Should Carpet Be Darker Or Lighter Than Sofa? [Inc. Pictures]

A living room is a central focal point for most homes. After all, it's called a living room for a reason, and we do spend a lot of time there! Now, you may be in the market for a new carpet or a new sofa, and you're wondering if the carpet should be lighter or darker than the sofa. Well, we've researched in depth everything you need to know about matching your carpet with your sofa and have some tips for you to consider.

The carpet can be lighter or darker than the sofa, depending on your personal and design preferences. A darker sofa is typically chosen for a lighter carpet, and a lighter sofa is chosen for a darker carpet. If you have a lighter carpet, a darker sofa can provide a stunning contrast and vice versa. If you choose a sofa that matches the carpet, you can separate the two with a contrasting rug.

You might still be wondering about whether to choose a lighter or darker carpet to go with your sofa. Please keep reading for some ideas, suggestions, and picture examples we've put together to help you make your decision.

Should Carpet Be Darker or Lighter Than Sofa?

There really aren't any set rules on whether the carpet should be darker or lighter than the sofa, but there are definitely things to consider. As sofas are often limited to a few color choices, it is much easier to match a carpet to a sofa, so if you are changing your living room's design completely, it might be best to choose a sofa before you choose your carpet. 

Consider the color palette you would like to see in your living room and the feel it may create. If you want to create a warm, cozy setting, consider using neutral, earthy colors like creams and browns. If you want to create a dramatic look, choose a bold colored sofa over a lighter, neutral colored carpet.

You should also consider the amount of traffic your sofa and carpet will see. If you have pets or children, a darker sofa and carpet may be a better option for you. Remember though, if you just happen to fall in love with a lighter colored sofa, you can always use throws and pillows to help protect and accessorize it. 

Click here to see Bourina Throw Blanket on Amazon.

Natural Contrast

Pairing dark brown sofas with a lighter carpet creates a warm, welcoming environment. Choosing colors similar to each other is an easy but effective way to create a homey living space.

A Pop of Color

In this living room, the sofa is only slightly darker than the carpet, but the designer uses pops of orange to add some excitement and splashes of color to the otherwise neutral living room. Décor can transform a room, so if you're concerned your sofa and carpet are too similar in color, you can add an accent color to create some contrast.

Monochromatic Tones

This cozy, monochromatic living room is an example that sometimes less color is more and that your sofa and carpet do not have to be drastically different colors or shades to have an impressive effect. 

Boldly Beautiful

Retro and modern are married together in this stunning living room. A dramatic carpet is a focal point in this space, so the designer has paired it with an all-black sofa and curtains to help accentuate, but not take away from, the dramatic pattern on the floor. You can try a similar technique by making the sofa the focal point of the room!

Contemporary Color Scheme

A lighter-colored sofa is paired with a darker carpet in this contemporary living room, but the designer has used pillows that match the carpet to bring the look together. 

Neutral Backdrop

A neutral-colored carpet allows you to decorate however you wish. It can be paired with almost any color!

For more ideas on whether to choose light or dark furniture, take a look at "Should You Choose Light Or Dark Living Room Furniture?"

How Do You Choose A Carpet Color?

Choosing a carpet color may seem like an exciting but daunting task. Most carpets are made to last from five to fifteen years, so you should choose something you will be comfortable looking at for a long time. The newest fad color might look great to you now, but will you still like it when it isn't trending?

You should, maybe most importantly, think about how your carpet will be used. Will it need to stand up to use from pets or children, or will it see very little foot traffic? Once you've decided how durable your carpet needs to be, you can think about the room's design and how you would like it to look. 

You have probably heard it mentioned before that lighter walls make a room feel bigger, and the same goes for the carpet. If you want your room to feel more open and airy, lighter-colored carpets will have this effect. If you want your room to feel smaller and cozy, a darker carpet is the way to go!

If you don't plan on painting your walls, you will need to consider your current wall color when choosing your carpet. Try to choose a color that is similar to the overall tone of your room. Are your walls warm or cool? Warm wall colors like brown or cream can be paired with warm carpet colors. Cooler colors like greys or blues can be paired with cool carpet colors. 

Tip to remember: the carpet will look lighter in your home than in the store, so keep this in mind when browsing carpet swatches!

What Is The Best Carpet Color Not To Show Dirt?

If you know your carpet will endure a lot of use, you are probably wondering what carpet color will show dirt the least. You might be tempted to choose a darker color for this reason. Darker colors will show fewer stains but might show more lint or fur, so it is actually better to choose a tone in between light and dark, such as a grey or light brown. You should also consider a speckled or flecked carpet; these carpets can help hide lint as it will blend in with the flecks of color until it can be cleaned up.

Should All The Carpet In The House Be The Same Color?

For continuity and flow, it is generally recommended that the carpet in your house be all the same color, or at a very minimum no more than three types of flooring should be used. If you plan to sell your home in the future it will be more appealing to potential buyers if the carpets are all the same color especially if your home has an open floor plan.

Now, of course, there's nothing stopping you from choosing different colors for different rooms if that's what you want, especially if you plan to remain in your home for many years to come. Some people like to choose a fun, bright-colored carpet for their children's rooms, or a playful yellow carpet for their office or sunroom. Maybe you'd like a lighter carpet for your living room, but a darker color for your bedrooms, and that's okay too! At the end of the day, one of the perks of being a homeowner is having the creative freedom to decorate your home how you see fit!

For more reading, take a look at "Can Bedrooms Have Different Flooring?"

Final Thoughts

Choosing a carpet color doesn't have to be stressful if you take a moment to consider what you need your carpet to do, and whether your carpet is lighter or darker than your sofa is completely up to you. Keep in mind some of the examples we shared and some of the tips we gave you about how to choose the color of your carpet, and you'll be happily relaxing in your newly decorated living room in no time!