Beige is a calm, balanced, noble color that is chosen by the vast majority of people for decorating residential buildings and apartments, offices, and public spaces. This palette promotes peace, smooths out conflicts, and evokes a feeling of stability and prosperity. Therefore, interiors of any size are often decorated in similar colors. This is an elegant solution suitable for any style and trend.
The nude palette has one more feature - its neutrality allows you to paint literally all surfaces in the room beige, and it will not be intrusive. Shades of sand, cream, muted cocoa are universal and pleasant, but can be both the background and the only tone in the design. Among the popular solutions in different interiors using this color is upholstered furniture with neutral upholstery. But quite often the question arises, how best to include a light piece of furniture in the composition.
The photo shows a beige sofa in the living room interior: what to combine the furniture with and in what style it will be harmonious - using the example of a modern setting.
General tips for choosing a sofa
Before choosing the color of the sofa in the interior, it is worth considering the basic rules:
- Ideally, the design of the room should be thought out before the renovation begins, so that the desired color combinations are clear in advance. If you have the opportunity, it is better to contact a professional designer during the planning stage.
- Choose the shade of the upholstery consciously and thoughtfully, because the colors we find ourselves among affect our state. If you want to buy a sofa with bright upholstery, you should think about whether this is a momentary desire? Will you get tired of the color after a year or a few?
- Focus not on trends and fashionable solutions, but on your preferences. If, for example, gray sofas are popular in all catalogs at some point, this does not mean that this will suit you too.
- Decide what you expect from a sofa. Will you unfold it every day and use it as a bed? Is the capacity of the boxes and their presence in general important? There are many sofa folding mechanisms on the market, from which you can choose a model that suits your request.
- Pay attention to the upholstery material: will stains be easy to remove? The question is especially relevant if you are looking for kitchen furniture or if there are small children in the family.
Selection by type of room
The second important factor when choosing a sofa is the type of room. Here again you need to focus on psychology: is the room intended for rest and sleep or for communication and leisure? Is the color “suitable” for the residents of an apartment, house or specific room?
Kitchen
The main thing to consider when choosing a sofa for the kitchen is its size. Plain white or beige sofas are better suited for small kitchens: they visually expand the space. Bright upholstery may look inharmonious: like a bright spot that will be difficult to beat.
In large kitchens and especially in layouts where the cooking area is combined with a dining room or even a living room, bright sofas, on the contrary, look great: they zone the space and visually expand it.
Note! When choosing a sofa for your kitchen, make sure that the upholstery is easy to remove stains. A great option is leather sofas.
An example of harmonious zoning of space in the kitchen
Living room
In living rooms, the sofa becomes the center around which the whole family and guests gather. Because of this, it is better to implement bold and unusual ideas in the living room: bright sofas and colors with patterns look appropriate and harmonious here. You can choose calmer options: in this regard, the living room is the most versatile room.
A successful and unusual combination of orange, lavender and white colors
When choosing a sofa for the living room, take into account the interior of the room, the amount of light in it (rooms facing the non-sunny side are best “brightened” with white furniture) and the size of the room.
A beige sofa brightens the living room
Bedroom
For the bedroom, choose sofas in neutral and soft soothing shades: beige, light brown, light gray. Often, especially if you choose a folding sofa for sleeping, darker upholstery in natural tones looks organic.
Remember that the bedroom should first of all be calm and comfortable. Brightness can be added with lighter elements than the sofa: with tulle and curtains, wall panels or paintings.
Kumo sofa bed is a great model for the bedroom
Children's
When choosing a sofa for a nursery, also consider whether the child will sleep on it. If so, it is better, as in the bedroom, not to buy sofas in flashy colors: they can interfere with relaxation.
In general, in recent years the trend of colorfully decorating children's bedrooms has been weakening. Practical considerations play an important role: too “childish” an interior will become uncomfortable for a teenager, and he will have to make repairs again and buy new furniture.
Sofa bed in a girl's bedroom
Here we have selected the trending colors of 2021.
