Rethink Your Neutral Stance: 10 Perfect Patterned Sofas

Forget your grandma’s old-fashioned chintz couch, a modern patterned sofa can work wonders for your home. When properly styled, brightly upholstered seating can make an artful centerpiece in a room—no hammer or nails necessary. To prove our point, we’ve gathered 10 beautiful, print-covered sofas for your perusal (and inspiration). From polka dots to kaleidoscopic prints, scroll ahead for some gorgeous graphic sofas that will seriously make you reconsider your opinion of patterned upholstery.

Above: Sometimes all you need to warm up a cold, white space are some pretty patterned furnishings. Whether it’s with a colorful Ikat or a muted southwestern-style Aztec print (how amazing is this settee from @wisteriahomedecor?), a spirited sofa can breathe new life into the drabbest of rooms.

Who knew speckled upholstery could look so chic? Turns out that you can turn just about any old sofa into a super stylish place to sit with a sleek, flecked fabric cover. Stick with earth-toned spots or a deep navy (like this one from Domino) to make a more subdued statement.

While the thought of a jungle print sofa might seem outrageous, hear us out. A well-styled palm printed piece can actually be a glamorous focal point for your home. Consider a bolder color combination (like the blush and green pairing above, from on Living Etc via Sophie Robinson) for a more dramatic look, and just sacrifice some throw pillows (or go totally neutral here) to avoid appearing cluttered.

Although the idea of a flower-printed couch might conjure memories of your grandparent’s house, in reality, a patterned floral sofa can bring instant color and personality to your home. Opt for a softly colored floral fabric to forge a sophisticated sofa scene, or bright blossomy prints with a larger scale (designer Caitlin Wilson’s home, from My Domaine should provide plenty of ideas for you).

Sure everyone loves a good leopard print, but pulling one off on your sofa is a whole different story. However, when paired with a neutral paint palette and colorful accessories, sleek animal-spotted upholstery can look surprisingly demure (and, of course, ultra cosmopolitan). Take some style cues from the uber chic room seen in Domino.

Although a chevron sofa alone is fashionable enough to leave an impression, when paired with other eye-catching colors and prints it can create a wonderfully impactful interior scene. Accessorize with neutral textiles to make a subdued statement or go with brightly patterned pieces like in this room from Cowtan & Tout for a more maximalist display.

Funny how something as simple as polka dots can transform the entire ambience of your place. Whether the spots are big or small (or both, such as this sofa seen in a room from Daily Imprint), dotted upholstery doesn’t just look super chic, it’s a great way to bring texture and subtle pattern play into your living room. Plus, they’re just such a happy addition to any room.

If you’re searching for a creative way to bring color into your living room, consider the impact of a sofa like this one from Desire to Inspire, outfitted in a stylish psychedelic print. Not only does it look lively and eclectic, rich kaleidoscopic upholstery instantly turns your everyday seating into an extraordinarily artful display.

Love a bold print but color motifs are not your cup of tea? Don’t forget how powerful a stark black-and-white geometric pattern can be. It can hold its own in a minimal, neutral interior, and give your space a serious wow factor. And if you like this look, but are nervous about bringing it indoors, maybe start with a room you don’t have to see every day, like a patio. (The outdoor sofa A Beautiful Mess used in this image above is from West Elm).

While the thought of tie-dyed anything might take you straight back to summer camp, shibori-inspired fabrics are anything but juvenile. Whether you opt for a DIY-style sofa cover or high end, hand-dyed upholstery, shibori tie dyed seating is an elegant way to incorporate a colorful print (and old-school art form) into your home. The global textile looks amazing in any iteration, but we particularly love it juxtaposed with an old world French silhouette, like the Louise-style settee seen in Domino.