7 best contemporary furniture stores in Australia in 2025

Timewarps are for the Rocky Horror Picture Show, not your home. Then again, finding contemporary furniture that fits your budget and suits your style can be a struggle.

But there are plenty of chic, comfortable pieces out there if you know where to look. For example, Koala’s award-winning furniture is designed with clean lines and top quality, sustainable materials.

Ready to wave goodbye to match-matchy lounge sets, shag rugs, or Millennial grey? Take a look at our top finds for contemporary furniture stores that design pieces for today’s aesthetic.

Quick guide: 7 best contemporary furniture stores for Australian homes

1. Koala: The best contemporary furniture store for sustainable, lasting designs

2. Castlery: Direct-to-consumer pricing for cheaper decorating

3. West Elm: Artisan collaborations for mid-century modern aesthetic

4. Lounge Lovers: Wide showroom network for hands-on testing

5. King Living: Premium modular systems for large design budgets

6. Freedom: The Block styling for TV-inspired looks

7. Ecosa: Adjustable mattresses for fussy sleepers

How we chose the best contemporary furniture stores in Australia

Contemporary furniture design should be just as practical as it is pretty. We used the following criteria to evaluate the furniture stores that create contemporary pieces for Australian homes:

• Contemporary design aesthetics and style consistency

• Price-to-quality ratio and value for money

• Customer reviews and industry recognition

• Delivery options and timeframes across Australia

• Trial periods and return policies for risk-free testing

• Warranty coverage and customer service quality

• Sustainability credentials and ethical practices

The 7 best contemporary furniture stores for Australian homes

1. Koala: The best contemporary furniture store for sustainable, lasting designs

Koala designs award-winning contemporary furniture at our Treehouse in Sydney. We’ve been balancing form and function in our products since 2015, making over 570,000 Aussie homes more beautiful along the way.

It’s about much more than clean lines and clever designs, though. Our pieces are made using FSC-certified timber along with recycled and plant-derived materials. So you can get comfy knowing your furniture doesn’t just look good, it also does good by the earth.

Tool-free assembly means that you can snap your pieces together and refresh your space without having to hunt for an Allen key. Plus, with washable covers and replaceable parts, you know Koala furniture is up for the hard yakka too.

You get 120 nights to try anything you buy in the comfort (or chaos) of your actual home. No 30-second, spotlit showroom tests here. If it doesn’t work for your space, we’ll give you a full refund and even pick up large items for free in major metros.

Koala features

• Modular knockdown designs let you reconfigure furniture as your space changes

• FlipBed technology switches sofa beds from sit to sleep in 4 seconds flat

• 120-night trial gives you four full months to test everything at home

• Same-day delivery in major metros gets furniture to your door in a few hours

• Tool-free assembly gets you set up in a matter of minutes

• 10-year mattress and 5-year furniture warranty protects your investment for the long term

Koala pros and cons

Pros:

• 120-night trial with full refund of purchase price and free metro pickup

• Three-time ProductReview Award winner

• B Corp certified with $10M+ donated to WWF and environmental causes

Cons:

• One physical outlet to visit in NSW if you don’t want to order online

• Delivery fees apply when buying furniture without a mattress

• Mid-market pricing sits above budget brands, but our quality justifies the cost

2. Castlery: Direct-to-consumer pricing for cheaper decorating

Castlery is a Singapore-founded brand that sells to you directly from their factory to keep their furniture prices competitive. The brand’s aesthetic is all about clean lines and neutral colour palettes, keeping in sync with what’s on trend.

They have a showroom where they sell contemporary furniture in Sydney, so you can test pieces in person before you buy. Just be sure to think your order through before you checkout—returns attract a 20% to 30% restocking fee, which could see you paying for items even if you don’t like them.

Castlery features

• Direct manufacturer partnerships

• Contemporary aesthetic focus

• Flat-pack delivery model

Castlery pros and cons

Pros:

• Competitive pricing

• Online shop with clear product details

• Showroom in Sydney

Cons:

• Long delivery times for some items

• Restocking fees between 20% and 30% on returns

• Limited warranty details provided upfront

(Castlery features reflect the information available on the Castlery website as of the publication date.)

