Best sofa color

The 12 most on-trend sofa colours of 2023 – is yours up there?

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There's an old favourite at the top

By Rachel Edwards

22 Dec 2022

John Lewis & Partners, Dunelm

Colour is one of the most vital considerations when decorating our homes, influencing everything from our mood to our quality of sleep, and even our concentration. It is colour that creates a relaxing bedroom sanctuary, a crisp and bright kitchen, or a warm and welcoming hallway.

It is unsurprising therefore that colour is one of the most significant factors affecting our purchasing decisions, especially when it comes to big ticket items such as a sofa.

Recent search data analysis has revealed exactly what sofa colours we are looking for online, and the results contain some surprises.

The top 12 most sought-after sofa colours of 2023 are:

Grey
Green
Pink
Cream
Black
Blue
Beige
Navy
Orange
Teal
White
Yellow

Unsurprisingly, grey topped the list as the most sought-after sofa colour for 2023. "Grey is likely a slightly more popular sofa colour choice as it's the most versatile of all the neutral colours," says Ben White, design and trade expert at Swyft Home. "This allows homeowners to change up the colours of their living room more often (if they like to redecorate) by introducing different accessories and wall colours, at a lower cost than replacing large pieces of furniture.”

Classic cream only made it into the fourth spot in favour of more bold choices – an indication of a growing willingness to embrace colourful interiors – whilst three shades of blue were included in the top ten. "Blue, in all its many shades, has long been a popular choice for stylish sofas," says Ben. "I think we will see more and more people opt for blue sofas in the coming years."

Read on for our take on the most popular sofa colours 0f 2023...

Grey

Cox & Cox

Unsurprisingly, the perennially popular grey was the most sought-after sofa colour of the year. Infinitely versatile, a neutral grey can be adapted for almost any home, with styles running the gamut from a traditional textured tweed to a modern tactile velvet. And it forms a brilliant base for heavy pattern.

Pictured: Sophia Petite Sofa at Cox & Cox

Green

Swyft Home

"I think the rise of green interiors is to do with more people wanting to bring the outside into their homes," says Ben. Whilst crisp apple green shades sit comfortably in a country cottage setting, forest green creates a moodier and more romantic feel.

Pictured: Model 06 Sofa in Vine at Swyft Home

Pink

Rachel Whiting

A surprising third place, but one that is growing in popularity since 2022. Requiring a keener eye than simple grey to avoid an overly saccharine outcome, rich or chalky shades of pink in tactile fabrics – such as a textured wool, velvet or tweed – can be a versatile and sophisticated choice.

Pictured: Country Living Kirkton Sofa at DFS

Cream

Dunelm

Classic cream was not as highly sought-after as one might expect, despite being the picture of versatility. A brilliant neutral base from which to build, with warm undertones that invite richly patterned textiles, colourful accessories, and reddish woods. Maintain a cooler colour scheme by pairing your sofa with greys or soft blues.

Pictured: Skye Slub Faux Linen Snuggle Chair at Dunelm

Black

Heal's

Somewhat surprisingly, black made it to fifth place in the top 12 most popular sofa colours of 2023. Bold and moody in expression, if a little tricky to pull off, black sofas work best when you fully embrace the theme – paired with dark wood floors, antiqued brass, and soft furnishings in romantic shades of grape or burgundy.

Pictured: Eton Sofa at Heal's

Blue

John Lewis & Partners

Another versatile choice, deep blue velvet sofas are luxurious, whilst pillowy powder blue sofas are a bit more country cosy. "Blue is a calming and tranquil colour, perfect for deep thought and introspection," says Ben. "Since a lot of us now work from home more often, this makes it a great colour scheme for concentration.”

Pictured: John Lewis Otley Large 3 Seater Sofa

Beige

Marks & Spencer

Classic beige came in seventh place, behind its cooler neutral counterparts, white and cream. Beige lends itself to warm living room schemes like this one, and can be layered to great effect with close shades like biscuit and brown.

