Red Leather Sectional Decorating Ideas

When it comes to contemporary interior design, red leather sofas are all the rage. A red leather sofa is a bold piece of furniture that immediately creates an impact – and that's what makes it a great centerpiece. But in order to create a living room that looks inviting and not loud, you'll want to ensure you pair your red leather sofa with appropriate furnishings and décor items that make the big, bold sofa look at home. How can you design a living room with a red leather sofa as a centerpiece? Here's what you need to know.

Use Turquoise Throw Pillows to Create Contrast

A red sofa all on its own can look overpowering and intimidating – so soften it up a bit by adding some throw pillows in gentler colours. Turquoise is a calm, gentle colour that can work wonders in this situation. If you look at a colour wheel, you'll see that blue and green sit opposite red, making them ideal complementary colours. So turquoise throw pillows create a brilliant contrast that doesn't clash.

Add an Area Rug to Open Up the Room

A red leather sofa isn't loud just because of the red colour – leather is a big, bold fabric that makes a statement. Without anything warm nearby, that big leather couch can look cold and uninviting. Interior design is about balance, which is why you'll want to counteract the cold elements of the leather with some warmer materials. Set down an area rug directly in front of the sofa to soften its appearance and make the room more appealing.

Test Your Lighting

If you've ever taken a piece of furniture home only to discover that it looks completely different in your house than it did in the store, then you already understand the importance of lighting in interior design. The style and intensity of light in the room will change the way your furniture looks, so you'll want to make sure your lighting complements your red leather sofa. This will require a bit of experimentation. Try adding and subtracting lamps from the equation to see how much light the sofa demands. You'll also want to try swapping out different shades of light bulb to see which one works best.

Paint the Walls in Neutral Colours

Big, bold colours are fun and loud, but too much colour will look garish. That's why you'll want to ensure you contrast the bright red of the sofa with some more neutral colours. There are multiple ways to do this. If you want to give the room a warmer feel, use some soft whites, off-whites and beiges when painting. For a cooler feel, try a light grey with a little bit of black.

Use Furniture of Other Colours and Materials

Too much red leather in the same room will make the room look bland – so when choosing furniture to accent your red leather sofa, opt for chairs and sofas made of fabric. The fabric will create contrast and make the room more visually interesting.

A red leather sofa can act as a powerful centerpiece in a living room. But with the wrong accents, it could clash or create a loud, uninviting feel. Use these design and accent tips to pull the room together and create a relaxing, cohesive look.