Goodbye, Neutral Couches: 20 Living Rooms That Make the Case for Colorful Sofas

written by

Tommie Ethington

updated Jun 22, 2021

yellow sofa — Design: Sasha Bikoff; Photo: Nicole Cohen

A neutral sofa is a safe bet. It's easy to find, goes with nearly anything, and serves as a blank canvas that allows you to easily swap out accessories as your style changes. But if you're feeling a little more daring, we suggest taking a look at a few punchier options—like a blue velvet sectional or a blush microsuede loveseat. After all, who doesn't love a good conversation piece? Beyond white, beige, and gray, there's a colorful world of sofas out there just waiting to be explored.

If you're feeling a little overwhelmed and aren't sure where to start, we've got you covered. With vibrant styling ideas from interior designers, learn how to style pops of color in your space, which palettes work best together, and how to frame your sofa as the focal point of your living room.

Below, keep scrolling to find the best colorful sofa ideas to brighten up your home.

01 of 20

Try a Bright Red

A bright cherry red sofa may feel a bit too bold, but as long as the surrounding furniture complements this daring shade, you're in the clear. The key to using a color like this is not to be intimidated: Follow this designer's lead and swathe the walls in a pale blue paint color with cool, eye-catching décor like a vintage end table or lucite coffee table.

02 of 20

Give Purple a Go

Even though this fun and feminine living room is chock-full of colorful décor, it still feels minimal and easy on the eyes thanks to its neutral color on the floor, ceiling, and walls. You can never go wrong with creamy white paint to set a soft background for more vibrant shades of furniture.

03 of 20

Discover the Power of Coral

Like red, coral pink may seem like a bold choice for a sofa, but it feels blended and intentional when the rest of the décor falls within the same color scheme. Plus, the bright white walls and abundance of natural light in this living room play up the whimsical shade with contrast. Trust us: A monochromatic approach might be your new favorite style.

04 of 20

Take a Page from Southwestern Style

When it comes to Southwestern design, color makes all the difference. Throw in a few earthy tones (like this rich mustard yellow sofa), brightly colored woven fabrics, and a variety of textures. Since Southwestern style is all about natural materials, it's best to work with options like leather and woven fabrics rather than luxe pieces like silk or velvet.

05 of 20

Mix It up With Olive Green

As far as we're concerned, olive green can be styled as a neutral color thanks to its earthy undertones. That said, this gorgeous shade can work its magic in your living room when contrasting shades (like pink, blue, orange, or yellow) are left out. A clean and modern black and white palette lets the sofa shine in this space.

06 of 20

Experiment With Sunny Yellow

If you're looking for a brighter hue of yellow, look for a sunny color that stands out in a mostly white living room. Bonus points if you choose an extra-long sofa in a funky, curved shape like designer Sasha Bikoff did in this Hamptons home. Aqua patterned wallpaper in the next room adds another touch of bright hues that complement the yellow furniture in a lovely shade.

For an even bolder statement in your living room, choose a sofa with an unconventional shape that complements your home's architecture.

07 of 20

Remember the Texture

light sofa — Design: Brexton Cole Interiors

Marie Antionette was definitely on to something when she unknowingly shaped an entire design style known as Rococo. Her first order of business? Establishing a color palette of feminine pastel shades in rich textures like velvet and silk. This muted green velvet sofa makes a statement in all the right ways.

08 of 20

Play It Safe With Blue

If you're still on the fence about incorporating color into your living room scheme, you can't go wrong with a rich and sophisticated blue velvet sofa. It may technically be a cool tone, but there's something so welcoming and warm about this shade. It works especially well when styled with olive green accent décor and neutral hues.

09 of 20

Be Pretty in Pink

Interior designer Danielle Nagel of Dazey Den is not known to shy away from smart and stylish use of color and texture, and this punchy living room is no exception. A striking palette of cotton candy pink and vibrant aqua makes us want to paint our walls a rich tone. Plus, an oversized sectional ties the space together.

10 of 20

Work With Green

green sofas — Photo: Reagen Taylor Photography

What's better than one green tufted sofa? Two green tufted sofas. In such a neutral space, just about any shade of furniture could be styled, but we're partial to this emerald green. This shade still feels earthy enough to blend in with the warm wood bookshelves, creamy walls, and cognac ottoman.

11 of 20

Blend in Your Décor

best colorful sofa ideas — Design: Erin Williamson Design

In this space by designer Erin Williamson, a muted blue sofa gets a pop of color through a large throw pillow. With the same shade of blue woven through warm neutrals, deep reds, and green hues, it fits perfectly into a light green space. We love the floor lamp that carries the statement color through the room and woven blinds for an earthy touch.

12 of 20

Channel Your Favorite Wine

This earthy Bordeaux tone feels so regal that we can hardly resist adding a moody red sofa to our carts ASAP. Especially in a living room with contrasting accents, this piece really pops without taking over the rest of the décor. We love the neutral throw pillows that soften the color while complementing light walls and floors.

13 of 20

Opt for Something Soothing

Designer Michael Del Piero is known for her neutral spaces with pops of soft color here and there. In this living room—complete with white walls, a pale rug, and warm wood tones—a muted seafoam green sofa does all the talking without saying too much. It's demure enough not to look random, but bold enough to draw attention.

14 of 20

Add a Pop of Denim

denim sofa — Design: Blakely Interior Design

In this coastal oasis, designer Janelle Blakely Photopoulos could have chosen a demure white or beige sofa with a rattan or bamboo frame. Instead, she went bold and opted for this striking blue denim. We're applauding that amazing design decision because along with being a gorgeous and soothing shade, denim is also easy to clean.

Choosing a sofa with a slipcover makes for a simple cleaning process: All you have to do is take it off the couch and toss it in the washing machine. Voilà!

15 of 20

Offset Teal With Metallics

We're obsessed with the playful colors in this living room. In addition to densely patterned wallpaper, a teal sofa stands out with throw pillows that bring out its bright hues. Our favorite part: A gold metallic table offsets the rich, blue-green statement tone.

16 of 20

Go Monochromatic

In another beautiful space by Dazey Den, an earthy retro couch finds the balance between coral and terra cotta hues. The abstract wall art adds a monochromatic element to the design with varying light and dark shades of the color, and patterned throw pillows create a playful accent. The use of large cacti brings out a welcomed contrast to liven up the living room with greenery.

17 of 20

Be Royal

Royal blue has long been a symbol of elegance, and the design in this living room is a perfect example. Gold accents on the furniture, wall décor, and coffee table add to the formal vibe, while sleek white walls keep the room from feeling busy. We also love the minimal black-and-white patterns on the curtains and fresh greenery that complete the space.

18 of 20

Pair It With Bright Décor

As if the blue sofa doesn't already make a statement in this modern, artsy living room, the décor comes in to steal the show. Every shade of the rainbow is present with neon hues from the wall art to the dining chairs. Thanks to an all-white background, the vibrant colors are able to complement each other without overwhelming the space.

19 of 20

Stay Soft With Pastels

For a softer statement, opt for pastel hues like this light pink sofa that works as a neutral shade. With white throw blankets, flowers, and curtain walls, the furniture stands out in a minimalistic way. Woven décor from the twin coffee tables to the pendant light adds a boho vibe to the chic living room.

20 of 20

Try a Softer Shade

If you're not ready to commit to a bright, vibrant color, try a softer shade like this dark blue sofa styled by D. Burns Interiors. With bright white walls and a modern light fixture, the sofa adds just enough color to the room without overtaking a sleek design. A similar hue on the accent chairs ties the design together and adds depth to the all-white living room.