your catch-all guide to a cracking sofa + cushion combo.
Is your sofa looking a little stale, your couch a little common, or your settee not sparkling quite like it should? One of the most frustrating situations for any interior stylist feeling like your sofa's not up to scratch. But with the addition of a carefully-selected cushion arrangement, you'd be surprised at just how much a sofa's appearance can transform.
The beauty of cushions is that they bring so much impact with such little fuss”, says Anna, brand manager and resident interiors expert furn.com. They're versatile, relatively affordable and simple to move around when redecorating. Equally, cushions have the power to completely transform your sofa-scape if you know how to play to your existing decor's strenghts.
It doesn't matter if your sofa's black, white or anything in between — a basic knowledge of colour theory is all you need to start effortlessly matching cushions to your sofa, and energise your entire living room with a tasteful spread of complementary shades.
So, whether your sofa's got you stumped, your navy couch is causing confusion or you're baffled by beige, teal or burgundy — our expert tips will teach you how to choose the perfect cushions for any sofa colour.
We've all come across the colour wheel at one point or another. From your primary school art class to interior design studios across the globe, colour theory and the colour wheel are essential tools in creating any eye-catching colour scheme. When it comes to matching cushion colours to your sofa, understanding a few basic rules and colour combinations is all you need to start styling like a seasoned pro.
"If you fancy some colour but you're not confident in selecting the right option for your sofa, search for a colour wheel online to have a look at what tones perfectly pop against your sofa colour" Anna suggests. "This will ensure you achieve balance while maximising impact. You can never fail by adding neutral colours like ecru or beige, which can help you to blend with other hues and avoid a colour overload”.
There are 7 basic categories of colour combination that can be created using the colour wheel. Many of these are based around three core types of colour scheme,we'll stick to focusing on these three for simplicity's sake.
1. monochromatic colour schemes.
A monochromatic colour scheme involves the use of various shades and tones of a single base colour, in order to create a cohesive and well-balanced look. These kinds of colour combinations are commonly used in minimalist interior designs, where sofa and cushion shades are either directly matched or subtly different.
Any base colour can be used to create a monochromatic sofa and cushion colour combination, as long as you remain within its dedicated section on the colour wheel. Monochromatic schemes are calming, clean, sophisticated and uniform — making them a great fit with more pared-back designs.
2. analogous colour schemes.
A slightly more experimental option, analogous colour schemes involve pairing shades that sit directly alongside each other on the colour wheel. This results in a smooth blending of similar shades that’s easy on the eye while still creating some contrast — perfect for those who like a touch of colour without going overboard.
Think cosy palettes of red, orange and orange-red that combine to create the perfect sunset symphony.
3. complementary colour schemes.
Complementary colours sit directly opposite each other on the colour wheel, and create a dramatic, high-contrast look when used together. Examples of complementary pairings include red and green, orange and blue or yellow and purple — each of which can be combined to create a vibrant, eye-catching look.
A split-complementary scheme results in a slightly softer contrast, and can be achieved by introducing a third colour that’s analogous to either of your complementary shades. For example, a complementary design of red and blue décor could be softened with the addition of pink accents.
Now that you know your way around the colour wheel and understand the various combinations that can be created, it's time to start thinking about how to match cushions to your specific sofa shade. While the three colour schemes we've covered provide a solid basis, every sofa is different and stronger colours may need a bit of extra attention to find the perfect fit.
It's also important to remember that your sofa and cushion colour scheme doesn't have to obey the laws of colour theory completely. As Anna points out, "a scientifically-approved colour scheme might be guaranteed to work, but you shouldn't let that stop you from getting creative in your choice of sofa cushions. Interior design is an art form — so don't forget to express yourself. If you feel like your sofa is missing a random pop of zesty yellow or rich emerald green, then go for it!".
So, to be absolutely certain that your sofa-scape reaches its full, first-class potential — we’re running through our favourite colour combos for a whole host of sofa hues.
what colour cushions go with a navy sofa?
Incorporating rich shades of blue is a staple of luxe interior design, so a navy sofa offers the perfect opportunity to lean into a more extravagant aesthetic. Cushions in powerful, regal shades like emerald green, crimson red and honey-golden yellow will bring out the finer side of your navy sofa.
If you're looking for a more subtle colour scheme that will still allow your navy sofa to shine, clean white cushions make for a timeless combination with deep blue sofas. This look works best if you've already got white wallpaper or other white decor in your living room, creating a breezy coastal vibe that's grounded in rich navy opulence.
