38 Living Room Couch Ideas to Bring Major Style to Any Space
When shopping for a new couch for your living room, you may be overwhelmed by all of the incredible choices on the market. There are so many different types of materials, shapes, sizes, and constructions to choose from when choosing a sofa, so you will want to form a clear strategy to find one that best fits your space.
"When selecting a living room sofa, you need to first determine the function of the space," Tracy Morris, the founder of Tracy Morris Design, says.
She advises people to begin by considering whether their living room will serve as a formal or informal space. Morris recommends looking for cleaner lines, tight backs, and moderate depth if you want a formal sofa. However, if you're considering an informal sofa, look for a softer and pillow-filled sofa that has deeper seats, she says.
You will also need to decide whether you're drawn to handsome leather or soft boucle fabric and whether you prefer a sectional or a standard three-seater. If you have space for two sofas in your living room, what kind of configuration most appeals to you?
Below, we're sharing 38 living room couch ideas that will surely inspire you.
Meet the Experts
Tracy Morris is the founder of Tracy Morris Design.
Sarah Storms is the founder of Styled by Storms.
Marcia Bryan is the founder of Bryan Design Group.
Contemporary Leather
If you picture a leather couch and a dark, traditional living room that comes to mind, think again. There are so many different leather sofa options that can suit all kinds of spaces. This lighter color couch looks right at home in a mod, airy loft-style living room.
Curved Leather
Additionally, don't be afraid to experiment with fun shapes when choosing a leather sofa. Curved couches are currently having a major moment and will add instant personality to your living room. This black leather sectional is comprised of two different pieces placed side by side.
Mid-Century Style
This mid-century style sofa with its signature tapered legs fits right into a living room that's home to plenty of other pieces from that era.
On-Trend Boucle
Boucle fabric has been in vogue for the past several years and continues to be a popular living room couch fabric choice. Boucle can be styled in so many different ways, so whether your style leans boho-style, modern, or neutral, you cannot go wrong with this material.
Cool and Coastal
A soft gray sofa is perfect for achieving that cool, coastal look. Even if your home isn't on the waterfront, you can emulate such an aesthetic with your furniture and decor choices.
Bellini Style
This sofa is designed to resemble Mario Bellini's famous Camaleonda couch, which hit the market in 1970. Modular in style, this sofa can be arranged in many different positions and is low to the ground and extra plush.
Cheerful Marigold Velvet
Velvet sofas have long been popular in the living room, and there's no reason you have to play it safe when selecting a fabric color. Here, a beautiful and bold marigold yellow adds a sunny touch to this charming living room.
Peppy Pink
This peppy pink number is similar in style to the Bellini sofa pictured above. There are many variations of this sofa on the market today, so you can choose the size and texture that best fits with your space.
Playful Patterns
If you can't decide between a playful, patterned sofa and a more traditional, solid-colored one, consider making room for two couches so that you don't have to choose.
This setup is ideal for those who love to entertain often and always need space for plenty of guests. The playful blue and white fabric is full of whimsy and fits right into this eclectic English living room.
Vibrant Velvet
A teal green velvet sofa brightens up this otherwise simple living room. Many people choose to have their sofa be the main conversation piece in the living room due to its size, purchasing it before making any other furniture or decor selections.
Multicolor Modular
Modular sofas are great for those who like to move furniture around frequently or may be moving into a larger space down the road and are look to be able to build onto their current sofa. You can even opt to combine together different colored pieces to add some fun to this setup.
Plush and Cloud-Like
Plush, cloud-like couches have been on the rise in recent years and don't appear to be going out of style anytime soon. They symbolize comfort and relaxation and are generally accompanied by minimalist decor pieces and neutral colors.
Chic Curves
This seemingly simple light gray sofa features a curved edge, which adds a touch of elegance to the piece.
Whimsical Checkers
Checkered print items have been making waves lately and can be styled to appear trendy or classic, depending on one's desired aesthetic. Here, a checkered sofa complements the other playful patterns in this color-filled living room.
Traditional Tufted
Tufted sofas add a traditional, English-inspired touch to any room. Note that in this case, the seat of the sofa is tufted, rather than the back (the latter of which is generally more common).
Classic Neutral
A classic neutral sofa like this one is an ideal pick for anyone who is looking for a piece that can grow with them no matter what color they paint the walls or whether their personal style changes.
Laid Back Slipcovered
Slipcovered sofas like this one is perfectly at home in farmhouse-style living rooms like this one and is also a favorite among those who appreciate coastal grandmother design. They play into a welcoming, laid-back aesthetic.
Oversized Sectional
Fit the entire family onto the sofa when you purchase a sizable sectional like this one. It's great for those who like to play out or host large groups often. Do not be afraid to place your sofa in the middle of a room, as seen here, particularly if one of your walls is comprised entirely of doors and windows.
