At Laura U Design Collective, custom furniture is one of the most powerful ways in which we tailor a space to our clients’ lifestyles. While every home is different, one thing is relatively common and consistent: off-the-shelf furniture rarely meets every need. Whether it’s a sectional large enough for multi-generational movie nights, a sculptural banquette built for breakfast and homework, or a classic sofa refreshed in a bold new fabric, custom sofa design allows us to address scale, comfort, durability, and aesthetics all at once.
In this Journal post, we highlight 12 stunning sofas and banquettes from our design archives. Some are fully bespoke while others are merely modified, but all are carefully crafted to complement their environments and the people who use them every day.
Selecting Your Level of Customization
When it comes to creating a custom sofa, clients have a few options. They can either customize certain elements of an existing sofa (fabric, color, pattern, finishes, hardware, etc.) or they can commission a bespoke piece built entirely from scratch. Clients often opt for the former when modifying an existing sofa in their home—possibly a vintage or discontinued piece.
The latter is designed and constructed from the ground up; everything is unique to the client, including materials, dimensions, features, and finishes. With complete creative freedom, designers can then craft the perfect sofa—one that responds to the room while matching the client’s lifestyle, family size, aesthetic, and firmness preference (exceptional comfort means something different to everyone!).
Most sofas installed in our clients’ homes are partially customized, but some are entirely original. For example, the sectional in our Lakeside Transitional project was fully customized by our team because no existing sofa styles were compatible with both the space and the clients’ lifestyle.
Questions to Expect from Your Designer
- What style of sofa are you looking for?
- Do you have any inspiration images or references?
- What are the dimensions of the room where the sofa will go?
- What size should the sofa be (length, depth, height)?
- How many people do you want it to seat comfortably?
- What shape do you want the sofa to be? (e.g., L-shape, U-shape, straight)
- Do you prefer a high back or a low back?
- What kind of arm style do you like?
- What style and height of legs do you prefer?
- How firm or plush would you like the seating to be?
- What type of cushion filling do you prefer? (foam, down, a mix?)
- How do you plan to use the sofa — lounging, entertaining, everyday use?
- How often will the sofa be used?
- What kind of upholstery material do you prefer — fabric, leather, or something else?
- Do you need a fabric that’s pet- or kid-friendly or stain-resistant?
- What color or pattern are you interested in?
- Do you want any special features like a sleeper bed, storage, or reclining sections?
- Are there any space constraints like narrow doorways or tight staircases?
- Will you need to move the sofa often (for cleaning, rearranging, etc.)?
- What’s your budget range for this piece?
- When do you need the sofa completed or delivered by?
- Do you have any specific comfort preferences like seat depth or height?
12 Custom Sofas and Banquettes from the LUDC Archives
#1 Custom Sofas at Braeswood Place
In the main house of our Braeswood Place project, we worked with House + Town to create several pieces of custom furniture, including a library sofa with ottoman, a pair of sofas, and a day bed. Our goal was to give these clients flexibility, durability, and comfort without compromising the clean architectural aesthetic.
In the library, we designed a fully custom sofa with eight-way hand-tied suspension and luxe-down feather cushions. We selected the body fabric—Opuzen’s Infiniss in original chamois—for both its color and texture, while the accent cushions feature Casamance’s Triode fabric. Brass legs from ModShop finish off the piece.
Also custom, the accompanying ottoman includes hidden casters and is upholstered in a soft gray fabric from Greenhouse Fabrics.
In the main living room, the two sofas retain their Holly Hunt Pampa frame but were upholstered in a custom Pindler dove-colored fabric. A knit backing from SBI Fine Fabric Finishing adds texture but is equally durable.
We also introduced a fully custom daybed, designed with Pierre Frey’s Fox fabric on the front and another knit backing from SBI. Oiled walnut cone legs with brass caps reference other warm wood tones in the home and tie in with the brass details throughout Braeswood Place.
#2 Garnet Residence Custom Roundalette
While not a traditional sofa, the custom roundalette we designed for our clients’ Garnet Residence plays a similar role. It’s functional but has impressive visual impact. Created in collaboration with El Dorado Woodworks and upholstered in a bold Designers Guild fabric, the hexagonal banquette softens the large iron muntin behind it. Designed for connection and conversation, we love how this piece balances form, comfort, and purpose.
#3 Lakeside Transitional Custom Sectional
To meet the needs of a large, close-knit family, we designed a pair of custom Vanguard sectionals that act as both seating and spatial dividers. Deep, plush cushions make them ideal for lounging, while their placement defines two separate zones (one for conversation, the other for relaxing) without interrupting the open flow of the room.
Upholstered in serene, neutral tones, these oversized sofas respond to the home’s lakeside setting while enhancing both comfort and connection. Learn more about custom oversized furniture here.
