What is a Mah Jong Sofa? Invented by German designer Hans Hopfer in 1971 for a luxury French furniture brand, it is a seating system consisting of different types of thick cushions-cum-seats. Known for its eclectic colours and flexible arrangements, it was an iconic feature of luxury homes in the ’70s.
When ennui-filled pop star Charli XCX lists off the things she hopes could buy her a ‘whole new life’ in Card Declined, a track from her popular recent album Music, Fashion, Film, one of the high-budget items that makes the list is a Mah Jong Sofa. Designed by German designer, painter and sculptor Hans Hopfer, this close-to-the-ground seating system creating a buzz, is capable of being easily rearranged like Mah Jong tiles, and was an iconic feature of ’70s luxury homes, embodying the decade’s bohemian spirit.
Today, it continues to feature in the celebrity homes of actor Gwyneth Paltrow who recently put hers up for auction, and is reportedly a favourite of singer Joe Jonas, rapper Drake and model Gigi Hadid. On why it still feels fresh today, Madhu Sarangi, co-founder at Foyer2Attic Design Studio, says, “Hopfer understood something very fundamental about how people want to live – they are most comfortable when they can be flexible, expressive and able to adapt to other people and situations around them. It was very radical because it gave people that freedom.”
For those who want to bring the flexibility and whimsy of a Mah Jong Sofa into their own homes, with purchases of sectional or modular seating that emulates it or custom commissions, Sarangi suggests being mindful of space, with the spread-out design being better suited for larger rooms whose interiors can be styled around this statement piece. “You should be aware of whether there is enough space to rearrange the modular sofa in different ways as per your functional requirements. It fits great when people have a second, informal living room, or in a large family home that frequently has guests, but does not fit into a formal setting because of the lounge-like atmosphere it creates,” notes Sarangi. It would also be perfect for any sunken seating area, share the experts.
A key feature of the iconic sofa is the mix of bright colours in a single set. Hence, the colours and patterns chosen become important, notes Sounak Sen Barat, the creative director and founder of House of Three, a Bengaluru-based luxury lifestyle label. He suggests Indian textiles, which offer a rich range of fabrics that suit the modular sofa’s form. “They offer a rich vocabulary for such a setting: block-printed cottons, woven stripes, ikat and embroidered cushions could introduce pattern and texture through upholstery, throws, or accessories.”
Shyama Viswanathan, creative head at Wabisabi Spaces, cautions though, that it’s also important to make sure that the other elements in the room are harmonious with it. “It’s better to keep the rest of the room classic with teak or rosewood furniture with clean detailing, monochromatic walls, and muted rugs so the sofa is the focal point. Interchangeable covers in natural fabrics would be a practical design change that could be made too, instead of going for velvets,” Barat adds, “Repeating a few colours across different patterns would help the composition feel connected. When styling it, also consider the whole seating experience: reachable tables, supportive cushions, good reading light and clear circulation.”
Another thing to keep in mind is the original design’s low height, says Barat, warning that it may not be the most comfortable for everyone. “Getting down to floor level and rising again involves leg and core strength, balance and movement through the hips and knees. For people who can do this comfortably, the arrangement offers an opportunity to practise those everyday movements. Comfort and accessibility should guide the choice, with higher seating made available for anyone who needs it.”
Indian Inspirations
To Indians who see the Mah Jong Sofa for the first time, it may seem similar to traditional Indian forms of seating like the baithak or gadda. “The Mah Jong shares a sense of informality with Indian baithaks and gadda seating – the freedom to sit cross-legged, stretch out and gather comfortably. The connection is in the way people inhabit the seating, without necessarily suggesting a direct historical influence,” notes Barat.
If you long for the inviting, communal effect of the sofa, taking inspiration from Indian roots is always an option, shares Viswanathan, “One thing you could add to the thakiya, gadda or baithak seating though, is a hard backrest. It’s also essential to go for thicker cushions, because the Mah Jong Sofa’s support comes solely from them.”