What color throw pillows and curtains with a red couch?

Question

I have a red microfiber couch and a VERY dark brown leather chair. My coffee table and end tables are back metal with glass tops. My entertainment center is black. The area rug has black and brown in it...pulling those 2 colors together. The red couch has got an orange tint to it? I have seen hunter green, many times, the other color. I am just very bored with the brown and black, but can't afford to change them right now. The couch is from Ashley furniture. They have bright colors- green and yellow- with the red couch. Almost looks like a child's playroom. I want to brighten up the room. OH! and until May, we (my husband and I) are renting. So, I cannot paint. The walls are a beige color (with a yellow tint). I am 21 and he is 24...so we like the modern appeal as well. PLEASE HELP!!!!!! I hate sitting in my LR. Thank you.

I DO like bright green (lime green, etc)... just not much on the hunter green (for brightening anyway). But, how could lime green fit with red? I love the (shiny) silvers and golds mentioned. PLEASE keep posting. Thank you all for the responses to this point.

Answer 1

I was going to suggest brown until i got to the part about you being tired of brown and black. In that case I'd go with orange since the counch has an orange tint. It will probably help pull the yellow out in the walls a little as well.

Answer 2

With pillows it is always best to either

1. put a splash of a totally unexpected color, to attract the eye and give the room a bit of "kick". This is best done in a room in which everything else is a very neutral shade.
OR
2. pick up another color in the room so it creates visual unity

In your case, I'd pick #2, because you've already got a big splash of color (the red of the couch). I'd look for beige pillows just about the color of the wall paint. You could go with a smooth fabric (to really match the walls) or with a rough or nubbly kind of texture but in the same color as the walls. This will break up the big red zone of the couch and connect it to the room over all.

Try looking at the room as a whole, instead of individual details.

Of course you don't want green and yellow in your room--because there doesn't sound like there is any other green and yellow in it at present, so pillows like that would look really out of place and create a random, disjointed effect.

The great thing about pillows is that they are easily changed. A classic decorator tip is to get very plain, neutral furniture pieces, and jazz them up seasonally or whenever you feel bored by adding new pillows in different colors. Pillow covers are much cheaper than a new couch or chair!

Answer 3

Red Pillows For Couch

Answer 4

Red Couch Pillows

Answer 5

If what you're trying to do is brighten up the living room, I would use YELLOW. I know it sounds crazy, but it is the warmest color of the scheme, and it will totally pop against the brown and the red.
I think it's the only way to go since the other option would be a nice, bright green, but you seem to not care much for green... :)

Good luck!

Answer 6

I would go with a creamy yellow. Yellow contrasts with your colors, but will warm & brighten up the brown and black. Not day-glo yellow, which would lend to the 'child's playroom' you mentioned, but something that goes with the walls. You might also want to get some sheers (sheer curtains) for your windows to let in the natural light. That with the yellow would perk everything up.

Answer 7

Sage green colors would be nice - maybe a muted citron green would work also.

Some pillows with a patterned fabric of sage green or citron green, black, red and browns would look pretty.

Gold would work to.

I guess there is a reason Ashley furniture had greens and yellows with this red couch!:)

Answer 8

Since the room is pretty much centered as black, red and brown. Why not adding touches of yellow, gold and white?

Answer 9

curtains and pillows whatever color your flooring is :)

but if you are tired of brown and black keep the red couch, get some lighter orange pillows OR slightly dark cream colored pillows. Make the curtains same color as cream colored pillows. Itll brighten the room up.! Need any other ideas?

Answer 10

Cappucino and a vanilla/off-white. You must get rid of the black furniture - if possible. If not possible, then ignore my color selections! With the walls being a beige color...black furniture isn't very appealing.