11 Colors That Go Perfectly With a Taupe Couch

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If you're looking for a sofa color that won't go out of style and can pair with just about any other shade, why not try versatile, timeless taupe? This classic neutral is often confused with beige or tan, but it's more of an earthy grayish-brown that can range from dark mushroom to pale greige, with a wide spectrum of undertones from yellow to purple.

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The versatility of taupe means that when it comes to pairing it with other colors, the world is your oyster! This can make decorating both fun and challenging. How are you supposed to narrow down your accent color choices when everything goes with taupe?

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Interior Designer Elizabeth Ryan explains that you should "look at that taupe sofa like flattering jeans — a comfy springboard to start showcasing your personal design style."

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When you use taupe in your home decor, "you aren't at all limited on how to design the rest of the room. It actually gives you so much freedom to showcase your personal design style," Ryan says. "If a neutral living room is your jam, look for textures as you layer these natural tones. Velvets, wood grains, and faux furs will be your friend to keep the space from going bland. If your personal style leans more vibrant, look for a few middle-ground colors to bridge the gap between colorful and taupe."

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Need help figuring out where to start? Keep scrolling for some of our favorite taupe color combinations.

11 Colors to Pair With a Taupe Couch

1. Terra Cotta and Sage Green

Taupe, terra cotta, and sage green are all grounding shades that help us feel more connected with nature. See how beautiful they look together in this minimalist living room designed by Ohlo Studio. Pale gray walls create a calming ambiance, and a patterned rug brings the whole palette together.

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2. Teal

Image Credit: Stephen Paul for Hunker

The muted tones in this taupe living room create an understated and earthy elegance. A dark-hued sofa blends perfectly with lighter shades in the walls, rug, and artwork. The bright teal lampshade provides a playful focal point, proving that you don't need much color to transform the feeling of an entire space.

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3. Champagne

Add a touch of glamour by combining a taupe sofa with luminous champagne — even if just in the form a couple of throw pillows, as in this living room from RTG Designs. Champagne might be another neutral color, but it has a shimmering glow. Anchored by an animal print area rug, this space is anything but boring.

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4. Blue

We're loving the cool and calm vibe of this modern living room from Mainstreet Stockholm. The taupe suede couch is an obvious match for the gray paint color, but what's more surprising is how well it goes with the moody blue accent wall. The warmth of the sofa, floor, and pendant light balance all the cool tones in the room.

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5. Gray

Image Credit: Paul Anderson for Hunker

Taupe is often described as the warmer cousin of gray. Pairing it with a cool, light gray wall and taupe concrete flooring creates subtle, appealing contrast. This neutral color scheme is both stylish and calming.

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6. Red, Olive Green, and Tan

A palette of muted, earthy shades like taupe, warm red, olive green, and tan allows the prints and textures to be the stars of the show in this boho-inspired living room. The woven wall art, throw pillows, and patterned area rug draw the eye without looking busy. The taupe sofa is the perfect choice for this airy yet grounded space.

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7. Tan

Taupe and tan might sound like a tame partnership. But, as you can see in this living room from Studio McGee, it needn't be. There is plenty of depth and contrast in layered accents, including throws, greenery, ceramic lamps, and cozy leather armchairs. White walls and a vaulted, light wooden ceiling create a bright and spacious look.

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8. Rust

Image Credit: Hunker in Partnership With Sonder

There's an abundance of warmth and depth in this gray-walled apartment thanks to the taupe sofa and rich rust area rug. The lighter taupe softens the impact of the darker orange and brown tones so the rug doesn't overwhelm the space. The industrial-style walls and high ceilings are offset with plenty of cozy texture.

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9. Brown

Image Credit: Stephen Paul for Hunker

If you're looking to add a bit of drama to your design, pair your taupe sofa with dark brown walls. The space is sure to be cozy, comfortable, and inviting. Here, the light taupe sofa, ceiling, and area rug keep the room from looking too closed-in.

10. Beige

Beige and taupe are similarly warm colors, the main difference being that beige is often lighter, with a warmer undertone. The two make a perfect match if you're looking for a clean, calm, and neutral color palette. The soft beige walls and flooring in this living room from Chango & Co. contrast subtly with the taupe couch and rug for a warm and effortlessly stylish look.

11. White

The inviting dark taupe sofa in this beautiful bedroom by Alice Lane Interior Design adds warmth to a bright white and gray palette. The layering of bedsheets and area rugs, along with the rich tones of the long navy blue throw pillow, add an air of sophistication and timeless charm. You're bound to sleep soundly in this relaxing room.

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How to Style a Taupe Couch

Image Credit: Stephen Paul for Hunker
  • Bring your taupe sofa to life with contrasting but complementary throws and cushions.
  • Not all taupe colors are created equal. Some shades of taupe have warmer brown undertones, while others veer towards cooler gray. Consider this when matching other hues on walls and furnishings.
  • Choose colorful neutrals like olive, warm navy and sage. Ryan reaches for these shades when she "wants the taupe to soften and the vibrant colors to sing."
  • Think about the sofa upholstery texture. Whether its velvet, leather, linen, or chenille, it can change the room's ambience — from cozy to sleek and everywhere in between.
  • The shape of your sofa influences the vibe, too. Curves create a softer look (as seen above in the living space by Alice Lane Interior Design), while sharp corners can look cool and modern.

Colors That Go With a Taupe Couch

By now, you've probably gathered that taupe is such a versatile color, it will go with just about anything. This shade pairs perfectly with everything from warm browns and golds (as seen above in the living space by Alice Lane Interior Design), to cool grays and blues. Incorporate bright colors with a few throw cushions and blankets for a cozy, dynamic look.

Here are some captivating colors that go with taupe:

  • Terra cotta
  • Sage green
  • Teal
  • Champagne
  • Blue
  • Gray
  • Red
  • Olive green
  • Tan
  • Rust
  • Brown
  • Beige
  • White

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