Do Black Leather Couches Match With an Espresso Coffee Table?

Black leather combined with the dark brown of espresso results in either a sophisticated decorating scheme or plunges into the realm of dark and dreary. Brighten up the look with different textures and fabrics. Add pops of color in the accessories to brighten up the room. Black leather couches do work well with an espresso coffee table. Does this Spark an idea?

Textures

The slick surface of the coffee table and the smoothness of the leather need textures for variety; otherwise the look is boring. Place the couches and coffee table on a nubbly area rug to center the furniture grouping. Live plants add color. The leaves provide interesting textures as well. Use an arching fern on a plant stand by the sofa or center a planter of succulents and cacti on the coffee table. Place throw pillows in soft faux fur on the sofa. A bamboo runner down the coffee table adds more texture.

Contrasts

Color is your friend when working with dark neutrals such as black and espresso. Choose a color that contrasts, such as yellow, red, aqua or orange. If you prefer to stay away from bright colors, choose dove gray, off whites and beiges. Pastels can work as well. Since you already have black and espresso, more than one contrasting color might look too busy. Select throw pillows in contrasting colors for the sofa and use accessories in related tones for the coffee table. For example, choose two large coral pillows and two smaller pillows in shades of coral for the sofa. Continue the colors with peach candles in clear glass holders on the coffee table.

Prints and Patterns

Leather is a solid color in most cases. The espresso coffee table is a solid color as well. Brighten them up with prints and patterns. Use coral pillows in a wave or geometric print. Place a rug under the seating arrangement that has subtle stripes or a muted floral pattern. Mixing different patterns is fine, as long as the scale and colors match. In other words, mix a plaid with a stripe and a floral all in the same shades of coral.

Accessories

Think of the black leather sofa as a little black dress. It looks good by itself but even better when accessorized. Adding gold earrings to the dress with red shoes and purse makes the dress an outfit. Do the same thing for the sofa with accessories such as lamps, picture frames, bowls, vases and mementos. You probably wouldn't wear those gold earrings with a silver bracelet and pearl necklace. If you bring in one metallic, keep it consistent. And that's another trick: metallics play off black and espresso, bringing out the best in both.