Blue is not only a superb wall and flooring color, it can be super calming in furniture, too.
But how do you pair a blue couch with a rug or carpet piece?
For example, if you have a hardwood floor and a blue sofa, it’s worth thinking carefully about accessories and complements.
I find the following color rugs go fantastic with blue couches:
- Delicate grays
- Deep reds
- Earthy tones
- Daring greens
- Sophisticated neutrals
- Energizing multicolor
- Strong blues
Which rug colors work best with blue furniture?
This really depends on your own aesthetic, but blue is highly versatile. It tends to look gentle with grays, elegant with neutrals, and dramatic with reds.
Pro Tip:
In my experience, playing with textures can be just as impactful as experimenting with colors. When I’m choosing a rug to pair with a blue couch, I consider the feel as well as the look of the rug. A plush, high-pile rug in a neutral or earthy tone can add a touch of luxury and warmth to the space, while a flat-woven rug in a bold color or pattern can create a modern, edgy look.
Before thinking about the style and material of your rug, getting the color down pat is a crucial first step. Here are some of our favorite shades and hues that pair perfectly with blue couches.
Delicate grays
Gray is a classic neutral color, and paired with blue, it’s a dynamic, yet subtle team. Both colors are fairly subdued on the surface, but working together, they can add lots of depth.
We like soft, light grays alongside blue couches simply because they add a relaxing, natural vibe to a space. Patterned grays work just as well in this combo, and what’s more, it’ll balance well with furniture and accessories.
Gray also won’t take center stage from your blue couch. It’s a safe purchase if you love it as a focal point.
Pro Tip:
One thing I always remind my clients is that a rug isn’t just a decorative piece – it’s also a functional part of your room. Before making a purchase, I always consider how the rug will be used. If it’s going in a high-traffic area, I recommend a durable material like wool and suggest avoiding light colors that could show dirt easily. If it’s going under a coffee table or in a less frequently used part of the room, I might suggest a softer, more luxurious material like silk or shag.
Deep reds
Red and blue is a daring combination many people avoid simply because it’s so dramatic. However, a red rug will really help to make a blue couch “pop.” The aim, however, is not to overdo it.
This combo can be contemporary if you choose a certain pattern or style. It can be elegant and charismatic but never boring.
Red and blue are ideal if you want to make a statement while retaining a look of elegance and modernity.
Earthy tones
Blue in itself is a highly natural color, so it makes sense Earthy tones work so well alongside. A rug in orange, tan, touches of brown or even turquoise or aqua will create a cozy, attractive look.
I’d certainly recommend pairing up earthy colors with a blue couch if you’re setting up home by the coast. Drifting towards wooden furnishings, with a blue sofa and an aqua rug will help bring the seaside inside.
If you’re in the city, you can still create this home effect all the same (and why not?).
Daring greens
Blue and green are almost best friends as far as simple colors are concerned. However, you can be a little more daring and choose shades of green that really contrast with blue.
For example, consider a dynamic sage rug with an aesthetic that already stands on its feet. Opt for a shade that doesn’t overpower the blue, but which works hard to keep pace. This should help create a rich aesthetic that offers comfort and class.
Olive is another green shade that’s warm and inviting. Paired up with a cool, blue couch, you have a complemented combo that really makes a lounge welcoming.
Sophisticated neutrals
Pairing blue furniture with a neutral color rug creates instant opulence. You’ll bring out the richness in deeper, darker blues. What’s more, intricate patterns create a sense of demure mystery that’s hard to ignore.
Neutral shades such as beige and magnolia work wonderfully as quiet backdrops to bold blues. However, they can be a little more difficult to keep clean, so consider the work required with upkeep.
Energizing multicolor
Now – I suggest being a little more careful with multicolor designs when pairing with blue. You’ll need to look for a rug that offers a variety of specks and strands, with no one color overpowering.
This way, you can continue to enjoy your blue couch as the most powerful character in the room. A carefully woven multicolor rug adds incredible vibrancy, vitality, and personality. Blue, as a fairly gentle character even as a “lead,” lets the different colors take equal footing.
It’s a busy aesthetic that won’t appeal to all, but it’s incredibly easy to match with most shades of blue. Go darker, if you can.
Match blue with blue
Pro Tip: When I’m working with a multicolor rug and a blue couch, I always try to find a rug that includes some blue tones that match or complement the couch. This helps to tie the room together and create a cohesive look, even if the rug also includes a variety of other colors.
It’s entirely possible to match blue to blue successfully, but I advise you to choose different shades or tones. For example, consider a faded blue rug or denim style to match with a deeper, solid blue couch.
This adds a little sophistication, and also gives your couch a little bit of limelight. At the same time, it helps to soften very dark blues on the eyes.
When pairing blue with blue, try to break it up a little. Use natural and neutral colors in your decor elsewhere. For example, paint walls white or beige, and choose modern wooden flooring. Think carefully about units, lamps, and ornaments, too. Unless you have a large room, try to avoid cramming blue together too much!
Frequently asked questions
How do I accent my blue couch?
Personally, I’d choose fresh and warm tones to accent your blue in tandem. Three colors should be the maximum to accent – consider oranges and yellows, for example.
A good start is to choose a warm accent and a cool accent, and let them frame your blue couch as a centerpiece.
Is a blue couch a good idea?
Yes, a blue couch can be excellent for creating calm and serenity in a space. It’s marvelously versatile, and there’s something infinitely appealing about a relaxing blue sofa.
However, without careful accessorizing, it can soon overpower the look of a space. Therefore, take the time to find rugs and furniture that will otherwise complement or give your couch some balance.
Should a rug be the same color as a sofa?
Your rug doesn’t have to match the color of your sofa or couch, but it can help to create flow and cohesion.
Thankfully, blue is a color that’s very easy to blend with itself!
