Seating in the Round: An Old Idea That’s Still Fresh Today

When we hear the words “sofa” or “couch,” most of us immediately picture a long, straight piece of upholstered furniture with several cushions. There are lots of variables, to be sure: square or rounded arms, straight back or camel back, exposed legs or skirted … you get the idea. When all is said and done, however, it’s usually still a long, straight piece of upholstered furniture.

Let me suggest a paradigm shift: Instead of thinking of sofas only as linear, consider them as something that might be round.

The past can provide inspiration of all kinds of things in interior design, and this certainly holds true for the sofa. In fact, in the 19th century, the French were particularly creative in coming up with unique upholstered seating ideas. A boudeuse was a back-to-back sofa, a tête-à-tête was a sofa consisting of two connecting chairs that faced each other for intimate conversations, and an indiscret was a circular sofa divided into three sections that shared a single tall back at the center.

The indiscret was originally designed for naughty purposes: to accommodate the indiscreet gossips that populated the salons of 19th-century French society. So the shape of the furniture was specifically designed to encourage a particular behavior.

Today this antique piece adds surprise and romance to this pretty, traditional-style living room. And it looks like it would still provide a fun venue for the whispering of indiscretions.


Once you understand the history of this piece of furniture, you can see how placing it in the anteroom of a bedroom is kind of sexy! It’s certainly very appropriate and elegant here, taking center stage under a chic chandelier. But the historical reference adds a whimsical wink.





In the grand salon of the spectacular New York show house above, a modern incarnation of the indiscret adds just the perfect touch. The contemporary slant of this very traditional sofa blends beautifully with the contemporary mirrors hung over the rococo gilt consoles.

What an impact this unusual and stunning classic round sofa makes in the entry hall of a Minneapolis penthouse. A lovely table would be the expected design choice here, but seating in the round is much more compelling and imaginative.


This Chicago living room offers a contemporary take on the 19th-century form. No longer do indiscretions have to be whispered back to back without any eye contact. A round sofa can actually encourage friendly, face-to-face conversation. Here I am reminded of what was called a conversation pit back in the 1970s.


Although this very modern sofa is only part of a circle, the circle is completed with several chairs. I really like the way the circular theme is emphasized by the round coffee table topped by a round platter.


The same idea of a circle is strongly dramatized here in the ceiling, the rug, the coffee table, the sofa table and even the shape of the room itself. Again, the circle is completed by facing chairs, illustrating that seating in the round is especially conducive to conversation.


A round sectional in a very snazzy Washington, D.C., living room takes center stage among an almost mischievous mix of modern, antique and cartoonish elements.

Round versus straight sofas can be compared to round versus straight dining tables. Both can serve their purpose well and be beautiful, but if the main consideration is social interaction, then round always works best. Nobody gets left out; nobody gets special emphasis.


One thing I like about this modular sofa is its flexibility. The pieces can be placed together or moved apart to function separately, depending, in part, on the social necessity of the moment. A couple can have a quiet interaction on one module, while a larger bunch can gather on another. It’s a boudeuse, a tête-à-tête and an indiscret all at the same time!


Here’s another example of a modular round sofa that I like. Again, it has flexibility and, in this case, a matching center module that can be used as additional seating or a coffee table.


In this New York living room, a rounded sofa is created from two opposing, curved pieces. The furniture composition works very harmoniously with the rounded architecture.


In another take, note how this curved sofa is used in a rectangular room. One of the design benefits of a curved or rounded sofa is that it brings a certain softness, irrespective of the shape of the room.

Also, although I wouldn’t make it a rule, because I tend to dislike design rules, I would usually use a curved coffee table with a curved sofa, as was done in this living room. A squared-off coffee table wouldn’t work visually or practically.




So here we are, back to “square one” with round sofas. (Is that possible?) As can be seen in this large living room, the antique incarnation of a round sofa works well because form, very practically, follows function. This room potentially has three or four different conversation areas, and the indiscret is the perfect solution because it allows the user to face any point on the compass.

It may require a paradigm shift, but consider seating in the round if you’re in need of something a little fun and different for a sofa.

More: Smart Shopper: How to Choose a Sofa Bed

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