How a beige sofa affects the atmosphere in the room
Beige is one of the most popular colors in living room decoration. The beige sofa captivates with its soothing color scheme. It looks representative, solid, very stylish, elegant, giving the room an aristocracy and setting the mood for pleasant communication.
Indeed, by introducing beige into the interior of the living room, you can be completely sure that a feeling of security, inner warmth, spiritual harmony, perseverance and tranquility will reign in the house. After all, a room intended for relaxation does not need a color explosion at all! It is undoubtedly beneficial for people who are determined and self-sufficient, but at the same time it helps relieve tension and the uncomfortable atmosphere in the room. Delicate beige color is especially in demand in the bedroom; it creates complete rest and allows you to relax after a busy day at work.
You should pay attention to the texture of the upholstery, take into account the frequency of use of upholstered furniture, the presence of pets and small children.
Shade palettes and features of their use
To make it easier to plan color combinations, shades are divided into several groups: monochrome, neutral and saturated.
Monochrome palette
Monochrome shades are white, black and gray. These basic tones can be used in all styles and in combination with any other colors. Monochrome shades “dilute” the interior and give it harmony.
- White is a color that can visually enlarge a room and make it lighter, which is important if the windows do not face the sunny side.
Advice! If you are choosing a sofa for a small room, consider white or light models: they will “expand” the space. Dark small sofas in small rooms, on the contrary, are best avoided.
White sofa in the interior
- Black is a more “dangerous” option, which, however, looks great in spacious rooms and loft and minimalist styles. Perfectly balances other colors and adds severity and masculinity, suitable for work spaces and living rooms.
Black sofa in the living room
- Gray is a universal color that goes with all bright shades. Unlike white and black, this is a softer and more relaxing monochrome. Suitable for any room, popular in Scandinavian and classic styles, Provence and minimalism.
Idea! When combining some rich color and white or black, it is better to add gray elements: they will soften the space and make it more comfortable.
A gray sofa fits into any interior
Palette of neutral shades
Neutrals include all muted and not very saturated tones: beige, brown, light pink, lavender, tiffany, light blue and others. They are suitable for decorating cozy bedrooms and living rooms.
A good example of a sofa in a neutral shade is the pink Lucia sofa
Rich shades
Bright colors are used to create an accent and enliven a room. They have a tonic effect, so they look natural in kitchens and living rooms. Such colors can be called dangerous: it is important to observe moderation and not accidentally make the room too catchy.
Be sure to balance rich colors with monochrome and neutrals, and use two or more bright colors in the same room with caution.
A good example of a combination of bright colors
Textiles and decorative elements
Decor and accessories without going overboard are an integral part of creating comfort. This is what catches the eye, which allows you to make the room more comfortable, functional, and simply beautiful. Of course, their choice also depends on the chosen living room style. And the list can be long. Here are the main ones:
- Decorative pillows are the most popular way to create harmony in the interior. Their color and texture depend on the shades used in the interior. Typically, the color of such decor is similar to the non-primary shade of the room.
- Vases, lamps, paintings. From yellow, chocolate, black to blue, orange, emerald and others. They are usually located around the room symmetrically or chaotically - depending on the characteristics of the style. For example, for modern living rooms in high-tech, modern, and loft styles, choose accessories of different shapes and volumes, but in the same color scheme. They are placed in different parts of the room without following any system. For classicism and modernism, orderliness, rigor and balance are important, and therefore the arrangement of the decor should be thoughtful and symmetrical.
- Unusual execution of ordinary interior items. The furniture industry, together with the imagination of designers, has long stepped forward, and therefore non-trivial solutions can be used as decoration. For example, ottomans or small tables with built-in lighting, sofa armrests with a minibar or space for storing books.
- Variety of textiles. Curtains, carpet, rugs, upholstery - even for one style of living room you can choose different options by carefully assembling them.
It is accessories that are given special attention when arranging a living room: they set the mood for the entire room, help to even out imperfections in the color combination or its unevenness, and create the comfort of the room in which you want to be.
