How to style a leather sofa

I'm loving bright, crisp, airy design style these days.  I know I'm not the only one.  Think linen tufted sofas and bright white woodwork.  But light colored linen sofas are just not realistic for many of us.  People with kids, dogs, or people who just like to put their feet up or wear dark wash jeans may not want to invest so much money into a piece that just can't stand up to the wear and tear that happens in their homes.  There are several options that hide some stains and wear, but a favorite with many is leather.  But how do you fit a big, often dark, leather sofa into your new bright, fresh room?  I have some help for you.  

1. You NEED pillows.

Leather is often dark and quite masculine looking.  Pillows will bring softness, give you an opportunity to add color, texture, or pattern, and visually break up the big dark sofa.

Picture from http://vivafullhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/out-in-country.html

2.  Balance out the dark with a lot of light textures and colors.

If you have a dark floor, use a lighter rug.  Use throw pillows and throws.  Consider a lighter painted finish or lighter tone on your wood coffee table, or even glass or something else.

Room by Lori May Interiors  found on http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/organize/3-creative-storage-solutions-for-the-family-room.html

In this room, the dark sofa is brightened with light colored pillows, a white stone top coffee table, light toned rug, and light walls.  However, don't make the sofa be the only dark piece in the room. 

This room has small bits of dark scattered around the room to ground it.  Note the dark turtle shell in front of the fire place, the dark base of the coffee table, candlesticks on the fireplace, and the black picture frame.

3. Don't buy the entire "set" of leather furniture.  

I'm talking sofa, love seat, matching chair and ottoman.  This is just TOO MUCH big, dark leather.  I don't do matching "sets" of anything anyway, but a leather matching set is particularly bad.  If you already have one, break it up.  Use the pieces in other rooms.

Do, mix a mis-matched love seat and chairs with your leather sofa.  

This leather sofa is balanced by the similarly colored chairs across from it.  These ones happen to be animal hide - not really my thing.  But any fabric in a similar color would have the same effect.

4. Give colored leather a shot.

Leather comes in almost any color you can think of these days.  You can do it in a lighter neutral color like this one.

Found on Alicelanehome.com

Or, go bold, like these rooms.

Found on Ethanallen.com

Found on bhg.com

5. Not ready to take the plunge with a leather sofa?  Try a smaller leather piece.

A leather ottoman or chair will add texture and interest to your room and can be easier to work with.

Via Alice Lane Home Collection

So don't be intimidated by that big, manly looking sofa.  You can still get the look you are after!