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Sofa style: our guide to choosing sofas for hotels, bars & lounges

03. 06. 26

Sofas are a mainstay in every home, but they’ve also become a key element in most commercial interior projects - from hotel lobbies and bedrooms to bars, lounges, workplaces and waiting areas, a sofa offers sociable seating, real comfort and an opportunity to make a style statement.


Our contract furniture collection includes hundreds of sofas and sofa beds, with options for upholstery, fi nish and fabrics. Read on for our guide to choosing sofas for hospitality and commercial interior projects.

1. Size matters

Our sofa collection includes options for 2 seater, 3 seater and 4 seater sofas, along with the possibility of creating a bespoke piece if you want to go even larger. It’s an important decision to get right - a compact sofa could be the perfect size for a bar, bedroom or to make use of a smaller space, while a large 4-seater sofa like the one we created for Hilton Watford allows more guests to relax in comfort and adds a feeling of generosity and welcome.

The Omnia sofa is a stylish, compact option perfect for a smaller space while the Spectrum sofa sits three people comfortably.

At 250cm wide, the Bras sofa seats four people in style - available to upholster in fabric or leather, it’s a perfect choice for a hotel lobby, lounge or bar.

2. Shape and style

Do you want something that’s sleek and streamlined, or a sofa with a standout shape or generous curves? Our collection includes sofas with a touch of mid-century style, like our Glow Sofa which works so well in the new-look Thistle Bloomsbury hotel in Central London.

Choose from wooden or metal legs, with optional button back detailing and cushions - available in a wide range of fabrics and leathers and a choice of 30 frame finishes.

 

The Core Sofa really makes a statement, with a bold sculptural form and extremely comfortable cushioning. Choose from a compact two-seater up to a stunning six-seater to add furniture with impact to a hotel lounge or bar.

A statement sofa is a great choice for a hotel lobby - a striking, sculptural piece makes a memorable first impression on guests from arrival. Our Class Sofa adds an elegant touch to the Hilton Newcastle lobby with upholstery in a deep indigo velvet - a real contrast with the black rattan frame of our Monet Lounge Chair.

3. Fabric or leather upholstery

We work with a range of suppliers to give you a wide choice of fabrics and leathers, all suitable for use in commercial interiors. Leather suits both contemporary and heritage settings and has traditionally been seen as a more durable, hard-wearing option, but the fabrics we use now are incredibly practical, look great and can inject a pop of colour or pattern into a hotel bar, bedroom, lobby or lounge.

We created several bespoke sofas for Natural Fit Hove, using both leather and fabrics for the upholstery - we love the combination of acid-bright velvets and fabrics alongside the rich tan and brown leather in the exclusive members-only spa, gym and café.

Fabric and leather also worked well together in our project at a London casino - our bespoke Chesterfield sofas add a touch of heritage style alongside super-comfortable sofas upholstered in burnt orange velvet.

Velvet is a popular choice for sofa upholstery, whether in soft chalky pastels or rich jewel shades. Our Pad sofa looks great in deep emerald green, alongside seating in royal blue and vivid orange in a colourful lounge at a Surrey hotel. The Nebulone sofa looks beautiful in a textured fabric such as bouclé, or a flat weave to highlight the sleek curved silhouette - a great choice for a hotel lobby or bar.

4. Sofa Beds

Sofa beds are a smart choice for hotel interiors, allowing operators to accommodate additional guests and make their space work flexibly when required. Our range of sofa beds means there’s no compromise on either style or comfort - choose something which promises a space to relax through the day as well as a great night’s sleep.


We supplied our Mamba Sofa Bed in two sizes as part of a project to refurbish a Leeds city centre hotel - we love the punchy burnt orange piping which contrasts with the charcoal grey woven fabric used to upholster the sofa bed.

Our range includes sofa beds with contemporary styling, like our Tiago sofa bed or go for a vintage feel, like the Limpo sofa bed with retro styling and button back detailing.