Color schemes when decorating a room
Color schemes are ready-made options that describe the principle of combining shades in a room. The names of color schemes are similar to the names of shade palettes, it is important not to confuse them!
Monochrome design
The simplest principle of combination is monochrome. In this case, the entire room is decorated in the same color scheme, but using several different shades and usually white, black or gray “for dilution.”
In a monochrome design, the sofa is often, but not always, the element of the richest tone.
Monochrome living room in white
Neutral design
Neutral design is the most comfortable option. All furniture and decor are chosen in soft colors that are comfortable to the eye, often a combination of black, gray and white or white and brown in different tones.
With a neutral design, depth and completeness are achieved not so much by combining colors, but by combining different textures.
Living room in beige tones
Bright sofa and neutral background
By choosing a sofa that will become an accent in the neutral design of the room, you can make the room more interesting and complete. In addition, this is a great way of zoning.
There are no elements in the room of the same color as the sofa, but the interior looks harmonious
Neutral sofa in a room with a bright design
In this case, the sofa and all the furniture act as elements that balance the bright walls, thereby achieving balance. The shades of sofas for this purpose are chosen to be basic, but not too harsh, for example, not pure white or black, but ivory or dark gray.
Dark gray sofa in a bright living room
Bright sofa and bright decor
A bold solution for living rooms is a combination of several bright colors in one room. Usually, in order for the composition to look harmonious, the walls are made white or white with a catchy pattern, and the furniture is chosen in different colors, but approximately the same saturation.
You can also play up the deep tones of the upholstery: for example, choose bright wallpaper and elements for a purple sofa.
Purple sofa in a bright living room
Choosing a sofa to suit the style of the room
If you adhere to a specific design style, then the sofa should fit organically into it. Designers have developed ready-made combinations for different directions to make choosing the color of the sofa easier:
- Classic
Solid neutral shades of brown, gray, white, beige.
Gray Angelic sofa in a classic style interior
- Art Deco
Red, black, blue sofas.
For interiors in the Art Deco style, dark-colored sofas are often chosen
- Retro
Rich warm shades: brown, yellow-brown, orange-red, beige-orange.
When decorating a room in a retro style, try not to make it too dark. For example, yellow-orange or patterned wallpaper will go well with a brown sofa, but it is important to consider the amount of light in the room.
Light brown sofa in a retro interior
- High tech
Acid and bright colors, often plain upholstery.
An example of a successful combination of blue and neutral shades
- Minimalism
Plain upholstery. Gray, white, black are suitable.
A characteristic combination for minimalism: gray, white, black and beige
- Provence
Delicate and light shades of blue, lilac, pink, beige. Sofas with neutral patterns fit in.
White sofa in Provence style in the living room
- Country
Natural tones: yellow, green, beige, brown. Sofas with a combination of different colors and bright colors are suitable.
For country style, it is important to choose natural and deep upholstery tones.
- Scandinavian style
Soft and soothing shades, plain upholstery. Grey, white, beige.
Simple sofa shapes with white, gray and beige upholstery suit Scandinavian style
Advice! The most universal colors of sofas are neutral and light or medium-saturated. These colors fit into any interior, and this is the simplest solution. It is only important that the color of the sofa does not completely coincide with the shade of the walls: for example, the color of the sofa with beige wallpaper should be several tones richer or lighter.
Types of sofas in light colors
Existing types of sofas can be divided depending on:
- type of transformation mechanism;
- designs;
- intended purpose;
- dimensions;
- number of landing places.
Let's take a closer look at sofas with different transformation mechanisms. Depending on what device is installed, models are divided into:
Folding
:
- Sofa-“book”.
This is a classic design, one of the first transformation options on the market, but its popularity has not waned to this day. The book sofa is extremely simple and comfortable. The good thing about this model is that it is comfortable to sit on due to the reclined backrest and you can also sleep without any problems without even reclining it.
To convert a sofa into a bed, you need to raise the seat until you hear a clearly audible click, while the backrest tilts back, and then both halves are lowered. Assembling the sofa is also not difficult - you need to lift the seat again, the mechanism snaps into place - and the assembled sofa is raised.