Pictured: Erin Sofa at Marks & Spencer

Navy

OKA

A rich navy is the moodier counterpart to the classic blue option above. "To create drama in the space, go for a deeper, rich blue," says Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft Home. "One of the best things about blue is that it works with a large number of different colours and its broad range of tones can also change the look and feel of any space."

Pictured: Avitus 3-Seater Sofa in Navy at OKA

Orange

Lonf

A joyful choice just making it into the top 12 most popular sofa colours for 2023. A spicy and warm orange like this Pudding sofa from Loaf brightens up a room, and is a deceptively versatile centrepiece, sitting comfortably with natural materials and other warming accents such as brass.

Pictured: Pudding Sofa Bed at Loaf

Teal

Dan Duchars | Sofology

The third blue shade to make it onto this year's list. Greener variations like a teal or sapphire introduce rich undertones that sit well when contrasted with chalkier pastels. "Eye-catching, versatile and practical, a teal, navy or deep blue sofa could make the perfect addition to your living room and are a great way to make your room pop," says Ben.

Pictured: Sofology X George Clarke Midland Hill Sofa at Sofology

White

Loaf

A much-maligned shade for pet owners and parents. A pristine white sofa can look like it has been lifted from the pages of a glossy magazine, and invites a minimalist design scheme with a sophisticated yet sparing use of interesting accessories. Warmer shades are a more forgiving choice, and offer a neutral base for layers of pastel cushions and throws.

Pictured: Smithy Sofa at Loaf

Yellow

John Lewis & Partners

A cheery yellow rounds out the list – a sofa colour that we predict will grow in popularity in 2023. Yellow is deceptively versatile, sitting quite happily with most colours on the colour wheel – although most effective with softer and nature-inspired greens and blues.

Pictured: Camber Sofa at John Lewis

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How to Choose the Right Sofa Color

Diana Hathaway Timmons

Diana Hathaway Timmons has over 10 years as a color and interior design consultant. She writes about ideas and tips for beautifying your space and incorporating decor trends into your home. She wrote the book "How to Sell Your Home Without Losing Your Zen" and has been featured in the "Huffington Post," "Better Homes & Gardens," and additional publications.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 10/05/21

The Spruce / Jessica Lombardi

If you’re starting a decorating project from scratch, a sofa can be chosen first so you can decorate around it. A showpiece sofa as inspiration for a room could be upholstered in a vibrant luxury fabric, or covered in a colorful print. It is a focal point of the room.

If you are adding a sofa to an already decorated room or if you’d prefer the sofa play a supporting role, then choosing color becomes important. Choosing a new sofa for an existing color palette means that you'll have to decide if the sofa will be neutral, or if it will take on an accent role.

There are designers that favor a sofa that matches the wall color to unify the room and make the room look larger. This is a creative idea for a harmonious color scheme. If you are buying a sofa to match your wall color, then changing the wall color in the future could be complicated.

The most common approach is to buy a sofa that complements the other decor and is not the center of attention nor camouflaged into the wall color. This is why neutral sofa colors are the most popular for most homes.

How to Buy a Good Couch

Light or Dark Sofa

Once you decide if your sofa will be an accent or neutral color, you'll need to decide if your sofa will be light or dark. Your floor color has a big effect on choosing the right sofa color. If you're considering a potential sofa sitting on your floor, will it float on a sea of dark wood flooring or carpet or will it blend into it? Since a sofa is traditionally large and upholstered, and most fabric absorbs light, it can darken a room considerably.

If you’re putting a dark sofa on a dark floor, it will appear to disappear into the room. If you would like to use a dark sofa on a dark floor, you should try to make it more visible. A dark sofa with metal or light wood legs can create visual space between the sofa and the floor. The use of a lighter rug under the front of your sofa can separate the dark colors and make the sofa color pop. A light wood or metal coffee table could also help to define the sofa from the floor.

