How to style a charcoal sofa

Hello, Charcoal. Known for its versatility and timeless feel, charcoal grey is a popular choice in the interiors world. When it comes to furniture, a sofa with darker grey tones offer up a sophisticated statement and is the perfect contrast when put in a clean, bright space. Below we explore ideas for styling and colour combinations that’ll freshen up your space. Whether you’re into neutrals, or want to compliment charcoal with dashes of bright colour, we’ve got it covered.

1. Walls and floor 

We’ve teamed our Model 02 with classic off-white walls that show off its shape which contrasts with the charcoal fabric. By using a neutral palette when working with charcoal, the room has a modern, grown-up feel that looks great in a contemporary space. If you’re keen to introduce more colour, why not try earthy paint colours; olive green, ochre yellow and deep autumnal reds, all provide great backdrops for a charcoal sofa. 

The Mid-century modern design Model 01 and Model 02, pairs perfectly with the natural textures of real wood flooring like oak and birch. If you don’t have these as a base, or prefer something softer on your feet, lighter coloured rugs that can tuck under the front two feet of the sofa offer up a pleasant contrast to charcoal. Play with textures and patterns like block colours, speckled fibres and geometric shapes to instantly update the space.

2. Textiles and soft furnishings 

Charcoal works well with an industrial style of interior, meaning soft furnishings help make sure the space still feels comfortable and inviting enough to relax in. A charcoal sofa is a brilliant blank slate for adding your preferred colour palette on top. Keep linen and cotton fabrics in mind when choosing throws and cushions for an airy feel. When winter comes, we love adding thicker blankets of faux fur or chunky wool knits for the ultimate feel on colder nights.

3. Artwork

Updating your space with artwork is one of the easiest and fastest ways to transform a room. If you’ve gone for a contrasting colourful wall to sit behind your charcoal sofa, try art pieces and wall decor that’s more neutral in colour, so it isn’t too distracting. Brushed gold accents on wall decor and within paintings and prints can add a real luxury feel. 

Gold not your thing? Try hints of silver and grey as a nod to the cooler tones of charcoal. As this is such a versatile palette to play with, experimenting with different colour art is a great way to update the space as your own tastes change.

4. Lighting 

Charcoal, as an interior colour choice, is not only great to freshen up most spaces, but offers up a chance to make your sofa a real centrepiece in the room.

At dusk, when it’s time to draw the curtains closed, lighting the room well ensures your charcoal sofa stays in the limelight. Frame the sofa by adding a series of small table lamps dotted around the room. To guarantee a super cosy atmosphere, make sure the lighting is set at different heights. 

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If you’ve enjoyed this blog, you may also like: Scandinavian colour palette, beige and grey living room ideas, or an industrial style living room guide.