Grey sofas are an incredibly popular choice for many people. Not only do they look elegant, timeless and sophisticated, they also come in many different shades. Plus, a grey sofa is a great option for houses with pets or young children because any spillages and crumbs are less noticeable.
The biggest benefit is that a grey sofa is a completely blank canvas, so you can express your personality through cushions and throws. When it comes to choosing what colour cushions go with a grey sofa, you have plenty of options. It will pair well with most shades of pink, red, green, blue, yellow and purple, as well as many more.
Stay away from grey cushions as too much of the same colour can make the sofa feel flat and dull. Read on to find some of our favourite cushion colour combinations with a grey sofa.
Brighten a grey sofa with bold colours
Brightly coloured cushions bring playfulness to rooms with plenty of subdued colours and a grey sofa. The best part is that this look couldn’t be easier to achieve. From reds and blues to yellows and greens, most bright colours will work with your grey sofa. Simply choose a combination of colours that speaks to your style and that go well together.
Mix and match in different sizes and colour but keep the cushion texture the same to create a cohesive display. Adding in more texture as well as different sizes and colours could lead to quite a chaotic look.
Calming Grey Sofa With Beige Cushions
If your living room is the place you go to unwind, relax and be tranquil, you might want to keep the colours fairly pared back. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your design. Decorating your grey sofa with natural-coloured cushions will lend an air of calm and sophistication to your living room.
Bring in pattern and texture to add more depth to the cushions and your grey sofa will look great. We suggest looking for cushions in natural materials like linen and cotton.
Blue Cushions With a Grey Sofa
Blue is one of the colour cushions that goes incredibly well with a grey sofa. It’s a pairing that can look incredibly sleek and put together when done right.
In this example the cushion features hints of blue in the pattern which is a great way to tie blue into the room without going overboard. However, if you’re after a bolder look then you could choose a pattern with more blue in it or even a block colour.
If you’re creating a cluster on your grey sofa then we suggest choosing different shades of blue for each cushion. This will make it look more refined and elegant.
Grey Sofas With Jewel-Toned Cushions
If you’re looking to elevate your grey sofa and lend it a more luxurious aesthetic, why not accessorise with jewel-toned cushions? That means colours like amethyst, emerald, ruby and sapphire. These bold, beautiful colours will bring warmth and comfort to your sofa, whatever shade of grey it is.
Using jewel-toned cushions is also a great way to bring colour to your space without painting walls or investing in new furniture. Despite being particularly on trend at the moment, jewel colours are incredibly timeless hues, meaning they’ll have a place in your home for years to come. For an even more opulent look, use materials like velvet, fur and silk in jewel tones.
These materials have been celebrated as premium fabrics for centuries and it’s still the case today. If your sofa has finely textured upholstery, then these premium fabrics are perfect for your cushions. Mix and match using both colour and texture to give your sofa a luxurious depth.
Yellow cushions on a grey sofa
A grey sofa can feel quite overwhelming in a darker or more shaded room. Pairing your grey sofa with yellow cushions is a great way to brighten it up. This works particularly well if your cushion has some sort of pattern or texture to it. Too many block colours and fabrics in the same weave can make the scheme feel a bit flat and boring.
Yellow also works well with blue tones. So, if you want to create a cluster of pillows in different colours then yellow and blue makes a great choice. If natural hues are more your jam, then opt for light yellow cushions instead. The beauty of a grey sofa is that most shades of yellow will go well with it. Looking for some new cushions for your grey sofa?
Check out our collection of premium cushions.
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Tips & advice
For centuries marble has been a key feature in opulent interiors. Not only does marble create a sense of grandeur, it’s also incredibly practical and durable. So, it’s no wonder that you may want to decorate your home with marble.
Our curated article shows you how to incorporate the must-have material into your design scheme.
Make marble the centrepiece
Choosing marble for a dining table, kitchen worktop or floor is a great way to make a statement with the material. It brings a timeless elegance to a room and can make it feel incredibly luxurious when used correctly. Marble’s durable nature makes it a worthwhile investment for everyday family life.
