Sofa Spectacular, your premier destination for custom sofas in the UK, is here to help you unleash your inner design maven. Are you tired of the same old, cookie-cutter living room setups? Fear not, my fellow interior enthusiasts, because today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of mix-and-match sofa styles.

Unlock Your Sofa’s Potential

I don’t know about you, but I think about my sofa a lot. It may be because my front door leads right into my living room, so it’s the first thing you see when entering my apartment. Or maybe it’s because I love my sofa too much and want it to shine bright like the beautiful star she is. In any case, sofa styling has been top of mind for me, HELLO MOTO HELLO DEADLINES, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to break down sofa styling for both my and your sake. Grab your pens and notebooks because this is a living room rules post you won’t want to forget.

Mastering the Art of Sofa Styling

1. Keep a Cohesive Color Palette

This is a Sofa Spectacular rule of thumb. As you’ve likely heard here before, as long as you keep a consistent color palette (3-5 colors), you will have more success when mixing styles and patterns.

2. Vary Sizes and Shapes

For visual interest, you want your pillows to vary in shape and size – mix in round lumbar and square pillows in different sizes.

3. Add in Different Textures

If you are going to mix solids and neutrals, textures can bring in interesting details without being too loud.

4. Balance Out Colors Evenly

Each side of your sofa should have different colors sprinkled throughout – you shouldn’t have all of one color on one side.

5. Vary the Scale of Patterns

Patterned throws and pillows are a great way to add life and intrigue to your sofa, just make sure that you mix in both small and large scale patterns.

Now that you have your basic guidelines, let’s take a look at past projects and dissect how to execute the perfect sofa styling like a pro.

Sofa Styling Inspiration

If you remember this version of Emily’s LA living room, then you might already know she was experimenting with a new rug and new sofa, trying to find the perfect match – which is not an easy task, let me tell ya. While she wasn’t in love with this rug and sofa combo, the sofa itself is so GOOD and styled to perfection.

Why it works: The large scale patterns are layered evenly, so neither side of the sofa is too overwhelming. The two solid but textured color pillows on each side balance the patterns out, so the overall look isn’t too loud but still visually interesting.

Here, Velinda styled the same sofa for a Feel Good Flash Makeover and went with a ‘more is more’ approach, proving that pillow combos are endless as long as those 5 golden rules are still applied.

Why it works: The color palette is kept simple with 3 colors – gray, white, and muted blue – and while there are multiple striped pillows present, each is varied in scale and textured, so there is not too much of the same thing happening.

Moving on to another iteration of Emily’s LA living room, we have this gorgeous custom Lawson-Fenning sofa styled minimally with a few pillows and a throw. Emily wanted the sofa to feel clean, fresh, and purposeful, so she dialed back her styling so the curves and shape of the sofa would shine and speak for themselves.

Why it works: The two pillows are different sizes and shapes that complement each other, while the throw blanket adds a large scale pattern to bring in more visual interest.

Here in Jess’s small space living room, she has a simple but not at all boring sofa that allows for a myriad of styling options. Going off the color palette of her living room, she peppered in pillows and a throw that would complement both the room and the sofa.

Why it works: She sticks to her color palette with the colorful pillows and added a large scale patterned lumbar to create some dynamic to the space.

Tight Back Sofas: A Whole New Styling Challenge

What makes tight back sofas different? Well, they are sturdier due to the lack of back cushions, usually have more of a structural shape, and let’s be honest, they are not always the most comfortable – and that’s where pillow styling comes in.

As Bowser says in her reveal post, the shape of this sofa is cool and edgy, just like her (seriously, she is the coolest). But what do you do with such a cool and edgy sofa? I am glad you asked.

Why it works: The color palette is consistent, and you guessed it – she varies the patterns and textures among the pillows and throw while complementing the size and shape of her sofa.

Mixing Old and New

This is one of my favorite versions of Emily’s LA living room because I just love how this sofa looks in her English Tudor home. It’s so simple and classic, which allows for more modern pillow and throw options.

Why it works: The deep color of the sofa makes the room pop, so the pillows don’t have to be loud. Notice that while there is scale variation, the larger one is more medium. This helps to keep the style still feeling classic. Also, that burgundy pillow is SO good. A fun, unexpected but appropriate color is always a good idea.

Sectionals: The Sofa Superstar

Sectionals are obviously larger sofas, so you can play even more with pillows and throws OR keep it simple and let your sofa shine. Allow me to demonstrate.

The traditional gray sectional pictured here in Emily’s old Glendale home leaves so much room to play with colors and patterns.

Why it works: The color palette is spread out evenly, so the pillows do not seem too heavy or overwhelming. In the same vein, Emily mixed patterns that did not complicate the styling but instead complement each other.

Arlyn’s living room reveal is so special and one of my favorite living rooms because of how personal it is to her. This sofa is obviously a show-stopper, but that didn’t stop her from bringing in even more excitement with her pillow styling.

Why it works: Since the rest of the room is kept quite neutral, there is more space to play with pattern and color with pillow styling. Arlyn sticks to the 5 golden rules by varying patterns, implementing different size and shape pillows, and spreading them evenly across her sectional. Also, the throw draped on the end of the chaise is perfection.

Mixing Patterns and Textures

This basement is one of my favorite reveals we’ve published on the blog, designed by the wonderfully talented Lea Johnson. It’s a hardworking multi-functional space, but I must say, this sofa and styling steal the show.

Why it works: Since the sectional is bold and colorful on its own, Lea kept her pillows neutral in color but added more visual interest by mixing bigger, varied patterns.

Minimal Yet Mighty

This sectional in the mountain house is VERY cool and VERY sculptural, which is not always the easiest to style. Emily has talked about the pros and cons of this sectional before, but the one great thing about it is that styling can be kept minimal and intentional.

Why it works: Like I said, the sofa is sculptural and interesting to look at on its own, but the 5 golden rules still apply. The pillows and the throw are cohesive with the color palette and are spread out so as to not crowd the sofa.

Pillow and Throw Combinations to Shop

And now, because it’s so fun, I pulled together some pillow and throw blanket combos to shop from:

Alright, my friends, if you made it this far, thank you for sticking with me. I know we just went over a ton of sofa combos, so hit me with any questions or concerns down below. Happy styling, and remember to have fun with it! After all, your custom Sofa Spectacular should be a true one-of-a-kind masterpiece.