The King Living story began with Founder David King and his mother Gwen King making simple foam chairs in their family home in Sydney in the 1970s.  

“I was eager to create something innovative and unique,” David King reflects. “When my mother and I first discussed furniture made from foam, I didn’t know it would be a life-changing moment for us.” 

Today, King Living has over 30 showrooms across eight countries and almost 1,500 employees worldwide. And we’re just getting started. 

By 2028, we aim to have 60 showrooms worldwide. Together, our teams are driven by a unified vision to become a 100-year brand while staying true to our roots as a family owned and operated business. 

The Jasper Sofa, the best-selling King Living design.

Featuring the Heritage Dining Table, designed to support generations of dining moments.

Setting the foundations for growth

Entirely family-run, King Living has grown and expanded on a foundation that sets us apart from most businesses. As a vertically integrated company, we control every stage of the process—from design to manufacturing and delivery—ensuring our vision is realised at every step.  

Vertical integration has been a cornerstone of our growth. Established during a time when material and operational costs were more affordable, we were able to invest in building our intellectual property and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities. This early advantage allowed us to create a unique balance of quality and price that continues to benefit our customers today—a foundation that would be far more difficult to replicate in the current economic climate.  

For King Living CEO David Woollcott, this model truly sets us apart. 

“There aren’t many companies that know exactly how their product is sourced, manufactured, designed, constructed, shipped, handled and delivered,” David Woollcott explains. “At King Living, there’s no stage of the process that we don’t touch. Our vertical integration model is absolutely unique, particularly on a global scale.”

We are able to maintain strict quality control, innovate quickly, and prioritise sustainability, all while offering exceptional value. Thanks to these early investments, we continue to create premium, Australian designed furniture at an accessible price. 

The original Award Sofa, now reimagined as the 1977 Sofa.

The 1977 Sofa, a reimagining of the original King Living sofa from the 1970s.

Continued global expansion

Today, King Living has showrooms across Australia, Canada, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and manufacturing hubs in Thailand, China and Australia. 

Our expansion into international markets has been driven by customer demand and the careful planning and success of strategic testing in key regions. This approach has fueled our rapid growth, particularly in North America and the UK—our fastest-growing markets. 

In 2024, we opened our first U.S. showrooms in Orange County and Chicago, marking the significant growth of our North American presence with six locations now operational. Similarly, our flagship showroom on London’s Tottenham Court Road has exceeded expectations, leading to the opening of additional UK locations in Kingston and White City. 

By 2028, we aim to have 60 showrooms worldwide, with two-thirds located internationally. In 2025 alone, we plan to open 8 new showrooms, including our largest-ever showroom in Balgowlah, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and our third U.S. and Canadian locations in Portland and Toronto respectively. 

The Jasper Sofa is pictured in the Orange County Showroom.

When planning for the future of King Living, David Woollcott’s approach is one based on sustainability and making considered decisions that will stand the test of time. 

“Rather than taking an approach of growing at all costs, we’ll grow when it feels right in locations where it feels right.” he explains. 

Even as we expand, King Living remains committed to our direct-to-customer model. This approach ensures that we stay connected to our customers, understanding their needs and delivering exceptional value. Our ability to respond to market trends and direct customer feedback with agility has been a key driver of our success, allowing us to stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry. 

The Max Sofa is pictured in the Orange County Showroom.

King Living London’s Tottenham Court Road Showroom.

A legacy of sustainability, innovation and family values

Sustainability has always been a cornerstone of King Living. As a family-run business, we take a deeply personal approach to minimising waste and maximising the lifespan of our products.  

David King’s vision for King Living formed when he observed discarded furniture on Sydney’s streets. He recognised a problem—furniture designed for obsolescence—and set out to create a solution. “I wanted to make furniture that wouldn’t end up in landfill a few years later,” David recalls. “Furniture you could really live with, without fear of it wearing out. And keep it for generations.” 

This ethos of sustainable, adaptable living led to the development of the first King Living sofa with a revolutionary steel frame and the Postureflex® Seating System, inspired by the suspension systems in luxury European cars. Backed by a 25-year warranty, the steel frame became the foundation of the King Difference—a commitment to creating furniture that outlasts and outperforms the ordinary. 

From steel frames and modular components to removable covers designed for repair and recovery, every King Living product is crafted with longevity in mind. Recently, we launched an online outlet in Australia to further reduce waste by giving furniture a second life. King Outlet Showrooms are also located in Annandale, NSW, and Sunshine, VIC, in Australia. As we continue to expand globally, we’re deepening our efforts to measure and minimise our environmental impact. 

Captured at the King Living Alexandra Showroom (above) and King Living Chicago Showroom (below). 

A team united by purpose

As we continue to grow, King Living remains a cohesive team with a unified vision. Our employees, now approaching 1,500 globally, are deeply invested in our success and share a passion for delivering exceptional products. Many of our designers and craftspeople have been with us for decades, embodying the longevity and dedication that define our brand. Their expertise and commitment are integral to our ability to innovate and grow. 

Though we’ve grown rapidly, King Living remains a family-run business at its core. David King’s values of creativity, curiosity, and sustainable design flow through every aspect of our operations.  

“From the beginning, I was determined to revolutionise the furniture industry.” David King reflects. “I still feel the same today. We’re building a legacy.” 

Together, we share a unified vision: to make King Living a legacy brand that continues to enrich lives and living spaces for generations. 
 

Founder David King is pictured at the King Living Design and Support Centre in Sydney. 

Building a legacy for the future

As we look to the future, we remain deeply connected to our origins and values and continue to set benchmarks for quality, sustainability, and innovation.  

“Despite the business being 47 years old, we’re actually at the beginning of another iteration of the King Living journey.” David Woollcott shared. “My role here is about establishing a 100 year business and putting practices and principles in place that I know will outlast me.” 

Every decision we make, from opening new showrooms to investing in our people, is guided by that vision. Through thoughtful planning, a customer-first philosophy, and a dedication to excellence, King Living is poised to become a brand that lasts a century and beyond. 

Explore more articles or visit your nearest King Living Showroom to discover the King Difference.