In Marseille's hot, sunny climate, a majlis sofa works best in a breathable, washable fabric, with a layout sized to the salon and, where there is one, a second small set for the balcony. Sofhu makes both to measure in Türkiye, using 32 kg/m³ foam and water-resistant outdoor fabrics, and ships to Marseille free of charge.
- Indoor fabrics for heat
- Linen and light woven covers
- Outdoor
- Wooden bench sets, water-resistant fabric
- Foam
- 32 kg/m³ high-density, no springs
- Made by
- Sofhu, in Türkiye, to your measurements
- Shipping
- Free to Marseille
On this page
Marseille lives half its year outdoors. Shutters stay closed against the afternoon sun, and in the evening the family moves to the balcony or the terrace. A majlis sofa in Marseille has to suit both halves of that life: a salon that stays cool and presentable for guests, and a place to sit outside when the heat drops. Sofhu makes both to your measurements in Türkiye and ships them to you free.
Where the salon oriental is everyday furniture
Marseille is France’s great Mediterranean port, and a very large part of its population has roots in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and the Comoros. The Noailles market district near the Canebière and the northern districts are the best-known centres of that life.
In these homes, wall-lined seating is not a novelty. The salon oriental is ordinary, expected furniture, the room where coffee is served after a meal and where the family gathers at Eid. Readers who want the background on each tradition will find it on the pages for the Algerian salon oriental and the Tunisian salon.
One honest distinction: a Maghreb banquette usually stands on a wooden frame at bench height. Sofhu makes two different indoor products. The Arabic majlis, shown in the photos on this page, is raised to sofa height on a solid upholstered base with fixed backs, which is close to what your family knows. The Arabic floor sofa is a low set of seat mattresses and loose cushions at floor level, if you want to go lower and more relaxed. Wooden bench sets are made as well.
Fabric for hot, bright rooms
Summers here are hot and sunny, and that should lead the fabric choice.
- Linen first. Sofhu describes its linen as breathable, with a porous structure that feels refreshing in hot weather. See the linen floor sofa page.
- Light woven jacquards next. Pattern without pile, so the seat does not hold warmth.
- Velvet for the formal room. It gives the richest colour and suits a salon that is shaded or cooled.
Whatever the cloth, the covers unzip and come off. Sofhu states they can be machine washed at 30°C, which matters in a city where windows stay open and dust comes in with the wind. The guide to velvet, linen and jacquard compares the three in detail.
Colour follows the light. Sand, cream and beige keep a bright room calm. A warm accent such as the mustard majlis above stands up well to strong daylight, where some dark plain colours can look heavy.
A second majlis on the balcony or terrace
Balconies and terraces are part of how Marseille homes are used, and a small outdoor set extends the hosting space for much of the year.
Sofhu’s outdoor range is built on handmade wooden bench frames with cushions in water-resistant fabric. The company describes them as coping with light rain and moisture, with spills wiping away easily. One bench against the balcony wall, a rug and a small table are enough for evening tea; two benches facing each other make a place for conversation.
Measure the balcony the same way as a room: the length of the wall, the depth to the railing, and which way the door opens. Ideas for tight spaces are in balcony, patio and rooftop majlis ideas, the wider range is on the outdoor majlis page, and Sofhu’s existing outdoor sofas and benches page shows the frames.
Sizing the indoor set
Inside, start with the walls. A majlis and a floor sofa both run along the wall, so each run is cut to the wall’s length. A single row suits a narrow salon. An L-shape fills a corner and is a natural choice for apartments. A U-shape needs three clear walls.
The cushions are filled with 32 kg/m³ foam, a density chosen so the seat holds its height under daily use, and they have no springs. You can ask for a softer or firmer feel.
Getting it to Marseille
Sofhu manufactures the sets and ships them free worldwide. Indoor cushions travel vacuum packed and expand once you open the bags by hand. Nothing is held in Marseille, so allow for planning by message and video call.
The goods come from Türkiye, so duty or tax may apply depending on the destination. Ask Sofhu before you order. France as a whole is covered on the existing Arabic sofa in France page, with city pages for a majlis sofa in Paris and a majlis sofa in Lyon. In French, see canapé oriental et canapé arabe.
Request a quote
Send the measurements of your salon, your balcony or both through get a quote by measurement, or message Sofhu on WhatsApp with a few photos.
