how to style a black sofa
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How to Style a Black Sofa

Looking for some tips on styling your black sofa? Whether your thing is a modern black leather corner sofa, an elegant black velvet armchair, or a timeless black recliner sofa - read on for our top tips for styling this classic furniture piece in your home.

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Don’t overwhelm it

Since we think of black as a neutral, your first thought might be ‘black goes with everything’. But if you’ve ever tried to style a black sofa, you might have quickly realised it’s not as simple as it might seem! A black sofa is a real statement piece, and it’s very easily overwhelmed if you surround it with lots of rich colours, patterns or bold statement pieces. So if you’re trying to work out how to style your black sofa - think of it as your room’s main focal point, and choose other furniture pieces to complement, rather than compete, with it.

Make it monochrome

You can never go wrong with classic black and white, and this is one of the easiest, fool-proof ways to style a black sofa that still looks elegant and put-together. Painting your walls a sleek white, choosing a fluffy white rug, or contrasting a white armchair or footstool with your black sofa are all great ways to make it pop.

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Add interest through pattern

We don’t all want a plain black and white room, so when styling a black sofa, there is no need to limit yourself. A great way to lift the stark feeling is to add pops of pattern, which create interest and movement in your space. Chevron, stripes, and geometric patterns all look sleek and stylish in classic black and white, and are ideal for cushions, rugs and artwork in your space.

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Soften with pops of colour

Of course, even when you’ve added patterns to soften the monochrome look, for some of us, it will still feel too stark. There’s no need to stay away from colour completely - a pop of colour here and there, with cushions, artwork and decorative accessories can be the ideal way to soften the look of a black sofa. Houseplants of all shapes and sizes are another way to soften the look of black sofas, and go especially well with sleek, modern styles.

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Best decor styles that match a black sofa

Black sofas are super versatile - and they work well with a range of home decor styles. Here are a few of our favourite aesthetics where black sofas are right at home…

Industrial chic

Combine your black sofa with rustic, reclaimed woods, black metal detailing and industrial-inspired lighting for an edgy, modern aesthetic that’s easy to get right.

Modern minimalism

This magazine-worthy aesthetic is a great way to style your black sofa. Think sleek lines, unfussy shapes and minimal clutter for this look, which helps create a spacious, airy feel.

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Biophilic style

Natural textures, organic shapes and lots of houseplants flow seamlessly with a black sofa at the centre - and this look works well with both traditional and modern sofa shapes.

More black sofa styling tips

Still got burning questions about how to style your black sofa? We’ve got the answers to some of our most popular black sofa styling questions…

As black can be quite an overwhelming colour, it’s best to stick to lighter tones when building a colour palette around your black sofa. White is a classic option, as are cream and light grey - but many pastel colours work well with black, like creamy light yellow, sky blue, peach and baby pink. If you don’t fancy white or cream, but pastel shades seem a little much, opt for lighter earthy tones instead - these bring warmth to the space but are still reassuringly neutral.

Light cushions in white, cream and pale grey really pop on a black sofa - and earthy shades like rust, terracotta, and olive green add warmth and depth. Black sofas also offer a great opportunity to play with patterned cushions, like chevron and stripes, which can really pop against a dark backdrop. Of course, you can always opt for matching black cushions, or even no cushions at all - a sleek, modern black sofa makes a statement all its own, without needing additional accessories.

One of our favourite ways to soften the sometimes stark look of a black sofa is by surrounding it with nature-inspired accessories. Think soft linen throws, fabric wall hangings and an assortment of houseplants - all of which help to create a more homely feel. You can also opt for lighter earthy hues - cream, tan, olive green - for your walls, rugs and soft furnishings, rather than stark white, which helps soften the look further.

The best black sofa for every home

With so many styles, shapes, leathers and fabrics available in our black sofa range at DFS, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find your thing. Take a look at some of our bestselling black sofas to find inspiration for your home!

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