Couch color trends – 7 favorite shades amongst designers

The couch is often one of the most important pieces of furniture to get right, playing a huge role in shaping the look and feel of your living space.

A costly investment, your sofa should be equally comfortable and stylish, and more often than not, deciding on the right color can be a long and arduous task.

While neutral hues have long been the go-tos, seen as a practical choice that works across many design styles and room color ideas, bolder-colored couches are having a moment. We're seeing designers embrace colorful couches that add plenty of design interest to the home. Read on to learn about the best couch colors that are topping interior design trends.

Our favorite couch color trends

Whether you want to make a statement in your living space with a bold couch color or keep things classic, these seven couch color trends make for some of the most stylish choices, as recommended by interior designers.

1. Mustard yellow

To elevate a neutral living room, consider a mustard sofa which will add warmth and depth to the space.

'I'm all for a bold sofa choice, like this vintage sofa I had recovered in a gorgeous butter yellow performance velvet for a busy family,' says interior designer Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors. 'Yellow is such a happy color and everyone who walks through their door lights up when they see it – what could be better?'

2. French blue

In this blue living room, interior designer Sarah Vaile of Sarah Vaile Design opted for a French blue sofa to match the room's wall color, an effective way of creating a cohesive yet statement look through color drenching.

'I've never loved a sofa more than this one that's adorned in custom French blue,' says Sarah. 'The cotton velvet provides a warm and cozy covering for the winter months yet the vibrant blue and floral trim brings a bright summery air to the piece.'

'I also love how it seamlessly blends into the Farrow & Ball Cook’s Blue walls yet stands apart with its elegant serpentine-shaped bottom ledge and tailored trim details.'

3. Olive green

'Green is not going anywhere anytime soon,' says designer Kristina Khersonsky, founder of Los Angeles-based STUDIO KEETA, who sees green couches as a fresh alternative to decorating with neutrals.

'We will continue seeing more and more green couches through the year, as green has been adopted by us all as a neutral because most of us are overseeing different versions of beige.'

Kristina chose a dark olive green couch for this living space to match the nearby kitchen cabinets within the open-plan layout. 'Instead of selecting one fabric, we opted for two textures – leather and chenille in similar green hues,' explains Kristina.

4. Rust orange

Another favorite couch color trend for Kristina Khersonsky of STUDIO KEETA is burnt orange tones. 'Burnt orange and rust are great tones and we will continue to use them for couches this year. We opted to reupholster a vintage sofa in a rust chenille for our Weho Bungalow project, accompanied by blue accents throughout the space,' says Kristina.

'These tones make a bold statement, whilst bringing warmth to the space. Incorporate a complimentary blue color for accents or create an unexpected pairing with another warm tone.'

5. Light gray

Although we're seeing plenty of love for colorful couches, you can't go wrong with classic neutrals for a timeless look, as seen in this living room designed by Marina Hanisch.

'My favorite color for a couch in 2024 is light gray,' says Marina. 'A gray couch can sometimes feel a bit sterile or uninspired, but this lighter hue pairs seamlessly with a neutral palette, adding a sense of coziness to a space.'

'It’s also a great in-between color, harmonizing effortlessly with both cool-toned hues and warm neutrals. It serves as an ideal backdrop for bolder pillows and accessories.'

6. Teal blue

If you gravitate towards maximalist decor ideas, take inspiration from this maximalist living room designed by Nadia Watts Interior Design, who sees teal blue amongst other blues as a go-to couch color choice for 2024.

'I have always been drawn to blue, it pairs beautifully with the entire spectrum and it comes in so many fantastic shades,' says Nadia. 'Teal blue, or a small-scale print of green and blue that presents as teal, is such a chic way to ground your color palette. It’s a happy color that works well with all the other happy colors like hot pink, yellow, and lime green.'

'One of the many wonderful things about blue is that it works almost as a neutral as it goes with so many colors, and it’s anything but boring. You can find a blue that works with just about any color palette you have.'

7. Powder blue

Another variety of blue for couches is powder blue, linking to traditional decorating ideas. In this living room designed by Betsy Wentz Interior Design, the powder blue sectional acts as the room's focal point, teaming beautifully with the warmth from the wood-paneled walls. Complete with neutral accents, the room feels endlessly calming and classic.

'Blue tends to be the most universally loved color, so we often use it for sofas and sectionals,' shares Betsy. 'Blue works well with all colors and is also a great neutral.'

There's no doubt that colorful couches are favored by designers for 2024. While neutrals will always be a failsafe choice, these couch color trends are a great way to add more interest and character to interior spaces.

For more guidance within the couch selection process, you may also be interested in knowing what color couch makes a room look bigger.