This Retro Sofa Silhouette Could Free Up Space in Your Living Room

I love <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="furniture%20that%20does%20double%20duty%20as%20much%20as%20the%20next%20person%20but%20make%20it%20stylish%20and%20design-forward,%20and%20it's%20pretty%20much%20irresistible.%20That's%20where%20sofas%20with%20built-in%20platform%20end%20tables%20come%20in.%20This%20iconic%20retro%20design%20is%20making%20a%20comeback%20and%20is%20poised%20to%20add%20a%20streamlined%20sensibility%20to%20our%20living%20rooms.%20<a%20href=" https:>A small-space savior, this style channels the works of American architect and furniture designer Adrian Pearsall, who can be credited for popularizing the concept in the early 1960s.

Once a staple of mid-century modern design, this classic silhouette has resurfaced in many new spring furniture collections with contemporary spins that’s are as cool and unexpected as can be. I searched high and low for the most design-forward versions on the market right now, and here’s what I found.

Featuring a mid-century modern base and an ultra-contemporary leather cushioned top, Crate&Barrel’s Plateau sofa offers up the best of both worlds. Its solid oak platform sits on a set of lacquered legs, while the top-grain leather upholstery creates a visual and textural contrast that’s refined in its own right. It’s available in three colorways and I love the idea of pairing this sofa with a faux fur throw or sheepskin to really accentuate its sleek form. 

Buy: Plateau Leather Sofa, $3,499.00 from Crate&Barrel 

Urban Outfitter’s take on this trend gives double-duty a whole new meaning. This clever, convertible sofa not only includes a built-in ash wood platform table, but its lightly tufted cushion can also be folded down to reveal a flatbed, perfect for when you need an extra landing pad for overnight guests. 

Buy: Reid Side Table Convertible Sofa, $749.00 from Urban Outfitters

This modular piece spotted on Kardiel is equal parts spirited and sophisticated. Channeling the vibrant essence of the ‘60s with its orange velvet upholstery and walnut veneer platform, this modernized daybed sofa epitomizes the best of the retro era. Better yet, its high-performance upholstery means stains and daily wear-and-tear have become a thing of the past. If the rusty tone doesn’t fit your space, choose between five other looks including an off-white boucle and hunter green velvet. 

Buy: Davenport Fabric Sofa Sleeper, $2,205 $1,697.00 from Kardiel

If you’ve noticed one thing about this silhouette, it’s that it looks like a cross between a MCM sofa and a daybed. It pulls its linear shape from the latter and its bulky, cushioned top from the former, resulting in a truly dynamic structure. This gorgeous version from Lulu & Georgia takes things a step further with rounded corners, plush cushions, and a wooden rung arm that gently curves around the sofa’s back to give it extra structure and visual interest. The Chambley’s a looker, and its price tag reflects that.

Buy: Chambley Sofa, $4,235.00 from Lulu and Georgia

The original concept for this silhouette typically meant a wooden platform paired with a minimalist cushion. But newer adaptations often feature a bulkier build. With its blocky, modular cushions and tiny attached side table, Burrow’s version is a prime example of merging the old with the contemporary. Customization is always the name of the game with Burrow; choose between three cool and moody fabric colors, black metal, oak, or walnut legs as well as between an oak and walnut side table. 

Buy: Range 2-Piece One Arm Sofa with Table, Starting at $1,095.00 from Burrow

As if a built-in side table weren’t enough, the creatives behind Latitude Run took things a step further by providing shoppers with the options of adding an elevated tray table and hidden storage for books and magazines. Consider your living room fully furnished. The sofa boasts all the hallmark characteristics of Scandinavian style, down to the contrast of the cushions and the oak platform base.

Buy: Beather 116.3” Upholstered Sofa, $1,739.99 $1,099.99 from Wayfair

Looking for more of an old school feel? This Etsy discovery from Eco Design Guy hits all the right notes. Handcrafted from a combination of redwood, cedar, and oak, the linear modern sofa comes topped with six overstuffed, high-density cushions that bridge the gap between form and function. Offered in a range of fabrics and finishes, you can easily personalize this one to complement your style and space; it’s also available as a loveseat.

Buy: Linear Modern Sofa, Starting at $1,995.00 from Etsy

When you give a utilitarian piece a design-forward revamp, you end up with a little something like this. Burke Decor’s Clark sofa has all the components of Pearsall’s ’60s sofa silhouette combined with a Scandi-chic sensibility that’s hard to resist. The textural weave of the upholstery contrasts nicely with the smooth oak platform, which features the classic and streamlined elements of Nordic design. The spacious tabletop on the side of the platform feels like a seamless extension of the sofa; it’s subtle yet still impactful.

Buy: Clark Sofa with Table, $2,199.00 from Burke Decor