So-fa, So Good: 4 Mums Share Their Tips for Selecting the Perfect Family Sofa

The ideal family sofa is a combination of practicality, style, and comfort. It’s the design centrepiece of your living room. It welcomes you at the end of a long day and invites you to sit back and relax. And most importantly, it’s a gathering place for your tribe, as you watch your favourite movies, play together, and create memories that you’ll treasure for years to come.

But with so many options out there, choosing the perfect sofa for your family can be as tricky as getting the kids out of the door in the morning (if not more!).

So how do you find a sofa that ticks all the boxes and can handle the challenges of having kids in tow? We sat down with some of Australia’s most-loved influencers to uncover their secrets for picking a stylish yet practical lounge for their home.

Choose a configuration that invites conversation

While everyone loves a good movie night, the best moments come from spending quality time together. If you’re looking for a lounge that encourages socialising, opt for a corner sofa so your entire family can gather together with ease — just like Amy Rhodda from @thefolkchildstories.

"A sofa is a centrepoint for my family. It needs to have multiple sitting angles to be welcoming and encourage conversation; however, we also love to re-arrange, with multiple new kids toys every month, so it's important to have a sofa that offers flexibility in style. That’s why we love the Harbour Corner Sofa.”

Accentuate your sofa: Pair the Harbour Corner Sofa with a comfy accent chair in a neutral shade. This setup is ideal if you need some time to yourself or if you have additional guests over.

Remove the hassle of cleaning with removable covers

As any parent will attest to, life with kids can get a teeny bit messy. Despite your best efforts, spills and accidents happen, which is why families like Tegan Jean’s (@tegan_jean) opt for a sofa with removable and washable covers.

“Our non-negotiables when it came to selecting a lounge changed from pre-kids to now. The number one thing we had to have was removable and washable covers, and the Hamptons Chaise Lounge from Lounge Lovers received a very big tick in that department! Comfort was also high on our list and, as you can see, our little couch road testers think this one is perfect.”

A trip to the Hamptons: Whether it’s kids or pets, the Hampton Chaise is made for family living. Go all-in with the chaise for a dreamy combination of contemporary design, comfort and convenience, or mix and match the 4-seat sofa with an armchair and ottoman.

Add versatility to your home with a modular design

Modular sofas are growing in popularity in the family home, thanks to their movable and adaptable layout. Whether you’re rearranging the space to host guests, building a fort for the little ones or just in the mood to shake things up, modular sofas adapt to your family’s changing needs. Plus, they’re a whole lot of fun for everyone, as Jayde Couldwell from @londonxboston discovered with her new Haven sofa.

"The perfect family sofa is one that fits into your lifestyle. Kids will move around on it, they will put their feet on it and they will definitely jump. So let them be kids and choose a sofa that's fun to move and has washable covers (I repeat, HAS WASHABLE COVERS) like the Haven.”

Haven-sent: The Haven Corner Sofa’s modular design offers endless configuration options, from a corner sofa to individual lounges. On top of that, its plush feather-filled seating offers plenty of support for growing families.

Don’t sacrifice comfort for practicality

Your family sofa will be with you for years to come, which is why you shouldn’t have to cut corners when it comes to choosing the right fit for your home. According to Leah Williams from @the.dearest.days, the Long Beach sofa offers cloud-like comfort, incredible style and, best of all, is a breeze to clean.

"With three young children, the sofa gets a lot of wear and tear. We love the Long Beach because the covers are washable so it’s perfect for little spills. We even recently updated the covers to a new colour when we needed a room refresh!"

In it for the long run: With four classic shades, the Long Beach Corner Sofa complements a variety of interior design styles. What’s more, the lounge features removable covers for each sectional piece — for when the inevitable spill happens.

Shopping for your next sofa? Browse our favourite family-friendly picks below.