8 Living Rooms That Make the Case for a Leather Sofa

There’s lots of great furniture you can put in your living room—but it’s hard to beat the leather couch. The classic piece ticks every box imaginable. It’s cozy but structured, sleek but textured, and inviting but not too indulgent. It’s also versatile enough to suit different decor schemes, but bold enough to hold its own in any space.

Other pieces may be softer, sleeker, or more statement-making, but they’re not nearly as well-rounded. A leather couch is the perfect backdrop for a morning spent working, an afternoon spent lounging, or an evening spent entertaining. Plus, it’s lovely to look at—even when you’re not using it.

Thanks to its status as a tried-and-true favorite, the leather sofa has graced many living rooms. And in the process, it’s left us with plenty of décor inspiration to sift through. If you want to put a leather couch in your living room, rest assured knowing: There are lots of great ways to do it—and lots of pretty living rooms with leather sofas worth taking cues from.

01 Snag a Couch in an Unusual Color

Most leather sofas are black or brown, but those aren’t your only options. By scoring a leather couch in an unusual color—like navy blue, forest green, or dark red—you can make an unexpected statement in your living room.

02 Frame Your Sofa With Drapes

Crystal Brilliance Chandelier - Elegant Art Deco Lighting Fixture with Brass and Crystal Composition, Featuring Crystal Arrangements - Perfect for Living Room Chandelier and Hanging Light Fixtures

Snagging a sofa is one thing, but figuring out where to put that sofa is another. One easy option? Slide your sofa in front of a window, and frame it with drapes. The curtains will make your couch more nap-worthy, allowing you to shut out the sun any time you need some sleep.

If you score the right set, the curtains will bring your space together—complementing your couch, matching your throw pillows, or echoing the other accents in your living room.

03 Bring a New Neutral Into Your Space

Use your leather couch to disrupt your color palette—in a good way. If your living room is full of blacks, grays, and greens, sneak a light brown couch into the mix. Because the piece is neutral-colored, it should play well with your décor scheme while making your palette more dynamic.

04 Match Your Sofa to Your Walls

Matching your sofa to your walls is no easy feat. After all, most leather sofas come in dark, rich color, and most walls are subtle and light. But if your walls are lined with dark-trimmed windows, you have a rare opportunity to match the two.

05 Snag a Narrow Sofa for a Smaller Space

Leather sofas can get absolutely massive, and if your living room is small, you don’t need all that seating. So ditch the classic sofa and snag a loveseat instead. The two-seater should cozy up your living room without making it feel cluttered or crowded.

06 Add Contrast With Your Throw Pillows

No couch is complete without a few throw pillows, and you can use the accessories to balance out your space. If your leather couch is sleek and modern, dress it up with the most classic pillows you can find. And if your couch is hefty and traditional, line it with bold, printed pillows you’d never expect to see there.

07 Snag a Sofa to Match Your Biggest Window

Vintage Crystal Raindrop Elegance Chandelier - Faceted-Glass Crystals and Rain Drops Display for Dining Room and Living Room Lighting

A massive window is a gift in any living room, but the feature can be tough to design around. Do you pair the window with a skinny couch that might look small and strange next to it? Or do you pair it with an extra-wide couch that might clutter up the room?

Thankfully, the two accents don’t have to be different sizes. By snagging a couch that’s exactly as wide as your living room window, you can avoid these undesired optical illusions. You can soften the boundaries between the two pieces with a set of pretty drapes.

08 Go Unusually Bright With Your Accent Colors

Since leather couches are so versatile, you can have a lot of fun with your accent colors. Sure, you can keep things simple with subtle neutrals, earthy colors, or sleek jewel tones. But if you want to make a surprising statement, spring for something more vibrant—like bright neons or rich primary colors. Trust us, your neutral leather couch can handle it.