My Living Room Diary

Hello,

What a week! I’m writing to you with a cup of tea in hand, feet up (finally), and a mind buzzing with ideas after a packed trip to B&Q Manchester.

Twelve full home room schemes in one day—I was a tired bear, but my heart was so full from meeting so many of you face to face.

One conversation, in particular, has stayed with me: a lovely woman, eyes wide with excitement and nerves, standing in front of a wall of paint chips, wondering how on earth to choose a sofa colour for her new living room.

It struck a chord—because, dear reader, I’m right there with you. This week, I’m redecorating my own living room, and I’m knee-deep in the sofa-and-colour conundrum.

Before we dive into my living room, here are some links that have caught my eye around the internet this week while I’ve been searching for sofa inspiration:

Let’s get personal. Why am I redecorating? Like many of you, my home is evolving. Since Zac arrived, he’s claimed more and more territory: the office became a nursery, the living room a playroom, our bedroom his morning adventure zone (Sam’s side is now a treasure trove of books, cables, sunglasses, and, inexplicably, playing cards). It’s chaos, but it’s ours.

But now—drumroll—we’ve made Zac a proper play den (video coming soon on my YouTube channel!). Suddenly, the living room is ours again. Sam and I want it to feel “grown up” (whatever that means), ready for friends, laughter, and, crucially, fewer trains and colourful bricks underfoot.

And here’s the secret agenda: we need a new sofa. Not just any sofa—a place for friends and family to crash, especially Sam’s dad, who at 6ft 7 finds our spare mattress a medieval torture device. Plus, our current sofa is, let’s say, “well loved”—milk stains, crayon doodles, and all.

Sam’s main gripe? His long legs never feel supported. Mine? I want a space that feels fresh, inviting, and a little bit “us” again.

Here’s the big question: which comes first, the sofa or the wall colour? The classic chicken-and-egg dilemma! It’s a question that pops up time and again in my inbox. I’m living it right now. And I am going to treat myself as a client and share my process, which will hopefully help you create your dream living room.

Do you want your living room to feel calm and airy, or dramatic and cocooning? Think about the mood first.

For us, it’s about warmth, welcome, and a dash of grown-up sophistication (with a toddler in tow). I know I want the room to feel light as it’s a south-facing room which I use throughout the day, but the walls are white at the moment and having no colour is just killing me! I NEED colour.

I love using Pinterest for this step. You can check back at my guide here. Pin everything that inspires you or that you are drawn to. Then step back and see what connects the pictures. Is it a bold contrasting sofa or a tonal look? This will really help you decide what you love and where to start. 

So it’s not really about sofa or wall colour first, but thinking about the room as a whole. 

If you already have a sofa and are not looking to replace it, look closely: are the undertones warm (think pink, yellow, olive), cool (grey, blue, teal), or neutral? This will guide your wall colour choices. For harmony, pick wall colours that complement those undertones. For example, if you have a rust-toned sofa, look for a wall with a pink undertone. Or if you want to add a bit of contrast,  look at the colour wheel—opposites attract! Choose a fresh blue for the walls with a burnt orange sofa for a complementary pairing. 

Here are some examples: 

Blue Walls & Cream Sofas: If you’re like me and find yourself swooning over those deep, dramatic wall colours—but worry your space might end up feeling a bit too moody—here’s my tried-and-tested trick: go for a lighter sofa. I’m currently obsessed with a Cream boucle number (honestly, it’s like sitting on a cloud!). Pair it with something rich and enveloping on the walls, like Deep Blue or Teal, and suddenly the whole room feels lifted and balanced.

And don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your cushions! I love tossing in pops of orange or pink—think juicy tangerine or playful fuchsia—to keep things feeling joyful and full of personality. It’s proof that you can have your deep, cocooning walls and still keep the mood light, bright, and oh-so-inviting.

Pink Walls & Chocolate Sofas: Pink has always been one of my absolute favourites—it’s that magical, ‘shoulder-dropping’ colour that wraps you up in a feeling of belonging and calm the moment you step into the room. Lately, I’ve been playing with tones that feel like a warm hug: Pink and Taupe. Together, they create this beautiful tonal story that’s soft, inviting, and just a little bit indulgent.

Now, imagine pairing that with a sofa in a rich, luscious brown—think Chocolate or Toffee. The warmth of those fabrics feels like the perfect cosy counterpoint to the pinks, grounding the space in the most comforting way. And here’s a little secret to keep things fresh: add a splash of blue somewhere in the mix—maybe a cushion or a throw—to give your scheme that unexpected pop and a stunning visual balance. It’s all about layering warmth with a whisper of cool, and trust me, it works every time.

