12 Most Versatile Sofa Colours
With any of these colours as a base, you can change your decor as often as you change your mind
Judith Taylor
12 March 2019
Buying a sofa is a big investment – daunting if you don’t have a designer with an inspiration board at hand and all the textiles beautifully coordinated. Don’t lose heart. If you can pick the colour, you’re almost there. But even that’s a challenge. My recommendation is to go with something that doesn’t leave you boxed in.
White
A white sofa is timeless. Plus, you can add whatever accessories suit your mood. This is one look I will never fall out of love with.
When selecting white for upholstery, check the stain-resistance rating of the fabric and choose fabrics that can easily be cleaned and bleached if needed.
A white sofa is timeless. Plus, you can add whatever accessories suit your mood. This is one look I will never fall out of love with.
When selecting white for upholstery, check the stain-resistance rating of the fabric and choose fabrics that can easily be cleaned and bleached if needed.
Cream
This textured and warm cream-coloured sectional is another great option that offers flexibility. It’s a classic colour to pair with black but also an interesting partner with navy, red or grey.
Browse through more living room images
This textured and warm cream-coloured sectional is another great option that offers flexibility. It’s a classic colour to pair with black but also an interesting partner with navy, red or grey.
Browse through more living room images
Biscuit, tan or camel
These warm neutrals play especially well with blues, black and monsoon colours. They’re also great with black and white houndstooth, red and black plaid, or tartan.
These warm neutrals play especially well with blues, black and monsoon colours. They’re also great with black and white houndstooth, red and black plaid, or tartan.
Brown
Browns have been out of favour since grey became such a popular colour. But brown is still a great neutral building block in design. It’s classic and always in style.
Browns have been out of favour since grey became such a popular colour. But brown is still a great neutral building block in design. It’s classic and always in style.
Stone or light grey
A very light grey will go beautifully with warm wood tones and chalky walls. Stone is a great backdrop for items with a flare of colour. (It also hides dirt really well.)
True grey. This pairs well with jewel tones, black and white. Because grey has many personalities, the colour is still going incredibly strong in design.
How to Work Your Room Around a Grey Sofa
A very light grey will go beautifully with warm wood tones and chalky walls. Stone is a great backdrop for items with a flare of colour. (It also hides dirt really well.)
True grey. This pairs well with jewel tones, black and white. Because grey has many personalities, the colour is still going incredibly strong in design.
How to Work Your Room Around a Grey Sofa
Muted colours
When picking a colour, stay with soft, muted (neutralised) shades. (A neutralised colour has some of its complementary colour added; for example, a neutralised blue has a little bit of orange.)
If you want to stay clear of a pronounced colour but are bored with neutrals, choose a shade that is a slightly off colour. This sofa is not clearly green or yellow, but a neutralised version of both.
For colourphobes, this can be a great way to ease yourself gently out of your comfort zone and still allow you to accessorise to suit your mood.
When picking a colour, stay with soft, muted (neutralised) shades. (A neutralised colour has some of its complementary colour added; for example, a neutralised blue has a little bit of orange.)
If you want to stay clear of a pronounced colour but are bored with neutrals, choose a shade that is a slightly off colour. This sofa is not clearly green or yellow, but a neutralised version of both.
For colourphobes, this can be a great way to ease yourself gently out of your comfort zone and still allow you to accessorise to suit your mood.
Nature inspired
Soft, muted, watery blues and greens work well as neutral bases.
Soft, muted, watery blues and greens work well as neutral bases.
Natural linen
Although technically not a colour, this material has a distinguishing look that identifies it instantly. It’s as versatile as black; I can’t think of anything that wouldn’t look great with it.
Although technically not a colour, this material has a distinguishing look that identifies it instantly. It’s as versatile as black; I can’t think of anything that wouldn’t look great with it.
Subtle patterns
Subtle will always be more versatile than dramatic when it comes to pattern. The classic pattern here is so small that it reads as texture.
Subtle will always be more versatile than dramatic when it comes to pattern. The classic pattern here is so small that it reads as texture.
Leather
Colours that might otherwise be limiting are more versatile in leather. This may be a controversial view, but stay with me here. In fashion a contrasting leather pump doesn’t have to match the dress, nor does a sofa have to match the room it’s in.
If you like to change your look often, stay away from hot colours such as red and ocher for the big pieces. These pigments are too specific and can easily clash. You may also tire of these strong colours quickly; save them for accents.
Read more:
The Unparalleled Versatility of a Modular Sofa
Could Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?
Tell us:
What colours have worked for you? Comment below.
Colours that might otherwise be limiting are more versatile in leather. This may be a controversial view, but stay with me here. In fashion a contrasting leather pump doesn’t have to match the dress, nor does a sofa have to match the room it’s in.
If you like to change your look often, stay away from hot colours such as red and ocher for the big pieces. These pigments are too specific and can easily clash. You may also tire of these strong colours quickly; save them for accents.
Read more:
The Unparalleled Versatility of a Modular Sofa
Could Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?
Tell us:
What colours have worked for you? Comment below.
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Some designers say you should choose your sofa(s) in your favorite color(s), and you’ll never tire of it. That has certainly been the case with me. I have an almost 30 year old blue sofa upstairs in the loft, and I’ve decorated with/around it in many ways over the years. It is looking tired, and if I were to replace it, I would go with blue again! Don’t be afraid of color!
I agree don't be afraid of color, I purchased a beautiful sage green sofa and I absolutely Love it. It makes me so happy when I enter my home. Buy what speaks to you when decorating your space.