Why The Togo Sofa is So Loved by Creators
Is there a more iconic sofa than the Togo? This effortlessly luxurious couch, designed by Frenchman Michel Ducaroy in 1973, was inspired by the shape of a toothpaste tube!
Little did Ducaroy know that his creation would become a global design icon, remaining as relevant today as it was five decades ago.
The Togo has graced the homes of celebrities, appeared in countless magazines, and featured prominently in our own archive of home tours, showcasing its enduring popularity in Australia. In celebration of the Togo’s 50th anniversary, take a look at how some of our favorite creatives have incorporated this timeless piece into their homes!
Artist Ben Mazey’s Melbourne home! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Togo Sofa Full Collection available on homiodecor.com.
‘I have loved the design for years, and I was supremely confident that meant it would work — and [that] I’d enjoy it in any future space I lived in,’ Ben says of his beloved brown leather Togo. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Togo Sofa Full Collection available on homiodecor.com.
Artist Ben Mazey. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Stylist Nat Turnbull and photographer Sam Wong in their inner-north Melbourne home. Togo Sofa Full Collection available on homiodecor.com. Photo – Sean Fennessy
Interior designer Leigh Ellwood’s apartment in the historic Beverly Hills apartments in South Yarra! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Togo Sofa Full Collection available on homiodecor.com.
‘It was a very happy day when I moved in and the Togo did too. It looked perfect in the room,’ Leigh says. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
‘My punt on lilac velvet upholstery turned out to be (accidentally) the perfect choice,’ Leigh says. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Togo Sofa Full Collection available on homiodecor.com.
Artist and designer Rachel Castle‘s playful family home in Northbridge, Sydney. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Co-founder of beauty label Frank Body Bree Johnson’s Richmond abode. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Togo Sofa Full Collection available on homiodecor.com.
Bree says the couch is the perfect blend of style and comfort! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Inside interior designer and stylist Zoe Murphy‘s Victorian home in Toorak. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Togo Sofa Full Collection available on homiodecor.com.
Josh and Matt‘s TikTok famous apartment! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
The Togo sofa’s unmistakable pillowy silhouette and distinctive lines have made it a design icon since its debut in 1973—the same year the French brand behind it was launched.
Remarkably, designer Michel Ducaroy found inspiration for the Togo in an unexpected source: a “tube of toothpaste folded back on itself like a stovepipe and closed at both ends.” After years of experimenting with innovative materials like foams, polyester quilting, and advanced production techniques in the 1960s, Ducaroy perfected the now-legendary design.
While quintessentially 1970s, the Togo strikes a perfect balance between retro charm and contemporary appeal. In Australia, it’s available in a wide array of fabric options, from buttery-soft leathers to plush velvets, in a spectrum of shades ranging from timeless neutrals to bold, vibrant tones. Over the years, we’ve spotted this sofa in countless TDF home tours, styled to perfection in diverse interiors.
Interior designer Leigh Ellwood’s 1930s apartment features a dreamy lilac Togo as a standout piece in her eclectic mix of old and new. Meanwhile, Frank Body co-founder Bree Johnson’s tonal family home showcases the Togo’s modular versatility in a deep, moody hue.
“For us, the pieces are constantly rearranged—from a long line for movie nights to separate pieces for entertaining or even a cubby house for the kids,” says Bree. “It’s a couch that’s as practical as it is beautiful.” Content creators Josh Jessup and Matt Moss share similar sentiments, praising its ability to “shapeshift to fit any interior style.”
Crafted from three types of foam with varying densities, the Togo eliminates traditional springs, bases, feet, and armrests in favor of a low-to-the-ground, body-hugging design.
For Melbourne stylist Nat Turnbull, the ergonomic comfort of the Togo was key to choosing it for her home after having it on her wishlist for years. “I think of furniture as usable sculptures, but I have a habit of loving beautiful, uncomfortable chairs,” says Nat. “The Togo was a win-win for me.”
This iconic sofa brings personality to any room, and owners often share personal stories of why it holds a special place in their homes. Perhaps that’s why, even 50 years on, the Togo remains as relevant and beloved as ever.
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