If you have a dark brown sofa or other furniture, the best way to complement them is with mid-tone walls. Think warm golden yellow, soft medium blues, restful grayish-greens, creamy tans or soothing greys.
Complement a brown sofa with shades of brown and beige
Muted neutrals are great for creating a modern space. Style a brown sofa with various shades of brown, beige and cream to create a relaxing blend of complementary tones.
However, generally speaking, the complementary color of brown is considered to be a shade of blue. This is because blue is opposite orange on the color wheel, and since brown contains elements of orange (which is a blend of red and yellow), blue serves as its complementary color.
Make It a Double
Carrie Cox, interior designer and director of brand experience for American Leather, suggests pairing a brown sofa with lighter neutrals. "It's best to lighten up a dark brown sofa with cream or beige accent pillows, as well as throw blankets that appeal to your room's color palette," she says.
Along with mid-century-inspired curved furniture, the brown tones of this period are also poised to make a major comeback in 2024. This natural color—particularly its darker varieties—creates a sense of earthy stability, says Claire Druga, an interior designer based in New York City.
White, off-white, and cream white rugs are all excellent accents to any brown sofa.
For a cosy and nature-inspired look, pair your brown sofa with warm-coloured cushions in earthy tones like burnt orange and rich mustard yellow. If a fresh and serene look is more to your taste, try adding some tonal brown and sage or olive green cushions to your brown sofa arrangement.
Throw pillows can provide a great contrast to a dark sofa or chair. A cherished quilt can bring some cheer to a dark sleigh bed or captain's bed. Table runners can make a dark table stand out, and wall hangings — whether a bit of art or a textured tapestry — can do their part as well.
Earthy-toned curtains in beige, taupe, or olive green match well with brown furniture. They provide a nice contrast to the warm brown and bring a fresh touch to your room. It's because they are all soft, natural colors that match the warm feel of brown to make your room feel cozy and welcoming.
Balance with Neutrals: Pair brown with neutral colors like white, gray, or black to maintain a clean and sophisticated look. Complementary Shades: Use complementary colors such as blue or green to make the brown tones pop and add visual interest.
The high contrast with the brown color provides a rich, upscale feeling that is timeless. For accent colors, consider adding in a sophisticated cornflower blue for contrast, or stick with a tonal palate of neutral colors like ivory, sand, camel, toffee and cocoa.
Make a glamorous statement with grey and brown
All you need is a seriously comfy brown sofa and grey rug – it's that simple.
Brown is considered neutral, meaning it not only pairs well with other neutrals and earth tones, such as black, cream, white, and olive green but works to balance out brighter statement colors, too.
Neutral colors such as beige, ivory, or gray are an excellent option when pairing with a brown leather sofa.
A complementary brown color scheme incorporates blue. Orange's (and, therefore, brown's) neighbor colors, red and yellow, are complementary to dark green and purple, respectively. An analogous brown color scheme uses the colors bordering brown on either side of the color wheel.
The Use of Light-Colored Accessories and Art
Accessories and art can help to brighten up a room. Light-colored pillows, blankets, and curtains can break up the monotony of dark furniture. By adding these pops of light colors, you can enhance the overall brightness without overwhelming the space.
Dark, warm, hardwood furniture pairs really well with warmer metals and chromes such as brass and copper accents. You can also use mirrors to both brighten up the space by reflecting light, but also create an illusion of the space being larger than it is.
To create a sense of energy in your space, pair brown furniture with warm tones. Grace Hoffend suggests utilizing terracotta and forest green, as they're some of her favorite tones. “But if you like a neutral style, start with vibrant brown tones and pair with a really warm light gray or white.”
Contrast with lighter colours: Light-coloured rugs, such as ivory, cream, or light grey, can create a striking contrast with brown sofas. This combination adds visual interest and helps to balance the richness of brown tones.
Brown couches work well with cooler blues and greens – think earth tones! Throw pillows in autumn colors such as deep red, mustard yellow, or peach tones pair naturally with a brown couch. Use at least three colors in your throw pillow palette. A mix of three hues is just the right amount for a pop of color.
You never go wrong combining neutral beige and brown. These two are one of the best harmonious colors since they are shades of each. That's why neutral beige throw pillows for a brown couch can be a good choice for a decorative look.
It's not just about matching; it's about creating a relationship between your furniture and floor covering that complements your living space. For a room that exudes openness and airiness, a light-coloured rug is key. Conversely, a darker rug can convey a sense of cosiness and intimacy.
Some of the best colours that complement dark brown sofas include cool tones of blue and green. Such a pairing can bring a balance of warm and cool accents that work to make a room feel complete.