In many Italian homes, locally sourced white Carrara features prominently on worktops, counters and coffee tables. That’s because it’s a robust, durable material that stays cool and will look beautiful for years to come. This dining table has a curved white marble table to come.
This dining table has a curved white marble tabletop that looks elegant in both modern and traditional rooms. Paired here with dark wooden floors and furniture, it brings a little more light and texture to the space. By keeping the accessories within the same colour scheme, the marble is encouraged to take centre stage as the star of the show.
Make light use of marble
Unlike other more brittle types of stone, marble can be carved very thinly while keeping a solid shape. Lighting designers have taken advantage of these natural properties and use marble to create decorative diffusions of light. Arrange a series of marble pendant lights in a cluster to make a statement or choose a marble lamp base for a more subtle infusion.
Marble is also often used to bring a more polished edge to rustic or industrial interiors. Here, Tom Dixon’s Stone Pendant Light brings opulence and warmth to a concrete interior. Paired with polished brass accents, the light elevates the room even more.
Invest in key marble pieces
Let’s face it, decorating your home with solid marble furniture, walls or surfaces can be a big investment. If you want to inject a luxurious marble aesthetic into your home without breaking the bank, we suggest investing in some key pieces.
Marble has been ‘on trend’ for decades, so you can rest assured that your investment furniture won’t go out of style anytime soon. Marble coffee tables are a great option because they stand out as an elegant centrepiece in the living room.
Whilst this table’s modern form wouldn’t look out of place in a cutting-edge, minimalist scheme, it works just as well in a homely sitting room. Pair it with some modern soft furnishings, colourful accessories and it will lend an added depth to your room.
Pair marble with woods
In a room dominated by wood, you might be at a loss for what materials to pair it with. Luckily, marble could be the answer. Marble’s natural veined pattern adds an elegant contrast to a room setting dominated by solid woods.
Where wood can offer a more rustic, traditional appeal, the addition of marble balances it out and brings a sophisticated, polished edge. White marble and walnut make a particularly sophisticated combination, however light woods also compliment the natural material.
If you’re looking to make a real statement, we suggest considering a darker marble with dark wood. The result can be incredibly striking.
Marble also looks stunning when accenting a piece of wooden furniture. This white marble and walnut console table exudes sophistication and elegance. Plus, it cleverly pulls together the white walls and dark herringbone floors.
Accessorise with marble
If you’re looking for a more subtle injection of marble into your interior design scheme, marble accessories could be the answer. From trays and coasters to bowls and vases, marble accessories will bring that luxurious edge into your space without breaking the bank.
Marble is also a great choice when used for serving dishes and offers many years’ service compared to wooden chopping and charcuterie boards. Seduced by its functionality and style, more and more designers are returning to marble to create accessories. They’re carving the ancient material into contemporary shapes and introducing modern solutions.
For example, Vitra’s L’Oiseau shown here. This special edition accessory was reimagined in marble and brings a luxurious edge to Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s charming design.
Check out our collection of furniture to find the perfect marble design for your home.
Creating a bedroom that encourages good sleep and mindful practices is a great way to start every day right. Instead of hitting the snooze button over and over again, a well-styled bedroom will help feel ready for the day.
It’s surprisingly easy to transform your bedroom into a more mindful space. So, here are some of our top tips.
Natural textures
One of the best things you can do to create a calming, mindful bedroom is to invest in natural bed linen. So, that means choosing materials like cotton and linen instead of synthetic fabrics. That’s because materials like polyester and acrylic can be scratchy, unbreathable and lead to poor sleep.
Plenty of bed linen is made using these synthetic fabrics, so always check the label before buying. In contrast, natural materials like linen and cotton can seriously enhance your slumber. They’re both breathable, sumptuously soft and better for the planet.
Bringing more of these natural materials into your bedroom will help create a mindful ambience. Plus, they look as good as they feel. At winter, we suggest layering up with a toasty quilted bedspread layered on top of your cotton bed linen.
And you needn’t stop at your bedding either. Use natural textures and materials in your rugs, curtains and upholstery for a truly comforting bedroom.
Calming colours
The right colour can make or break a bedroom, you’ll want it to feel calm, revitalising and atmospheric. When choosing colours for your mindful bedroom we suggest sticking to muted, warm tones and avoiding bright hues like red or gloomy dark greys and browns.
