Home » Misc » Living rooms with navy blue sofas

Living rooms with navy blue sofas


9 Tips for Decorating Around a Navy Blue Sofa

By

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 08/25/22

If your living room or family room features a navy blue sofa that you absolutely love—but just don't know how to decorate around—designers are here to help. There are many ways to stylishly integrate your navy piece into a room, whether you're drawn to light hues or bright ones. Keep reading for nine key design tips to keep in mind.

1. Turn to Nature

Designer Alice Kuaban of Oddessence finds that blue sofas look best when placed against neutral walls—she's a fan of white and charcoal gray backdrops, for example. "To make them look cohesive with other surrounding pieces, I love infusing colors that compliment blue, and usually gravitate to mother nature for inspiration," Kuaban adds. For example, embrace green by styling some plants next your sofa, place a walnut colored coffee table nearby, or set out some burnt orange or yellow accent pillows, she advises.

2. Introduce Some Lighter Hues

A sofa certainly doesn't need to stand alone. Use accessories to lighten up the navy hue. "Break up the mass of the darker tone with lighter colors and patterns through decorative pillows, a throw blanket or a large scale patterned rug," designer Courtney Sempliner suggests. "The blue family is vast and you can easily tie in lighter blue shades, or branch out into complementary colors such as kelly green or a warm golden tones."

Cat Guerra

3. Say Yes to Textures

"I love designing a navy blue sofa with a mix of textures to infuse personality and add visual interest," comments designer Ahmad AbouZanat of PROJECT AZ. For example, say yes to metals, brass accents, tufted rugs, and the like. In the below space, AbouZanat opted for a deep blue sofa which he paired with soft gray wall color and rug. "The velvet material of the sofas and brass accents provide a polished and elevated feel," the designer reflects. "To keep the space fresh, light and playful, I incorporated artwork with bright accents of pinks and yellows."

Trevor Parker for PROJECT AZ

4. Play With Purple

Purple pieces can also look nice alongside a navy sofa, says designer Lucy O'Brien of Tartan and Toile. "Navy has an undertone of purple, so any color with a purple undertone will go well to blend in with it," she explains. "Purple blues and more purple pinks are some of those options." O'Brien likes to introduce these shades in pillow form.

5. Or Go Bold With Jewel Tones

On a related note, designer Vivian Bayles agrees that jewel tones in general are a major win. "Create a moody room by adding jewel toned furniture with emerald greens, amethyst, or ruby reds," she suggests. "Consider using black and gray accented furniture that is elegant." As a finishing touch, Bayles is all for installing wallpaper behind the sofa, too.

6. Use Navy as a Neutral

You can totally do it, says Maggie Burns of Maggie Richmond Design. "I love using navy as a substitute, especially on a larger scale item like a sofa, for grey in a room when I'm trying to go for a more neutral look without having it look flat," she explains. Continue to treat navy as gray when selecting other accents for your space. "I like pairing it with black and white throw pillows and a neutral rug to really make the sofa stand out as the major source of color in the room," Burns adds.

The 18 Best Places to Buy Home Decor in 2023

7. Don't Go for a Monochrome Look

Alexa Evans of Alexa Rae Interiors suggests not overdoing the navy when it comes to styling your sofa. "It's important to have some contrast," she says. "You want the navy sofa to be a stand out piece. " Evans suggests incorporating lighter colored pillows and having fun with textures—consider including some cream boucle pieces, for example. Be strategic when it comes to other elements in the room, too. "Use a light colored rug so that the navy sofa pops," Evans suggests. "Consider using a coffee table material that contrasts with the navy, such as carrara marble. Use neutral accent chairs that compliment the sofa."

8. But Do Incorporate Other Blues

Even if you don't go navy on navy, using blue throughout the rest of a space is always a smart tactic. "This will help bounce the color around the room for visual interest to the eye," designer Cat Guerra says. In the space below, she was intentional about selecting artwork featuring the color blue and adding a blue book to the nearby end table.

Cat Guerra

9. Go Bright

You can make use of the entire rainbow when decorating a room with a navy blue sofa, Bayles says. "Contrasting colors such as pink, coral, red, and oranges not only brighten up the space but also add contrast to the navy blue sofa," she notes. Bayles suggests introducing these hues in the form of accent furniture, decor, and art pieces. "Layering them is a great way to add contrast to the blue sofa while featuring some fun and personal elements," she says.

