A designer’s guide to finding the perfect sofa

24 MARCH 2026

Choosing a sofa is a big move; it is an investment, the range of options overwhelming. The design has to suit your taste and the space, all while accommodating your needs and welcoming guests into the home. Anderssen & Voll, the Oslo-based studio behind many of Muuto’s most beloved designs, share their thoughts on what to consider and look for when choosing your very own sofa.

A few things to consider

Start by deciding on the right size for your sofa, in other words, consider how the design will sit in your current interior landscape. “Since the sofa is ‘the heart of your home’, it shouldn’t steal all the visual attention in a space but rather complement the atmosphere through its functional and aesthetic character,” the duo explains.

Once you have settled on the desired size, narrow your search down to a general style. Anderssen & Voll note: “The best place to start is to consider which features and functions the sofa should contain – do you need it to be a sculptural or architectural element, a timeless yet elegant piece or perhaps a large and welcoming design? The sofa should be aesthetically pleasing, in line with your personal style, all while having the formal features and functions that you need in a given space.”

A sofa should be a versatile piece that makes sense to you. They reveal: “When designing a sofa, we make use of two different approaches – the sofa is either designed as a sculptural object or as an architectural design piece”, Anderssen and Voll explain, and add: “The sofas we have designed for Muuto are quite different in their style and use of function with a sofa for every taste, need and space.”

The refined comfort of the Outline Family

Anderssen & Voll’s Outline Sofa for Muuto puts these principles to practice, drawing inspiration from Scandinavian design classics of the 1960s. Reimagined for contemporary life, the refined Outline Sofa marries ideas of simplicity and function in one.

“The identity of the Outline Sofa is its unique functionality – it works well in both the small Studio version, the grand Corner version, and the Highback version. It is equally at home in a lofty living room or a small apartment, a sofa that is at once elegant yet timeless – whether it be upholstered in a colorful textile such as Ecriture 240 or an elegant leather, like the Refine Leather Cognac.”

The broad topology of the Outline Family makes it an exceptionally versatile piece for the contemporary home and beyond. It allows you to build a sofa – or rather seating experience – perfectly attuned to your personal taste, space and needs using a myriad of constellations; 2- or 3-seaters, as well as corner and chaise longue additions, poufs and daybeds.