Our personal favourite bedroom colour is blue, and there’s serious science behind why it’s a great choice. In fact, the brain can recognise more shades of blue than any other colour. Plus, when the brain senses blue, it isn’t stimulated by it, encouraging it to create more sleepy hormones. Bring shades of blue into your room through the curtains, accent chairs, rugs and bed linen.
Toned-down shades of green and yellow also make brilliant calming bedroom colours. However, if bright colours are your thing and you feel comfortable nodding off surrounded by them, then keep it bold. If it works, it works.
A natural flourish
Bring the outdoors in by adding some specially chosen house plants to your bedroom. In the same way that forest bathing helps to calm and reenergise the mind, adding plants to your bedroom will help create a mindful, calming ambience. Plus, plants look great and will add an extra design flourish to your bedroom.
One of the biggest benefits of having plants in your bedroom is that they help to purify the air. That means they pull toxins from the air, trap them and release oxygen, helping you to have a mindful rest. But remember, not all plants are known for air purifying, so choose carefully.
Warm lighting
The right lighting will do wonders for creating a mindful bedroom. After all, the last thing you need before nodding off is a harsh white light in your eyes. Atmospheric, warming lighting will help create a relaxing, inviting bedroom. Luckily this is an easy fix. Light bulbs come in warm and white hues. So, simply switch your white bulbs out for warm ones and your bedroom will feel more relaxing instantly.
Or, if you’re currently redesigning your home, now might be the right time to ask the electrician for dimmer switches. Dimmer switches mean you can control the ambience of the room without changing bulbs. So, they’re perfect for all occasions.
If you’re looking for a grander solution than new light bulbs but something easier than dimmer switches, then new lighting may be in order. When choosing your lighting, opt for shades made using frosted glass. These will diffuse the light and create a more subtle glow, perfect for bedtime.
No mobiles before bed
If you’re investing in warm lighting and comfortable bedding, then you’re on track to create a truly mindful bedroom. However, an hour spent scrolling on your phone in bed could undo all your good work. Not only will their bright blue light trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, but the constant stimulation will keep you wide awake. We recommend turning your bedroom into a no phone zone.
This could mean the whole room, or it could mean leaving your phone on the opposite side of the bedroom to avoid temptation. Avoiding television in the run up to bedtime will also help to improve your sleep and help you drift off faster.
Avoid clutter
Looking to sleep better and wake up feeling mindful? Then a tidy, clutter-free room should set you on the right path. In fact, studies have shown that it takes people with messier bedrooms longer to fall asleep. This means tiredness the following day and less energy to tidy up too. So, ditch the chair that’s piled high with clothes, pick your socks off the floor and neaten up that bedside table.
A great way to achieve a tidy bedroom this is through hidden storage. Whether that’s an ottoman bed with storage space underneath, shelves with opaque doors or cleverly designed wardrobes. Together, these innovative storage solutions will help you create a clutter-free, mindful bedroom. Want to create your own mindful bedroom?
Check out our Bedroom edit.
Sofas and carpets are both big investments, so you’ll want to get them just right. Luckily, one of the best things about having a grey sofa is that it’s versatile. That means it will look great alongside most colour carpets or flooring.
Plus, you can switch it up with accessories whenever you fancy. But with so many carpets out there and sofa upholstery in countless shades of grey, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve whittled down the options to highlight the best colour carpets to go with a grey sofa.
Grey sofas go with neutral carpets
For an understated and versatile living room design, we suggest pairing your grey sofa with a beige carpet. Neutral beige, cream and off-white tones will match the tone of your grey sofa perfectly and creates the perfect base for a versatile room.
On the surface, a neutral carpet and a minimalist grey sofa can seem a bit bland. However, they are both costly investments and you don’t want to choose something you’ll hate in a year. Luckily that’s where accessories come in handy. You can bring pops of colour to your room through cushions, throws, decorative accessories and accent chairs.
