The Best Couch Colors

Black

• Perhaps the favorite color for a bachelor's living room sofa, black is most often seen in leather because of its low maintenance. Even the best upholstery fabric attracts lint; and lint is most notable on black fabric. However, black never goes out of style -- as evidenced in fashion apparel. Whether you choose black cloth or black leather for your sofa, you will worry little about dirt or stains and can easily change the color scheme of your living room.

Gray or Navy

• Both gray and navy exude relaxed elegance and sophistication. Think of the feeling that a gray suit or navy blazer gives the person who wears it -- or sees another wearing it. Both gray and navy are cool and calming; a sofa in either color will set the mood for your living room. Gray and navy easily hide dirt and are also versatile. Solid color mates well with texture on a contemporary style sofa; a tone-on-tone stripe creates a striking traditional-style sofa. Coordinate other cool or neutral tones or pops of brights like yellow or red with your gray or navy sofa.

Red

• Lovers of red consider true red (one that has neither orange nor blue undertones) a "neutral" that fits into any color scheme. A red sofa looks smart and sassy, whether done in cloth or leather. Red is just as suitable for traditional decor as for contemporary and other styles. Consider combining a red sofa with gold to show off mahogany antiques, with blue and yellow for French Country style, with blue and white stripes for coastal style, or with turquoise for mid-century modern flair.

Shades of Brown

• From beige to chocolate, you can't go wrong with a shade of brown. A long-time favorite for traditional roll-arm sofas in cloth or leather, brown brings warmth to the living or family room. But don't overlook a shade of brown for a contemporary sofa or a sleek modern style. Brown looks as good with chrome legs as mahogany ones; and shades of brown never go out of fashion. Medium to darker shades are easiest to keep clean-looking. Look for browns that are neither too green nor too red for the maximum in decorating versatility. Coordinate your sofa with blue or turquoise today; for the future, remember green, rust or burgundy.