When it comes to furnishing a period property, the choice of sofa can significantly impact the overall aesthetic and harmony of your interior design. Period properties, with their rich history and distinctive architectural features, demand a careful selection of furniture that complements their unique character.
To avoid a jarring visual effect, it’s a good idea to stick with classic designs that have stood the test of time. Today, we’re taking inspiration from the past; if you’re wondering which sofa style is best for your period property, here are 8 classic sofa styles that seamlessly blend with traditional interiors.
Bridgewater
The Bridgewater sofa, also known as the English roll arm sofa, is a quintessentially British design that exudes comfort and understated elegance. Characterised by its low, rolled arms that are set back from the front of the seat, the Bridgewater offers a relaxed and inviting appearance. The back cushions are typically loose and plush, providing excellent support and comfort. The skirted base often conceals the legs, giving it a seamless and tailored look.
The Bridgewater sofa is perfect for both casual and formal settings, making it a versatile choice for any period property. Its timeless design ensures it will remain a beloved piece in your home for years to come.
Howard
This classic sofa with slightly rounded arms and a low seat is a gorgeous, timeless piece. With well-stuffed seat cushions that are supremely comfortable and a low slung, deep-seated appearance, the Howard fuses functionality with a wicked sense of fun. Be aware that this style of sofa doesn’t have a skirt. Instead, it boasts sturdy wooden legs on brass castors.
The Howard sofa is suitable for both a home and a professional setting as it is built for style as well as comfort.
Chesterfield
This is a fairly popular and coveted design, coming with rolled and buttoned upholstery on the back and arms.
Those arms and back are at a similar height, often curved at the top. Due to the buttons, you can get your Chesterfield sofa reupholstered fairly easily or even buy separate cushions if you’re keen to match the style more succinctly with your home’s overall decor. Be aware that this sofa comes with wooden legs, not a skirt.
The Chesterfield is an iconic professional design and to some people, no formal setting is complete without one.
Mid-Century Modern
As the name suggests, this design isn’t quite as ‘classic’ as some of the other sofas on our list. Instead, a mid-century modern sofa is a post-WW2 design with an elegant, streamlined shape, narrow arms, a low back and a boxy look.
Unlike many other sofa designs, it is tailored, not stuffed. The back of the sofa can have cushions or upholstery, depending upon your preference. And while a mid-century modern sofa doesn’t have a skirt, it boasts elegant, square wooden legs. As a relatively modern style, this sofa is not too bulky, but is lightweight and easy to adjust.
A mid-century modern sofa is a smart move for design-conscious property owners keen on a semi-contemporary touch.
Knole
The Knole is a historical design from the 17th century. It comes with a high back as well as high sides, and generally speaking, for that reason, its presence in a room is keenly felt. That said, some sofas allow adjustments to their heights with a unique cord mechanism.
Knole sofas fit in adeptly within traditional interior designs and professional places, with their eye-catching, unique proportions making them ideal for placement in a large space. To preserve its distinctive look and feel, specially designed furniture covers can be utilized to protect it from wear and tear.
Lawson
This is a rather modern design sofa with no frills. Instead, the Lawson is defined by its square, flush-to-the-wall back with a comfortable rest. The arms are low, flat and chunky, in the best possible way, and such a sofa style has a base that skims the floor. Finally, it has squat wooden legs but no skirt.
A Lawson sofa is suitable for pretty much any setting and is designed with versatility in mind.
Tuxedo
This is a boxy kind of sofa with arms and back at the same height, and with plain legs instead of a skirt. Sometimes, a Tuxedo sofa comes with separate round cushions for those looking to jazz up this squat, stout chair.
The tuxedo sofa gives your interior an exquisite though deliberately challenging look. It is an exceptional piece of furniture for making a style statement.
Camelback
The Camelback is a formal, classic style that was popular with the upper strata in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Coming with a tight upholstery and a gently curving back, the high rolled arms and the tight seat make it suitable for both the professional and domestic setting. In addition, it can come with both the skirt bottom and elegant wooden legs.
Camelback sofas have firm back support, which makes it ideally suited for use in a traditional setting, when your posture might be judged by discriminating eyes!
You’ve spent all of this time considering sofa style; best make sure you’re taking good care of it, too. Check out these tips on how to care for your sofa for more on that.