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what colour cushions go with a beige sofa?
Far from being boring, a beige sofa provides the ideal blank canvas for you to go all-out with cushions and other living room accents. The beauty of beige lies in its neutrality, working in harmony with just about any shade without ever causing a colour clash. Neutral cushion colours like white, black and brown work a treat when paired with beige, giving your sofa a subtle touch of minimalist magic.
If something a little more colourful is calling your name, decorative cushions in rich shades of blue mix beautifully with earthy beige tones. Go with velvet or tufted fabric cushions for added textural depth, and you'll have a luxurious aesthetic that's grounded in earthy beige warmth.
what colour cushions go with a cream sofa?
Lusciously off-white with subtle yellow undertones, cream is an oh-so-soothing hue that sits on the warmer side of neutral shades. Like beige, a cream sofa offers a blank canvas which can be brought to life with scatter cushions from any section of the colour wheel.
Keep your sofa looking tonal and sophisticated by layering up with cool neutral accents, introducing pale grey cushions for a classic minimalist touch. Or, if you're determined to bring your cream sofa to life, awaken its yellow undertones with the addition of orange cushions in shades of restful rust and fresh tangerine.
what colour cushions go with a teal sofa?
A popular contemporary shade that gracefully rides the border between green and blue, teal is a uniquely dynamic hue. It can appear both luxurious and laidback, both warm and cool, depending entirely on the colours it’s paired with. Deep navy cushions will bring out the more elegant side of your teal sofa, while hot fuchsia pink will dial up the playfulness.
Our accessory of choice when decorating a teal sofa is undoubtedly a natural cushion. From organic wooden furniture to woven jute cushions, honeyed tan shades sit irresistibly well alongside a teal sofa, bringing to mind breezy summertime scenes of sand, sky and sea.
what colour cushions go with a black sofa?
One of interior design's most timelessly chic and effortlessly adaptable colours, a black sofa can be matched to a wide range of cushion colour combinations. Go for a grounded, boho style feel by dressing your black sofa with beige cushions, cream cushions or any other earthy neutral hue.
For a classic combination that won't ever go out of style, why not embrace a monochrome look by choosing a range of white cushions for your black sofa? Or, introduce a touch of romance by matching your black sofa with a selection of scarlet and crimson red cushions.
what colour cushions go with an orange sofa?
An orange sofa brings a warm and optimistic touch to any living room, but its vibrant tones can often prove difficult when attempting to choose cushion colours that match. Creating an analogous colour scheme by pairing your orange sofa with red and yellow cushions will result in a serene blend of sunshine shades — perfect for north-facing living rooms that lack a sense of warmth.
For a slightly bolder look, try choosing blue or teal cushions for your orange sofa arrangement. Blue sits directly across from orange on the colour wheel, meaning that the two colours create a striking contrast when paired together. Alternatively, black cushions can bring a sleek touch of drama to balance the uplifting energy of an orange sofa.
what colour cushions go with a red sofa?
Radiant, warm and the universal colour of romance — red makes for a seriously striking foundation to any sofa-scape. If a tranquil living room sanctuary is calling your name, however, stoney grey and clean white cushions work brilliantly to bring out the more soothing side of red.
For a show-stopping colour contrast that will balance out the boldness of your red sofa with ease, consider going with blue cushions in pale duck egg or sky-blue shades. Dramatic shades like red need an equal dose of drama to achieve perfect harmony, so a bold complementary colour scheme is a great choice for this sofa colour.
what colour cushions go with a burgundy sofa?
A hybrid shade that doesn’t even make an appearance on the primary colour wheel, burgundy is a style statement in and of itself. It exists somewhere between red and brown on the wheel, although its purple undertones are clear and striking. Rich, sophisticated and packed full of passion — a burgundy sofa is a décor choice that won’t easily fade to the background.
As burgundy is quite a powerful shade, consider balancing its intensity with sofa cushions in soft neutral shades like white, cream or beige. If you simply can't resist introducing another pop of colour, bright butter-yellow cushions make an inviting addition — especially when paired with deeper burgundy hues.
From neutral beige and cream sofas to brightly-coloured couches in shades of teal and burgundy — you should now feel confident in choosing the right cushions for even the most vibrant sofa shades. If you're ready for more cushion-styling tips or haven't found advice for your specific sofa colour here, check out the rest of our cushion guides and our tips on how to pick and style cushions for grey sofas.
No sofa-scape is complete without a lush selection of layers, so don't forget to check out our sofa throws for the perfect finishing touches to your sofa cushion arrangement.
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