White Walls & Yellow/Orange Sofas: If you’re renting and feeling a bit stuck with lighter walls, let me introduce you to your new best friend: White 05. This shade is an absolute gem—my top pick because it’s effortlessly versatile, working beautifully with every style under the sun. Plus, it’s a dream for showcasing colourful art, making your walls feel like a curated gallery rather than just a backdrop. 

Thanks to the slight yellow undertone to the white, fabrics in warm, earthy tones (think leaves on an autumnal morning) will really bring the space to life. It will add depth and warmth without overpowering the room. It’s all about layering those gentle hues to create a space that feels alive, welcoming, and perfectly balanced.

Green Walls & Green Sofas:  If you’re a little nervous about diving into colour, let green be your gentle guide—nature’s very own neutral. It’s calming, easy on the eyes, and works beautifully on sofas without demanding too much adjustment. For that cosy countryside charm, try Green on your walls paired with White woodwork—it’s like bringing a breath of fresh air indoors, especially when paired with a gorgeous velvet sofa in an olive shade. 

2025 is all about bold, saturated colours: emerald greens, deep blues, rich reds, and even spicy oranges are in. Beige and grey are taking a back seat, replaced by hues that feel like a warm hug—think terracotta, oxblood, and caramel. The most popular sofa colour this year? Green! Calming, invigorating, and surprisingly versatile. As I mentioned above, green is nature's neutral so a great colour if you are feeling a little nervous about trying colour in your home. 

If you’re feeling brave, try colour drenching—painting walls, ceiling, and woodwork in the same or similar shade for maximum impact. If you prefer subtlety, anchor a bold sofa with neutral walls, or vice versa.

Go back to your favourite pinned photos and understand what it is that you like about them. Is it a colour-drenched room (a really calming room), or do you love painted/contrasting woodwork? 

Trends are amazing for inspiration. I love looking at them. But to create YOUR dream home, a home that is authentically YOU, you need to find out what you really love. Sounds daunting, but it isn’t once you ask yourself these questions [link]. 

Natural and artificial light can dramatically change how colours look. Test swatches (both paint and fabric) at different times of day. What feels moody at night might feel totally different by morning.

Right now, I’m loving:

I’ve pinned my favourite combos on this week’s Pinterest board—take a peek for inspiration!

After much debate (and many sit tests), we’re going with a sofa from Loaf. I popped into their Shack and tried EVERY sofa they had.

The quality of the Loaf sofas have blown me away, and they are all made in the UK! They also have one of the most comfortable and stylish sofa selections I have seen in a while. I would strongly recommend that you find your local Loaf Shack and try out their sofas. As Sam and I are both tall, this has a huge impact on the style of sofas that work for us, as well as the depth we wanted.

Like a bed, your sofa purchase is a pretty big investment, so it’s worth taking the time to ensure it’s perfect for you, your home, and your lifestyle. I recommend taking your shoes off while sofa-hunting and really sit, lounge, lie, or snuggle on the sofas to see how they work with your typical at-home seating position while watching TV, reading, and chatting etc.

We’re leaning toward a Burnt Sugar Sloafer Corner sofa and Sticky toffee velvet footstool—timeless, forgiving (hello, toddler life), and it’s going to look unbelievable once we colour drench our walls with Blue 02. I can’t wait for this colour to be added to our home. 

Our room is south-facing, and I really wanted to keep the light feeling. The colours complement the existing artwork in this space, really bringing the whole room together. A tip for you is always look at what you love already in your space and use that to build your colour scheme around (I find it an excellent starting point). 

I know I spend my evenings relaxing in our living room. Blue 02 is a mentally soothing colour, so perfect for switching off after a long day. And paired with that cosy, rich chocolate-toned sofa, it’s just going to feel like a warm hug. 

Watch this space for photos and updates as we take the plunge.

This week’s community highlight: Dave, the decorator, wrote in to say he’s ready to help his clients be braver with colour. “Move over, Magnolia!” he says. Dave, you’re my hero. Let’s make 2025 the year we all step out of our comfort zones—one bold wall, one statement sofa at a time.

Thank you for letting me into your inbox and your home each week. I hope this diary entry gives you the confidence to pick the colours (and the sofa!) that make your heart sing. Remember, there are no wrong choices—only the ones that feel right for you.

If you want more resources, colour combos, or just a pep talk, drop me a DM or vote in the poll below. I read every message, and your stories inspire me every single day.

Here’s a little b-roll (scroll down) from my week—Saatchi Gallery trips and filming with the team.

Until next Sunday—be bold, be you, and happy decorating.

Tash x

(all photos are my own and lifestyle images are from Pinterest)