Modern sofas have two things in mind—style and comfort. Gone are yesterday’s rock-hard options or the ones so plush you had to struggle to stand up. Today’s sofas are new and evolved—a sofa that seeks the best in terms of upholstery material, color, and design.

While conventional wisdom suggests the color range for sofas is essentially neutral, some designers and homeowners step out of the norm to add a major splash of color with what is most often the largest piece of furniture in the room.

Key to color selection is the cost of the upholstered sofa. Quality is key for this investment piece, designers say, and this often drives the decision to a neutral color. “When selecting a sofa one should keep in mind the adaptability of the piece, choosing  fabrics with additional colors that will provide future use when updating the space with new paint, window treatments, and pillows. The ability to work with your existing sofa will provide a longer use of the sofa and your investment,” says Baylor Bone of Baylor Bone Interiors.

Neurtal colors that may sustain a contemporary look include cream, taupe, coffee, camel, white, or black.

Some designers report that while homeowners generally select neutral colors when selecting leather upholstery, they may choose stronger and brighter colors when an upholstered piece is their choice.

Brannon White of Revival Home Inspirations reports his clients favor natural, organic fabrics such as linen and burlap, often in rich brown tones mixed with oranges and lime greens.

“I find that interiors are going toward a casual/transitional feeling,” he says. “I am mixing many different styles and periods of furniture and adding ‘repurposed’ items that give a space one-of-a-kind feeling.”

Bone says that the decision between leather and upholstery for a sofa should be based on the use of a room.  White suggests, “Leather isn’t often a practical choice for families with children and pets.”

Returning to quality as a theme, Bone suggests one always ask about the construction of the sofa. “What you don’t see is just as important as what you do see. Never buy a sofa you have not sat down on yourself. Test out the potential sofa or one within the line from the company that will produce the sofa. And always look for eight-way, hand-tied springs and give thought to the type of stuffing—foam, goose, down, etc.”

White says his customers enjoy the comfort of a sofa line he works with, especially the foam core, down-wrapped cushions and down-blend backs. He adds that many customers gravitate toward upholstery and choose a slip-covered design that allows easy maintenance.

There are a number of sources in the Greater Nashville area for sofas including:

Baylor Bone Interiors
Hendersonville
615/ 822-3199

Haverty’s
Brentwood 615/ 851-6722
Murfreesboro 615/ 890-7591
Nashville 615/ 851-6722

Revival Home Inspirations
Nashville
615/ 712-6149

Sprintz
Nashville, Franklin
615/ 352-5912, 615 771-0588