I agonised over color choices for weeks. Burgundy sofa living room ideas can work for any type of house and style.
Then I took the plunge with this gorgeous burgundy sectional that literally everyone who visits compliments.
Burgundy is such a powerhouse color that brings instant warmth and sophistication to any space.
It’s bold but not loud, dramatic without being over the top. About 67% of my clients who choose burgundy sofas report feeling their living rooms appear more luxurious and put together than with neutral options.
The best part? Burgundy works as a fantastic anchor piece that can adapt to almost any style from traditional to ultra-modern.
Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to breathe new life into your existing living room, I’ve got twenty ideas that’ll help you rock that burgundy sofa like a design pro.
These ideas range from super simple tweaks to more involved projects, so there’s something for every skill level and budget!
20 Burgundy Sofa Living Room Ideas For A Chic Look
Living rooms with burgundy sofas offer so many possibilities.
The rich, wine-toned upholstery creates an instant focal point that can set the stage for countless design directions.
The key to working with such a statement piece is balancing its boldness with complementary elements.
Ready to transform your space? Let’s dive into these twenty ideas that’ll help your burgundy sofa shine.
Mix Burgundy, White, and Blush Pink
This color combo is absolute magic! I tried this in my sister’s apartment last spring, and wow, did it look amazing.
The burgundy sofa provides that rich anchor, while white walls and accessories create breathing room.
Then those blush pink accents add the perfect touch of softness.
Try white curtains, a few blush throw pillows, and maybe a light pink vase or two.
This combination works especially well in spaces that get lots of natural light.
The contrast between the deep burgundy and lighter tones creates this gorgeous visual interest without overwhelming the space.
Incorporate Indoor Plants
Plants and burgundy are like peanut butter and jelly.
Absolute perfection together! The lush greens create the most gorgeous contrast against the deep red tones of the sofa.
I love using plants with larger leaves like fiddle leaf figs, monstera, or rubber plants.
The substantial size of their foliage stands up beautifully to the visual weight of a burgundy sofa.
For my own living room, I added a cluster of three different height plants in one corner and it completely transformed the space.
A fun fact for plant parents: rooms with burgundy tones actually make your greenery look even more vibrant due to color theory and complementary colors.
Use Art Deco-Inspired Theme
Burgundy practically begs for some art deco glamour.
This theme works incredibly well because burgundy was actually super popular during the Art Deco period.
Think geometric patterns, bold contrasts, and a touch of gold.
I added a sunburst mirror, geometric throw pillows, and a gold-toned coffee table to a client’s burgundy sofa space last year.
The transformation was so dramatic that she actually cried when she saw it!
Don’t go overboard, though. About 3-5 art deco elements is usually perfect. Any more and your living room might start feeling like a Great Gatsby movie set.
Add a Wooden Coffee Table
Nothing grounds a burgundy sofa quite like a gorgeous wooden coffee table.
I prefer medium to dark wood tones that complement rather than compete with the sofa.
Last summer, I found this amazing walnut coffee table at a yard sale.
With a little sanding and some tung oil, it became the perfect companion to my burgundy couch.
The warm wood tones create this cozy, inviting atmosphere that just makes you want to curl up with a good book.
Coffee tables with some storage are super practical, too.
We’re always tucking away remote controls, magazines, and the kids’ colored pencils that somehow migrate to every surface in our house.
Hang Floor Length Sheer Curtains
Light, breezy curtains create the prettiest contrast with a substantial burgundy sofa.
I’m talking floor-to-ceiling sheer panels that let light filter through while softening the overall look of the room.
When we moved into our current house, the living room felt kind of cave-like with the burgundy furniture.
Adding floor-length ivory sheers curtains instantly made the space feel airier and more balanced.
The curtains catch the breeze when windows are open and add this dreamy quality to the whole room.
Just make sure they actually touch the floor! Curtains that hover a few inches above the floor are like pants that are too short. Nobody wants that.
Add Macrame or Tapestries
Textural wall art brings so much life to a burgundy sofa setup.
Macrame wall hangings or woven tapestries add this amazing boho plus rustic vibe that balances out the formality that burgundy can sometimes bring.
I made a huge macrame piece above our sofa using just YouTube tutorials and some cotton rope.
Total cost was about $25, and it looks like something that would cost hundreds in a fancy boutique.
