Toning down grey sofa

[Greybluewhite]

Like many of us a couple of years ago I bought a dark grey charcoal sofa.

I feel like it’s making my room feel cold and boring. I’ve ‘styled’ it with blue cushions and a blue rug which I do like as it’s a bit of colour but it still feels a bit bland and dull. My furniture is dunelm Bromley grey.

Is there anything I can do without spending a fortune to try and bring it up to date and a bit more neutral/less boring. What colours would go?

My walls are all white and my flooring oak if that helps.

So it's dark and you've brightened it with dark colours. Try something brighter anything goes with grey . ..pink, russet, greens, yellows

beautiful bright pink and dark purple cushions? Or a fluffy pale grey or cream throw?

If you want it to feel warm and cosy, I would stay away from bright colours - they will add interest, but not warmth. And blue is typically a cool colour so definitely not blue.

I'd go for warm, light coloured neutrals with lots of natutal textures - for example knitted or linen cushions, chunky throws. Natural fibres if possible. Wool or sheepskin rug on the floor.

Also think about lighting - a side table with a warm, soft light next to the sofa.

https://www.katelovejoy.com/6-easy-ways-to-warm-up-your-grey-room-using-the-latest-trends/

You need to add warm coloured cushions and throws. Adding another cold tonal colour like blue isn’t going to help really.

Thankyou all!

I like the idea of adding some new cushion/colour into the mix. Maybe a yellow or rust. It just looks so boring and monotone. I do like the blue rug so I tried to tie it in with some blue accent cushions but it hasn’t helped make it feel more homely. The sofa is so dark I think that’s the problem.

I’ve attached a photo of the rug so you can see what I’m working with.

Could do with some new curtains as well as they are grey, if I can find some that tie in!

But you just added more cool colours to the room by adding blue. Keep the blue, but add something warm as well — cushions or throws a warm gold, mustard, terracotta, dusky pink with warm undertones. What colour are your walls?

I have an ancient grey sofa which is well over 20 years old, but the room it is in has Farrow and Ball Dead Salmon on the walls, stripped original floorboards, heavy velvet curtains in a dull gold and a kilim in faded pinks, creams and yellows, so it doesn’t feel cold or dull.

The walls are white, doors oak. I like the idea of a yellow or gold. My lights are a dark chrome type colour.

Maybe I should paint the walls! I went with washable white as it’s easy to touch up with 3 kids and 2 dogs 😄

I like these but will they also be boring?
https://www.dunelm.com/product/sophia-natural-eyelet-curtains-1000230630?curtainSize=W+229cm+%2890%22%29+x+D+137cm+%2854%22%29

God I have no taste at all when it comes to this sort of thing.

Yes, why are you defaulting to dull neutral curtains, when you know the room is already dull and too cool. Are you afraid of colour? 😀

In your shoes I would absolutely pant the walls in a warm, rich colour. What aspect is the room? How much daylight does it get, or do you use it mostly n the evening /at night?

We have a light grey sofa, brightened with yellow cushions (actually also have blue), some pink in curtains and some pink/ orange in paintings. Also plant in yellow pot that matches cushions. Also some bright bowls in cabinet from holiday in Greece.

Cushion at back is sofa colour. Yellows, pinks in curtains etc.

@Oxomoco maybe I am 😄
Im scared of buying say bright blue curtains (or yellow or whatever!) and hating it and not being able to change them. I also try and go for dark practical things because my children ruin everything nice!

Almost everything I’ve bought is monotone.
It’s a bright room with a big bay window. We use it all of the time, we have a darker snug that we use at night that seems much more cosy.

I like the idea of adding some yellow or rust with the pale blue, mainly to save money on buying a new rug and cushions. What wall colour would go? My default is to say any more colour would look too much!

Well, a coat of paint is changeable, can be touched up, and doesn’t have to be expensive. Buy some testers, paint big sheets of paper or card, and stick them to the walls and look at them in different light conditions, day light and artificial light. The reason I ask about aspect is that cool northern light will bring out the cooler, green tones in a colour.

Think in terms of warmth and depth of colour, not ‘neutral’.

We’ve just painted two areas of the house in a deep green and a dark gold/mustard, but I have no photos that aren’t too identifying.

This is quite useful for considering colours in rooms with different aspects.

https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/farrow-and-ball-colours

Yes I have a charcoal sofa I've covered it in loud bright patterned cushions , mainly pink and yellow.

Tuck a blanket over seats cushions or drape over the back?

Buy online and you can return everything under the distance selling rules. If you can afford to, why not buy a load of cushions a range of colours from somewhere like John Lewis and see what makes your heart sing - any that don't can go back. Only buy washable and wipeable fabrics to kid proof the nice things!
I have a big grey sofa and very dark grey walls. I have pink velvet cusions, peacock print ones, beaded ones, thows in pink and teal. It is anything but boring or cold and it works for me because I love all. That's key to me, you have to buy things that you really love, not because you think they're the right thing for the room.

I love Pinterest for this kind of thing, go on there and search for "charcoal sofa living room" and then see which pictures you like the look of and try to copy some of the elements. there are loads of lovely images in different styles on there all with a dark charcoal sofa and white walls, you can do a lot with cushions, rugs and pictures on the wall but it helps to have an image or a few images in mind.

Here's a neutral warm look.

Some pops of colour here.

You could focus on the monochrome with more contrast.

Blush pink cushions might work, or ochre and cream throws etc

You could go dark and match your walls or one wall to the sofa. I think this might be very dark blue but you get my drift.

This is warmer with a matching grey wall

Plants look stunning with charcoal, the green really pops.

Thankyou!

I like the brown with the grey, I didn’t think that would ever go but it does.

Plants- definitely could use some more of those!

I’ve got a few ideas now to try and liven the place up! Was thinking some more natural materials (changing up the grey storage baskets for some wicker type ones) Some ochre cushions and a throw alongside some bright curtains! Oh and plants!