10 ways to complement this standout color |

Blue couch living room ideas come in all shapes and sizes – and shades, and tones, and tints. That’s because blue is one of the most multi-functional colors in the interior design spectrum. 

Asked to name their most indispensable piece of living room furniture, most people would opt for the couch. Cosseting and useful, upholstered seating has been a feature of the western home since the 18th century.

Blue couches are a surprisingly versatile color choice that can work in just about any living room layout. Its different tones have the power to convey a variety of moods, from bold to peaceful, so they can be easily introduced in any type of living room idea, no matter the size or style.

Blue couch living room ideas

Couches and living room seating ideas are becoming more multi-purpose as the routines of family life blur. So whether you are buying new or decorating around an existing one, or searching for blue room ideas, look to these blue couch living room ideas for inspiration.

1. Let a deep blue sofa take pride of place

(Image credit: Arteriors )

Blue is one of the most popular colors for living room sofas – and really successful at creating a calming, elegant finish in a space that's often busy. 

'Season after season, we have seen interior designers opt for deep Royal blue tones when adding a color of focus into neutral décor schemes,' says Helen Pett, design ambassador at Arteriors London . 'Shades of blue tend to pair well with monochromes, woods, metals and brass accents. It’s a timeless color choice that can be easily varied and styled in so many different ways.'

2. Use black to contrast against a pale blue couch

(Image credit: Interior Fox/Daniel Villarreal)

'Choosing a couch in a shade of blue rather than a traditional cream or grey, can help elevate your living room design and provide an anchor to experiment with new and interesting colors,' say Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox .  

This popular turquoise color trend is easy on the eye – and a very good choice for those who prefer a louder hue, rather than subtle, quieter shades. ‘This is a guaranteed crowd-pleasing color with lots of positive associations. It embodies both the recessive quality of a blue and the calming quality of a green, making it very easy to work with,' says Annie Sloan, color and paint expert. 

To create a cohesive look, choose two or three colors to complement your blue couch. Pair with fresh accents of pink and balance with warmer tones of rust and deep yellow. Although not an obvious choice, furniture with black accents can provide a contrast against a vibrant blue, ensuring the sofa is the standout piece.

3. Use blue to inject personality into a restful scheme

(Image credit: Kelling Designs)

'With high ceilings and large windows looking out onto the most beautiful views, we wanted to ensure we connected the living room with the great outdoors,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs . 'The overall scheme featured muted blue hues mixed with neutrals, whilst the pop of blue velvet on the couch helped to ground the space and draw the eye out to the grounds behind.

Blue hues always look great, and a statement blue couch will not only inject color and personality into the space, but will also be restful and add a sense of calm to the living room.'

4. Complement your electric blue couch with duck egg walls

(Image credit: Mylands)

From indigo to navy and cobalt, blue hues sit particularly well together, so offer great scope for pattern mixing. 

Here, 'the colorwash of Mylands’ grey-blue Long Acre™ No. 102 works as a soft and glamorous backdrop for the statement blue sofa, creating a space that feels cocooning and stylish, with a variety of tones, materials and textures,' says Dominic Mylands, CEO of Mylands .

 

5. Add depth with navy blue to an otherwise neutral scheme

(Image credit: ND Studios)

This is a very classically proportioned reception room in a Georgian townhouse; a huge part of its appeal are details like the ornate cornicing and full French windows.  

The navy velvet sofa adds some color depth and contrast to an otherwise pale palette, as well as giving a modern twist to a traditional space. 'Dark upholstery when chosen with care is chic and also – whisper it – practical if you have pets or children,' says Natascha Dartnall, director at ND Studios . 

6. Color drench with blue

(Image credit: Divine Savages)

Color drenching is the process of choosing one color and painting it across multiple surfaces in one space. The result is brilliantly bold and thoroughly modern, though its appeal extends beyond its fearless aesthetic. 

'This elegant blue-striped couch, with its classic roll-curve ends and carved feet, adds an instant touch of Regency glamor into your home,' says Jamie Watkins, co-founder of Divine Savages . 

