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Paint Colours to Match Your Sofa
Refreshing your living room doesn't always require a complete overhaul, and updating your home's colour scheme can rejuvenate your existing furniture and décor. Whether you’re in the process of picking out a sofa to upgrade your seating area, reupholstering an old one, or working with the same sofa you’ve always had, our guide has plenty of paint colour suggestions that complement some of the most popular sofa shades.
How to match paint colours to your sofa
A well-made sofa should last for at least 15 years, but that doesn't mean the rest of your décor has to stay the same for that long. The key is to work with your furniture to find colour schemes that complement these pieces. Our Creative Director, Marianne Shillingford, shares her top tips for matching paint colours to your sofa:
“Start by identifying the undertones in your sofa's fabric – whether they’re warm, cool or neutral. For a harmonious effect, choose paint colours that complement these undertones. For example, a charcoal grey sofa could be paired with other cool shades like green or blue. If you prefer contrast, opt for colours on the opposite side of the colour wheel, like a deep blue sofa with burnt orange walls.
Consider the room's purpose and desired atmosphere; lighter hues can make a space feel larger and more airy, while darker tones add cosiness. Don't forget to factor in natural and artificial lighting, as this can significantly affect how colours appear.”
What colours go with a grey sofa?
Shades used in image: Tranquil Dawn, Forest Shade, Neptune Seas
Grey is a versatile shade that matches a range of paint colours, from neutrals to brights. Some of our favourite grey sofa living room ideas include:
- Warm neutrals like Egyptian Cotton will complement a warm grey sofa.
- Cool neutrals like Knotted Twine create a tonal effect with a cool grey sofa.
- Greens, whether forest green hues like Pine Needle or softer shades like Overtly Olive, are the perfect pairing for cool grey sofas.
- Blues, whether a mid-blue like Stonewashed Blue or a deep navy like Sapphire Salute, complement a grey sofa.
- A sunny yellow shade like California Days is the ideal pairing for a charcoal grey sofa.
What colours go with a brown sofa?
Shades used in image: Brave Ground
Brown sofas are a versatile investment for your living room, as their warm undertones complement a variety of shades, from neutrals to terracotta hues. The paint you choose will depend on the atmosphere you want to create in your living room; for example, darker tones will bring a cosy feel, while lighter neutrals can uplift a dark brown sofa.
So, what are the best paint colours to pair with a brown sofa? Here are our top brown sofa living room ideas:
- Warm neutrals like Almond White can give the space a bright and airy look.
- Rich teals like Teal Voyage will enhance the luxurious feel of any living room – especially if you have a brown leather sofa.
- Terracotta shades like Blood Orange complement the warm tones of brown, making them one of the best living room ideas for a brown leather sofa.
What colours go with a blue sofa?
Shades used in image: Sapphire Salute, White Cotton, Mineral Mist
When choosing colour schemes to go with a blue sofa, opt for neutrals or complementary shades to let your furniture stand out. Alternatively, embrace the darkness of your blue sofa and paint the room in a rich navy blue for a cosy and inviting feel. Use the colour-drenching technique and paint all the walls, skirting and trim in this shade for maximum impact. Discover the best Dulux paint colours to try here:
- Soft greys like Polished Pebble create contrast with a blue sofa.
- Light beiges like Nutmeg White look great with a navy blue sofa, adding to the cosy feel in your living room.
- Earthy hues like Copper Blush provide a bolder contrast against a blue sofa.
What colours go with a beige sofa?
Shades used in image: Blush Noisette 2, Natural Taupe 3
Beige sofas are a timeless choice for modern and traditional living room designs. These are our favourite paint shades to pair with beige sofas:
Warm neutral paints like Wild Wonder create a serene, tonal living room when paired with a beige sofa.
Mid-browns or greys like Chic Shadow give the space a tonal effect.
These colour suggestions will also work for a cream sofa since it’s a similar warm, neutral shade. To complete your living room refresh, you could introduce soft textures in similar colours, including jute rugs, boucle cushions and knitted throws, along with metallic or wood accents for fixtures, lighting and photo frames.
What colours got with a green sofa?
Shades used in image: Jasmine White, Natural Wicker, White Cotton
Green sofas bring a touch of nature to your living room and are surprisingly versatile when it comes to paint colour pairings. The paint colour you choose will dramatically influence the mood in your space. For example, soft pastels can create a serene feel when paired with green sofas, while neutrals will make your green sofa stand out as a vibrant feature.
Explore our top green sofa living room ideas to find your ideal paint colour:
- Soft pinks like Blush Pink create a modern and sophisticated contrast with green sofas.
- Warm whites like Fine Cream make the space feel bright and clean, while allowing your green sofa to stand out.
- Deep navy blues like Indigo Shade pair well with dark green sofas. These jewel tones will give your living room a dramatic and luxurious look.
Living room ideas with a corner sofa
Corner sofas can save space and transform your living room layout, but their larger size and L-shaped design can impact the way the room looks. To prevent the space from feeling overwhelmed, you’ll need to choose paint colours that create balance.
Since corner sofas sit against two walls, you might want to paint both in the same shade for a seamless look. Lighter colours can prevent the room from feeling cramped, while darker tones can create a cosy atmosphere.
Here are our top corner sofa living room ideas:
- Feature walls work well with corner sofas. You could paint the wall behind the sofa in a bold colour while keeping the other walls neutral to make this area the focal point of your living room.
- Consider how much natural light your living room gets, as corner sofas can block light flow. Lighter paint colours, whether neutral or pastel, can help boost brightness.
- Balance the visual weight of a corner sofa by painting the opposite walls instead, and keeping the walls behind the sofa neutral. This draws the eye around the room rather than focusing on the sofa corner.
Looking for more ways to use paint to make your living room furniture stand out? Learn how to colour drench a living room in our guide.
