Pros and Cons of Dark- and Light-Colored Sofas

The sofa is the largest piece of furniture in the living room and is a big investment; it is not something you’ll want to change that often, so you should invest wisely and choose something that’s going to work well with your lifestyle. Learn the pros and cons of dark- and light-colored sofas in this House & Home video:

When it comes to the look of a light or dark sofa, it’s really a personal choice. Think about how you want the room to feel. A darker sofa feels cozier while a lighter sofa feels fresh and breezy. If you have a well-lit living room, you really can’t make a mistake either way.

The look of the sofa isn’t the only thing you should be concerned about, though. Is this the only sofa that you have? If so, do you have pets or kids? Do you snack on the sofa? In other words, is there potential for it to get dirty easily?

A dark sofa can be more forgiving when it comes to stains. If you prefer the look of a lighter sofa, opt for one that has removable seat cushions or a slipcover. This will allow you to take the covers off and launder them because they will eventually show some wear.

Another really fun option if you’re getting a custom sofa is to order it in a two-tone fabric. You could order the seat, arms and back in a darker fabric and the outside in a lighter fabric so you get the best of both. This look is more interesting and is something you can change up, and it helps the sofa wear better too.

If you’re a little bit bold, you could try a patterned sofa. Pattern and texture tends to be a bit more forgiving with stains.

Whichever option you choose, make sure the fabric is durable and look into the care instructions. Because the sofa is easily the largest piece in the room, you want to make that decision before you start thinking about drapes, accent chairs or other accessories. Once you have your sofa, your other choices will be easier.