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Discover the King Difference
"From the beginning, we didn't follow the traditional ways of making furniture, we did things our own way, which was different. Those points of difference that we created when we started are still applied today." – David King.
King Living is a pioneer of Australian design, renowned for creating furniture that marries the power of innovation with traditional handcrafted methods. Understated, timeless designs that are at once refined and purposeful. Furniture that embraces the authentic Australian lifestyle, built to adapt to our changing lives and last for generations. The King Difference embodies an enduring commitment to quality Australian design. It’s a story that started over five decades ago.
The King Living story
The King Living story is grounded in innovation. In 1977 David and his mother Gwen King began designing and handcrafting original foam furniture from their family home. They shared a vision to make furniture built to last a lifetime. They opened a stall at Sydney’s Paddy’s Market, and the King’s modular foam sofas proved so popular that demand soon outgrew supply.
“We wanted to make furniture that would stand the test of time. We started making simple, pure designs.” – David King.
In 1979 David and Gwen moved King manufacturing to Annandale and opened the flagship Showroom in the same location on Parramatta Road. This Showroom continues to be a design destination today. The Annandale showroom gave David a direct connection to his customers while allowing him to maintain quality control.
Longevity in steel
The King Living reputation for quality is built on steel. “Polo”, the first King Ssteel Fframe sofa, was introduced in 1979. Driving through Sydney's streets, David was appalled by the broken furniture he saw piled up for rubbish collection on front verges of suburban homes. He was determined to deliver an innovative solution by designing furniture that was built to last a lifetime rather than destined to end up in landfill.
"We design our furniture from the inside out. The steel frame is the foundation of our products. It ensures that the furniture will last." – David King.
Today the steel frame is the foundation of the King Difference – its strength underpins the flexibility, functionality and simplicity in each King Living sofa. Backed by a 25-year warranty, the steel frame's structural integrity ensures longevity. The Postureflex® Seating System, inspired by European car technology, works together with the steel frame to provide support and maintain the true lines of the furniture for years to come.
Flexible design
Buying a quality sofa is an investment. It’s a decision that must consider how you live now and how you’ll live in the future. But as we all know, life happens - families grow, lifestyles evolve and tastes change. To deliver a truly sustainable solution, David King turned his attention to flexibility, and began creating furniture designed to adapt to our changing lifestyles.
“We design our furniture to be flexible. If you move to a larger living space you don’t have to buy new furniture, King furniture will change and adapt to your lifestyle. You can move the components around to suit the new living space, and with ordinary furniture, you can't do this.” – David King.
Over the years, King Living designs have evolved to offer greater flexibility through modular components, space-saving storage and most recently, smart accessories.
The Delta revolution
In 1998, the first Delta Sofa revolutionised Australian furniture with the simplicity of its modular design. Here was a sofa that could be configured to suit any space, from compact apartments to large, open plan living areas. Love for the flexible design soon spread across the globe. In 2005, the second iteration of Delta II became Australia’s most famous sofa. It appeared on Oprah and was the seating of choice for celebrities at the famed Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Removable covers
When it comes to flexibility, options are key. Removable covers on sofas, chairs and bedheads allow for easy updates and ensure King Living furniture will last for generations. One of the first King Living designs – the “Chair” - was recently discovered and brought back to life by the in-house KingCare Service Team.
"Removable covers allow you to update your furniture, to clean the covers, repair them, replace them… With other furniture you can't do that as easily, that's why King furniture lasts longer and is less likely to end up in landfill." – David King.
Sustainable choices
From the very beginning, King Living has retained complete control over the design, manufacture and delivery of its products. It was a commitment David King was intent on making when he moved operations from the family home to a small shopfront factory and hung a sign out the front reading, “Direct To You”. Not only did selling direct help David understand his customer's needs, it also meant he could control quality and make sustainable choices around materials and manufacturing techniques.
“Sustainability is of utmost importance to King… Because we have full control over our products, we can ensure they’re sustainable, that the components we're using are recyclable that the furniture will last and is less likely to end up in landfill." – David King.
Through a vertically integrated approach, King Living continues to control every step of the design and manufacturing process, ensuring sustainable practices and superior quality.
Timeless Australian Design
In 2023 King Living released the 1977 Sofa, a modern-day reimagining of the first sofa from the seventies. The classic design became an instant best-seller and a testament to the principles of timeless design that ensure King Living furniture remains visually relevant for lifetimes. The Jasper Sofa also continues to be the top-selling sofa since it’s 2003 release.
“We don’t design furniture to fit into trends, we design furniture that will stand the test of time, furniture that will last. Over time our designs have evolved and keep improving, and they’re better now than they’ve ever been.” – David King.
King Living has pioneered Australian design for over forty years. And the enduring commitment to creating timeless designs that enhance people’s lives continues to evolve. Collaborations with leading Australian designers, including Charles Wilson and Tom Fereday, push the boundaries of what furniture can do. The King Difference continues to raise the benchmark for Australian designed furniture.
Today, King Living remains a family-owned and run brand and has grown to serve customers worldwide, with showrooms and manufacturing hubs across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, China, and Thailand.
With continued expansion underway, David King remains driven by a simple mission: to create furniture that enriches lives and living spaces and endures through generations.
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