'In keeping with the opulence and grandeur of the Regency style we have added a playful twist with our Safari Soirée wallpaper, perfectly poised in the same shades of blue. On first glance all appears fine and dandy but on close inspection you’ll find cocktail-sipping tropical birds and a champagne loving safari fantasy.  It certainly adds the exuberant and playful charm existent in the regency period.'

7. Match your couch color to a favorite fabric  

(Image credit: Nina Campbell)

Blues are perfect for mixing when decorating – and you can achieve this easily with a sumptuous layering of texture and pattern, each featuring a different shade of blue with similar, complementary tones. In fact, this is the key to a serene blue-and-white living room color scheme. 

'In this room I used florals to give me the palette of colors I wanted to use in the rest of the room,' says Nina Campbell, founder of Nina Campbell . This particular floral print has this beautiful blue-grey color in the foliage and that gave me the opportunity to mix the print on the chair with the blue-grey on the couch.'

8. Take blue couch ideas to the country 

(Image credit: OKA)

Don't be afraid to use blue in a country home. Done right, blue couch ideas work beautifully when paired with textural influences and rustic furnishings.  

Getting accent color ideas spot on isn’t always simple. We recommend enhancing the dramatics with a regal blue color palette. The beauty of beige, is that it's easy to decorate with and goes with just about anything. It's a fabulous neutral that can cope with strong color pops – like this blue couch.

9. Go dark with a pair of midnight blue couches 

(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Stephen Karlisch)

Dark colors 'ground' a scheme and that's exactly what this pair of midnight blue couches do in this bold living room. Together with the black bookcase, they create depth in this scheme and contrast against the red and yellow accents.

10. Team a blue linen couch with a red rug for contrast

(Image credit: OKA)

‘If it’s versatility you’re after, I don’t think you can go too far wrong with a classic navy linen. It’s a timeless material and the color works just as well in a bright home as it does alongside a more neutral scheme,' says Sue Jones, founder and creative director at OKA .  'I’d pair it with a lovely red rug for a bold look, or a jute weave, such as our Senada, for a more pared-back approach.'

What colors go with a blue couch?

If the blue couch is acting as your chosen pop of color, keep to neutral living room ideas for the rest of the scheme. ‘Layer with complementary shades like off-white, cream, or soft gray,’ suggests Stokes, who also champions the use of natural woods in its presence. 

Brown is a great pairing with blue if you favor dark living room ideas, especially in the form of natural materials – dark wood and navy is a winner, while lighter woods work well with medium to light tones. 

Head one step brighter and incorporate burnt orange for a moody, sumptuous scheme, or inject some fun with a total contrast in the form of yellow or pink. 

Blue sofa in the interior of the living room

These include the blue sofa in the interior of the living room, which is considered quite original and eye-catching. If desired, it can be easily introduced into the interior, but for this you need to consider several factors.

Blue special

All existing shades of blue are associated with harmony and tranquility. They are not as flashy as red or yellow, and at the same time they do not get dirty as quickly as white and other light shades. Increased practicality is not the only plus of this color. It is also versatile and suitable for the implementation of various design solutions.

A rich blue sofa fits perfectly into the concept of an ultra-modern loft. Cool shades are suitable for arranging the living room, adding lightness and visually increasing the space.

This piece of furniture looks different in natural and evening light. Its appearance also differs when using different textures. For example, velvet or velor add comfort and tenderness. Typically, these materials are selected for rounded beds with high backs and soft armrests.

Blue leather is chosen in cases where elegance and rigor are important. Therefore, the features of this design are clear shapes and lines, pronounced geometry. Materials such as suede and jeans also look quite sophisticated, suitable for loft, hi-tech and other modern trends.

Blue cannot be called a color that is combined with many shades. However, choosing the right pair for him is quite simple. In the case of furniture, it is also important to take into account the texture and style.

Design options and transformation mechanisms

There are two types of structures:

Among the mechanisms of transformation that can be found:

Living room sofa upholstery material

To create a beautiful design, it is desirable that the furniture upholstery maintains a single style and helps to realize the designer's idea. A blue sofa in the interior can be made of several materials:

Shades of blue

The color is distinguished by a variety of shades, the choice of which affects the well-being of the apartment owners and the perception of the room.