The textural elements create visual interest without competing with the bold sofa color.
Tapestries with subtle patterns work beautifully too.
Look for designs with cream, tan, or even threads that pick up the burgundy tones for a cohesive look.
Use Burgundy with Blush Harmony
This deserves its own section because it’s just so good.
Burgundy and blush create this sophisticated color story that feels both trendy and timeless.
Try layering different shades within this palette.
Maybe a burgundy sofa with blush pillows, a deeper rose throw blanket, and some mauve accessories.
I used this combo in my own living room and my husband, who normally doesn’t notice decorating changes, actually commented on how good it looked! Victory.
Add Texture through Pillows and Blankets
Texture is absolutely crucial when working with a burgundy sofa! Without it, the space can fall flat despite the bold color.
I always layer at least 3-4 different textures to create depth and interest.
Think chunky knit throws, velvet pillows, linen cushion covers, and maybe a faux fur accent.
For my living room makeover last year, I gathered all my existing pillows and added just two new textured ones.
The difference was amazing and cost less than $50!
Don’t forget to play with shapes too. Square, lumbar, and round pillows together create much more visual interest than all the same shape.
Include Exposed Brick Accent
If you’re lucky enough to have exposed brick, or can add a brick veneer accent wall, this pairs AMAZINGLY with a burgundy sofa.
The rustic texture of brick plays so well against the refined look of a burgundy sofa.
We don’t have real brick in our home, but I added a remarkably convincing brick veneer panel to one wall.
It took a weekend to install and transformed the space completely.
The natural variations in the brick tones actually pick up some of the undertones in the burgundy fabric.
This combination works for nearly any style from industrial to traditional, depending on how you accessorize the rest of the space.
Put Statement Light Fixtures
Lighting can make or break any room, but it’s especially important with dark burgundy furniture.
A statement chandelier or unique floor lamp draws the eye up and around the room, creating balance with the visual weight of the sofa.
When we moved our burgundy sectional to the basement family room, the space felt dark despite having windows.
Adding a dramatic arc floor lamp and a quirky table lamp instantly brightened the mood and made the sofa look intentional rather than overwhelming.
Try to position lights at different heights throughout the room.
This creates layers of light that make the space feel more professionally designed.
Incorporate Metallic Accents
Metallic and burgundy are a match made in design heaven.
Gold particularly complements burgundy by bringing out its warm undertones, while silver or chrome creates a more contemporary contrast.
I added a gold-framed mirror, brass lamp bases, and a few metallic decorative objects to our living room.
These little touches reflect light and add sparkle that prevents the burgundy from feeling too heavy or serious.
The trick is keeping metallic elements consistent throughout the space.
Mixing too many different metal finishes can look unintentional and chaotic. Pick one or maybe two metal tones and stick with them.
Use Complementary Artwork
Artwork selection can completely transform how a burgundy sofa reads in a space.
I love using pieces with hints of burgundy in them to tie everything together.
For our living room gallery wall, I specifically looked for art with small touches of burgundy or complementary greens.
Nothing too matchy-matchy, but just enough to create cohesion.
Several pieces were actually from our kids’ art class projects that I framed nicely.
Abstract art works particularly well with burgundy sofas since the sofa itself is such a strong statement.
The artwork can be more subtle while still adding personality to the space.
Layer Vintage Area Rugs
A gorgeous rug under your burgundy sofa creates the perfect foundation for the entire room.
Vintage rugs with subtle patterns and faded colors are especially nice since they have character without competing with the sofa.
I found an amazing vintage-inspired rug at a discount home store that completely changed our living room vibe.
The muted pattern contained hints of burgundy, blue, and cream, which gave me a whole color palette to work with for the rest of the space.
Don’t be afraid to layer rugs either.
A vintage patterned rug over a larger natural fiber one adds amazing texture and dimension to a living room with a burgundy sofa.
Use Floral Wallpaper as Backdrop
This might sound scary, but trust me! The right floral wallpaper behind a burgundy sofa can look absolutely stunning.
The key is choosing a pattern with plenty of negative space and colors that complement your burgundy tones.
I helped my friend install a gorgeous floral wallpaper on just one wall behind her burgundy loveseat.
The pattern had cream background with delicate botanical elements in soft greens and hints of burgundy.
