way to update the humble sofa in 2022 and because this styling pairs perfectly with modern design concepts and colour schemes, it’s a really versatile option. From beautiful blush pink to bright blue and canary yellow, these statement pieces will create the wow factor in any home. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 89

4Alexander & James Jean Maxi Sofa £1,275

The Alexander & James Jean Maxi

Sofa[4] - with plush velvet upholstery (available in three colours), button back detailing and masses of scatters, it’s the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to your decor. of a new range based on glamorous modern classics with an art deco twist. Designed and manufactured at the Tetrad factory, the collection features GP & J Baker printed fabrics and sumptuous Italian velvet.

MODERN HERITAGE

Heritage styling has been given a 2022 twist with thoughtful detailing adding a cutting edge finish to tweed fabrics and classic shapes. This trend is all about contrasts - here the simplicity of the tweed is contrasted beautifully with the on-trend piping to create a sofa that although looks simple, screams quality and craftsmanship. Whilst the classic lines of the Spink and Edgar sofa are contrasted perfectly with the art deco inspired pattern against the plush velvet fabric. This is a key trend for this year as homeowners look to make purchases that offer style and substance, willing to invest in pieces in classic shapes and fabrics that will stand the test of time.

The Tetrad Harris Tweed Bowmore

Midi Sofa[5] is a stylish, fully coil sprung Edwardian styled fabric sofa range with hide piping, elegant curves and clean lines. If you’re looking to invest in a new sofa in 2022, Arighi Bianchi has this advice to make the perfect purchase:

GET THE DIMENSIONS RIGHT:

It’s a seemingly obvious and unglamorous tip, but presuming you already know where you intend to place your sofa, once that is decided you need to carefully measure up the space. If the sofa will be arriving already assembled, you’ll also need to make sure you’ll be able to negotiate it into your home. That means measuring up the door frames and accounting for any awkward angles.

Remember that ‘width’ refers to the measurement across the back of the sofa, while the ‘depth’ is the measurement from the front of the sofa to the back. If you think that you might have issues getting your sofa into the room it is intended for, make sure you mention this at the point of purchase as it may be able to be delivered in parts and assembled indoors. You may have found a colour and pattern that you love but the next crucial step is the fabric.

No two fabrics are entirely the same – natural materials, for instance, can sometimes be prone to fading over time due to sunlight exposure. This might make a man-made material the wiser choice if the sofa will be positioned close to the window. An especially popular sofa fabric is leather a strong and durable material that stands up well to everyday use, and even the creases, marks and scuffs it will almost inevitably accumulate over time will simply enhance its character.

Velvet sofas are extremely popular right now, but it can be a high maintenance fabric that will need a bit of TLC.

DECIDE ON THE MOST SUITABLE SOFA SHAPE

Sofas come in a dizzying range of shapes and sizes - everything from two seaters and corner sofas to opulent four-seat and grand sofas.

The shape of the sofa you choose won’t depend purely on how you intend to use it, as aesthetics will play a part too. A small sofa in a large room, for example, will appear somewhat isolated, while a large sofa in a small room may seem a little overwhelming.

Nonetheless, you’ll also need to take into account practical factors, such as how many people will be routinely using the sofa at any one time, and how they will typically position themselves on it. If you expect to spend a lot of time lying on the sofa, will it be sufficiently long to allow you to stretch out comfortably?

The height of the people using the sofa will also be crucial. Taller people may require a sofa with a higher back for greater support, while if you are shorter, you should check that you’ll be able to comfortably tuck your feet under whatever model you’re considering.

5Tetrad Harris Tweed Bowmore Midi Sofa £2,025

6Spink & Edgar Tiffany Grand Sofa £2,559

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE FILLING

Given that you don’t see what your sofa’s stuffed with, it might be barely an afterthought for you when you’re looking for the best sofa. But that shouldn’t be the case! After all, the sofa filling is effectively what you will be sitting on for years, so it’s worth being aware of the qualities of the different stuffing options out there. A fibre filling, for example, consists of man-made polyester hollow strands that – when you sit on them – compress and expel air. Sofas with fibre fillings are soft and relaxing to sit on, but it’s important to frequently plump and turn the cushions to help keep them looking good.

When the priority is to provide a more structured look and firmer support, a foam filling is a common choice. It needs hardly any maintenance over time, and foam cushions tend to spring back into shape as soon as the sitter rises. As for feather-filled sofas, these don’t appear as structured as their foam-filled counterparts, but they’re definitely luxurious sofas that practically beckon you to sit down and sink into them!

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PRODUCT INSPIRATION VISIT www.arighibianchi.co.uk