How to choose the right color for your sofa?

Practical tips for choosing

Roughly all sofa upholstery colors can be divided into 3 categories:

Light upholstered furniture

This includes white, gray, beige and all pastel shades of the color range. The first three are considered neutral colors and look great in any style and any finish.

But this color is not the most practical: any dirt is clearly visible on white and other light shades. This is not a contraindication to purchase: just choose upholstered furniture with Easy Clean fabrics and be prepared to spend time cleaning the surface from time to time.

The photo shows a white sofa against a dark wall

Dark color scheme of sofas

Black and all deep shades of any colors: from neutral gray or brown to burgundy, indigo and emerald. It is believed that a dark color of a sofa is more practical: but this is not entirely true. For example, animal hair and any debris on dark velor will be no less noticeable than on snow-white. However, dark upholstered furniture looks more compact and elegant: therefore, if you do not have pets, feel free to buy such a sofa.

Upholstered furniture in bright colors

Green, yellow, red, blue, purple or turquoise — today you can find bright sofas for every taste. They are often chosen for children’s rooms, but in the living room or kitchen, such an interior item can also look quite harmonious. Practicality depends on the saturation and depth of the color, as well as the chosen fabric: smooth matting, for example, will attract much less dust than velvet or velor.

Conclusion: the most practical sofas are in neutral upholstery of medium saturation. But if you don’t have small children or pets, or you’re willing to clean its surface about once a week, the choice of upholstered furniture colors is unlimited.

Recommendations by room type

The easiest way to choose a sofa color is for the bedroom: the main rule here is the most calm color scheme. Neutral tones, such as ash or sand, are suitable. Or soothing pastels: blue, light green.

The color range in the kitchen is much wider. To improve the appetite of your household, pay attention to bright colors: yellow, orange, red. If, on the contrary, you or your loved ones are on a diet, give preference to a blue or green sofa.

Let’s move to the children’s room: if there is space somewhere for eye-catching colored upholstered furniture, then here it is. A children’s sofa does not necessarily have to be monochromatic: pay attention to models with drawings or prints, but choose something neutral. For example, the heroes of favorite cartoons may be irrelevant for a child in a year.

The colors of sofas in the living room interior are practically not limited by anything except your personal preferences. Neutral tones, bright and dark colors are suitable here. Plain coverings and original prints.

The photo shows a bright accent in a white room

To make the right choice, you should consider:

• room size;
• dimensions of the sofa itself;
• upholstery color type (plain or patterned);
• wall and floor shade;
• other furniture colors.

Choosing a color according to the color scheme

A lifesaver that shows exactly how to choose the color of the sofa to match the interior is a color wheel. Its image is easy to find on the Internet. According to this tool, there can be several color plans:

1. Monochrome or single-color color scheme. In simple terms, you need to combine shades of the same color in the setting: blue + blue, lilac + purple. In this case, it is better for the color of the sofa to be brighter than the wall decoration.
2. Analogous combination. As a rule, 2 shades are taken, located next to each other: blue-green, green-yellow, red-orange.
3. Complementary combination. The color of the sofa in this case will be the opposite of the rest of the design: yellow-purple, green-red.

In addition to duets, there are also triads: these should be used with caution, especially if you are new to design.

• Classic triad. Three tones, located at an equal (3 sectors) distance from each other.
• Analogous triad. 3 colors located next to each other (the most harmoniously verified option).
• Contrasting triad. Two shades one from each other and one opposite.

In the photo a combination of blue and pink

What interior elements should it be combined with?

The easiest and most logical way is to choose a sofa to match the color of the walls in the interior. There are 5 color schemes, partially echoing the schemes from the previous section:

• Monochrome. A rich gray sofa in a light gray room, or calm blue in a dark blue one.
• Neutrality. The most universal choice: the same restrained shade is selected for gray-beige, white and black finishes. Example: a white sofa for a beige bedroom.
• Neutrality + color. It is difficult to find a perfect sofa to match the color of bright wallpaper: the easiest way is to choose a universal model in sand, whitish, or grayish tones.
• Color + neutrality. You can dilute a neutral interior and put the right accent with a bright color sofa. It is not necessary to choose the most saturated shades, it is enough to find a fabric 2-3 tones darker than the walls.
• Combination. Follow the principle of complementary combination with other colors: choose the most contrasting combined colors of the sofa and walls.

Advice! If you are unsure about the choice of shade, opt for a universal and discreet one. In the future, you can easily transform it with the help of bright pillows and blankets.

The photo shows a monochrome living room with a beige corner sofa

We’ve covered choosing the color of a sofa for a light room, but what if the walls are dark? The versions are approximately the same: a dark sofa to match the room, a contrasting light or contrasting bright.

• A dark sofa will “dissolve” against a wall of the same tone.
• Any bright shades will look even brighter if their background is black or graphite.
• White upholstery, even without additional color accents, will definitely attract the attention of guests.

The photo shows an analog combination with a carpet

When creating a cozy relaxation area, it is important to choose the color of the sofa not only in accordance with large surfaces such as walls and floors. You should also pay attention to other furniture and textiles.

When combining furniture with other interior items, you need to pay attention not only to their colors, but also to the shades of the surrounding environment. That is, if you have neutral walls and a contrasting armchair, it is recommended to choose the color of the sofa either to match the first or the second option. If the whole environment is calm, a modern colored ottoman may do.

As for textiles, remember one rule. Changing curtains, pillows, blankets and even a carpet is much easier and cheaper than upholstery on a sofa. Therefore, it is desirable, of course, that the furniture harmonizes with the textiles – but if this does not work, change the choice of decor, not the sofa.

Nuances for different styles

To ensure that the furniture matches the design, it is necessary to consider not only the color of the sofa, but also the style of the room.

• High-tech and minimalism are distinguished by a monochrome color scheme and the absence of unnecessary details. Upholstered furniture for them is the same: as light as possible, monochromatic, with straight shapes.
• In the classical direction, the main task is to create a luxurious environment. Therefore, it is preferable to use light sofas of curved shapes, richly decorated with decorative elements made of wood or gilding.
• For industrial design, pay attention to the back wall: lofts are characterized by large open spaces, so sofas are rarely placed against the wall. Modern designers prefer frameless modular designs, but leather with carriage coupler will also do.
• The standard of the Scandinavian direction is considered to be a gray sofa, but beige and natural tones, such as mustard, dusty rose, green grass, look appropriate. Often, renovations are done in white, and any shade will be appropriate against its background.

• Modern styles advocate practical colors: light brown, dark gray. In combination with straight lines and laconic design, such furniture will become a wonderful background for bright accessories and decorations.
• Country is one of the few styles that allow you to add a little romance to the interior and choose upholstery with a print. Floral patterns, checkered patterns, and stripes are appropriate. It is even possible to combine them with each other: for example, a striped base and flowered pillows. Upholstery made of coffee bags is considered especially chic: they smell nice and already have patterns in the form of seals and inscriptions.
• Another direction that does not refuse patterns is Provence. You can add a touch of French countryside to your apartment or private home using models with removable pillows and round armrests. The upholstery is a solid pastel color scheme, or light with a floral print. Valances in the same tone will add even more rustic luxury.