Advantages: compact, there is a linen drawer, the sleeping area is flat, you can sleep without unfolding it.
Disadvantage: to assemble and disassemble the “book”, you have to move it back and forth against the wall.
- “Click-clack.”
This model has a similar design to the sofa-book, but the folding mechanism is slightly improved. Its assembly and disassembly is accompanied by characteristic sounds, thanks to which the sofa got its name. Its back can have three tilt options, which allows you to sit on it, lie down and sit reclining - this middle position (sometimes even two) is called “relaxation”, and it is great for relaxation. The sides of the sofa have movable mechanisms, with their help you can transform them into armrests or a comfortable headboard.
“Click-clack” sofas are usually from 1.8 to 2 m in length. Teenagers and young adults love such options; The mechanism is easy to unfold and compact in size.
- Sofa-couch.
This category of models belongs to the type of mini-sofas; one person can sleep on it. When folded it is small; Depending on the size, it is available for both adults and children.
Sometimes they are used in hallways or loggias, but more often they are bought for children. This is an ideal option for small children's rooms also because they have a spacious drawer for things inside. These models unfold effortlessly and have a flat sleeping area.
Roll-out options
:
- "Eurobook".
Eurobooks are leaders in strength and durability. This is an obvious fact because the mechanism inside them is very simple, and upon closer inspection it becomes clear that there is nothing to break. When unfolded, the front seat rolls forward along the grooves of the body, and the back rests on the free space. A moment later, in front of you is a flat, wide sleeping area.
Advantages: a simple and reliable mechanism, a wide berth without depressions (like a “book”), a large assortment range, a chic drawer for linen, no need to move the sofa when transforming.
Cons: The front seat wheels can leave marks on the floor covering.
Eurobooks can be filled with molded polyurethane foam, orthopedic armor and spring blocks.
- “Eurobook “Tik-Tak”.
This type has several names: “pantograph”, “walking” and “tick-tock”. In appearance, this is the same Eurobook sofa, but its mechanism is slightly different. To unfold it, you need to lift the seat towards you and take a step back, while the seat seems to “step” towards you. How easily you can do this depends on the mechanism installed by the manufacturer. But the advantages here are that the floor covering will not be damaged by the wheels and you will not have to remove the carpet.
Some nuances: a sofa with a tick-tock mechanism is always equipped with several pillows that allow you to sit comfortably, but will not be needed during sleep; they can be folded into a linen drawer. As for the transformation mechanism, it is equipped with a special synchronizer rod and spring, which prevent distortions of parts of the sofa. And special pads are put on the legs to protect the floor covering and prevent the sofa from creaking.
- "Dolphin".
This mechanism is most often found in corner versions of sofas. A wide variety of designs allows them to be placed both in spacious living rooms and in small bedrooms. The mechanism got its name due to the fact that part of the berth seems to “emerge.” It looks like this: first you need to pull out the platform located under the main seat, and then, pulling a strong belt, pull up part of the berth from it.
Advantages: flat sleeping area, easy to unfold, large drawer for linen.
Cons: for the mechanism to work well, it is necessary to choose high-quality wood for making the frame.
- "Puma."
The folding mechanism works elegantly and gracefully, there is no other way to say it. And for this he received the approval of buyers. The seat needs to be slightly raised, and it itself moves forward, and a hidden part of the berth rises in its place from below. The sofa stands firmly on supports, the mechanism is also strong and reliable, so it can be used daily. The joints are invisible when unfolded; when unfolded, the sofa is practically indistinguishable from the bed.
Important: a sofa with a Puma mechanism can be straight or corner, but the linen drawer will only be in the corner version, because part of the sleeping area is hidden in the straight section below.
- "Conrad."
The high-roll-out mechanism of the sofa provides a comfortable place to sleep. The filling is made of spring blocks, which guarantees a good rest. When folded, such sofas are not very wide; they usually have a high soft back and armrests. They fold forward, that is, the back will serve as the head of the bed.
