I hated this sofa color until I saw it in Jessica Alba's living room, and now I can't stop thinking about the most divisive color trend of 2025

It is fair to say that the latest sofa color trends do not include grey. This divisive color, once the most popular option, has been ousted by pistachio green (the breakout color for 2025), mustard yellow (a food-themed favorite), and a refreshing French blue (a timeless choice). But there is something about decorating with grey that will never quite fade into the background.

I've had a love-hate relationship with grey room ideas since the early 2000s, but there is no denying it – this sultry shade goes with every color and can be used to add depth and sophistication to just about any room.

Grey is one of the key colors celebrated by Jessica Alba in her family home – and this carefully curated neutral living room is proof of the versatility of this incredible 'quiet luxury' color.

'I love the calmness that you create when you have a neutral grey palette in a room, especially if you wish to replicate the quiet luxury trend', says interior designer Tamsin Johnson.' But this choice definitely doesn’t have to mean boring: you can create an interesting and exciting space by layering different tones, such as off-whites and beige, then introducing an unexpected splash of red and even accents of gold to make a gray sofa – or room – look more visually interesting'

Grey is a popular color for living rooms. But when working with the cooler end of the spectrum of blue-greys and stone colors you do need to contrast with warmer, creamier tones, advises Emily Todhunter, co-director of Todhunter Earle Interiors.

Jessica Alba's neutral living room color scheme is surprisingly warm despite the predominant presence of grey. The soothing cream and taupe used on the walls and floor introduces an earthy influence.

Grounding yet confident, this balanced color combination for rooms can bring us back to nature or give us a sense of luxury. Start by decorating with smaller accents and gradually introduce more and more over time.

Grey harmonizes well with almost every other hue, making it a most adaptable neutral and giving good reason for its popularity. The power of a grey sofa to add elegance to a living room should not be underestimated. You simply won't regret adding a touch of grey to a room.

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Color is not the only consideration when choosing a sofa. Select a fabric that is stain-resistant so you have time to treat spills or marks. If you go for leather, which ages beautifully, keep it away from heat and direct sunlight and treat it with oil annually.

Velvet exudes luxury, especially in a grey colorway, and is great for formal areas, but needs more brushing, vacuuming, and cleaning than other materials. Tightweave cotton and linen are good for every day, and wool wears really well.