Combinations with other colors

An interesting game of contrast is obtained by combining blue furniture with scarlet, lemon or reddish decor or trim. A more versatile combination is possible with milky, greenish or brown. Significantly simplify the severity of blue white or gray.

The combination of a blue sofa with gold or silver looks no less advantageous. This brings a touch of luxury and blends well with the strict classic style. The combination of dark blue and bluish is considered ideal.

Blue sofa design

In addition to the monochromatic design, the blue sofa is in harmony with white, sandy, heavenly details. Separately, it is worth noting animal prints: a zebra or a leopard.

Models with miniature legs stand out as a special refinement, and the absence of armrests adds functionality to the interior element.

Designers also love to use the Chesterfield sofa, which has rounded armrests, soft seating and a classic carriage tie decoration. Finishing off the blue upholstery is a light-coloured trim that plays to the contrast.

Blue sofa in various interior styles

Sofas in this color can fit both loft and minimalism, as well as Scandinavian and Provence style. No less beautiful they look in the classical direction.

For a Scandinavian style that gravitates towards naturalness, a laconic product of a dark or heavenly shade is suitable, which will go well with natural tones and natural materials.

For modern solutions, monochrome models with strict lines or options with a minimalist print are ideal.

Classic fit product in deep blue with velvet or velor upholstery. In this style, you can also find quilted models with elegant wooden legs and forged decor.

Light Provence and decor with French touches are characterized by a miniature sofa with floral motifs and a large number of soft pillows.

How to match the blue sofa in the living room

In the interior of the hall, both models in light colors and designs of a more noble shade look advantageous.

Note! The dark color of the furniture needs high-quality lighting, as it is high to see a gloomy room. Take care to buy chandeliers and floor lamps that will have a yellowish light. This will add more heat.

Dark blue sofas are good for classic interiors. They are in harmony with the beige, white tone of cabinets, beds, chests of drawers and walls. You can beat the neutral atmosphere with golden decor items and paintings. To make the room more habitable and comfortable, indoor plants in pots to match are capable.

Another common option is monochrome. This does not mean that the room must be completely blue. Wallpaper or paint, as well as the rest of the furniture, are usually selected in a different tone. For example, blue or azure. This combination requires dilution. Best of all, white and sand will cope with this - such a room looks fresh and elegant.

Bold and active people should take a closer look at the contrasting design. For this, it is recommended to choose yellow and orange. With them, the room will remind you of warm days and a long-awaited vacation, and in the living room you can quickly relax and take a nap. You can decorate the interior with abstract paintings, bright pillows and other designer trifles. The minimum allowed and active red. It may be present in small figurines or vases.

Blue sofa in the interior of the living room 90 photo

If you like a dreamy, relaxing palette, then the blue sofa is what you need. After looking at the photos of living rooms with blue sofas, you will understand that this is a universal solution that fits any style. The deep soothing shade is the perfect choice for a living room.

At Done Art we make bespoke furniture. Increasingly, our customers are opting for bright colors rather than neutrals. Therefore, we have compiled a selection of 90 photo of blue sofas in the interior of the living room. They are sure to inspire you.

Natural wood

What comes to mind when you think of blue? This is the azure sky or sea waves. In any case, you certainly associate it with nature, which means that it goes well with natural materials. A blue sofa can be effectively combined with wooden furniture, such as a coffee table or sideboard, as well as with wicker rugs, rattan chairs and decor.

Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

Metal elements

If you like sophisticated interiors, choose royal blue and velvety fabric. To make it even more luxurious, add elements of gold or brass. Pillows, vases, glass-topped coffee tables, and small gold flecks on the carpet will help create a harmonious color scheme.

MY Furniture

Pastel blues

Delicate powder blue, cornflower blue, azure will add softness, peace, airiness to your living room. Especially if you combine the sofa with the same light walls and summer pastel accessories. Enjoy beautiful floral prints, fresh colors and nature motifs. Paint baseboards and wooden furniture white for a fresh look.

Future PLC

Tone on tone

Many designers feel that if you use a brightly colored sofa, the rest of your living room should be neutral. In fact, choosing a slightly different tone of the same color for the walls can create a cocoon feel. This bold decision looks very impressive. Create a monochrome color scheme with rugs, pillows and accessories.