First you need to pull the lower block by the loop and push it towards you as much as possible. At the same time, the main seat and the part hidden under the backrest move. Despite the fact that the sleeping place consists of several parts, it is level and comfortable.
Advantages: sleeping on an unfolded sofa is as comfortable as sleeping on an orthopedic mattress. Despite its compact size, the sofa has a spacious sleeping area.
Fold-out sofas
:
- Sofa beds.
Many people remember these mechanisms from the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears.” Today it is believed that such sofas are not designed for daily unfolding. This is a guest option. When unfolding, you need to pull the loop between the seat and the backrest - and the bed with a foam mattress, like a scroll, will begin to unfold from the internal space.
They produce several varieties:
- French folding bed. To unfold it, remove the cushions from the seat. The transformation takes place in three steps.
- American version. Two steps are sufficient for unfolding.
- Italian model. Reliable, but the most expensive option. To unfold, you do not need to remove the pillows. It can be equipped with an electric motor, then by pressing a button on the remote control, you simply wait for the sofa to unfold itself. Miracle of technology!
- "Accordion".
Sofas with such a mechanism are certainly one of the best-selling models. “Accordion” is placed on economy class sofas, but luxury furniture manufacturers also do not neglect it. This is explained by the fact that the mechanism is simple, reliable, and easily folds into a bed. The dimensions of such sofas in terms of the width of the sleeping place can be from 0.7 m to 1.8 m.
When they came up with a name for the mechanism, they probably remembered the bellows of the accordion. The three parts of the berth when folded look similar: one is the seat, and the other two make up the backrest. The sofa is laid out as follows: first, lift the seat and pull it forward so that the backrest unfolds and lies softly.
This type of sofa can be used daily. It is comfortable to sit on and sleep comfortably. If breakdowns occur, they can be easily fixed by replacing the broken part. But, as a rule, they last a long time.
The downside is the small drawer for linen and the use of wheels in the design, which can damage the floor covering.
Recommended articles on this topic:
- How to choose furniture for a nursery: recommendations, photos
- Offices in Provence style: French charm in the workspace
- How to choose a good sofa: mechanisms, frame, filling and upholstery
Principles for selecting color combinations
The last point that must be taken into account when deciding how to choose the color of the sofa to match the interior is the rules and methods of combining colors with each other.
Itten Circle
The Itten Circle is a tool that helps designers and artists choose harmonious color combinations, and an excellent cheat sheet for those who are thinking about what color of the sofa to choose.
There are two popular options for the circle. The first consists of 12 compartments, the second “continues” each color with several of its shades: from more saturated to less saturated.
To decide on a color palette, it is easier to use a circle with 12 compartments.
Below are 6 color combination options. You can visually scroll through the circles, changing colors to find the right combination.
Itten circle: color combinations
It’s easier and more convenient to use Itten’s interactive circles, which can easily be found on the Internet. For example, to find out what color of the sofa will go with beige wallpaper, just select the beige color and choose from ready-made color combinations.
Advice! Use the Itten circle if you choose a sofa with a pattern or upholstery in several colors. The combination of colors in the sofa should be in harmony with the color scheme of the room and, especially, with wallpaper and curtains.
A living room in gray tones looks complete thanks to lilac elements
Ready-made color solutions. How to correctly combine the color of a sofa and wallpaper
A table of ready-made color solutions can help when choosing a sofa to match the color of the wallpaper. Please note that most interiors use more than two colors. To select such a combination, it is better to work with the Itten circle.
Also think about the color of the curtains in advance: usually, like the sofa, they become the second large element that attracts attention. There is even a classic rule: curtains and a sofa should be the same color, and there should be few other similar elements in the room.
However, today designers adhere to this rule less and less. For example, if you are thinking about what kind of curtains will go with a brown sofa, it is better not to choose dark tones, including brown ones: then the room will look gloomy even with light wallpaper.
