Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your Leather Furniture

Durable, comfortable, and long lasting, leather furniture adds character to any room. It’s like the little black dress of furniture – you can dress it up, you can dress it down, and it’s appropriate for any occasion. It adapts well to almost any design style.

You can find leather pieces that are timelessly classic and ones that are modern and edgy. However, many people struggle to decorate with and around leather furniture, especially if they are trying to create a look that is light and colorful.

Decorating around a brown leather sofa doesn’t have to be that difficult. Here are some tips to get you started.

Treat It as the Neutral It Is

Keep in mind that brown leather is a neutral, so it goes well with a variety of colors. It also works well with other neutrals. Even a red leather sofa can be treated as a neutral. It just depends on the look you want to achieve. So choose a look for your space and see if you can use the remaining ideas to make the most of your leather furniture.

White Walls

White walls are enduringly popular and won’t be going away any time soon. And with a leather sofa, they really work. The white walls and brown trim above accentuate the brown leather Manchester Chesterfield-Style sofa from the Tommy Bahama Island Traditions Collection. The upholstered chairs with complementary fabrics add visual texture. If you prefer, you could strictly repeat the brown and white color scheme, just be sure to add plenty of texture with your fabrics when you style your leather couch, and add accessories to keep the room interesting. 

Lighter Rugs

When you are decorating with warm colors, you may be tempted to use heavier rugs. It’s not wrong, exactly, but if you are looking for a lighter, brighter look more in keeping with Florida style, choose a lighter rug that incorporates whites, creams, or other lighter colors to keep the space fresh.

Custom Details

If you don’t love all-white walls, but want your space to be lighter and brighter, consider adding custom details such as wainscoting. You’ll end up with a warm and cozy space accented with interesting architectural detail.

Natural Elements and Lighter Furniture Pieces

A great trick for softening a space is adding items from nature, such as plants, wicker baskets, and wooden candlesticks or bowls. Incorporating lighter rugs and furniture pieces will also lighten up the look. You can easily complement the dark red leather sofa, such as the one above from Huntington House, by using other dark elements in the space and in the upholstery of the other furniture pieces in the room. The throw pillows, upholstered chairs, and natural area rug keep the space bright.

Create Interest with Contrast

Even a neutral space with a brown and white color scheme can become more interesting with contrast. The darker elements will really stand out against white walls, woodwork, pillows, and rugs. Consider an area rug with a brown and white geometric pattern to help create texture without going against the color scheme.

Use Patterns to Create Flow

By incorporating a mix of patterns, you can draw the eye around the room. A bold color and pattern on the window treatments can add weight to the walls, and you can repeat the color of the leather in the upholstered pieces and throw pillows. Repeating the sofa color is a good way to create a cohesive look. If you prefer neutrals to bold colors, you can still use patterns for interest, just make sure all the patterns reflect the natural palette of your room.

Boldly Go …

Select one bold color, either the sofa itself, the curtains, or the area rug, and repeat it in patterns and textures throughout the space. Neutral walls will also help lighten the look of dark leather furniture while pops of color create contrast and interest.

Add Color with Paint

For all of you who really don’t like neutral walls, paint is the least expensive way to add color to your space. Pick a bold color and make it pop with white trim on the baseboards and molding. Use the color in throw pillows and accessories to keep the look balanced.

Clever layering and accessorizing will give you a room that is balanced, attractive, and comfortable. Visit the Baer’s Furniture showroom near you to see more leather sofas. If you are not sure how to style your leather furniture, take advantage of the Baer’s Furniture complimentary design service to achieve the look you desire.

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