Choosing the right retro sofa

On the catwalks or in furniture shows, the trend is towards retro style, taking us straight back to the fifties . This nostalgic touch naturally takes over our sofas with the return to favor of padded velvets and luxurious trimmings. However, before giving in to the sirens of the retro sofa, a few questions are necessary. What color to choose? Which shape should you choose to adapt perfectly to your interior without having to change everything? How to choose the right fabric?

What shape for my retro sofa?

Protruding armrests, rounded design, quilted seat and small size: you are certainly looking at a sofa model taking you back to those of the 1930s.

Retro 30's Convertible Sofa

One and a half to two seater sofa: the format for purists

Perfectly suited to small spaces, the retro sofa will fit wonderfully in a studio, especially if you adopt its convertible version.

In rooms with more volume, it will accompany armchairs with a more contemporary style or will complement a round formica table for living/dining room areas.

Functional and decorative, the retro sofa will also be nestled in an office to provide a relaxation space or at the foot of a library in its most minimalist format.

Large sofa: comfort and trend

It is entirely possible to have a very comfortable sofa without breaking the retro style! Available in large sizes, the traditional retro sofa is adorned with glamorous assets for the greatest pleasure of lovers of cocooning sessions. Enhancing the room alone, you can twist the retro atmosphere by integrating more contemporary pieces.

Retro Large Sofa Bed

What colors for my retro sofa?

This timeless part of our interiors supports all our colorful whims as long as we combine it with the right decoration. Be careful, however, not to fall into the “all-retro” style, at the risk of seeing the vintage touch transform your interior into a museum piece!

To go further, discover a complete article on choosing the color of your sofa .

The generosity of light colors

If your walls are already adorned with pretty pastel colors, the soft and light tones will lend themselves perfectly to your retro sofa. Beyond not changing your interior, the combination of light tones should stand the test of time.

• The powder pink of the sofa will combine with a pearl gray on the walls or vice versa;
• White and beige can also take over your sofa in a decor with neutral colors, such as taupe, gray or brown.
• A sea green velvet sofa, for example, will bring life to a living room with white walls.

Bright colors for a vibrant and daring style

• Mustard yellow, orange, fuchsia pink: bright colors come into their own to embellish our retro sofas.
• A sofa with a warm yellow fabric will fit perfectly into a light wood decor and will brighten up a white wall;
• Red will enhance a living room with beige, gray and black tones.

Colorful Retro Sofa Bed

The sobriety of dark colors

Lovers of deep tones can choose a tropical green, plum or anthracite gray while remaining in the retro style. By making this choice, your sofa will become the central element of the room: be careful with rooms that are already decorated!

• The dark green of the sofa will brighten up all the objects in the room. Combined with wood, it will give your living space a totally soothing natural side;
• The ultra-violet colored sofa, chosen by Panthone as the color of the year, is sure to brighten up your interior! With a section of wall painted in curry yellow or a few accessories in plum and mauve shades, you are preparing to give a real pep to your room. Be careful, however, not to adopt a total look or you risk getting bored quickly.

Leather, velvet, tweed: which materials to choose?

Before considering the question of the material that will cover your retro sofa, first choose the color of the latter. Indeed, a dark brown will undoubtedly lead you to adopt leather in a Chesterfield version. Pastel colors will be more conducive to velvet when tweed enhances grays and reds.

• The leather

Straight out of a 1950s movie, the retro distressed tufted leather sofa will pair with industrial decor elements and dark-colored walls. If you opt for a camel-colored sofa, add a wooden table with metal legs and dare to combine pastel-colored cushions.

• Velvet

Conducive to relaxation, velvet gives us a feeling of softness. We adopt light colors for our retro sofa if we want to stay in the cocooning atmosphere. In its darkest shades, velvet brings an unrivaled touch of refinement and elegance. Finally, the bright colors will instantly immerse you in an arty decor.

Good to know : To enjoy your velvet sofa, discover our velvet maintenance methods.

• The tweed

The height of retro style, tweed was brought up to date by Coco Chanel in the 1950s. This beautiful fabric will give a sophisticated look to your sofa in a refined decor. In camouflage version, we will turn to a Houndstooth or houndstooth model. The Plain Herringbone weave, giving the impression of a V-shaped design, will offer a graphic side to your sofa.

With its shape, its colors and the presence of velvet or tweed, the retro sofa now has no secrets for you. A true decorative object, it must also be functional. Before opting for the 100% retro version, carefully study your interior to combine the useful and the pleasant!