Living Rooms With Brown Sofas: Tips And Inspiration For Decorating Them

You saw it, you loved it, you just had to buy it. But, what exactly do you put with that lovely brown sofa to make your living room decor work for you? Your sofa is almost certainly going to be the largest piece of furniture in the room (unless you have a huge bookcase to contend with) so there’s no sneaking it into an existing room design by just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. No. Your beautiful brown sofa should be given a warm welcome with a complementary colour scheme, and we’re here to show you how with the help of some brown sofa centric visualisations.

Visualizer: Sasha Gnativ

There is a massive trend surrounding copper accents right now, from copper desk lamps in the home office to canisters in the kitchen. This visual illustrates just how amazing copper globe pendants like these look in tandem with a brown leather sofa. Both the tone and the sheen work together in harmony. In addition, a cool grey backdrop is a more modern alternative to the traditional and obvious cream coloured wall treatment we’ve seen done to death around brown sofas in years gone by.

Photographer: Federico Cedrone

Looking at home in a mid century modern living room, a ruddy brown sofa can be visually cooled by the implementation of a grey area rug and grey accent chair. A duo of marble topped coffee tables complete the look.

Visualizer: YoDezeen

Earth tone palettes are always a safe bet when working with brown sofas, and can be very effective. A natural coloured area rug and wooden floor are the perfect base for a brown sectional, and natural greenery provides amazing contrast. Painting one wall in solid fresh white is a good idea so that the overall scheme doesn’t become too muddy.

Source: Ditre Italia

Curtains don’t have to match the colour of the sofa or sofa cushions; the selection of random sized throw cushions here are shades of cool mid-brown on a rich warm brown sofa. Two armchairs mirror the silhouette of the sofa rather than its upholstery colour, whilst a black bookcase matches its thin black legs.

Visualizer: YoDezeen

This two-tone sectional sofa has both brown and grey volumes in its make up, so the interior design of the room has been based around this modern colour combo. A living wall lifts the muted scheme with a stripe of bright green. Chrome floor lamps and stainless steel frames end tables are great for providing a bit of sparkle. When using darker shades over furniture and walls, consider keeping the floor and ceiling white to maintain a spacious and airy feel.

Visualizer: Dasha Chevrole

This soft brown sectional sits in front of a dark backed display that has a bronze frame and detailing. The dramatic colour combination makes everything appear more sophisticated and expensive. Note how the two large pendant lights add a fresh white spray to proceedings, matching a light marbled floor.

Visualizer: Adán Martín

Multiple tones of brown in a solid wood herringbone floor make a stunning accompaniment to a brown chesterfield sofa. Grey scatter cushions and curtains balance out the look.

Source: B&B Italia

When working only with a palette brown and white, introduce different tones for added depth. Ruddy brown floor lamps match a single throw cushion on this sofa, with the rest of the cushions covered in dark chocolate against the sepia brown upholstery.

Photographer: Soopakorn Srisakul

Industrial style living rooms are a natural fit for brown sofas. Look through our industrial home decor for more inspiration on how to accessorise this look.

Visualizer: Nordes

A brown leather sofa works well with bright red and navy blue accents.

Visualizer: Fathy Ibrahim

A contrasting accent chair is a great way to boost the look of your brown sofa and keep your room bang up to date.

Visualizer: Jakub Cech

There is something very sophisticated about a brown sofa in the right setting, and nothing shouts intellectual sophistication quite as loudly an extensive and organised home library. Team these elements with a live flame fire and you’re good to go.

Source: Busnelli

You can pick out the tone of your sofa with an area rug but be sure to introduce a brighter accent colour in there too. Also, leave a small border between the couch and matching rug to let them visually ‘breathe’.

Visualizer: Sequoia design studio

You could create a scheme where each item in it is a stand alone piece. Take this scheme interior for example: Each seat is of a different style and colour, as is the coffee table. The thing they have in common is that they are all from the neutral colour family. The artwork and floral arrangement provide the only issue of bright colour here.

Visualizer: Sam Habbaba

How about a brown ceiling to match a brown sofa? The rest of the space should be open and bright to carry off this feature.

Visualizer: Taner CANDAN

If you have plenty of natural light then don’t be afraid to go dark with the decor.

Visualizer: Para Design

A black painted brick wall gives an edgy youthful look.

Visualizer: Maksym Iuriichuk & Artem Trigubchak

Even a subtle array of indoor plants boosts brown.

Visualizer: Cesar Vazquez

When putting a brown sofa in an all grey scheme, add a feature wall of wooden panels to tie in with its tone.

Visualizer: 365 Design

A Scandinavian style living room with a monochrome scheme makes a great base for just about any colour sofa.

Visualizer: Bellevue NZZ

Following on from the black painted brick wall… How about a white one!

Visualizer: Zinaida Baklanova

These modern outdoor chairs make a quirky accompaniment, especially with a traditional brown toned rug.

Visualizer: Thao Nguyen

You can go ahead and match the colour of your walls with your sofa, but only if your sofa will stand in a spot that is isolated like the one seen here. You don’t want the sofa to become so camouflaged that you can’t find it!

Visualizer: 365 Design

Black and brown work gloriously together when made crisp by swathes of white.

Visualizer: Oporski Architektura

Minimalist living rooms lend themselves to the creation of unusual sectioning. This one has one half completely cappuccino, and the other ice white.