A sofa is never just a sofa. It’s where you crash after work, where friends pile in with a glass of wine, where kids build nests out of cushions, and where the whole room quietly takes its cues. That’s why we’re kicking off a practical “how-to choose” series with the most high-stakes piece in the living room: the sofa.
We start with the question that saves the most money and regret: how do you actually live? From entertaining versus Netflix sprawl, to seat height for different bodies and stages of life, we break down how lifestyle should drive everything from depth to firmness. Then we get ruthless about scale. A sofa can measure “right” and still feel wrong, especially when you’ve only seen it online or in a cavernous showroom. We share simple ways to map it out at home, plus what to consider around coffee tables, side tables, lighting, and circulation.
Fabric and colour get their own reality check too. Upholstery isn’t just aesthetics; it’s texture, cleanability, stretch, durability and whether you’ll hate the feel the second you sit down. We also challenge the default beige and grey reflex, and talk about “safe” colour that still brings warmth and personality, like navy, deep green, and caramel leather. We finish with quality and construction tips, common sofa mistakes, and the unglamorous but essential topic of delivery access.
Join us for the Milan In-Review talks @ Hali Rugs, tickets are available below :
Melbourne - Wednesday 10th June 6pm
Sydney - Wednesday 24th June 6pm
If you love practical interior design advice, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s sofa shopping, and leave us a review so more Australians can find the show.
Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment.
Bookings now open - Book now
Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design
Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027?
Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast, or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
