As you may already know, sofa shopping is no easy task - there are a thousand different choices to make in the quest for the perfect sofa. Considerations you will have to make include going modern or classic, high or low back, fixed or loose cushions... all important factors in terms of style and look. Aside from these, there is one other important choice to make - to buy leather or fabric.
Do a simple research on the subject and you will see that a lot of interior designers are big advocates of fabric. Why they love fabric sofa so much? For these main benefits:
- When you go for a fabric sofa, you are offered a much larger variety of colours and patterns to choose from. And when there is more variety, there is a greater chance that you will find a style that fits your personal taste and home colour scheme.
- Fabric materials have the ability to make a home-style cosier and more inviting. Nothing says curl up on me with a boot like a soft fabric sofa. Plus, a fabric sofa is equally comfortable in the summer as it is in the winter.
- Some fabric sofas come with removable and washable covers, which helps ensure they are kept looking fresh and clean. A sofa that is stain resistant, easily cleanable and exceptionally durable makes the perfect choice for families with kids and/or pets.
- When it comes to budget, fabric sofas offer a lot more variety. Leather sofas generally cost more than fabric sofas.
Once you decide that a fabric sofa is the right choice for you, it will be time to choose a colour. If you are starting a decor project from scratch, you can choose the sofa first and then decorate around. From traditional to modern styles, with colours varying from dark to light tones, a showpiece sofa can be the inspiration for room decor. If you are adding a sofa to an already decorated room, then choosing colour becomes a little bit more complicated; you will have to decide whether to keep it neutral or use it as a focal point.
Light vs Dark Sofas
The floor colour plays an important part in the sofa colour choice. Since a sofa is generally large and upholstered, and most fabric absorbs light, it can darken a room considerably. Keep in mind that if you put a dark sofa on a dark floor, it may disappear into the room. In order to use a dark sofa on a dark floor, you will need to try to make it more visible. A dark sofa with metal or light wood legs can create the soo much-needed space between the sofa and the floor. Using a lighter rug under the front of the sofa will also help separate the dark colours and make the sofa colour pop.
A light-coloured sofa, such as a white or cream fabric sofa, will have different challenges from a dark one. The main problem of a light sofa is staining and wear. So before selecting a light sofa, consider how the room will be used. If you have a dog that loves to sit on the couch, make sure that the light sofa you choose come with washable covers - it will make it easy maintaining the sofa clean.
Which Colour Option is Right for You?
- White - Aside from being timeless, with a white sofa you can add whatever accessories you like. Just make sure that the white upholstery you choose is stain-resistant and can be easily cleaned and breached if necessary.
- Cream - A cream fabric sofa offers amazing flexibility. It is a classic colour to combine with black as well as with navy, grey or red.
- Tan, biscuit or camel - These are warm neutrals that blend especially well with black, blue and fall colours.
- Brown - Although browns are not the favourite colour anymore, it still a great neutral building block in the design. It is classic and always in style
- Grey - A light grey will work wonderfully with warm wood tones and chalky walls. This colour is a great backdrop for items with a flare of colour. Dark grey colours pair well with jewel tones, black and white. Considering the fact that grey has many shades, this colour can be incredibly strong in design.
Adding Finishing Touches
When buying your new sofa, don't feel obligated to choose a matching love seat. Feel free to go for a more flexible style option such as choosing a set of upholstered chairs to complement your sofa. The chairs also don't have to be an exact match for the sofa. Instead, it can incorporate the sofa's colour in a pattern. Using a set of chairs to substitute a matching loveseat will give you more opportunities to add colour into your colour scheme as well as more options for furniture placement.
When coordinating your new sofa with the room decor, don't forget to use accent pillows and throws as the finishing touches. These little pops of colour will give your living room that pulled-together look.
