These 20 Living Rooms Make a Strong Case for White Sofas

Make it Monochromatic

San Francisco-based designer Heather Hilliard gave this white living room the tonal treatment with two matching couches and armchairs. But, just because this space is monochromatic doesn't mean it's boring. The pitched ceiling, cream drapes, and gilded mirror over the fireplace bring some warmth to this all-white area.

Wow in a Wood Room

Want to brighten up a wood-paneled living room? Add a white couch, as Philpotts Interiors did in this charming space. In a room that's swathed in earthy browns and hints of gold, the white couch acts as a welcome pop of color.

The Hawaii-based design firm rounded out the area with local art, giving the typical beach house a sophisticated spin.

Step it Up With a Sectional

Avid hosts will find a lot to love about this living room by Sullivan Design Studio. The compact sectional fills the room nicely, plus offers ample space for guests to kick back and relax. The grayscale throw pillows and patterned ottoman create some warmth without losing sight of the room's minimalist vibe.

Create Contrast

What's black, white, and chic all over? This high-contrast living room from Studio KT. While the black accent wall, chest, and drapes offer plenty of drama, the white couch keeps this space from veering into gloomy territory.

You don't have to be a shade connoisseur to know that black and white are on opposite ends of the color wheel. Fortunately, principal Kara Thomas added gilded accents to make this combo feel less drastic.

Embrace Your Curves

As this living room by Kendall Wilkinson proves, white couches look good in all shapes and sizes.

"White is timeless and shows every line and detail of a design," she says. "An exquisite and sculptural Kagan-inspired sofa offers a dramatic focal point to this beautiful living room, perched high in San Francisco's tallest residential tower. You feel as if you're floating on a cloud."

Invest in Performance Fabrics

Believe it or not, white couches aren't as high-maintenance as you think.

"If having kiddos or pets in your home makes you nervous for anything white, ensure your sofa is covered with a performance fabric," Melissa Wagner, creative and design at Havenly, says. "It will make general maintenance and spot cleanings a breeze. Many varieties of performance fabrics are even bleach-friendly, plus most soil can simply be cleaned with a clear dish soap and water mixture."

That way, you won't have to cry over spilt milk—or wine.

Add Some Breathing Room

A white couch can work wonders if you're incorporating a handful of colors and patterns in one small space. In this living room, designer Joelle Smith used a white couch to create some cohesion between the striped rug, gilded side tables, and emerald throw pillow.

Create a Cozy Corner

Whether you're answering emails or enjoying your latest streaming obsession, most of us are spending a lot of time in our living rooms these days. So, shouldn't you design your space with your needs in mind?

Think of this living room from True Home as a masterclass in cozy style. The white sectional looks comfortable, plus the two sconces will come in handy should blogger Ajai Guyot want to curl up with a good book.

Go Back to Nature

Looking for another way to up your white couch's cozy factor? Consider pairing it with natural tones likes like tan, brown, and olive green.

"We love featuring a comfortable white or cream couch in a space, and mixing it with vintage pieces and earthy accessories," Canadian designer Montana Labelle explains. "They create a lived-in feeling that stops the space from feeling like a white box."

With a mélange of textiles and soothing shades, this living room has that outdoor feel—you know, without actually going outside.

Pair With Primary Colors

Primary colors might be a great way to make a statement, but too many saturated hues might make your living room feel a tad overwhelming. To break up the brightness, Los Angeles-based designer Kevin Isbell added a white couch to the mix.

We know what you're thinking: red and blue accessories with a white couch can veer into Fourth of July territory. But, thanks to the gray walls, coffee table, and lounge chair, this space is well-appointed—and just slightly patriotic.

Double or Nothing

Why settle for one white couch when you can enjoy two? Arizona-based design firm Living With Lolo doubled down on the staple by adding two white couches across from each other. Not only does the symmetrical layout offer plenty of polish, but it also fills up the spacious room, offering guests somewhere to sit.

Create a Coastal Oasis

As this living room from designer Amanda Lindroth proves, a white couch can be the perfect finishing touch to a coastal oasis. Between the sweet wicker furniture, matching rattan light pendants, and strategically placed greens, this living room will immediately transport you to a breezy beach bungalow—yes, even if you live nowhere near a large body of water.

The white slipcovers turn these matching couches into blank canvases, giving the tropical accents full permission to shine.

Pair With Blue

The color blue has been scientifically proven to promote feelings of calmness. If you don't believe us, think about how relaxed you feel when looking at the sky or a set of crashing waves.

If you want to increase your living room's chill factor, consider adding a white couch to the mix. Ike Kligerman Barkley masters the look by sandwiching the white couch between a blue ceiling, pastel rugs, and teal accents. The white coffee table, curtains, and pendants bring this unbeatable color combination to life, creating a soothing sanctuary.

Turn Back Time

Calling all midcentury lovers: a white couch can be a fantastic addition your righteously retro living room. New York-based design firm Pembrooke & Ives used a tufted style to anchor this sleek space.

While tufted couches can look very traditional, this option gets a modern edge when paired with wood-paneled walls, boxy furniture, and some cool vintage lamps. The result? A very stylish walk down memory lane—Don Draper would certainly approve.

Add to Your Small Space

Anyone who is looking to make the most of a small living room should consider adding white couch, as designer Tali Roth did here. Not only does the couch brighten up the space—offering a nice contrast from the dark coffee table, light fixture, and inky accent wall—but it also creates the illusion of a lighter space.

Mix and Match

As this living room from Gray Space Interiors proves, a white couch can be a great way to mix and match different design styles. Black and white rooms are often associated with a minimalist aesthetic. However, this space redefines the classic color combination by giving this white couch a traditional, tufted finish.

When paired with modern touches like a geometric mirror and stone coffee table, this couch helps bridge the gap between old and new.

Pile on the Pillows

Looking for an easy, low-maintenance way to add some oomph to your white couch? Take a cue from Mid City Interiors' Tiffany White, who decked out this petite sectional with an array of statement-making throw pillows and blankets.

Though White experiments with a handful of touchable textiles, she sticks with a subdued color palette. By doing so, she strikes a happy medium between subtle and statement.

Give it the Textured Treatment

More times than not, a white couch is considered a supporting piece, or something that will act as a blank canvas in order to let an extravagant chandelier or bright accent wall shine. But, if you want to turn your white couch into a "wow" factor, take a cue from Maite Granda.

The Florida-based designer doubled down on the tiny details, opting for a plush material and patterned cushions. The final product is sophisticated and conversation-sparking in equal measure.

Go Big or Go Home

If you're working with a lot of square footage, create the ultimate Netflix-and-chill zone with a huge white couch. Canada-based designer Reena Sotropa took this luxurious area to the next level with a supersized, circular couch.

Not only does this piece fill the room nicely, but the white hue also blends in with the rest of the space, drawing the eye up to the high ceilings and tall, sun-drenched windows.

Embrace Your Inner Bohemian

As Sara Toufali of Black and Blooms proves, a white couch can be a bohemian dream. Here, a sleek sectional turns this all-white space into an easy, breezy oasis, which is what bohemian decor is all about.

For a space that's both stylish and serene, Toufali gives this spot her signature bohemian edge with layered rugs, tactile ottomans, and lots of plants.