How to Decorate a Living Room With a Red Sofa

Add color to your living room with a red couch.

When choosing a living room decor theme, use your red sofa as inspiration. A couch will become the focal point of the room, so choose other furniture pieces, textiles and decor items to complement it. Decorating with a red sofa is a creative way to brighten up a bland, neutral-hued living room. If you're on a tight redecorating schedule or budget, a bold piece of furniture is a simple way to make a big impact.

Things You'll Need

• Wall paint
• Paintbrush
• Throw blanket and pillows
• Living room furniture
• Red textiles and decor items, such as a rug or painting

Instructions

1. Paint the living room walls a light, neutral color so that they don't compete with the vibrant red sofa. Choose white, ecru, taupe, pale yellow or grey paint as a subtle touch.

2. Enhance the red sofa with a decorative throw blanket and matching pillows. Choose pillow patterns to reflect a holiday or the living room decor theme. Pick navy blue-and-white-striped pillows and a navy blanket for a nautical look, or black-and-white toile-patterned pillows and a black cashmere blanket as an elegant touch.

3. Choose furniture items that coordinate with the red sofa. Pick a black side table and entertainment center set, along with a glass-topped coffee table to create a sleek, modern style. Decorate with furniture constructed of dark wood, such as cherry, for a sophisticated look.

4. Decorate the space with red textiles to create a cohesive look throughout the living room. Place a plush red rug under the coffee table or in the center of a large, open space. Hang red curtains as a contrast to neutral walls.

5. Incorporate red decor items into the living room design. Fill a crystal vase with a bouquet of fresh red roses or daisies, and display them on a wall shelf or coffee table. Suspend a chandelier dripping with red crystals from the ceiling in the center of the living room for a dramatic look. Hang a framed, abstract painting of a red flower on a wall.