Neutral Living Room Couch Ideas

Here we are at Week 7 of the One Room Challenge and this living room is finally coming together! For months (a year actually), we went without a couch in our living room. I agonized and went back and forth trying to find just the right couch. Some folks refer to a couch as a sofa, which isn’t common where I live but by all means let’s find the right one! I just needed something like the One Room Challenge to give me a deadline to make a decision. I’m thrilled with how the room turned out and am sharing all my living room couch ideas!

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What to look for in a living room couch:

• Color: I always vote for neutral couches. Which doesn’t mean boring! I just be sure to look for pieces that aren’t cool neutrals (“frost” and “steel” grays are usually cool colors)
• Contrast: Looking for ways to add contrast is one of my very favorite design tricks. I needed a sofa that would contrast with our wood floors, cream rug and newly black painted piano.
• Sofa Legs: The base of couch often really signifies the decor style so choose wisely. Tapered legs are great for mid-century modern. Low profile leans towards traditional and block feels more transitional.
• Material: I typically go with woven fabrics to add some depth so the couch doesn’t feel “flat.” Plus, it hides stains better, what can I say?
• Shape: To keep things simple, I prefer minimal sofas and then liven them up with pillows and throw blankets

Although my couch is currently discontinued, but this Gray Tufted Sofa is similar and, I have a long list of other favorites!

1. Jake Upholstered Sofa wit Wood Base by Pottery Barn, shown here in Oatmeal
2. Lounge Sofa by Crate & Barrel, in Cement
3. Hamilton Leather Sofa by West Elm – this shape is incredible!
4. Versatile 3 Piece Couch – streamlined design by Burrow
5. Henry Sofa in Twill Gravel from West Elm, classic best seller
6. Marin Minimal Couch from West Elm in Pewter Deco Weave

Choosing a couch involved a lot of variables for me, which is why it took me a year to decide on one! Ultimately, I went with a very minimal light, neutral gray because it pretty much checked all the boxes. I styled it with this black and cream pillow set and also with smaller lumbar pillows.

This living room works well with both a rectangle or round coffee table and I’m trying out both. If you need more living room space, I have a post with more of my favorite Round Coffee Tables for more ideas & inspiration. Also, if you’re looking for ideas on styling a sofa, check out my post on How to Layer Throw Pillows.