So, having a minimalist carpet needn’t make your living space a colour-free space. Having a neutral carpet is also a great tip for smaller living spaces. That’s because lighter tones like beige or cream help to brighten your room and make it seem bigger. So, if you’re worried a grey sofa will darken your compact living room, perhaps consider a cream or beige carpet.
Grey sofas go with wooden floors and an accent rug
Not strictly a carpet, but still a floor covering worth considering, wooden floors complement grey sofas perfectly. They help to bring warmth and timeless style to most rooms and can stop the grey feeling too dull.
For a little more comfort underfoot, add a rug to the living space. Not only will a rug keep your toes warm on cooler nights, but it also helps to pull the room together. Pair it perfectly by choosing a rug with tones of grey that tie it back to your sofa.
An accent colour like blue, pink or green running through it will help to create a truly premium room design. Plus, a rug is far easier to switch up than a carpet. So, there’s no need to redo the entire floor if you fancy a change in a few years’ time.
Grey sofas go with grey carpets
Pairing a grey sofa with a grey carpet might feel like a bit of an overload, but it works surprisingly well. For example, if the room has a striking view, then keeping the sofa and carpet grey will help direct the gaze towards it. Even without a view, a grey sofa and carpet is a timeless combination.
The key thing to remember is to mix up the tones of grey as well as the textures. For example, you could pair your dark grey sofa with a light grey carpet. Or you could choose a deeper grey sofa and a concrete-coloured carpet. This helps to create a slight contrast and breaks up the grey.
When it comes to textures, we suggest finding a carpet with a different texture to the sofa. For example, a carpet with a chunkier texture will look best with a sofa with tight, clean weave.
If you are pairing a grey sofa with a carpet in a similar colour, then accessories will come in useful again. Introduce tones of green and blue to the space to give it more depth, whilst staying true to your grey colour scheme.
Grey sofas go with pink carpets
Pink and grey are a dream duo in many respects and look great together in a living room. In fact, we’re obsessed with this grey sofa and pink carpet combination. Investing in a pink carpet may be a bold choice for some people, but natural blush colours are surprisingly versatile. Pink goes well with many shades of grey, green and blue, so you can really get creative with it.
Instead of matching all your accessories to the carpet, choosing different hues of pink will look more premium. That means choosing throws, cushions and lampshades in different shades of pink and ideally different textures.
Looking for a grey sofa? Discover our premium grey sofas here.
A stylish living room isn’t complete without some carefully chosen and arranged cushions on the sofa. No matter the space, the right cushions really can transform a room. Sure, your dream sofa may have been delivered and the armchair you picked out looks great, but it still needs cushions.
There isn’t a hard-and-fast rule on how to arrange cushions on a sofa. However, the 2-1-2 arrangement is very popular. That’s a large cushion in each corner, a slightly smaller cushion next to them and topped off with one cushion in the centre of the sofa. Arranging your sofa cushions like this will automatically make it feel more thought through.
Quantity makes a big different to the overall look of your sofa. Too many cushions and your living room could look cluttered, and they may even make the sofa less comfy. As a general rule, we reckon a two- or three-seater sofa needs a maximum of three cushions.
If your sofa’s larger then you can get away with more. Think six or more on a large corner sofa. If you’re stuck for ideas, take some inspiration from our five styling tips. We’ll show you how to choose and arrange cushions on a sofa to suit your space perfectly.
How to arrange cushions so they don’t feel too formal
Sometimes, a set of perfectly arranged cushions on the sofa can seem a little formal. If that isn’t your style, then there are ways to make them feel a little more casual. One way of arranging cushions on your sofa so they look relaxed is to group them to one side. Placing cushions symmetrically on a sofa using the 2-1-2 rule can lead to a more formal arrangement. Positioning two cushions to one side will automatically feel more relaxed.
Another way is to have an odd number of cushions. So, instead of four or six cushions, you have three or five. That’s because even numbers can feel more formal. In fact, in many cultures, odd numbers are used to make homes feel more relaxing. Take Japan for example. In Japan, traditional items like bowls or plates are sold in sets of five. We suggest positioning two cushions on one side and the third cushion on the opposite side of the sofa.
If you want to add more formality to your living room, then an even number of cushions will do the trick.