"Couches do not have to be against your wall," Sarah Storms, the founder of Styled by Storms, says. "Sometimes floating your sofa allows you to create a 'hallway' or pathway that's not only better for the flow within the room but can also allow you to bring added attention to a design detail like a fireplace.'"
Gray With Colorful Pillows
Don't underestimate a simple gray sofa—it can easily be jazzed up with colorful throw pillows and is a nice alternative to off-white or beige, which are quite common.
Green Velvet Duo
For a more formal look in the living room, place two matching couches so that they're facing each other, creating a symmetrical setup.
"When there are multiple sofas in a room, I do feel strongly that they should match or at least coordinate in the same fabric," Storms says. "Typically these elements are the grounding force in the room and serve as the foundational elements."
Green velvet is a versatile choice in that it looks right at home in rooms that are mid-century modern, transitional, boho-style, and beyond.
Petite Loveseat
If your living room is on the smaller side and you can't fit a full length couch, try a loveseat instead. This leather one is petite yet can still seat two people comfortably.
Smooth Curves
Curved sofas add dimension to any room and their sculptural shape is immediately eye-catching, ensuring that they almost double as art. The more of them you can fit, the merrier.
Geometric Sectional
This sectional is expansive yet contained thanks to its geometric shape. It can accommodate a whole group while allowing people to easily face one another for conversation.
Moody Dark Gray
When working with dark-colored walls, you may wish to opt for a coordinating sofa to create a barely-there effect. This deep gray pick fits the look perfectly.
Neutral Palettes
Soften your space by introducing a couch with curved edges into the mix and go with a neutral color if you plan on adding large greenery or artwork. This way, it will help ground and balance out the space.
Classic Plaid
Pretty plaid is excellent in a farmhouse-style living room. As a bonus, a busy pattern can easily camouflage stains.
"My personal favorite though is a patterned sofa," Storms says, noting that it is common to go the custom upholstery route to create a piece that is unique.
Curved Arms
You can also go the route of a sofa with curved arms. This one looks extra comfortable to lean on thanks to its plush backing.
Wingback
Pair wingback accent chairs with a wingback sofa (or two) to keep the aesthetic going.
Bright Blue
The brighter, the better in this pink living room that isn't afraid to make a vibrant statement. Two blue velvet sofas add to the room's peppiness.
Two-Toned Fun
Two-toned sofas are great for those who cannot commit to just one fabric type or pattern. Don't be afraid to fuse together two seemingly different styles of textile.
This living room is another instance in which the sofa is not pushed up against the wall. Such a configuration can be helpful when trying to create different zones, Morris says.
You can jazz up a floating sofa even further if you wish.
"A console table behind helps ground the space and provide a place for books, snacks and lighting," Marcia Bryan, the founder of Bryan Design Group, says.
Colorful Chesterfield
Design by Styled by Storms / Photo by Brian Wetzel
Chesterfields aren't always dark brown or made of leather. This classic sofa style gets a bit of a twist in this color-filled living room.
Beige Velvet
Design by Tracy Morris / Photo by Greg Powers
If you appreciate color but don't want to commit to a bright sofa, consider going the beige route and then rounding out the look with some more vibrant accent chairs to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Don't be worried about going beige or white even if you plan to use your space heavily.
"There are so many great performance fabrics flooding the market that white sofas are no longer something to avoid," Bryan says.
Funky Legs
If your couch's legs come off, consider swapping them out with some that better suit your style. These brass legs are incredibly artful and sophisticated looking.
Sweet Stripes
Who doesn't love a striped pattern? Whether you stick to black and white or try something less ordinary like red and yellow, stripes always dazzle.
Contemporary Details
For a contemporary look, opt for low-profile sofas that serve a functional purpose without taking up much visual space.
Textural Touches
Texture is a key element of any well-designed room. Textural fabrics will work wonders in adding a collected, storied look to your space. But that's not all.
"Slight textures are also a great choice as they add some interest and look much more expensive than a flat weave linen," Storms says. "Bonus—textures tend to hide the 'real life' war and tear a bit better.'"
Storied Leather
Speaking of storied pieces, a worn-in leather sofa that still has plenty of life to it will make for an incredible addition to the living room—the more patina, the better.
"Leather, especially slightly aged, brings a heritage vibe to the space that can feel very Ralph Lauren," Storms says.
Luxe Purple
If you're drawn to a color like purple but still want to ensure that your living room looks high end, go with a muted version of the shade, as seen here. This soft purple almost leans brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should couches be against the wall?
Couches do not always have to be placed against the wall, designers say. Placing a couch in the middle of the room may be the most practical option due to some layouts. This positioning also allows for a pathway.
How to make a sofa look expensive?
To make a sofa look expensive, select a textural fabric which will had a collected look and hide any tears throughout the years.
Should couches in a living room match?
When placing multiple couches in a living room, they should match in style or at least in fabric, designers say for a cohesive look that won't overcrowd your space.
Read Next: 77 Living Room Decor Ideas to Up Your Styling Game
Read the original article on The Spruce.
