I never thought orange belonged in my home – until I saw Ina Garten’s effortlessly elegant sofa that changed everything

Ina's rusty, orange sofa, complemented by a patterned ottoman, cream lampshade, and wood bookshelf, is proof that this color is truly versatile

Ina Garten
(Image credit: Photo by Talaya Centeno/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

I look at hundreds of celebrity homes as part of my job, and there's one color I've been seeing everywhere lately. From Cindy Crawford to Cynthia Nixon, it seems like orange is the it color for a living room sofa at the moment.

I will be honest – at first, I wasn't sure about decorating with orange. That was, until I saw Ina Garten's living room setup.

Vintage meets modern in her space, with its velvety, orange sofa, brown and orange ottoman, and wood bookcases all providing the space with a warm, cozy feel. It has me convinced that orange is actually much more versatile (and neutral) than one may think.

Shop the orange living room edit

One of the things I love about orange is that it carries a retro feel with it. From neon shades to rustier hues, orange was a staple in '60s and '70s design, and as we continue to see these eras come back in style, orange proves itself as a staple color choice.

Additionally, orange goes incredibly well with warm neutrals. The orange, gray, and brown ottoman, which acts as a makeshift coffee table in Ina's space, brings some comforting colors to the room, as well as serving as a solid foundation to tie in other neutrals, from the cream lampshade to boucle accent chairs.

Wood is also a fantastic counterpart with orange, complementing its earthiness and giving it a grounding energy. From the spacious bookshelves to the accent chair legs, mixed wood shades all pair well with orange.

I also love the decor possibilities that emerge when using orange. It would go just as well with greenery from plants as it would with a muted wall paint, like Ina's. Alternatively, you can take a more modern approach and try incorporating some metallic hardware or matte white accessories into the home for a truly retro feel.

While orange for a sofa specifically is certainly a bolder color choice than a typical neutral, I am intrigued by its ability to infuse a space with warmth, joy, and sophistication.


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Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.

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