A light-colored sofa has different challenges from a dark one. The biggest challenge of a light sofa is staining and wear. Before selecting a white or light sofa consider how the room is being used now, not how you hope it will be used. If your dog loves to lie on the couch, then you would probably not want to put a white sofa in your living room without some serious retraining. If your sofa will be used by kids and pets, and you still love the idea of a light sofa, then washable slipcovers are a stylish compromise.

The 8 Best Slipcovers of 2022

The Color Option Right for Your Needs

Once you've considered the light and dark of your new sofa, it's time to think about color. If you're not working with a showpiece sofa, then a sofa in a neutral color is a popular choice. Neutral sofas are easy to decorate around, and can easily keep up with your style as it changes over the years.

Neutral sofa fabric includes beige, gray, taupe, and cream. A matte beige sofa fabric can appear dull around other colors, but a textured beige fabric with flecks of monochromatic color can create interest without adding new colors. Gray sofas can range from pale to charcoal colors. Considered a style chameleon, gray can be sophisticated, comfortable, cool or crisp. Neutral sofas can quietly complement your other decor, but still be stylish and attractive.

A sofa of any color can be beautifully integrated into your space if you treat it as another color from your color scheme. This means adding accessories or prints in the same color as the sofa, to spread the color around the room. A sofa is a large expanse of fabric, by repeating pops of the same color as an accent, it can balance your room.

Finishing Touches

When you buy a new sofa, don't feel obligated to purchase a matching love seat. A more flexible style option is choosing a set of upholstered chairs to complement your new sofa. The chairs don't have to be an exact match for the sofa but can incorporate the sofa's color in a pattern or texture. Using a set of chairs instead of a matching loveseat gives you even more opportunities to add color from your color palette and more options for furniture placement.

Don't forget accent pillows and throws as the finishing touches when coordinating your new sofa with your room decor. These little pops of color give your living room that pulled-together look.

How to choose a sofa color - interior photos, advice on choosing a sofa color

Upholstered furniture is not only a convenient solution for a comfortable stay, but also an integral part of the interior of the room. To understand which color of the sofa to choose, you need to decide on the palette of the room, stylistic decision, upholstery material and other characteristics. In addition, the selected color scheme should please the owners and emphasize the advantages of the living room, hall, and recreation area. nine0003

Practical tips for choosing the color of a sofa

Matching the palette. First of all, the chosen color should go well with other furniture, curtains and interior items, as well as decoration. In addition, you first need to decide which item will act as an accent in the interior.
Style part. The color should fit into the stylistic palette and emphasize the merits of the chosen interior solution. It does not have to be in tone with the finish, but complement the overall harmony. nine0008
Practical side. When choosing light colors, you need to take into account the need for more frequent cleaning and special care. Periodically, the upholstery will need to be removed and dry-cleaned, as any contamination will be noticeable. Therefore, if there are children or pets in the house, it is better to choose upholstery in dark colors or with a pattern.
Samples first. In good furniture stores, samples of colors and upholstery are provided to each client. You can take them home and choose exactly the option that will harmonize well with the decoration, other furniture and other items in the room. nine0008

It should also be taken into account that the same colors may look different on upholstery made of certain materials. For example, suede and velor look good in noble brown, blue, green tones, unusual lilac, purple, turquoise, red shades are used for jacquard, and it is advised to choose a practical gray-beige range for cotton upholstery.

Sofa color selection

Light type

This category includes sofas in white, gray, beige and other pastel, light colors. This category belongs to neutral and is suitable for almost any type of room, stylistic direction of the room. The only drawback is the high staining of colors, but this problem can be eliminated by purchasing furniture with an EasyClean coating, which is well cleaned with special detergents. nine0003

Dark palette

Deep colors can range from plain gray to chocolate brown, emerald green, indigo, purple, burgundy, and even black. Of course, this color type of sofas is more practical and does not require frequent cleaning, but it must be used wisely. For example, such furniture can only be used in spacious rooms for accents. At the same time, other trim elements should be light. When choosing upholstery material, preference should be given to smooth fabrics, on which debris, animal hair, dust, etc. will not linger. nine0003

