13 Living Rooms That Make the Case for Colorful Sofas—Goodbye Neutral Couches

written by

Tommie Ethington

updated Mar 06, 2021

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

A neutral sofa is a safe bet. It's easy to find, goes with anything, and serves as a blank canvas, so you can 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 whole colorful world out there just waiting to be experienced.

If you're feeling a little overwhelmed and don't exactly know where to start, we've got you covered. Consider this your rulebook to colorful sofas. These options prove that, often, the risk is worth the reward.

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Try a Bright Red

red sofa — Design: Erin Williamson Design

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

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Give Purple a Go

Even though this fun and feminine living room is chock-full of colorful decor, it still feels minimal and easy-on-the-eyes because the floor, ceiling, and walls are all super neutral. You can never go wrong with a creamy white shade on the walls.

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Discover the Power of Orange

Like red, a rusty or burnt orange may seem like an aggressive choice for a sofa, but as long as the rest of the decor falls within the same color scheme, you're golden. Plus, the bright white walls and abundance of natural light play up the whimsical shade that much more. Trust us; taking a monochromatic approach is never a bad idea.

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Take a Page from Southwestern Style

When it comes to Southwestern design, you definitely have to commit. Throw in a few earthy tones (like a rich mustard yellow), brightly colored woven fabrics, and rougher textures, and you're good to go. Stay away from silks, velvets, and fuzzy furniture.

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Experiment With Sunny Yellow

Another yellow option? A super-sunny hue that makes a big statement in a mostly white living room. Bonus points if you choose an extra-long sofa in a funky, curved shape à la Sasha Bikoff in this Hamptons home.

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Mix It Up With Olive Green

As far as we're concerned, olive green is a neutral because it goes with absolutely everything. That said, let this gorgeous shade work its magic by keeping competitive shades (pink, blue, orange, or yellow) out. A clean and modern black-and-white palette lets the sofa really shine.

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Add a Pop of Denim

denim sofa — Design: Blakely Interior Design

In this coastal oasis, Janelle Blakely Photopoulos could have chosen a demure white or beige sofa with a rattan or bamboo frame, but instead, she went bold and opted for denim. We're applauding that amazing design decision because not only is denim such a gorgeous and soothing shade, but it's also easy to clean.

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

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Keep It Simple

light sofa — Design: Brexton Cole Interiors

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

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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 option. It may technically be a cool tone, but there's something so welcoming and warm about this shade.

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Be Pretty in Pink

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 delicious palette of cotton candy pink and rich aqua makes us want to go out and paint our walls a rich tone. Plus, an oversized sectional ties everything together.

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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, you can pick just about any color for your sofa, but we're partial to this emerald green, which still feels earthy enough to blend in with the warm woods, creamy walls, and cognac ottoman.

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Channel Your Favorite Wine

An earthy Bordeaux feels so regal that we can hardly resist adding a moody red sofa to our carts ASAP. Especially in a living room with much contrast, this piece really pops without taking over the rest of the decor.

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Opt for Something Soothing

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 woods, a muted seafoam green sofa does all the talking without having to say too much; it's demure enough not to look random but bold enough to draw attention.

25 Living Rooms That Will Make You Want to Experiment With Color