Swanning out of the kitchen in a feathered duster, cheeseboard in hand and a cobloaf dip waiting in the wings makes staying home feel just that bit more fancy. Friends draped across the lounge, fizz topped up, someone re-telling that forbidden story from the group trip back in 2017. A little Stevie Nicks on the speakers. Tres chic, very groovy, and a pretty lovely way to spend a Saturday night!

The conversation pit is making a comeback, bringing some of that spirit with it. Popular in the ’60s and ’70s, these sunken lounge areas had everyone gathered around the middle of the room, facing each other, with no need to turn on the telly.

At Milan Design Week this year, Supaform’s Transit Encounters installation at Alcova brought the idea above ground, creating a “shared seating area for conversation and music.” Fantastic news for anyone whose makeover plans stop somewhere before digging up the floor (imagine the strata approval…)

Thankfully, curved sofas, generous seats and a few well-placed chairs can create that same cosy feeling. Somewhere through the years, the television became the boss of the living room. It claimed the best wall, the sofa placed adjacent, and even visitors ended up facing a screen that wasn’t on.

There’s still a place for a good binge-watch, obviously. But a proper room makeover is a chance to make space for long catch-ups, card games on the coffee table and afternoons that accidentally become evenings. Moving the seating away from the walls, where possible, and gathering it around a large rug can help. An L-shaped or U-shaped configuration brings everyone closer, with a clear way in and out (nobody should have to climb over a guest to reach the hummus).

For a room ready for a proper makeover, Cozey have it in the bag. The Cassini four-seater in Crumble Aquaforte Velvet is a lovely starting point. A neutral, yes, but velvet gives it a little more pizzaz. This configuration has two arms and removable, washable covers (glamour with a practical streak, hello!). For a layout that curves further into the room, the Cassini range also has 45-degree wedge modules to combine with straight seats and corners. That’s where the wraparound conversation-pit idea really starts to take shape.

For a smidge more colour, the Atmosphere armless four-seater in Bordeaux chenille makes a rather luxe centrepiece. The open ends would sit nicely alongside a pair of chairs angled inwards, keeping the conversation going around a centralised coffee table. Bordeaux tones, timber, warm lamps. Yes please. Its covers are removable and washable too, which is reassuring once the wine arrives.

Then there’s the Cassini Lounge Chair in Espresso chenille, with a choice of a stationary or swivel base. The swivel gets the vote for turning towards someone who says “you’ll never guess who I ran into last week…”, then back towards the TV later. A pair opposite a sofa can also make a smaller room feel more sociable. Just leave room for the dramatic turn!

And there’s more to the fabrics than beige versus brave. Ciello also offers Cypress Green corduroy, a particularly funky option for anyone leaning into the retro vibes. Cassini’s Aquaforte Velvet comes in Chocolate and Aqua as well as Crumble, while its chenille choices include Sage and Bordeaux. Plenty of room for personality, with or without five extra cushions (hey, nobody’s counting).

Fabric samples are worth bringing home before committing:

Check the care instructions with everyday life in mind. Dog hair, spilled drinks, Jatz cracker crumbs. A beautiful sofa shouldn’t make everyone afraid to use it.

Finish with lamps, somewhere to put your cocktail glasses and a coffee table with room for snacks and a board game. Let the cushions get rumpled. The best sign of a loved loungeroom might just be that nobody’s in a hurry to leave.