5. Modular sofas


Modular sofas have been a success story over recent years, and it’s easy to understand why they’re such a popular choice. Versatile and easily reconfi gurable, modular sofas can adapt to diff erent layouts to respond to business needs, without sacrifi cing style or comfort. With several designers showcasing new modular sofa collections at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair, it’s clearly a trend that’s here to stay.

The Brezza modular sofa is a great example - generous upholstery and exaggerated curves make this an incredibly comfortable piece, while the integrated cushion and attention to detail and fi nish mean it’s at home in any interior. Take your pick from the modular pieces which make up this collection, adding a chaise long to give more flexible seating as well as space to really relax.

The Pongo modular seating system has even more flexibility - create your perfect combination of seat and back cushions, armrest sections and even space for a compact table section. Mix and match upholstery fabrics and finishes to create something really special.

6. Outdoor sofas

Outdoor sofas are a must if you’re planning a terrace, garden or rooftop bar this summer, instantly elevating a space and always appealing to guests. From bespoke sofas at a central London design-led working and living development to bold colour at an icon of West End entertainment, we’ve supplied more outdoor sofas than ever over recent years.

Look for outdoor sofas upholstered in weather-resistant fabric, or choose classic timber-framed styles or powder-coated metal. With countless options in our collection of furniture for bars, hotels and restaurants, there’s no need to compromise on style, comfort or practicality.

The Star collection includes sofas, armchairs, side chairs, bar stools and tables - all available in a choice of 19 colours to add a colourful note to a garden or outside terrace. This compact two-seater outdoor sofa comes with or without armrests and is spacious, comfortable and informal.

The Mozzini Belt outdoor sofa is another fantastic option - we supplied this distinctive and practical two-seater for our project at the fantastic Settebello restaurant in Cheltenham where it looks great on the popular outside terrace. Weatherproof for use throughout the year, it features a striking twisted backrest and a matt black powder-coated metal frame, and also comes with a water-resistant cushion.

 

When it comes to outdoor spaces, our collection includes only high-quality furniture that will withstand the elements. The Maggie Modular Sofa is a prime example - handcrafted from Alu-Rattan, a powder-coated aluminium that resembles rattan, and with quick-fry foam cushions, it adds a natural charm and will look great for years to come. It’s a perfect spot to sit at the world-famous Hippodrome Casino while you enjoy the view across London’s skyline.

7. Sofas for the workplace
 

Contemporary workplace furniture means much more than desks and swivel chairs, with many businesses bringing sofas into their lobbies and other communal areas. For our third project working with Regal London, we supplied bespoke indoor and outdoor sofas for The Clarendon, a striking new landmark building in Watford.

At FlexWorks co-working space in Hull, our Bold modular sofas sit perfectly alongside our bespoke Lara chair and Bellini nesting coffee tables, creating a comfortable spot where workers can take a break, meet colleagues or clients in a relaxed lounge area.

The Welcome Lounge at Regents University London sets a striking first impression for visitors - it’s spacious and airy, and now comfortable and stylish too. We supplied bespoke sofas, lounge chairs and marble-topped tables, upholstered in jewel-toned velvets which work perfectly with the dark paintwork and statement wall-covering, creating an appealing spot to relax or for an informal meeting.

8. Bespoke is beautiful
 

As our guide to choosing sofas shows, our collection includes a wide range of options to suit any commercial interior. But if you’d like something a little different, there's nothing we love more than working with clients and designers to create a bespoke piece for their project. We'll help realise your vision, and suggest ways to make your finished furniture stand out from the crowd - like the bespoke 3.5m L-shaped sofa we created for Regent’s University London. Upholstered in beautiful burnt orange velvet fabric, it provides plenty of space for students to relax with friends or prepare for lectures.

Anything's possible, and we're full of creative ideas to help deliver something special.
 

To keep up to date with our latest collection and new additions to our contract furniture range, join our mailing list and look out for our regular email newsletters, or follow us on Instagram.

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