Referred to as ‘the furniture equivalent of sweatpants’ by Tim McKeough for the New York Times, puffy sofas and chairs define a burgeoning aesthetic trend of domestic living and working. These bulbous furniture forms, which originate from 70s Italian design, are experiencing a renaissance amongst collectors and interior enthusiasts. It’s not just the promise of comfort, but the casual and friendly vibe of squishy furniture that appeals. It’s the same reason that blobjects have been a pandemic favorite, bringing joy into homes over lockdown with their playful and colorful designs. “We need that comfort and softness at the moment,” says designer Faye Toogood. “There’s a joyousness about the shapes.”

Minimalist interiors may have reigned supreme pre-COVID-19, but given that more than 42% of Americans reported anxiety or depression in December 2020, it’s no surprise people are gravitating towards huggable objects that ease anxiety and promote relaxation. And with out-of-home activities still somewhat restricted, HNWIs are increasingly investing in domestic comfortsthat keep them safe and protected from outside threats – whether that’s comfortable furniture or luxury air filtration systems. Considering that 42% of people felt deprived of touch during lockdowns, people are also paying extra attention to texture and softness – something that UGGs has tapped into, appealing to comfort-seekers, the fashion-conscious, and office workers

Elizabeth Gabrielle Lee is an artist, researcher, and writer based in London. Her practice centres on the politics and poetics of East and Southeast Asian art and critiques on knowledge production through decolonial thinking.