How to Style a Dark Leather Sofa (Den Makeover)
Hello Beneath My Heart readers!!
It’s Bre, from Rooms FOR Rent blog, and I’m so happy to be back with all you today!
Today I’m sharing with you how I decorate around a modern black sofa.
If you have visited my blog, than you already know my style is not modern, nor do I own a black leather sofa. I am a white slip-covered girl through and through.
However, I have yet to meet a client who is on the white-slip covered band wagon. In fact my last 4 clients have all owned dark leather sofa’s, yet they are craving a lighter, fresh, cozier look. But guess what, that dark leather sofa is not going anywhere. Nope! It’s here to stay.
So I want to show you how I tackled working with a very sleek, modern, black leather sofa, and brought some coastal chic into the space. Let’s start off with the a before:
Ok, so first things first!
We painted their walls. Before was what I call “builder beige,” that peachy-bone color, that did nothing but make this large black leather sectional stick out, and command all the attention in the room. I chose warm neutral colors to warm up the space and take away all the attention from the sofa. Creating a dark accent wall directly across the sofa, helped balance the space, and blend the tv in, which was a win-win in my book.
The homeowner was really craving a space that felt warm, cozy and lived in, so the next step was adding curtains to warm up the cold bare windows.
We swapped out the too-small shag rug for a trellis patterned in a neutral hue to add interest to the space, and again take the attention off the sofa. Loading the sofa up with lots of fun throw pillows not only makes the space feel cozy, but softens the look of the modern leather.
This looks awesome, Brie! Love all the pattern and textures. We too have leather, now in our family room, and we love it. I just bought new fabric to lighten up ours too.
Thanks Elizabeth!!! I know to some it can seem intimidating, but when the budget doesn’t allow, or the family loves it, it’s still possible to not let it be the main focal of the room :) I’m sure your room looks lovely, you always have beautiful spaces! ~Bre
you are truly an amazing decorator. I love what you did to the room. I myself have a dark brown leather couch which I love, because you can dress it up with pillows and throws and it always goes with everything. Love your style! You need to come visit me in WA and help me…lol Christine from Little Brags
What color did you paint the walls? We have the same problem with our leather furniture – trying to lighten it up as I know the hubby would never do well with a white slipcovered sofa! I feel like most of my den is a shade of brown or beige and if I take from this post I think I could really lighten it up!
Beautiful room. what two color grays did you use?
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL after you got done with it! I love the trunk coffee table. The room went from being cold and unwelcoming to warm and very inviting! Your client must have been so so happy! Gorgeous!!
Thanks Amy! The trunk coffee table was so fun to paint!! Seeing my clients reaction to the room reveal was so rewarding, she just kept saying she couldn’t believe it was her house :) ~Bre
We just moved to Bend, OR and the movers stole everything we own. Trying to redecorate after years of collecting things for our spaces is daunting. I found your blog post because my husband really wanted to back to brown leather couches since we had to buy new ones. We used to have a gray slip covered couch which was more my style. I am attempting to bring in the same lighter coziness to the space now. I used to have almost all the same sort of things in my old family room as this room you restyled, even down to the shells and sea grass tray and basket. Would you help me get started on located these comfy looking pillows? I just love how those toned down the couch’s coldness. Thank you!
Hi Monique! Thank you for your comment. The post you are referring to was a guest post by Bre from Rooms for Rent, so I don’t have the information on those pillows. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but thanks for stopping by. Traci
Awesome transformation! I love it. The pillows and window treatments really soften this room and the darker wall color is wonderful. You really transformed this cold stark decor into a warm and cozy room. A great place to curl up and watch a good movie.
Thanks so much Cindi! This project was a lot of fun for me! So glad you enjoyed it too :) ~Bre
I love it, it looks so inviting.
Thanks Marty! ~Bre
Now THAT’s a room makeover. Absolutely stunning transformation.
Thank you so much Beth! It was a lot of fun, and I can honestly say my client was thrilled with the outcome! Thanks for your sweet comment :) ~Bre
Love the colour on the walls brie. Such a homely feel to the room. What colours did you use on walls. Need to transform my room asap. Thank you. Jan
Beautifully done!
Wow! What an incredible makeover. I see the same kind of man-size sofa over and over again and I completely shy away from it simply because the proportion scares me. You’ve done an incredible job of blending in the scale and warming up the entire space so everything just melds together in a comfy-cozy way. Love it!
What an amazing transformation you got here!
It looks way more comfortable and stylish.
I also love what you did with the curtains! It definitely makes the space cozier.
I bet your client was extremely satisfied with the result :)
I’d love to know where that rug is from?
Beautiful room! Could you share the name of the paint color used and where you got the curtains? Thank you so much!
I love these wall colors… do you know what they are? I’m getting a brown leather sectional and stumped on making my apartment white walls look better but not closing it off.
Bri – My room looks so much like the before picture! I am totally frustrated trying to figure out what to paint the walls. Can you please share the color? I am so excited and inspired – please help!!
Gave me such inspiration for my son’s recent thrift store purchase of a brown leather sofa and loveseat. found great pillows at West elm. Please share the wall color name.
Can you share the name and brand of paint in the update room? Looks great!
I too would love to know the name of the paint color
Clavincc0515@gmail.com
can you please tell me the brand of that leather couch/sectional?
Just discovered your post, it made me smile as I’m in exactly the same situation! We have just bought our first home after renting for a while and I’m looking to create the lounge I want with the brown corner sofa my hubby will not part from. Loads of good bits of advise, thank you!
My boyfriend and I have decided to give up our individual apartments and move in together after 5 years of dating. Unfortunately, he is insisting on keeping his black leather couches and I’ve only agreed because they are extremely soft and comfortable, but truthfully I absolutely hate the look of them. I’m afraid that our living room will end up looking like a dark, uninviting cold dungeon. I’ve been racking my brain, searching endlessly for design inspiration, but haven’t found anything that fits both of our styles. That was until I found your amazing den makeover. This room design is exactly what I’ve been imagining in my head but couldn’t articulate or organize my ideas. You are so talented and truly turned this family’s den into such a warm and inviting place for them to spend many hours of quality time together. Now, I can’t wait to start designing my living room and I just hop that I can create something just as special as the room you created. I look forward to further posts on this website. Keep up the good work Bre!
I too would love to know the color of paint that you used
Fabulous transformation
A lot of people would like to know what paint color/brand did you use but you haven’t replied. I also have been browsing thought your whole blog just to find the color. Can you please update us with the name of the wall paint you used? Thank you!
Lucy, I am sorry, but that is not my den. It was a guest blogger, so I do not have that information. Thank you.
Hi Tracy,
So glad I found you.. I too am trying to brighten up my great room? I would love your input… I could send you some photos..