Bright type

This category includes turquoise, mint, red, green, yellow, blue and other sofas that will be an excellent bright accent in the room. Such options are often selected for children's rooms and kitchens, living rooms. Before you choose the color of the sofa, you need to decide on its practicality: it will depend on the upholstery material used, as well as the depth of the chosen color. For example, velvet and velor quickly accumulate dust and are difficult to clean from dirt. nine0003

Color scheme

Monochrome. The scheme is used when it comes to a combination of shades of the same palette. For example, it can be blue and cyan, purple and lilac, light green and green. At the same time, a brighter one is selected for the sofa, and not for the walls.
Analog circuit. The work is carried out with two shades that stand side by side in the palette (orange and red, green and blue).
Complementary colors. Used to combine shades that are opposite to each other, such as red and green, purple and yellow, etc. nine0008

A more complex solution that includes three colors at once is called a triad. It can be classical, analog and contrast. In the first, 3 colors are selected through 3 sectors in the color wheel, at the same distance. In the second, all palettes are located next to each other, in the third - on the contrary, through one. The use of four colors arranged in pairs is called a tetrad scheme.

Features for different styles

Popular solutions for modern interiors are mixes of designs that combine the characteristic features of each. When choosing a particular direction or a combination of them, it is important to consider the appropriateness of the sofa colors used. The table shows popular interior styles and recommended upholstery colors. nine0003

Stylistic direction	Color spectrum
Classic and neoclassic	Suitable saturated, deep shades, close to natural. The universal solution will be gray, beige and brown. White and black is used as a tint. Also popular are golden, dark blue, coffee, red, amber.
Minimalism	Only monochrome, strict tones are used, such as blue, beige, graphite, gray, black and white.
Scandinavian	Monochrome is also preferred for him, but the shades should be more natural. Preference should be given to beige, white, turquoise, cold green.
Mediterranean nine0063	Should convey all the beauty of the marine theme, so coral, green, blue, turquoise, azure, beige, peach and milk prevail. Brown should be natural and rich.
Vintage	The color scheme is restrained, the use of faded patterns and colors is acceptable: light blue, pale green, pale blue. If the sofa becomes an accent, it is acceptable to use purple, brown, blue. nine0063
boho	Usually, in this style, it is upholstered furniture that becomes the center of the interior. Therefore, rich colors are chosen, such as orange, red, blue, raspberry, turquoise, chocolate, caramel.
Eco	At the core is nature. The color of the sofa should be warm, natural, so milky, beige, yellow, green, gray and brown palettes are chosen for the interior. nine0063
Pop Art	Juicy, non-standard colors are appropriate here, such as silver, pink, deep blue, orange, gold, crimson, bright red, etc. Shades should be clean, without inclusions.
High tech	Like minimalism, it requires clear, restrained colors. The sofa can be black, gray, white, metallic. Leather sofas add a special effect. nine0063
Provence	A cozy, warm solution that dictates the use of pastels with floral prints or stripes. Preference should be given to olive, terracotta, beige, gray, peach tones.

These solutions are the main examples of great color combinations, but they can be expanded and complemented by the most unexpected options. The main thing is to observe the combination of palettes and achieve complete harmony in the interior by correctly “fitting” the sofa into it. nine0003

Room recommendation

The color is selected not only according to style and personal preferences, but also according to the type of room. Each palette has a certain influence on a person, so in the bedroom it should be calm, in the nursery - cheerful and bright, and in the living room - to relax and have a comfortable pastime.

Living room

When choosing the color of the sofa in the living room, the location of the room relative to the cardinal direction, the style of the room, and its dimensions are taken into account. For example, the larger the area, the more interesting color combinations can be. Particular attention should be paid to living rooms with irregular geometry or with several zones separated without using a partition. nine0003

The living room is designed to spend time with family, relax after work, communicate with friends and relatives. Therefore, the color scheme is selected cheerful and cozy. The upholstery can be with an ornament or a pattern. It is worth considering that it is here that most of the time pets will be located, if any, so the palette is selected non-staining, easy to use. The universal colors in the hall include beige, brown, gray.