3. West Elm: Artisan collaborations for mid-century modern aesthetic

West Elm’s in-house design team creates 95% of its products, giving the range its distinctive look. The brand also partners with regional makers and artisans through their LOCAL program, bringing the contemporary Aussie aesthetic to a select number of pieces.

You won’t be buying furniture that looks like everyone else’s, but you will need a little patience when waiting for your order to arrive. Delivery takes 5 to 14 days for in-stock items and 8 to 10 weeks for custom pieces.

West Elm features

• Mid-century modern aesthetic

• In-house product design

• LOCAL artisan program

West Elm pros and cons

Pros:

• Free design consultations

• Wide product selection

• Strong sustainability commitments

Cons:

• Mass-produced aesthetic on standard lines

• Australian pricing exceeds US pricing for same items

• Long delivery times and short return window

(West Elm features reflect the information available on the West Elm website as of the publication date.)

4. Lounge Lovers: Wide showroom network for hands-on testing

With showrooms where you can test out contemporary furniture in Melbourne, Sydney, and other major Australian cities, you can sit on Lounge Lovers sofas, jiggle tables, and check how pieces look in different lighting rather than just hoping that the photos online are accurate.

The brand offers Scandinavian, modern and mid-century ranges direct to consumers to keep prices low on standard pieces. They also give you the option to customise some of their pieces, but you’ll have to put down a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure your order.

Lounge Lovers features

• Design-led furniture at accessible prices

• Premium materials from global suppliers

• Interior styling services

Lounge Lovers pros and cons

Pros:

• Large style selection under one roof

• Professional styling assistance available

• In-stock items delivered in 2 to 3 days in metros

Cons:

• Returns include restocking and handling fees that add cost

• Custom pieces need 50% non-refundable deposit upfront

• Fabric warranties only cover house fabric selections

(Lounge Lovers features reflect the information available on the Lounge Lovers website as of the publication date.)

5. King Living: Premium modular systems for large design budgets

King Living handles everything from design to manufacturing and retail in-house at their Australian facilities. Their modular systems let you reconfigure pieces as you like, adding sections, swapping covers, or adjusting layouts without buying entirely new pieces.

Although this flexibility can save you loads in the long run, the furniture does come with a premium price tag. It might not be the most budget-friendly option, but King Living does produce pieces that are engineered for long-term comfort and durability.

King Living features

• Designer collaborations

• Complete modular flexibility

• 25-year steel frame warranty on all indoor sofas

King Living pros and cons

Pros:

• Sophisticated contemporary Australian design

• Premium materials and finishes

• Removable covers for easy washing or replacement

Cons:

• Premium pricing

• More traditional than cutting-edge contemporary

• No trial period for furniture

(King Living features reflect the information available on the King Living website as of the publication date.)

6. Freedom: The Block styling for TV-inspired looks

Freedom’s been furnishing Australian homes for a long time. They opened their first store in Sydney in 1981 and became the official style partner of The Block back in 2003, bringing TV-inspired contemporary looks to interiors across the country.

Their range includes both Freedom-branded pieces and other manufacturers, which gives you access to a wide range of options for every room in your house. That said, stock availability can vary widely depending on location. Which means you might be waiting around for a while for your delivery.

Freedom features

• Wide product range

• 60+ physical stores

• Multiple brand options

Freedom pros and cons

Pros:

• 40+ years of Australian heritage

• Extended warranties up to 12 years

• Multiple financing options

Cons:

• Predictable style options

• Made-to-order items take up to 16 weeks to arrive

• Change-of-mind returns don’t cover furniture

(Freedom features reflect the information available on the Freedom website as of the publication date.)

7. Ecosa: Adjustable mattresses for fussy sleepers

Ecosa started with mattresses but expanded into contemporary bedroom furniture that adapts to different needs. Their 3-in-1 adjustable mattress lets you flip layers to switch between firmness levels, but it doesn’t offer the bounce you’d get from spring mattresses.

The 100-night trial period gives you over three months to test pieces in your bedroom, while the 15-year warranty protects your investment for the long term. When you’re done with your mattress, Ecosa’s recycling program keeps it out of the landfill.

