Once the walls are painted, it's time to decorate. Most people think of furniture first, especially large pieces like the couch. So let's start at the beginning - what color couch goes with beige walls? We've checked with home stylists and designers and have some great suggestions for you.
The best couch colors for beige walls are:
- Gray
- Brown
- Black
- Red
- Blue
- Green
Keep reading for pictures and advice on to use each color in your decor. Then, learn how to decorate and stylize your couch, how many pillows to use, and more.
How Do You Decorate A Beige Living Room?
Beige can be a low key color with a tendency to seem bland. Just make sure to incorporate enough bright colors and turn "blah" into "bold!" Beige is a great companion with bold splashes of color, making them stand out and pop.
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Start by identifying the tone of your beige. While it's typically considered a cool color, some beiges are actually more of a warm brown underneath. Study it carefully, getting a sense of the color - it's usually brown, gray, or even green (like khaki). Warm or cool, you'll want to balance it with some complementary colors.
Gray
Like beige, gray comes in a lot of shades and can be warm or cool-toned. If you want your furniture to stand out against the walls, aim for a complementary shade of gray. In other words, pair a cool blue-grey couch like this one against warm, brownish-beige walls.
If you prefer, you can also pair cool beige and cool gray together. Just be sure to draw attention (and add some excitement) with warm splashes of color elsewhere in the room.
Click here to see this couch on Amazon.
Brown
In a small room, going with a monochromatic style makes everything seem larger than it really is. So beige walls with a brown couch are the best choice for tight spaces. Just be sure to use a variety of shades - if everything's the same shade of beige, it's bound to be boring and dull. Some dark earthy browns add interest and depth.
Click here to see this couch on Amazon.
Black
Generally, black is a strong color for furniture that draws the eye. That's why it works so well with beige walls, which are happy to just set back and let your black couch be the star of the show. Beige walls warm up the room, but don't steal focus.
Click here to see this couch on Amazon.
Red
By default, if you want a couch that really defines the room's look, it's gotta be red. Against neutral beige walls, red just screams, "notice me!" But, with beige to soften the style, the room seems warm and welcoming rather than overdramatic.
Click here to see this couch on Amazon.
Navy Blue
Beige and navy blue both have a way of making the room seem elegant and timeless. They're also grounded, strong colors that work together well. As a team, the colors make a room that still feels bright but more calm than flashy.
Click here to see this couch on Amazon.
Lime Green
Green and brown together are a natural pair - literally. For a fun and modern twist, lime green and beige are edgy and stylish.
Click here to see this couch on Amazon.
What's The Best Way To Style A Couch In A Room With Beige Walls?
Since beige tends to be a subtle color, you'll want to be sure to introduce some brighter, bolder pieces to liven up the room. A couch is a great place to put accents such as pillows or throws. Learn how to arrange a throw on a couch correctly.
If the couch itself is already vibrant in color, you may prefer pieces that go with the couch. Pick items that are close by on the color wheel for a more blended approach. For example, on a lime green couch, try sticking to green or yellow pillows. This will reduce the energy that the couch exudes.
On the other hand, in some rooms, more energy is critical. If the room seems dark and dreary, by all means, living it up with some great complementary accents. Pick colors on the opposite side of the color wheel. For example, a navy blue couch with orange pillows will certainly draw the eye. This adds more texture, visual depth, and interest to the couch as well.
If you aren't comfortable with bold colors, another way to breathe some life into the room is through patterns. You can pick pillows or a throw for the couch with a strong pattern that is subtle but interesting.
Don't forget, too many accents on a couch seem crowded and make the furniture less functional. You don't want to fill the couch with pillows and have nowhere to sit, after all. Some people like extra pillows for a more plush appearance. Others prefer simplicity. Depending on personal preference, a sofa can have anywhere from one to five pillows (more than that is probably overkill unless it's a large sectional). For more information, see: Should Pillows On Sofa And Loveseat Match?
Are Beige and Cream The Same Color?
Beige and cream are not the same color. Typically, beige is considered a cool tone, whereas the color cream is warm. Closer to tan than cream, beige can be thought of as a light brown. Cream could be considered a shade of off-white, but beige is too brown ever to be referred to as "off-white."
In fact, the word "beige" comes from the French word for natural wool. This is wool that is unbleached and undyed, just showing that the word can not be used properly if referring to anything nearly white.
What About The Rest Of The Room?
So you've picked the couch to go with your beige walls. But what else? What color carpet goes with beige walls? And what about curtains?
The most important thing is to keep the room in balance. Most decorators use around three (no more than five) colors in a room, with one being the main color. That color should be used more than half of the time so that it is clearly the leading color in the design. The other two colors are used as accents.
Since beige is a neutral shade, you'll want to be sure to pair it with colors that add some warmth to the room. If, for example, you choose two cool colors, you'll want the third one to be warm. If beige is the most used color in the design, then the two accent colors should probably stand out against the beige (avoid more neutrals, which will be dull). There's no right or wrong answer, but the key is to keep the overall look of the room unified, organized, and stable.
In Conclusion
When decorating with beige, the first step is to identify the tone of the beige. Beige can carry many undertones, some warm and some cool. Knowing if your beige originates from brown, gray, green, or another color will help you find appropriate colors to surround it. For a couch, great colors to work with beige walls include gray, black, brown, red, blue, and lime green. Just be sure to use enough warm, bright colors to brighten up your neutral beige walls, and your decor can be stunning!