DFS

A splash of color

Pairing different colors with a blue sofa doesn't mean your living room will look chaotic and flashy. Choose three or four colors and then create a harmonious scheme using consonant hues. For example, the strongest color in the living room in the photo is lilac, but there is also lemon green, marine and a few elements of pale pink. Choose two main shades, add a few accents of other colors, and your interior will look balanced.

Future PLC

Keep it cozy

Blue is considered a cool color and may put some people off using it in the living room. But add some earthy colors to the interior, tactile upholstered furniture, and the blue becomes cozy. In the living room in the photo, a dark cornflower blue sofa is combined with soft gray and a sheen of metal. Original curtains and a firewood rack add rich brown hues. Add a long pile rug and you'll feel cozy in no time.

Future PLC

Blue Corner Sofa

If you have a large living room that is difficult to fill, a large modular blue sofa is the best choice. You can move the sofa blocks around the room, changing its structure and adapting the furniture to the size of the room. Paired with brick walls and concrete, this large sapphire sofa is the focal point of the room.

Sofology

Black & White

Give your living room a masculine look by bringing out the inky blues with bold monochrome accents. From the wide black and white stripes on the wall to the black shutters and dainty sofa legs, the color combination creates a modern quirky decor that is whimsical and elegant.

Sofa com

Traveler's Living Room

A blue sofa set against a sea-green wall can form the basis for a color scheme full of sizzling umber, sand and terracotta, evocative of the sea and the wilderness. The hand-woven patterned rug looks like you bought it from a Moroccan bazaar, while ethnic pottery completes the look.

Home Essentials

Turquoise & Sky Blue

Deep and enveloping, but not overwhelming, Turquoise has a rich range of tones and pairs equally well with blues and greens. Turquoise works great with metallic elements that give it a cool and classy look. Small splashes of black and dark brown help to ground the color scheme.

Sofology

Blending textures

It's not just about the colors that go with the blue sofa. A variety of textures and hues can create an interesting layered scheme. Mix noble materials such as marble, terracotta, wood and brass. Against their background, the sofa will look like a jewel. The white bouclé armchair effectively emphasizes the intensity of the blue velvet.

Francis Amiand/Humbert & Poyet

Gray Background

A blue sofa is a great choice to liven up a gray living room, especially if you combine the right hues. Cornflower blue cold color balances warm gray. A warm version of dark blue will look better against a cool blue-gray background.

Brotherton Lock/Albion Nord

Glam Velvet

A blue sofa with velvet upholstery for a luxurious living room. Against the background of marble, brass, luxurious fabrics and prints, aquamarine will shine with all its might.

Greg Natale

Sophisticated and elegant

A discreet blue sofa can be elegant and sophisticated. In combination with traditional parquet, white walls, marble and a crystal chandelier, azure brings bright accents to the space and enlivens it.

Pati Robins/Cherie Lee Interiors

Spectacular transition

We have already mentioned that the wall can be blue or white. But what about choosing both options? The blue sofa in the photo merges with the wall, but the intensity of the color is softened with an ombre effect, the wall blends into the white ceiling.

Greg Natale

Playful palette

A blue sofa against a pink wall looks stylish and unusual. The green tile plays with the indigo and balances out the sweet pastel colors.

Alan Tansey/MKCA

Precious Shades

Gemstone colors from emerald green to amethyst pair perfectly with the blue sofa for a luxurious look. The dark and dramatic hue softens against a backdrop of opulent greens and pinks.

Ruth Maria/Kingston Lafferty

Wood paneling

Against warm wood tones, this cool navy blue sofa looks very inviting. An inky rug and a coffee table with azure inlays add a touch of flair and personality to the space. Rich buttery velvet creates an interesting contrast against the walnut backdrop.

Patricia Goijens/Dieter Vander Velpen Architects

Balance in a neutral scheme

A blue sofa is the focal point in a neutral living room. But in order for the image to be complete and harmonious, it is necessary not only to put furniture in the center of the room, but also to balance its shade. For example, using the graphic effect of black and white stripes on chairs.