Advice! Consider the amount of light in the room: if there is not enough light, it is better that the wallpaper or at least the sofa and curtains are light. For small rooms, consider interiors with a predominance of white.
Table of solutions for matching a sofa to the color of the wallpaper
| Wallpaper color | Sofa color |
| White | Any shades |
| Grey | Any shades. Grey, red, yellow, orange, purple, blue, cyan, lilac, white |
| Beige | Beige, brown, yellow, purple, grey, white, black |
| Red | Red, green, blue, white, black |
| Yellow | Yellow, blue, green, brown, white, gray, black |
| Orange | Orange, purple, gray, white, black |
| Green | Green, red, brown, white, grey, black |
| Blue | Blue, orange, yellow, white, gray |
| Lilac | Lilac, blue, purple, white, gray, black |
| Violet | Purple, yellow, white, gray, orange |
| Blue | Light blue, blue, orange, brown, white, gray |
| Brown | Brown, green, orange, white, gray |
Materials from which sofas are made in light colors
One of the main factors influencing the durability of the sofa is the quality of materials for the internal filling.
- Spring block.
The most frequently asked question is which is better: spring block or polyurethane foam? Today it is still hot and the controversy continues. There are several main filling options: a block of Bonnell dependent springs, an independent spring block and a polyurethane foam mattress. The Bonnell block has the lowest quality indicators, while the other two types are on par.
- Frame.
Upholstered furniture frames are mainly made from coniferous trees such as pine and sometimes spruce. For the production of models in a higher price category, ash, oak, beech, and hornbeam wood are used, as they are harder and guarantee a longer service life. Before putting wood into processing, it must be thoroughly dried: damp wood can cause defects and damage to furniture. The frame may lead, and the mechanisms will begin to jam.
- Metal transformation mechanisms.
Metal transformation mechanisms are not affected by changes in humidity. The only drawback may be a squeak that appears, but in this case, lubricating the parts will help. The devices produced today are reliable and durable, especially with a welded mesh installed on the sofa. The latter is used instead of plywood slats, which naturally increases the strength and durability of the sofa.
- Furniture fittings.
Any furniture, including upholstered furniture, uses fittings. We can say that it unites all the furniture variety. It is impossible to imagine production without additional accessories, and this category of auxiliary tools includes tens of thousands of products: edges, handles, locks, various linings, fasteners, furniture supports, rollers and much more.
- Upholstery.
Many buyers do not realize this, but the price of upholstery is sometimes more than half the cost of a sofa. Usually, a person’s gaze first of all falls on the upholstery, and he immediately forms an opinion about whether this color or pattern will suit the interior or not. The appearance of the sofa depends on different finishing options: buttons, contrast stitching, piping, carriage tie and other types can be used. If we talk about the choice of fabrics, it is simply huge. And a model in light upholstery will look completely different than the same one in dark upholstery.
To securely attach fabric or leather, staplers of different types and sizes are used. They are also used for attaching other materials for the internal filling of sofas: cardboard, foam rubber, hardboard. So, spring blocks are held on a wooden frame by reliable brackets.
- Genuine Leather.
A light sofa made of genuine leather looks solid and presentable. Wealthy and respectable people can afford such furniture. Of course, modern artificial leather is also beautiful and of high quality, but natural leather will always be valued more for its environmental friendliness and durability.
Genuine leather is used not only for making sofas and armchairs, but also for other furniture, as well as for decorating walls and doors. Modern technologies make it possible to paint it in a variety of colors and imitate the texture of the skin of the most exotic animals, be it a crocodile or a python.
The quality of genuine leather lasts for many years, especially if the upholstery is treated with care.
- Tapestry.
Tapestry confidently occupies a leading position among upholstery fabrics. Thanks to the special weave, this type of fabric looks beautiful and lasts a long time. Previously, the raw material for the production of this material was pure cotton, but now technology has changed, the fabrics have become mixed, and the strength and durability of the tapestry has increased due to artificial additives. The fabric has a jacquard weave and is distinguished by beautiful colors, patterns and a variety of shades.
