What Goes with an Orange Couch? [5 Styling Options Explored]

If you've spent any time on Instagram lately, you've probably seen a lot of gorgeous living spaces with a statement orange sofa. You might be wondering if you can pull off an orange sofa without the help of a professional decorator. We've done the research and have the best design advice for how to incorporate an orange sofa into your home. 

When it comes to styling an orange sofa, it's all about choosing the right colors that either coordinate or accent the orange. For other large items, such as chairs or rugs, choose neutrals or colors that are close to orange on the color wheel, such as red or yellow. For accent pieces, such as throw pillows or blankets that you want to pop, choose a color opposite orange on the color wheel, such as blue or green. 

There are exceptions to these rules, of course, and you may want to do something different depending on the purpose and style of your room. Continue reading to find out more about how you can get the look you want for your space. 

orange sofa in modern interior background, living room. What Goes with an Orange Couch [5 Styling Options Explored]

Color Theory

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color swatch guide fanned out into a circle formation

First up, a little bit of color theory, but don't worry, it's super simple. Complementary colors are colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel. For orange, complementary colors are greens and blues. Analogous colors are colors that are beside each other on the color wheel. For orange, these would be other warm colors such as yellow and red. 

There are just a few more color-specific words you'll need to understand before we deep dive into styling an orange sofa. A hue is a pure color. A shade is created by adding black to a hue which results in a more subdued, darker color. A tint is created by adding white to a hue. Tinting also tones down the hue, but it creates a lighter, and sometimes brighter, color. Lastly, a tone is created by adding gray to a hue. A tone creates a less intense version of the hue. 

Now let's take a closer look at what goes with an orange couch!

1. Use Neutrals or Analogous Colors for Large Pieces 

Because orange is a warm color, it's very energizing. You may want to calm it down a little with neutrals for your wall, rug, and curtain colors. Browns, whites, and blacks all go well with orange and will tone it down so it doesn't overpower a room.

You can also use analogous colors such as yellow and red if you want to keep the energy of warm colors without too much overall contrast. If you're decorating a living space, it's probably best to use muted tones of these colors since pure hues can be a bit overwhelming. 

A neutral rug is a great choice to pair with an orange sofa. If you're using analogous colors on your other furniture pieces, a neutral rug can tie them all together and make the room look finished without calling too much attention to itself. 

Check out this neutral rug on Amazon.

2. Use Complementary Colors for Accent Pieces 

Complementary colors such as blue or green will work great as throw pillows or decorative accents on or around your orange sofa. Complementary colors play off each other well. Using accents of this color will give your room a put-together look without competing for attention. 

Orange sofas have a lot of personality, so consider using some interesting accent pieces near your sofa. Funky vases or dramatic artwork that incorporates green or blue will add that designer touch to your living room.

Click here to see this accent piece on Amazon.

3. Bring in Some Plants

Because green is a complementary color to orange, adding some dramatic plants is a great way to style an orange sofa. A large plant such as a Parlor Palm or a Fiddle Leaf Fig will make a statement and look fantastic next to your couch. 

If your budget or space doesn't allow for a large plant, a grouping of smaller plants can be just as dramatic and effective. Pothos, also called Devil's Ivy, is a cheap, readily available houseplant that's easy to take care of.  If you hang a few Pothos near your sofa, its hanging tendrils will give your living space a tropical jungle vibe. 

Click here to see pothos plants on Amazon.

4. Add Some Glamor

You can't go wrong by bringing in some glamor to accent your orange sofa. An orange sofa is always dramatic, and that drama is enhanced by any type of metallic accent. Gold, silver, and bronze are all metals that can add some glamor to your room. 

In addition to being glamorous, metallic surfaces are also neutral. A metallic side table is an effortless way to work in some glamor without having to worry about a competing color. 

Click here to see these metallic side tables on Amazon.

5. Break the Rules

As with all style rules, the rules of pairing colors with orange were made to be broken. If you want a high energy room that sizzles, painting your walls a complementary color instead of neutral may be the perfect solution for you. Blue walls will make an orange sofa pop even more.

How Do You Style An Orange Sofa?

The most important thing to keep in mind when styling a sofa is comfort. While you want your sofa to look great, it should always be an inviting place to sit down. A soft throw along with a few cushy throw pillows are all most sofas need. If your style leans toward boho, you may want to layer several throws with a variety of textiles and patterns. If you're more traditional, you can use a folded throw with some structured pillows. 

Focus on creating a conversation area around your sofa to create a cohesive and useful area. As with any sofa, make sure there is a table nearby for setting down a drink or a book. Include some other comfy seating and a good mix of task and ambient light. 

Is Orange A Good Color For The Living Room?

Orange is a warm, vibrant color that will work wonderfully in most living rooms. Warm colors such as orange are energizing and uplifting. You should avoid jarring shades of orange, such as those used on hunters' vests. However, there are many shades of orange that are more reminiscent of sunsets and will give your living room a cozy glow. 

living room lush lava interior wall mock up with bright orange sofa

How Do You Match Your Sofa And Rug?

When you have an orange sofa, you'll want to consider several factors when matching it with a rug. If the rest of your decor is neutral, you might want to go with a rug that makes your sofa pop. For this effect, you'll want to choose a rug with strong blues or greens. 

Click here to see this blue rug on Amazon.

If you've decided to paint your walls blue or green or you already have a lot of complementary colors in your room, you may want to choose a neutral rug to tie your room together without overwhelming it. If you do this, you can choose a broad range of neutrals that will look great with orange. 

Check out this jute rug on Amazon.

You might also want to go with a rug that has analogous colors. If your room is mainly neutrals and you already have pops of complementary colors, you can choose a rug with orange and other analogous colors in it to emphasize the orange in the room. 

Click here to see this rug on Amazon.

In Closing

An orange sofa can be a fun, welcoming element in your living room. By considering all of the elements in your room when choosing your sofa and other furnishings, you can have an orange sofa that looks like it was styled by a professional decorator and is still cozy enough for your family. For more great living room ideas, you might want to check out these articles:

How To Place Living Room Furniture

How Big Should Living Room Windows Be?

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