Ways to style a gray sofa

Updated by May ,05, 2023

FILE PHOTO - FASHION & STYLE

Cushions are a good place to start when designing a scenic sofa landscape. Since these pieces will sit right on your sofa, following the undertones will help you choose ones that complement, rather than clash with, each other.

A true neutral gray looks good with almost any color. However, there's a good chance that your gray sofa isn't quite a neutral gray. Some gray fabrics warm with yellow, orange or beige undertones and others give a cool blue feel. Also, gray with a green undertone can be somewhere between cool and warm, as there are both blues and yellows in play. You can find the undertones by comparing the gray fabric with patches of pure primary and secondary colors and noting which colors the gray emphasizes the most.

If you know the undertone, you can use the color wheel to help you choose a color palette for the pillow. A matching color scheme uses colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. If you want an additional color palette, choose colors that are opposite the main shade on the color wheel. For example, a cool gray sofa with blue and green cushions would be an appropriate color scheme. On the other hand, using orange pillows on the same sofa would create a complementary color scheme.

Throws are great places to add contrast. If you have a darker gray sofa, a white throw draped over the edge of the chair can add depth. For light gray sofas, black has the same effect. The saturated color of the blanket also stands out against the background of the gray sofa

If you want to add just a little color to a living room with a gray sofa, try to choose one accent color that complements or matches the main tone and use variations of it. Undertones of this orange, rust and rose-gray sofa can be found in the wooden coffee table, wall art and rug.

Going back to the undertones, orange is the perfect color to pair with gray because it contrasts with the blue and green undertones and accentuates the warm undertones.

So it's an especially good choice if you're not sure what undertones you have.

If you choose to stick with a more neutral or monochrome color palette, you can still play with contrast in other ways. Patterned pillows in different fabric weights and patterns and a rustic antique chest add interest and warmth to a modern, cool sofa. Just like orange, blue is a safe color to combine with almost any gray sofa, because it emphasizes cool undertones, but also contrasts well with warm tones.

Finding the undertones of gray can be a bit tricky, and lighting can definitely have an effect. If it gets too complicated, it's always safe to use other neutral colors in your design. There's nothing wrong with wearing a shade of gray over a gray sofa, and adding other neutrals like beige, brown and black will keep the whole room from looking too cold or monochromatic.

If you want to change bright colors into muted versions, add gray. So it's no wonder that subdued shades look beautiful next to a gray sofa. You can help by adding nods to nature with rustic pillows and accent furniture and accessories made from organic materials like jute and straw.

One of the best things about choosing a gray sofa is that it easily blends into the fabric of the room and allows other colors to take center stage.

Source : Joycelyn Marigold, African Home Building News