How can I improve the styling of my couch?

E.
by E.

I like mixed patterns, prints, etc. Don't know how to achieve a successful outcome... This looks wrong! Help!

  17 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 15, 2020

    If the color in the pictures is correct the couch appears to be gray. I have a gray couch too and found that orange is a good and bright accent color. But red or yellow would work also. The throw pillows could be orange or have orange in them. The tray on the ottoman could be orange etc. A can of orange spray paint would fix a lot be don't over do your accent color.

    A throw rug with orange in it would be nice in front of the couch.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Feb 15, 2020

    One or at the most two accent colors usually pop against a neutral palette or your basic color. Think in terms of three for groupings. Although your couch and ottoman are a good neutral background, the objects on the ottoman and the pillows kind of blend in, which is probably why you feel dissatisfied. You also have a neutral rug under them. What is your favorite color? What colors make you feel good? I would put a pretty color area under them. For example, I love blue. I would put a rug with shades of that in the design of the rug. Then I would pick up one of those shades for a throw and the three print throw pillows. Your grouping on the ottoman needs color. Shop your home for something that brightens that grouping. Maybe a brightly colored candle, something colorful under the grouping. How do you want to feel when you look at this area? Cozy? Use warm colors and textures. Add and subtract until you get the look you want. Remember, make it appeal to the eye, and your other senses and it will work.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Feb 15, 2020

    teal blues and greens also good well with dark gray - https://www.decoraid.com/blog/grey-sofa/

  • Judy in Canton. Judy in Canton. on Feb 15, 2020

    Mogie and Cynthia have good ideas. I would have only 3 pillows, the one with circles, a solid color and the one with burgundy and brown. Elimiate the the other 3. Remove the runner on the ottoman and replace the silver tray with a solid color tray, I love your choice of colors.

  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 15, 2020

    I don't think you did anything wrong, but I would stagger the size of the pillows - larger on outside edges down to smallest

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Feb 15, 2020

    I would add a lighter fabric with a tan print for the toppler on the ottoman to brighten it, Paint the tray a lighter color like gold. Keep the pillows except the purple ones.

  • Cindy Cindy on Feb 15, 2020

    Hello E. You are using muted colors. When you do this, you need a brighter color mixed in. I like coral with gray. You can introduce your brighter color using rugs, pillows, throws, and even in art. Also mix in other sizes of pillows.

  • Maybe one or two cushions with a solid bold colour. I think it looks great otherwise.

  • Pamela Pamela on Feb 16, 2020

    I think it looks fine !!! What I think you need to do , is change the pictures above your sofa ! Move those pictures to another spot in the room/house and find

    Some wall art that picks up the brown , cranberry & beige colors , and place that above the sofa . Also you can get a cranberry colored candle to put on a side table . That will bring it all together .

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 16, 2020

    Hi there,

    If going left to right I number the cushions it will help in remedy?

    32154 (remove 4) OR 23465 (REMOVE 1) OR

    buy cushions in two's. Not necessarily the same but the same tone in colour and similar patterns, then Add in centre a bold contrast i n design or colour. Always go for odd number....... Have fun!

  • Rymea Rymea on Feb 16, 2020

    What you need is two larger pillows with some texture, one on each end. I would go for a nubby off white. Then get some smaller different shape pillows to put in front of those and that's' enough.

    I agree that the art is a little too small. Since your couch and carpet are neutral you could use any colors. Try to find a big beautiful colorful painting that you LOVE for that spot.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Feb 16, 2020

    Hello. Your photograph really helps to show your situation. I think you’ve made a very pleasing vignette, tho the colors in the fabrics are more dark and muted. There’s not a bold pop of color or textures that I can see. Particular like your black tray on your ottoman perhaps maybe placing something of interest on the tray or pillows in a brighter color might help. Additionally a piece of statement art over the sofa that’s larger might be indicated. Please consider checking thrift stores consignment shops and estate sales garage sales for art that you can either re-purpose or use. The cost of frames and glass and matting are very close prohibitive -using a resale piece of art can be very very beneficial economically.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Feb 17, 2020

    There’s a lot of great answers here and yes, you need sofa-sized wall art to tie together the entire color scheme.

    Yes, Color-coordinated throw on the back will go a long way to give the color scheme some “height”.

    Two coordinating throw pillows to “anchor” the throw.

  • Janice Janice on Feb 17, 2020

    Don't be too hard on yourself. The change I would make is to make a couple of the patterned pillows a large stripe so there's not so many patterns approximately the same size. Since all of our computers "read" your couch and pillows as different colors, just changing patterns might make it pop. I usually try for a solid color, a large print, and then a small print when styling with pillows.

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Feb 20, 2020

    I think everyone has given you good advice, but here's mine. I try never to be unkind when I comment, so please understand that I am trying to be helpful and not critical. I think the burgundy accents look dated (just my opinion). I would find a larger print (even a framed poster) and put it above the sofa-something a little brighter to play off of your dark sofa. From that choose pillows or fabric and make your own pillows-so easy. Choose two larger print pillows and one smaller print or solid pillow. Put a large pillow on each end and the small one against one of the larger pillows. Odd numbers are always pleasing to the eye. If you use the ottoman to prop your feet, then it serves a purpose, but if not consider a different piece-a trunk, coffee table, even a large rectangular basket with a lid. The ottoman is too matchy and I think that is bothering you without you realizing it.

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Feb 27, 2020

    I think it looks pretty! You could add a throw blanket too!

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Apr 01, 2020

    I would spread a pillows a bit , bring some blanket