Cushions that add colour to a sofa
If your living room décor is relatively muted, then you’d be forgiven for wanting to add a splash of colour. Luckily, cushions are a great way of adding colour without breaking the bank. Using cushions, you can completely rejuvenate your sofa without reupholstering it or investing in a new one. And the best part? You can switch up your cushions throughout the year. That could mean bright yellows and blue in summer, and deep red textured cushions during winter.
When choosing colourful cushions, we recommend picking out complementary colours. In our example, you’ll see we’ve used hues of yellow that harmonise beautifully with a splash of blue. By keeping the colours within the same spectrum, the cushion scheme looks well thought through. Another way to choose your cushions is to make sure their patterns or shapes work together, even if the colours are different. We reckon mixing and matching patterns looks more visually striking than completely matching cushions.
How to style cushions on a red sofa
When it comes to styling a red sofa, we’ll always have a soft spot for cobalt blue cushions. You might think a red sofa is bold enough on its own, but in reality it’s a great base for blue. We love how bright cobalt is paired with tonal reds in this look for a splash of extra colour.
If you have a more traditional dark red sofa, then deeper colours like navy or royal blue are a strong choice. Together, these colours will make your living room feel more classical. Of course, the fabric and shape of your cushion will also influence the final look. To enhance a sofa’s more traditional design, then we suggest cushions with rich textures like velvet or jacquard fabrics.
If your aesthetic is a little more neutral, then a red sofa with cushions can also fit your home. We suggest opting for rust-hued upholstery and using cushions in the same tone. That means using different shades of reds, warm neutrals and natural materials.
How to make your sofa look more comfortable
Whether you have a sleek Scandinavian sofa or a modernist Italian design, adding an extra touch of comfort is always a good thing. To really get the relaxed feel, it’s important to forget all the rules you’ve been told about cushions. No, they don’t need to be perfectly plumped. No, they don’t have to be positioned at a perfect 45-degree angle. And no, they don’t need to match your sofa.
To feel relaxed and inviting, a sofa shouldn’t be pristinely arranged. We suggest arranging your cushions in a ‘haphazard’ order and definitely don’t over plump them. Choosing colours that are different to your sofa will also bring a little more fun to the space. Pair yellow cushions with deep blue sofas or green and rust hues with your grey sofa. To really tie them into your space, you could even colour coordinate your cushions with your room. Pull a colour from your favourite accessory, print or throw to create a cohesive yet comfortable décor.
We love the minimalist way this sofa has been styled, without going over the top. Just one cushion brings life and comfort to the modern sofa. Not to mention the throw. Drape a throw casually over the sofa’s arm or backrest and voila, your sofa’s automatically got added comfort kudos.
How to style cushions on a grey sofa
If you already have a grey sofa, then congratulations, you have the perfect blank canvas. Grey sofas are great because they can be restyled in countless ways just by switching up the cushions. Plus, its neutral colour means your sofa will go with almost every colour of the rainbow.
To create a serene, calming living room then we suggest choosing cushions in similar shades. Think creams, greys and white. Mix and match across the shades and choose natural fabrics like linen or fur for that spa-like feel. We love the way this sofa has been styled to feel relaxing and refined using tonal colours.
If you want to bring a little more colour into your room, then take inspiration from your space. Got a lamp you love with a fuchsia shade? Then bring in elements of pink into your cushion scheme. Have a print hanging nearby with touches of green? Then use that to inspire your cushion choices. When it comes to grey sofas, you can choose any colour cushion you like.
Interested? Shop cushions now.
Nowhere in the house brings as much warmth and pleasure as a cosy living room. It’s the place you get together as a family, entertain guests and unwind in front of your favourite film. So, it goes without saying that you want your living space to be as comfortable and inviting as possible.
With winter nipping at our toes as early as October, a snug living room is high on the priority list. After all, the cold is best enjoyed from the warmth of your home. With that in mind, here are our top five ways to create a cosy living room in time for winter.
Cosy Living Room Furniture in Modern Homes
The idea of marble floors, concrete walls and slick wooden storage don’t scream comfortable. However, with some clever styling you can easily create a cosy living room in your modern home. To create a cosy living space in large, open-plan home, we suggest creating pockets of activity.