The whole room went from basic to breathtaking!
If permanent wallpaper feels too committing, try removable wallpaper.
It’s perfect for renters or the design-commitment-phobic among us!
Add a Gray Armchair
Grey and burgundy are total BFFs in the design world.
A comfortable gray armchair creates the perfect companion piece to a burgundy sofa without competing for attention.
When selecting a gray chair, I like to match the visual weight of the burgundy sofa.
If you have a chunky, tufted burgundy sofa, choose a substantial gray chair.
For a sleeker burgundy sofa, a more streamlined gray chair works beautifully.
We added a cozy grey swivel chair to our living room arrangement, and it instantly became everyone’s favorite spot.
The neutral gray allows the burgundy to shine while still providing contrast.
Hang Mirrors for More Light
Mirrors are magical with burgundy sofas.
They reflect light, make spaces feel larger, and can brighten up the rich, sometimes dark presence of burgundy furniture.
I hung a collection of various sized round mirrors on the wall opposite our burgundy sectional.
They reflect our backyard views and bounce natural light around the room.
The result makes the burgundy feel vibrant rather than heavy.
Placing a mirror where it can reflect picture window which works especially well.
About 40% of rooms feel significantly brighter with strategically placed mirrors, according to lighting designers.
Add Vintage Vibes with Leather Sofa
If you’re lucky enough to have a burgundy leather sofa, lean into those vintage vibes.
Leather develops such beautiful character over time, and burgundy leather has this amazing library-like quality that feels so sophisticated.
Our first apartment had a hand-me-down burgundy leather sofa that I paired with vintage-inspired accessories.
Old hardcover books, a reclaimed wood coffee table, and brass accents created this amazing, timeless atmosphere.
Even if your burgundy sofa isn’t leather, you can still add vintage touches through accessories, lighting fixtures, and artwork to create a curated, collected-over-time look.
Incorporate Floating Shelves
Floating shelves provide the perfect display opportunity to balance a burgundy sofa.
The horizontal lines create visual interest and give you places to add personality to your space.
We installed three staggered floating wood shelves on the wall adjacent to our burgundy sofa.
They display family photos, small plants, and some favorite books and decorative objects.
The shelves draw the eye up and around the room, preventing the sofa from dominating.
Keep shelf styling simple, though! With a burgundy sofa, less is often more when it comes to accessories.
About 5-7 items per shelf is usually plenty.
Dark Blue and Black Wall Panelling
This is for the bold decorators.
Dark wall treatments create a dramatic backdrop for burgundy that looks incredibly sophisticated and intentional.
A client wanted something unexpected for her formal living room with a burgundy chesterfield sofa.
We installed black wainscoting on the lower half of the walls with a deep navy blue above. The result was absolutely stunning.
The burgundy sofa actually felt like a slightly brighter, more cheerful element against the darker surroundings.
If full dark walls feel too intense, try just one accent wall or adding architectural details like picture frame molding painted in darker shades.
Use a Light Pastel Color Palette
This might seem counterintuitive, but pairing a burgundy sofa with light pastels creates this amazing balance of depth and airiness. Soft mint, pale blue, or gentle lavender all pair wonderfully with burgundy.
Last spring, I updated our living room with pale mint accessories and couldn’t believe how fresh and current our burgundy sofa suddenly looked.
The contrast between the deep, rich burgundy and the light, airy mint created such a happy, welcoming vibe.
This approach works especially well for spring and summer, when you might want your space to feel lighter and brighter without replacing your furniture.
Conclusion
Whew! That was a ton of ideas for styling your burgundy sofa! The thing I love most about burgundy is how versatile it actually is despite being such a strong color. It can look traditional, modern, eclectic, or anything in between depending on how you style it.
Remember that decorating should be fun and personal! Our living room has gone through at least three different looks with the same burgundy sofa over the years as our taste evolved. Don’t be afraid to experiment and switch things up occasionally.
And if you’re still on the fence about getting a burgundy sofa, I say go for it! In my experience, it’s those slightly bolder choices that end up becoming our favorite elements in our homes. Plus, burgundy is practically a neutral at this point, just with more personality!
I’d love to know which of these ideas was your favorite or if you try any of them with your own burgundy sofa. Happy decorating, friends!
