In a puff

Puffy furniture combines physical comfort with softer aesthetics

Now that we're into the second year of our home-bound lifestyles, the increasing time we're spending indoors has also influenced our expectations from the space. "The ultra-minimalist and mid-century aesthetics that were in vogue before the pandemic are slowly falling out of favour.

Instead, people are keener on creating spaces that feel like sanctuaries. A large part of this vibe is rooted in soft, curvy, and comforting pieces. In fact, chunky and puffy furniture can be seen on virtually every design blog these days," says Pankaj Poddar, co-founder of interior design firm Hipcouch.

Jazzing up WFH
Curved sofas with smooth edges can be used in an unconventional layout, combined with chunky coffee chairs in a knit-textured fabric or even an ottoman in soft organic shapes, he advises. Opt for upholstery in bright colours that contrast with the rest of the room to bring immediate focus to these pieces. For a WFH set-up, you can invest in a custom-made office chair with cushioned arms and head rests - upholster it in a solid bright colour, to liven up your weekday routine.

Pankaj Poddar

Cloudy evenings
A plump bolster-like lounge chair is perfect for late afternoon snoozes and relaxed meetings. Choose a soft fabric to enhance the cloud-like feel. "Brighten up your reading corner with a low-height lounger, upholstered in a boucle-like fabric. This is a trendy and yet ergonomic take on a conventional bean bag," Poddar shares. Adding a stylish oversized pouf with seamless upholstery is a quick way to spruce up your dresser. Instead of a typical armchair, opt for a plump sink-in lounger in your TV room. "Many clients are reupholstering and refurbishing ancestral or pre-owned pieces in poufy shapes and brighter colours, to retain their nostalgic value while incorporating this aesthetic," Poddar signs off.