That could be placing a sofa with ottomans in front of the TV or armchairs to form a reading nook. You could even create a workspace with a desk and a chair, or a music area with a instruments and stools. This instantly adds character and personalises the space, while also creating the illusion of several smaller rooms in one.
In this cosy living room idea, we’ve used a rug to highlight the living room space. This adds a little more texture underfoot but also identifies the area as the lounge. If you’re creating a cosy living room on a budget, then this is a great way to save some pennies.
Add a plush sofa with rich velvet upholstery and wooden accents to make it feel even more relaxing. Plus, accessories like cushions, dimmable lighting and sheepskin upholstery will add a Scandinavian cosiness to your living room.
Lighting for Cosy Living Rooms
When creating a cosy atmosphere in your living room, finding the right lighting is crucial. That’s because lighting plays a big part in creating a room’s mood. From the bulbs to the shades to where your lights are positioned, every detail counts.
Subdued, low lighting tends to convey more warmth than bright, ceiling lighting, making it perfect for a cosy living room. Warm, natural light bulbs, ethereal lamps and cleverly placed spotlights are key to creating this ambience.
See how the Michael Anastassiades lamp in our cosy living room idea casts a warm glow in the space? That’s what your lighting should achieve. Remember, even lamps made from cooler materials like concrete or marble can warm up a room, with the right bulb.
Candles are another good option for making a room look cosy. They create a gentle, flickering light that lends a sense of intimacy to your living room. Place them on a mantelpiece, a side table or a decorative tray. Choose candle holders made from materials that enhance the warmth, like ceramics and wood.
Why Texture Matters in a Living Room
Layers and textures give your living room depth and warmth. Anything from sheepskin to bouclé will make your room feel more inviting. Mixing and matching different textures together will also make your space feel cosier whilst still looking stylish.
The best part is, if you aren’t in the market for a new sofa or armchair then you can still achieve this look. All it takes is some clever styling. Throw together an assortment of playful, mismatched cushions and drape sumptuous throws over your armchairs and sofas.
A rug will also make your living room feel cosy, especially if you have tile or hardwood floors. In particular, thick pile rugs will add a little extra comfort. If your space is long and skinny, then we suggest a rectangular rug. If it’s a wider room, then a circular or square rug would be our go to.
Dark Walls in a Cosy Home
Whilst bright white looks great in many homes, some rooms are screaming out for dark walls to create a cosy living room. And we don’t mean a single dark feature wall, we’re talking all four walls painted a dark shade.
Dark greens, blues and greys are all popular choices when it comes to dark walls. Take a look at your space, style and existing furniture to decide exactly which hue to choose. Plus, properly consider if dark walls are your cup of tea before getting the paint roller out.
It’d be hard to repaint your walls light again after, so dark walls aren’t for the faint hearted. But painting your living room walls dark shouldn’t mean sacrificing colour. We love the way this cosy living room idea creates contrasts with the fuchsia sofa.
In a dark space with green walls, black fireplace and wooden floors, the pink sofa makes the room pop. Plus, the sumptuous velvet upholstery is a sure-fire way to feel cosy. Additional accessories like lighting, vases and flowers will also add some much-needed colour to your living room.
Use of Space in a Living Room
When we think of cosiness, we normally think of small rooms filled with comfy objects and soft lighting. However, you can still make a larger room look cosy with a few tricks. You could try building seating around a focal point, like a fireplace or window to visually reduce the room’s size.
Clever optical illusions with tall living room furniture can also make the space feel smaller. Bookcases and standing shelves work well, as they take up space and give the impression of a smaller room. Too much empty space can make a room feel cold.
So, we suggest styling your living room with some of your favourite ornaments and objects to create a homely feel. Layer your shelves and tables with ceramic or glass vases and other decorative items like small sculptures and lacquered trays. To maximise visual impact, arrange them in a refined, natural way, rather than completely symmetrical.
With these simple tips and some attention to detail, your living room will be cosy and comfy this winter. Snuggle under a blanket on your sofa or curl up with a good book and a cuppa in your armchair. You deserve it.
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