Ecosa features

• Adjustable 3-in-1 firmness system

• 100-night trial period

• Mattress recycling program

Ecosa pros and cons

Pros:

• 15-year warranty on select mattresses

• Free waterproof mattress protector with mattress purchase

• Next-day metro delivery

Cons:

• Range limited to bedroom furniture and mattresses

• Pricing sits above budget mattress brands

• Mandatory 14-night waiting period before returns

(Ecosa features reflect the information available on the Ecosa website as of the publication date.)

Comparison table: The best contemporary furniture stores in Australia

What makes contemporary furniture different from modern furniture?

Contemporary and modern furniture sound (and look) pretty similar, but they’re quite different. Modern is a design style specific period from the early to mid-1900s, with clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and function-first design principles.

Contemporary is all about what’s trending right now. It borrows from various styles and evolves as furniture fashion shifts, which is why contemporary designs look different every decade. Think the sharp lines, cool neutrals, and accent walls of the 2010s versus the natural curves, bold hues, and colour drenching of the 2020s (so far).

The easiest way to spot the difference is looking at the silhouettes and materials the furniture is made from. Modern pieces stick to wood, leather, and metal with strict geometric forms. Contemporary furniture uses a mix of materials and softer edges, balancing comfort with character.

How do you mix contemporary furniture with existing pieces?

You don’t need to toss everything out and start again when you bring contemporary furniture into your home. Start by finding common ground in your color palette, whether that’s neutral tones or a specific accent color that appears in both old and new pieces.

Introducing one contemporary item can work well as a statement piece without making the rest of your room look outdated. A contemporary sofa from Koala can anchor your living room while your existing coffee table and lamps stay put. The key is making sure the new piece gets enough visual space to breathe.

Just be sure to balance proportions. This will help you avoid style clashes that make your room feel chaotic. If your existing furniture is heavy and ornate, pick contemporary pieces with clean lines to create contrast. If you’ve got minimal furniture already, contemporary pieces with texture or curves add visual interest without competing for attention.

Why Koala is the best contemporary furniture store in Australia

Koala combines contemporary style with flexible designs made from sustainable materials for pieces that are made to last. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or just shuffling your furniture around, our furniture is built to adapt your lifestyle over and over again.

Our Sydney-based design team is always innovating, testing and refining our components and designs to make sure they work for real people who live real lives. We’re so confident in our products that we give you 120 nights to try them. If you’re not happy, you can return your purchase for a full refund. No catch, no loopholes.

When you buy Koala, you’re getting award-winning Australian furniture that gives a f*ck. That’s not only because we use FSC-certified timbers and recycled and plant-derived fabrics. We’re also a B Corp certified business and contribute 1% of our profits to the planet.

Take a look at our full range of contemporary furniture to see what it is that over half a million customers love about Koala.

FAQs about contemporary furniture stores in Australia

What defines contemporary furniture?

Contemporary furniture reflects current design trends with clean lines and minimal ornamentation. It evolves as tastes change, but the focus is usually on functional forms that are produced in colors and with materials that are easy to match with many others.

Where can I find contemporary furniture?

Koala designs contemporary furniture in Australia. Our sleek, modular designs come in a bunch of colourways, so they’ll fit almost every space. And if your space changes, our knockdown designs can be taken apart and reconfigured in a matter of minutes.’ 

What is a contemporary furniture style?

Contemporary style focuses on simplicity and function with current design elements. The style uses neutral foundations with accent colors and focuses on comfort without excessive decoration. Koala’s contemporary furniture includes clean-lined sofas, occasional chairs, tables, and other pieces for around your home.

What type of furniture is popular right now?

Modular pieces dominate contemporary furniture trends for their flexibility. Multifunctional furniture (think sofa beds and storage coffee tables) is also popular for their space-conscious design approach.

What is the difference between modern and contemporary sofas?

Modern sofas follow design principles that were popular from the early to mid-1900s. You’ll see a lot of tapered legs and geometric shapes. Contemporary sofas are usually softer with more organic shapes, modular construction and a mixture of complementary materials.

Can you mix contemporary furniture with traditional?

You can successfully mix these styles by using the 80/20 rule. Make sure that 80% of the furniture in your space is either contemporary or traditional. Then use the other design style for the remaining 20%. Just be sure to coordinate your colour palette and proportions to make everything look cohesive.