Kendall McCaugherty/Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

Light Shades

Blue can be soothing and neutral, so it pairs well with whites, greys, beiges, browns and blacks. But at the same time, aquamarine attracts the eye, it is sure to become a bright accent, which is so often lacking in neutral living rooms

Carina Skrobecki / Cohesively Curated Interiors

Simple forms

There is enough character in blue to make even the simplest furniture interesting. Add textured pillows and the sofa will sparkle with new colors.

Darren Greenblatt

Crumpled velvet

A blue sofa can look like a noble stone. A wrinkled blue velvet sofa serves as the main accent and anchor in the lofty two-level space.

ADJ Interiors

Minimalist

Aquamarine can be very powerful and eye catching. If you have chosen a large blue sofa, do not oversaturate the space with a lot of decor. The minimalistic interior will be the perfect setting for a bright and daring sofa.

Melrose Reversible Chaise Sofa

Stylish cornflower blue

The sofa can accentuate neutral tones, and small splashes of blue throughout the room help to create a cohesive look.

Inspired Home Interiors

Contrasting Colors

The key to a stylish living room is a well thought out color palette. To create a harmonious interior, complement the indigo with another bright accent. In the living room in the photo, the yellow plaid becomes a bright ray and effectively sets off the dramatic blue sofa.

Mackenzie Collier Interiors

Living Plants

Blue pairs well with green, a natural combination that promotes relaxation and tranquility. In the living room in the photo, green plants help the blue sofa stand out. Gold touches bring the space to life, while the neutral backdrop allows furniture and decor to shine brighter.

Nomad Velvet Sofa

Shade Match

If blue is not enough for you, a monochrome living room can be the perfect solution. The palette uses only one color, in this case different shades of azure. Neutral colors allow you not to overload the space and emphasize the intensity of the main tone.

Leroy Merlin

Accessories

For a calm blue sofa, décor in the form of unusual lamps or bright paintings will look appropriate. In the living room, a picture on the wall helps to add splashes of color without overwhelming the space.

BenchMade Modern

Throw Pillows

Throw pillows not only complement your sofa, but also add personality to your living room. Use pillows in different colors, textures, and patterns to liven up the space.

Adam Winger

Unconventional Neutrals

Muted, desaturated blues are often referred to as unconventional neutrals. They can be elusive, almost grey. Blue can act as a base tone, creating a casual, elegant space.

Maiden Home

How to choose a blue sofa

Gray and neutral sofas are now at the peak of popularity. But blue can push them off the pedestal. If you miss bright and saturated shades, aquamarine will be a great choice.

Decide whether you are renovating the entire room or just the sofa. Think about whether you want a more relaxed scheme that pairs a blue sofa with neutral hues, or you go for a maximalist aesthetic and the sofa looks like another statement piece.

Whichever direction you choose, it's a good idea to take samples of upholstery, wallpaper and flooring to help you choose the right shade of blue.

Next, you need to decide on the type of fabric that will work best. You need to think about both practicality and appearance at the same time. Velvet gives the interior a touch of luxury. Chenille and blended fabrics will be a stronger and more durable alternative. There are more interesting options - boucle and linen. It is also worth paying attention to anti-vandal materials, for example, microvelour.

Which shade of blue to choose

The color blue is very versatile, you are sure to find a shade that fits perfectly into the color scheme of your living room. The navy blue sofa looks elegant when paired with clean white walls. If this option is not to your liking, appreciate the harmony of royal blue with precious shades of emerald green. The dark shade pairs perfectly with neutral greens or greys. Muted shades look beautiful against the dusty rose background. Turquoise blue sofas will be in harmony with powdery and pale blue. Pay attention to the color of the sea wave, which contains a little green pigment, which gives a feeling of warmth. Appreciate the elegance of gray walls with a base blue note and a pale blue sofa.

Which curtains to choose for the blue sofa

The combination of the color of curtains and upholstered furniture is the key to a harmonious color scheme. Often curtains provide a backdrop against which a sofa should look its best. First decide if you want the curtains to complement or contrast with the blue of the sofa. White curtains can be great, they will make the sofa the main focal point in the room. Cream curtains will create the same effect, but softer and warmer, grounding and balancing the cold tone.

Learn more