I started my series of 30 Home Must-Haves after I saw an episode of The Nate Berkus Show that featured the same idea.
Nate offered five furniture items that he said should serve as the base for a home’s décor. I just expanded the idea a little
beyond just furniture.
One of Nate’s five items was a neutral sofa (see at right) and I knew it would be on our list too. In fact, it got the most votes from the designers, friends, artists, bloggers and real estate folks who helped me put together The Design File’s must-have list.
“You always start with a beautiful simple and neutral upholstered sofa so you can change anything up on that,” Nate said. “When you have your 70s moment, you can change the pillows. When you go into disco mode…”
Check out the simple sofa below in a room featured in Cottage Living and on MyHomeIdeas.com. The white upholstery is almost like a canvas for the bright pillows, graphic rug and fun artwork.
The same is true in the stylish room at right that I saw at Better Homes and Gardens. This is the perfect example of the fun of a neutral sofa.
For less than $100, you could change the color on the walls, the pillows on the sofa and an accessory or two and you could have a completely new look – all without spending megabucks replacing your sofa.
On the show, Nate points out that there’s nothing wrong with an interesting settee or a funky, bright modern sofa.
“These could be cool in someone’s home if they really love them,” Nate said. “I’m not knocking them.”
But the key to flexible design, he said, is to start with something simple and neutral.
The BHG room at right offers even more flexibility because the sofa is slipcovered, giving the owner endless possibilities for changing up the look.
But don’t worry, neutral doesn’t have to mean white and slipcovered.
I have a black leather sofa in my living room that serves as a neutral. In the HGTV room below, Candice Olson uses a brown leather sofa as a neutral.
And in the HGTV room below, Candice uses a modern, pale grey sofa as another neutral. There’s nothing boring about these!
So how do you pick an amazing sofa? Tune back in later today for some great tips from an expert at the High Point Market in North Carolina.