Bedroom

The room is designed for restful sleep and energy recovery. It should be as comfortable and convenient as possible, allow you to relax and recharge with positive. Therefore, it is important that the color of the furniture blends well with the finish and has the right psychological effect on the person. Most often, calm, neutral tones are chosen, such as gray, blue, pale pink.

If a pattern is needed on the upholstery, it should be discreet, have smooth outlines, without sharp corners. In addition, it should not differ from the main color scheme. If you use bright accents, then only in the form of pillows or a blanket. nine0003

Child

When choosing the color of the sofa in the children's room, you need to take into account the wishes of the child, since children are more susceptible to colors than adults. We need a palette that will energize, stimulate constant activity, or vice versa - soothe, dispose to rest if the child is hyperactive. Simple natural tones stimulate brain activity. Green, blue, yellow, pink colors are simple and clear. Cushions, cushions, and other textiles can be used as bright, cheerful accents. nine0003

Kitchen

The choice of color for the sofa in the kitchen depends on the size of the room. The smaller the kitchen, the lighter the sofa should be. At the same time, it should have a special coating that is easy to clean and does not absorb dirt. Contrasting combinations also allow visually increasing the internal volume. Orange, red, yellow perfectly stimulate appetite and cheer up. But, do not overdo it when choosing the degree of brightness, as excessive saturation can cause headaches and discomfort. nine0003

As for large rooms, it all depends on the decoration of the zones. For example, a recreation area can be done in soothing, pastel colors. But for communicating with friends and relatives, bright, cheerful shades are well suited. Patterns and velvet upholstery should be abandoned, as well as the use of white and black colors.

When choosing a color palette, it is important to pay attention to the shape and dimensions of the sofa itself. The larger the dimensions of upholstered furniture, the more neutral and light the color should be. For example, dark blue or purple colors are acceptable for small structures, but massive products in such shades will lead to a visual reduction in space. nine0003

Photo gallery

The gallery contains photos of finished projects using sofas in different colors, which will allow you to choose the right solution for any room.

Recommendations, Popular colors and their combinations

The color features of the upholstery of upholstered furniture are an integral part of the interior. In order to choose the right color for the sofa in the hall, it is necessary to take into account many stylistic nuances, combinations of shades, colors and tones.

In constantly changing fashion trends, there is a place for things that are constant. For the interior of the living room, the sofa has long become such a familiar and necessary item. Any interior solution requires not only the correct placement of furniture, but also an elegant selection of upholstery colors. An unequivocal answer to the question: "What color of the sofa to choose in the living room?" no. In this case, two aspects come to the fore: the color of the upholstery should be practical and in harmony with the chosen decoration of the room. Most furniture manufacturers offer buyers both ready-made pieces of upholstered furniture and the opportunity to order them with upholstery in a certain color chosen by the customer. nine0003

It is not at all necessary that the back, armrests and sofa cushions be made in the same color. Many interior solutions are based on color combinations according to certain schemes.

Go to leather sofas

Color plans

There are many color combinations. To achieve their harmonious combination, you can use color plans. Most often, modeling is carried out in 5 main areas. nine0003

Complementary

The principle of constructing this plan is based on the choice of two opposite colors (complimentary) located in the chromatic circle. If they are superimposed on each other in equal proportions, then they are mutually neutralized. For example, orange - blue, red - green, yellow - purple. There are 12 such primary colors in total. Using this scheme, you can achieve a bright design based on the contrast of warm and cold tones. Colors can be saturated or muted, but in any case they are visually perceived well. nine0003

Similar

To implement this idea, colors are selected on the chromatic circle, located in a row one next to the other. For example, yellow - yellow-orange - orange, yellow-green - green - yellow-orange, blue - blue-green - green. A similar color plan assumes the presence of one dominant color, while the other two harmoniously complement it. This works great for accents. For example, a bright red sofa would look great in a living room that is complemented by light orange armchairs and red-purple drapes. nine0003

