Practical advice for choosing
Roughly, all colors of sofa upholstery can be divided into 3 categories:
Light upholstered furniture
This includes white, gray, beige and all pastel shades of the color scheme. The first three are considered neutral colors and look great in any style or decor.
But this color is not the most practical: any dirt is clearly visible on white and other light shades. This is not a contraindication to purchase: just choose upholstered furniture upholstered in Easy Clean fabrics and be prepared to periodically spend time cleaning the surface.
The photo shows a white sofa against a dark wall
Dark color scheme of sofas
Black and all deep shades of any colors: from neutral gray or brown, to burgundy, indigo and emerald. It is believed that the dark color of the sofa is more practical: but this is not entirely true. For example, animal hair and any debris on dark velor will be no less noticeable than on boiling white. However, dark upholstered furniture looks more compact and elegant: so if you don’t have pets, feel free to buy a similar sofa.
Upholstered furniture in bright colors
Green, yellow, red, blue, purple or turquoise - today you can find bright sofas to suit every taste. They are often chosen for children's rooms, but in the living room or kitchen such a piece of furniture can also look quite harmonious. Practicality depends on the richness and depth of the color, as well as the fabric chosen: smooth matting, for example, will attract much less dust than velvet or velor.
Conclusion: the most practical are sofas with neutral upholstery of medium richness. But if you don’t have small children or pets, or you’re willing to clean its surface about once a week, the choice of color for upholstered furniture is unlimited.
Sofa color and room size: is there a connection?
When choosing furniture for a bright room, you need to pay attention not only to the design of the walls and floor, but also to the size of the room. Designers say: the smaller the room, the brighter the atmosphere should be. Most people recommend sticking to neutrals, any neutral colors other than black and taupe. A sofa with designer mirror inserts can also visually expand the room.
In addition to color in a small room, you can use some other techniques to expand the space:
Recommendations for room type
The easiest way is to choose the color of the sofa for the bedroom: the main rule here is the most calm color possible. Neutral tones, such as ash or sand, are suitable. Or soothing pastels: blue, light green.
In the kitchen the color range is much wider. To improve the appetite of your household, pay attention to bright colors: yellow, orange, red. If, on the contrary, you or your loved ones are on a diet, give preference to a blue or green sofa.
Let's move on to the children's room: if anywhere there is a place for eye-catching colored upholstered furniture, it is here. A children's sofa does not have to be monochromatic: pay attention to models with patterns or prints, but choose something neutral. For example, characters from your favorite cartoons may no longer be relevant to a child in just a year.
The colors of sofas in the living room interior are not limited by anything other than your personal preferences. Neutral tones, bright and dark colors are suitable here. Plain coatings and original prints.
The photo shows a bright accent in a white room
To make the right choice, you should consider:
- room size;
- the dimensions of the sofa itself;
- color type of upholstery (plain or patterned);
- shade of walls, floors;
- colors of other pieces of furniture.
Color plans: what they are and how they affect the choice of furniture
The selection of a specific color for the sofa depends on what principle of compatibility of furnishings the owner of the room adheres to. These principles are also called color plans; they take into account the compatibility of the shade of the furniture and the color of the walls, ceiling, and floor. There are five popular options:
The first three plans allow you to create a calm interior, the last two are for those who want a spectacular and bright room.
Nuances for different styles
In order for the furniture to fit the design, it is necessary to take into account not only the color of the sofa, but also the style of the room.
- High-tech and minimalism are distinguished by a monochrome color scheme and the absence of unnecessary details. Upholstered furniture for them is the same: as light as possible, plain, with straight shapes.
- In the classic direction, the main task is to create a luxurious environment. Therefore, it is preferable to use light sofas with curved shapes, richly decorated with decorative elements made of wood or gilding.
- For industrial design, pay attention to the back wall: lofts are characterized by large open spaces, so sofas are rarely placed against the wall. Modern designers prefer frameless modular designs, but leather ones with a carriage tie are also suitable.
- A gray sofa is considered the standard of the Scandinavian trend, but beige and natural tones, such as mustard, dusty rose, and green grass, look appropriate. Often renovations are done in white, but any shade would be appropriate against its background.
- Modern styles advocate practical colors: light brown, dark gray. Combined with straight shapes and laconic design, such furniture will become an excellent backdrop for bright accessories and decorations.
- Country is one of the few styles that allows you to add a little romance to the interior and choose printed upholstery. Floral ornaments, checks, and stripes are appropriate. It is not even forbidden to combine them with each other: for example, the base is striped, and the pillows are floral. Upholstery made from coffee bags is considered especially chic: they smell nice and already have patterns in the form of seals and inscriptions.
- Another direction that does not refuse patterns: Provence. You can add French country chic to your apartment or private home using models with removable pillows and round armrests. The upholstery is a plain pastel color, or light with a floral print. Matching valances add even more rustic luxury.
How furniture color affects the brain
Alternative medicine includes such a method of influencing the human brain as color therapy. This teaching says that color can affect a person’s emotional state and even health. Part of the theory has been proven by scientists, so when deciding what color of sofa to choose for the living room, you should consider the following points:
For living room furniture, it is advisable to choose bright colors that lift your spirits, promote vigorous activity, and increase creativity. If the sofa is placed in the bedroom, preference should be given to soothing and peaceful colors.
Gray sofa in a beige interior
This combination of colors in the interior has a calming and peaceful effect. Designers even identify a separate concept that denotes their combination - grage (the name of two colors translated into English). At the same time, it is desirable that there be more beige elements in the interior.
These are soft and warm tones that do not give oversaturation and sharp contrast. The use of “disappearing” beige and gray – light versions of these shades – will be very relevant. This combination of shades is always a win-win for any interior. Depending on what tones are chosen, the room may appear grayish and pale. To prevent this from happening, you can complement it with bright patterns and elements. You can add some zest to the room with yellow or pink pigments.
Gray corner sofa in the interior
A sofa in this design and color is a practical option, since the fabric does not get very dirty, and after unfolding the sleeping space can be simply huge. When choosing such a model and shade of a sofa, you need to take into account both the parameters and shape of the room, as well as the overall color scheme of the interior.
Typically, this type of sofa is placed in the corner of a small room to create more space and save space.
A corner sofa can also be modular, which consists of several independent parts that can be arranged at your discretion.
Gray velor sofa in the interior
If velor fabric was used to make the sofa, the furniture will be soft, pleasant to the touch and velvety. This applies to both the front and back sides. This version of the sofa will be a luxurious addition to any interior.
The possibilities for creating interior options with such a sofa are endless.