Australian furniture Koala launches cork sofa

Can you spot what’s unusual about this sofa? Brand launches a new couch made from a VERY unlikely material – and it’s almost impossible to stain

  • Furniture brand Koala has unveiled a new sofa made from a very unlikely material
  • The company has launched Australia’s first sofa made entirely from cork trees
  • The cork material sets it apart from just about every other couch on the market

Furniture brand Koala has unveiled a new sofa made from a very unlikely material.

And while it’s not usually the material that springs to mind when buying a couch, the company has launched Australia’s first sofa made entirely from cork trees.

The cork material, commonly found on pin boards and the top of wine bottles, has been transformed into a unique three seater sofa that sets it apart from just about every other couch on the market.

Imitating the luxe look from a traditional leather couch, the Cork Sofa is made from 100 per cent natural cork oak – and no cows were harmed in the making.

Furniture brand Koala has unveiled a new sofa made from a very unlikely material. And while it’s not usually the material that springs to mind when buying a couch, the company has launched Australia’s first sofa made entirely from cork trees

The cork material, commonly found on top of wine bottles, has been transformed into a sustainable three seater sofa that sets it apart from just about every other couch on the market

The cork material, commonly found on top of wine bottles, has been transformed into a sustainable three seater sofa that sets it apart from just about every other couch on the market

The sofa features a timeless design with sophisticated finishes and the natural, textural look of the cork so you can enjoy the finer things in life without the guilt.

Designed to keep both the consumer and the planet comfy, the water-resistant material not only withstands most accidental spills, the sofa is easy to clean, durable and made to age gracefully.

The material also does not absorb dust and protects against allergies.

Sourced from responsibly managed forests, the sofa has been made from the bark of the cork oak tree. 

Once the tree has been stripped of its bark – the process undertaken to acquire the cork – the outer layer regenerates and absorbs five times more carbon dioxide, meaning the cork is an entirely renewable product. 

Using only animal-free and eco-friendly dyes and coating materials, the cork sofa comes in two colours - Yarra Cork and Jenolan Black - to suit all tastes and spaces

Using only animal-free and eco-friendly dyes and coating materials, the cork sofa comes in two colours – Yarra Cork and Jenolan Black – to suit all tastes and spaces

The sofa features a timeless design with sophisticated finishes and the natural, textural look of the cork so you can enjoy the finer things in life without the guilt

The sofa features a timeless design with sophisticated finishes and the natural, textural look of the cork so you can enjoy the finer things in life without the guilt

Every year it’s estimated that cork oak forests retain up to 14 million tons of carbon dioxide, a huge contributor for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the main cause of climate change.

Using only animal-free and eco-friendly dyes and coating materials, the cork sofa comes in two colours – Yarra Cork and Jenolan Black – to suit all tastes and spaces. 

The sustainable sofa is expected to pave the way for leather alternatives – and it delivers a long-lasting durability without the nasty chemicals or ‘moral dilemmas’.

The three-seater will set you back $2,300 and an extra $500 for an ottoman – but it’s one of the most eco-friendly pieces of furniture that’s perfect for styling a sustainable home.

With every sofa purchased, shoppers can make a symbolic turtle adoption through Koala’s partnership with WWF-Australia.