Triadic

For a triadic color construction on a chromatic circle, it is necessary to choose three equidistant colors. For example, blue - green - yellow, red - orange - yellow, blue - purple - red. As in the previous case, one color is chosen as the main one, the other two only shade it. This approach allows you to enliven the interior of the living room with bright colors, but their contrast will be less than when using complementary colors. nine0003

Go to straight sofas

Notebook

With a notebook color construction, not three, but four colors are selected, and they are grouped in pairs. For example, the sofa is red, the chairs are orange, the floor is green carpet, the walls are blue monochrome wallpaper. In this case, the surfaces of the floor and walls are the background for the upholstered furniture accented in the interior. For the sofa, you can choose a color of a brighter shade, which will be the main one. The rest of the colors are auxiliary. nine0003

Sofa color and style

Color plans are only a help in interior design and a successful selection of the color of the sofa. There are many variations of multi-colored sofas, when its different parts are in themselves bright contrasts. Some, mostly classic styles, involve only neutral and pastel colors in the upholstery of upholstered furniture. Since the sofa is a large-sized item, you need to clearly know how to choose the color of the sofa in the interior. nine0003

For high-tech style

Trendy hi-tech suggests the presence of two primary colors in the interior: bright white and deep black. However, the options for using blue, red or green can also be countless. The strict lines inherent in this style can be emphasized by a gray or beige sofa. The usual solution to revive a rather austere style is the use of bright sofa cushions. To emphasize modernity, pillows are placed on a white or black sofa not only in traditional colors, but also upholstered in fashionable shiny materials in silver or golden hues. The real chic of high-tech style is given by the use of items made from natural expensive materials. Sofas upholstered in leather in earthy browns and grays can be the focal point of any contemporary design arrangement. nine0003

Go to modern sofas

For classic styles

When decorating classic rustic styles, glossy surfaces in ultra bright colors should be avoided. The main thing here is moderation and naturalness. It is most preferable for Provence, American country or chalet to select sofas upholstered in natural fabrics. Materials in light shades of blue, green and gray, decorated with discreet floral patterns, will be the best sofa decoration for these styles. nine0003

For classic design styles, the rule is universal: the more actively expressed in the color of the walls, the more calm shades the furniture should be. For example, in a Roman-style living room with burgundy walls and white columns, a light green striped sofa would look great. A light sofa with a blue stripe has long been a hallmark of the Mediterranean style. The Venetian interior suggests the presence of wooden furniture with a virtuoso finish in light beige tones. nine0003

In the development trends of modern interiors, there is still a high interest in the classics. True, the emphasis is on the preservation and increase of living space. This explains the popularity of such a minimalist style as Scandinavian. Sofas upholstered in leather, suede, cotton, linen harmoniously look in it. The best colors for this are white and the most moderate beige, blue or light green pastels. Almost always, multi-colored pillows are placed on the sofa as color accents and comfortable accessories. Moreover, the best effect is achieved when each of them has its own color and ornament and does not combine at all, but, on the contrary, stands out from the rest. Just a few cushions can become the center of a cozy atmosphere in a rather sparse Scandinavian setting. nine0003

Go to classic sofas

Ethnostyles

Sofas in African, Asian or Middle Eastern styles have a special place. If in Japanese they are usually the center of a strict and ascetic composition, then in the Ottoman or Indian interior it is necessarily sophistication and luxury. The colors of sofas in African styles are represented by two main areas:

natural natural sand colors or finishes under the skins of cheetahs, giraffes or zebras; nine0008
bright and colorful ethnic ornaments using all the colors of the rainbow.

In ethnic styles, you can use the most non-trivial combinations of colors and decors in the design of one sofa. This is fully capable of emphasizing its importance as the main piece of furniture in the living room.

Despite the fact that there are a lot of recommendations for choosing the color of a sofa, the preferences of its owners often remain the main ones. For example, in such a style as the avant-garde, the most diverse color palette is used to stylize the premises. At the same time, the upholstery of the sofa can be made of different in color and, at first glance, incompatible pieces of fabric.