#4 Garden Oaks Custom Sofa
For this bright and modern living room, we designed a custom sectional upholstered in a soft, neutral Kravet fabric. Its clean lines and deep seating make sure this custom sofa is comfortable without visually weighing down the space, allowing the architectural staircase and curated furnishings to stand out.
These furnishings include an ottoman from Adriana Hoyos, console from CB2, and side table from Caracole. Paired with bold accent pillows in Dedar’s Margarita fabric, the sofa anchors the room while contributing to the layered, neutral aesthetic that defines Garden Oaks.
#5 Braeswood Pool House Sofa & Ottoman
Designed for family-friendly living, this custom House + Town sofa was upholstered in a durable Pindler & Pindler fabric that stands up to everyday use without sacrificing style. The clean-lined silhouette and playful, multicolored pillows tie this custom sofa into surrounding art while a deep blue leather ottoman grounds the space and adds contrast.
This space is a comfortable, high-energy lounge area perfect for retreating to after casual gatherings by the pool. Learn more about the ADU and outdoor spaces at Braeswood Place here.
#6 University Place Custom Sofa
In this calm, collected living space, a Lawson-Fenning sofa upholstered by our design team plays an important role. Inspired by 1950s design, the oak-frame piece was customized with flax-colored Pindler & Pindler fabric to complement the room’s natural textures and serene palette of blues, beige, blush pink, sand, and soft cream.
The tufted cushions are structured just enough to balance the soft curves of the rug and lighting, while staying true to the home’s refined but approachable character. We love that this custom sofa feels curated, not decorative.
It is the perfect fit for the warm, textural atmosphere we created at University Place.
#7 West U Contemporary Custom Sofa
In the game room at West U Contemporary, we reupholstered a Crate & Barrel sectional to better reflect this family’s bold, colorful style. The deep blue fabric brings energy and contrast to the space.
The shape and color palette tie it to the graphic ceiling, colorful art, and playful accessories. Centered with the sectional is a fidget-spinner-shaped ottoman with movable inserts. We love how flexible and multi-purpose this space is.
#8 Braeswood Custom Sofa
Created in concert with House + Town for our Braeswood project, this benchmade sectional was designed to be comfortable yet resilience in a high-traffic family space. Upholstered in a chocolate-toned Crypton fabric, it’s built to withstand everyday play without sacrificing style.
The espresso ebony wood base mirrors the stain on the home’s custom doors, creating a cohesive connection between architecture and furnishings. Seema Krish pillows and a Sherrill Furniture lounge chair complete this room with rich, layered color that contrasts beautifully with the neutral tones.
#9 The River Oaks Custom Sofa
For this vibrant and entirely unique high-rise retreat, we designed a custom sofa with a curved barrel arm and light wood base that was fabricated by Heines Custom Draperie. The patterned upholstery adds depth to this interior, while bold throw pillows—two covered in pink velvet from Designers Guild with Kravet trim and another two in a chinoiserie print from Clarence House—make the space feel playful and personal. Set against a backdrop of the clients’ art-filled space, this piece captures the eclectic, expressive spirit that defines The River Oaks project.
#10 River Oaks Modern Custom Banquettes
This Bauhaus home’s architectural flow is complemented by two custom banquettes, with each tailored to its specific setting. In the dining area, the banquette was built by House + Town and upholstered in BRENTANO 6817-09, which is a durable yet elegant fabric that easily handles daily use.
For the moody, wood-paneled bar, we used House + Town again, this time specifying INNOVATIONS PO505 for a rich, tailored look that echoes the warm tones of the surrounding millwork. Both pieces were designed to merge function with form. This is a Modernist home, after all!
#11 Huntwick Forest Custom Banquette
As part of a full-home renovation, we designed a custom Matizza banquette for the breakfast area. Our team upholstered it in a rich Innovations fabric. This piece was designed for comfort, conversation, and daily family use.
Framed by soft blue floral drapery and grounded by dark wood finishes, the piece adds structure and cohesion to this transitional kitchen space. We feel that it is a subtle but essential feature in a home designed for multi-generational living.
Learn more about our Huntwick Forest project here.
#12 Rice Residence Custom-Upholstered Sofa
not technically custom but they chose the velvet Kravet fabric
While not fully custom, the sectional at Rice Residence was carefully tailored to suit the space through thoughtful fabric selection. Upholstered in a rich Kravet navy velvet, the piece adds depth and contrast to a somewhat traditional wood-paneled study, while still creating that family-friendly feel. Paired with neutral swivel chairs and layered textures, the sofa anchors this classic-meets-modern retreat within a 1930s home reimagined for today.
Your Dream Home Deserves Dream Furniture
Design your ideal custom sofa (and other furniture) with Laura U Design Collective. Whether you wish to breathe new life into an inherited antique piece or meet the needs of your unique family with an oversize sectional, we can help you create the perfect furnishings for your home.
