Green couch living room ideas – 11 ways to complement gorgeous seating

In emerald, olive, or a host of other appealing shades, it’s a great choice, but what about green couch living room ideas to make the space harmonious? 

In fact there are a whole variety of ways to complement this beautiful seating choice within a living room scheme whether you want a room with contemporary credentials or a more traditional appeal.

Realize your living room ideas whichever tone of green you selected for your couch with this guide, and take advice from the experts, too.

Green couch living room ideas

A green couch will always make an impact no matter whether it’s part of small living room ideas or selected for a larger space. Be inspired to create the perfect setting with these suggestions.

1. Team an emerald green couch with softer tones

'The emerald green couch creates a striking focal point in this airy living room which we softened by incorporating a variety of natural materials including warm wooden furniture with smooth lines, a long pile wool rug and quieter accents such as the textured cushions and the plants to bring the space together,' says Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove.

2. Opt for millwork in paler greens

If your living room sofa ideas have led you to a green couch in a deep shade of the color, it can be combined with millwork in paler tones for a living room that’s harmonious and impactful.

'Fresh, optimistic and soothing, green is having a moment in interior design,' says Suzy McMahon, buying director at Sofology. ‘Green is a particularly popular choice, providing a soft, restful color that can be built upon. 

‘Combine with neutral furniture and simple accessories to create a modern minimalist look or introduce metallics and intricate details, such as fluting, for an opulent feel.’

3. Create contrast with blush pink walls

Looking for green couch living room ideas that will create a sophisticated but relaxing room? 'You can't beat blush pink and a vibrant green – they're a soothing combination when used together and you can play with the ratios to create an elegant living room,’ says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens.

‘This contemporary green couch is the focal point of the living room design, but is well supported by the shades of rose and blush teamed with the textures from the rug and wooden floor.’

4. Use lemon yellow as a bright accent 

'When it comes to living room layout ideas, you can really add a fresh feel and bring the outdoors in by using the color green,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs. ‘The rich green of this velvet couch adds a pop of color that helps bring the outdoors in, and like foliage in the garden, can be paired with any color easily. 

‘We've used accents in yellows, neutrals and other green shades to add depth and warmth to the space, whilst richer patterns help add interest.’ 

5. Use a fabric as a color starting point 

Rather than starting from there, green couch living room ideas might begin from another element of the room, including the pattern that’s key to a cozy living room design.

'Many of my designs begin from fabric inspiration,' says Kim Armstrong, principal designer and owner of Kim Armstrong Interior Design. ‘This one is no different. The room design came from the Cowtan & Tout fabric that we selected and used on the pair of upholstered chairs, and on the drapes. This fabric has a reddish background mixed with gold, green, salmon, and beige. Once we had this as the main pattern in the room, I wanted to make sure the couch selection was visually balanced.  

‘I wanted to balance a cooler color tone with the red Cowtan & Tout, which naturally led to green. Green and red are complementary colors, and I like the way the energy is distributed when you pair them together. To make sure the room didn’t come off looking like “Christmas” I made sure the green was earthy, yet still vibrant. I wanted colors that still felt fresh, but were also sophisticated. 

‘For the couch fabric I was looking for just the right balance of an earthy-fresh green color that also had a great hand to it. I found the perfect velvet that had all the elements I was looking for with this Brunschwig & Fils velvet – it had the perfect color, and softness.’

6. Team a green floral print with a plain couch

Consider a patterned version among your green couch living room ideas. 'If you’re looking to bring both color and pattern into your living room, but don’t want to turn to wallpaper or curtains to do so, a couch in a timeless floral motif, like our Olivia in Emma Sage fabric, can work wonders,' says George Miller, home designer at Neptune.

‘By settling on a pattern featuring just one color, such as green, you can use additional seating upholstered in the same (or similar) shade to enhance the pattern and create a coherent overall look. Natural materials, such as wood and wicker accessories, will make the whole space sing.’

7. Add a contemporary edge with an accent of black

Settled for a green couch in sage? 'Sage green is the on-trend shade this year and this light-filled living room shows how well you can use it with other colors,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens. ‘It blends really well with blush, stone and sunshine yellow accessories, but what sets it off is the jet black window frames and floor, which gives the room a modern edge.’

8. Accessorize with earthy tones and organic shapes

‘When it comes to choosing a couch, I think people can sometimes shy away from green because they feel it’s quite a bold choice, but actually it can be surprisingly calming if you accessorise it properly,' says Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at OKA. 

‘A jewel-toned green, such as OKA’s Persian Green in our new “clever velvet”, paired with a soft palette of charcoal and beige, can bring a really relaxing feel to your living room.’

9. Use more than one shade of green 

'The formal, Chinoiserie inspired wallpaper in this sunny sitting room sets a vibrant tone but a low couch in relaxed olive green linens tempers the strength and adds an easy going casual air to the room. I always say that green is nature’s neutral and a soft olive always looks great with more vibrant shades,' says Tricia Guild, OBE, founder and creative director at Designers Guild. 

10. Set the scene with apple green 

'This bold and beautiful apple green couch takes pride of place in this living room,' says Melanie Griffiths, editor, Period Living. ‘The vibrant shade can be seen in the trailing floral wallpaper which gives the whole a space a cohesive feel. Follow the shade through into the accessories: think vases, coffee table books and plants.’

11. Ditch the plain and opt for a checked couch

While a plain green couch can be the star of the show, don’t rule out a checked motif.

'Checks add a laid back, relaxed feeling and when the texture is a washed nubbly linen – even more so! Here our Brera Piazza green and ecru large scale checked couch has a timeless quality,' says Tricia Guild, OBE, founder and creative director at Designers Guild.

Is a green couch good for a living room?

A green couch is a versatile choice for a living room. ‘For a harmonious look, you can choose colors adjacent to green on the color wheel,’ says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens. ‘Blue greens and yellow greens work beautifully with greens.

‘Or go for green’s complement using the mauve pinks from the opposite side of the wheel for a more vibrant effect.’

What pillow color goes with a green couch?

Pillow colors that go with a green couch need to take their cue from the shade. A deep rich green couch and graphic patterned pillows in black and white looks sophisticated, or opt for a rosy pink. Pillows in blue and white prints work well on olive-toned couches or opt for those in warm yellow. Tones of the couch’s green on plain or patterned pillows are always winners, too.