9 Design Tips for Blue Sofas in Living Rooms

Incorporate Neutral Tones for a Sophisticated Ambiance

Designer Alice Kuaban of Oddessence suggests that blue sofas are effectively complemented by neutral walls, favoring white or charcoal gray backdrops and elements like bamboo curtains. Kuaban further recommends, “To tie in the rest of the pieces, I love incorporating colors that complement blue and usually draw inspiration from nature.”

For example, she advises introducing green through plants, adding a walnut-colored coffee table, or using throw pillows with burnt orange or yellow accents.

Introduce Lighter Hues to Brighten the Space

A sofa can be effectively integrated using accessories to soften a dominant color like navy blue. Designer Courtney Sempliner suggests, “Break up the mass of the darker tone with lighter colors and patterns through decorative pillows, a throw blanket, or a large-scale patterned rug.” She adds, “The blue family is very broad, and you can easily pair lighter blue tones or diversify with complementary colors like Kelly green or a warm golden hue.”

Incorporate Textures to Add Visual Depth

Designer Ahmad AbouZanat of PROJECT AZ recommends styling a navy blue sofa with a variety of textures to “infuse personality and add visual interest.”

Consider using elements like metals, brass details, and tufted rugs. In the depicted room, AbouZanat combined blue and gray by setting a deep blue sofa against a soft gray wall and rug. “The velvet on the sofas and the brass details bring a refined and sophisticated feel,” the designer notes. “To keep the space fresh, bright, and cheerful, I incorporated artwork with bright pops of pink and yellow.”

Consider Purple Accents for an Elegant Combination

Purple elements can pair effectively with a navy blue sofa, according to designer Lucy O’Brien of Tartan and Toile. She explains, “Navy has a purple undertone, so any color with a purple undertone will pair nicely with it.” Options include “purplish blues and more purple-toned pinks.” O’Brien often introduces these shades through items like throw pillows.

Employ Bold Jewel Tones for a Striking Effect

Similarly, designer Vivian Bayles suggests that jewel tones are generally an excellent selection. “Create an evocative room by adding jewel-toned furniture with emerald greens, amethyst, or ruby reds,” she advises. “Consider using sleek furniture with black and gray accents.”

For a finishing element, Bayles also supports the use of wallpaper behind the sofa. Various blue-gray paint colors can also introduce a dramatic quality to the room.

Utilize Navy as a Neutral Foundation for Versatility

Maggie Burns of Maggie Richmond Design affirms the utility of navy as a neutral. “I love using navy as a substitute for gray, especially on a large item like a sofa, when I’m going for a more neutral style without it looking monotonous,” she states.

She advises treating navy similarly to gray when choosing other accents for the room. “I like to pair it with black and white pillows and a neutral rug to let the sofa stand out as the main source of color in the room,” Burns elaborates.

Establish Contrast to Avoid a Monochromatic Appearance

Alexa Evans of Alexa Rae Interiors recommends moderation when using navy around the sofa. “It’s important to have contrast,” she notes. “The goal is for the navy sofa to stand out.” Evans advises incorporating light-colored throw pillows and experimenting with textures, such as cream-colored bouclé items.

Strategic selection of other room elements is also important. “Use a light-colored rug to make the navy sofa pop,” Evans suggests. “Consider using a coffee table material that contrasts with navy, like Carrara marble. Use neutral accent chairs that complement the sofa.”

Layer Various Shades of Blue for Cohesion

Even without a strict navy-on-navy theme, incorporating different blue tones throughout the space can be an effective strategy. “This will help the color integrate into the room, creating visual appeal,” notes designer Cat Guerra. In the example provided, she integrated blue through artwork and a blue book placed on a nearby side table.

Select Bright, Contrasting Colors to Invigorate the Room

A broad spectrum of colors can be used when decorating a room with a navy sofa, according to Bayles. “Contrasting colors like pink, coral, red, and orange not only brighten the space but also add contrast to the navy sofa,” she observes. Bayles advises introducing these hues through accent furniture, decor, and artwork. “Layering them in is an excellent way to add contrast to the blue sofa while incorporating fun and personal elements,” she concludes.