Choosing the right armchair colour can make or break your living room aesthetic. The right shade balances your décor, influences mood, and even affects perceived space and light. Whether you’re drawn to a classic grey armchair, a bold statement piece like a green armchair, or a crisp white armchair, this guide helps you make the best colour choice for your Kiwi home.
Before you dive into styling, you can explore our range of armchair colours here: browse armchairs NZ-wide.
Why Colour Matters for Your Living Room
Colour has a strong impact on mood, perceived space, and harmony in interior design. A well-chosen armchair colour will either anchor your palette or provide a tasteful accent.
1) Anchoring vs Accent Colours
Neutral shades like grey or white can **anchor** a room — making other elements feel cohesive. Bolder colours (including warm tones analogous to an **orange armchair**) act as accents, drawing attention to a focal point.
2) Size of Room & Lighting
Light colours reflect light and can make small spaces feel larger, while darker or more vivid colours can create a cosy vibe in larger rooms.
How to Choose Based on Your Decor Style
Grey Armchair — The Modern Neutral
A grey armchair works beautifully with most palettes due to its neutrality. It complements both bold accent colours and muted tones alike, and is especially good if you plan to switch decor seasonally.
White Armchair — Bright & Minimalist
A white armchair gives a fresh, minimalist look — perfect for modern, coastal, or Scandinavian-inspired living rooms. Just be mindful of maintenance and fabric choice if your household has kids or pets.
Green Armchair NZ — A Natural Accent
Green brings a touch of nature indoors and pairs well with wooden furniture, rattan, and earth tones common in NZ interiors. A green armchair NZ can be both calming and eye-catching depending on saturation.
Orange Hints — Accent Without Commitment
While our current selection doesn’t include a dedicated orange armchair, you can introduce warm accent tones through cushions, throws, or side tables to achieve a similar energising effect in your space.
Top Picks: Colour-Driven Armchairs
Here are lived-in armchair colour picks from our range that support your design direction while staying practical for everyday use.
- Taru Velvet Armchair - Grey – a timeless grey armchair that anchors neutral palettes and complements rich wood or light surfaces.
- Neil Velvet Armchair - Green – a standout green armchair that brings a natural, relaxed accent to contemporary or rustic interiors.
- Rivo Boucle Armchair - White – a crisp white armchair ideal for minimalist or coastal-inspired decors that prioritise light and softness.
Colour Pairing Tips for Your Living Room
Balance Bold with Calm
If you choose a vibrant accent colour (or plan orange tone accessories), balance it with neutral furnishing such as a grey or white sofa.
Layer with Textures
Velvet, boucle, and linen finishes interact differently with light, affecting how colour reads in a room. Velvet deepens colour saturation, while boucle and linen soften it.
Consider Adjacent Walls & Flooring
A coloured armchair paired with warm timber floors or cool stone tiles will read differently — always test fabric swatches on site if possible.
FAQ: Choosing Armchair Colours
What is the best colour for an armchair in a neutral living room?
Neutral rooms can handle both anchor neutrals like grey and contrast accents like green or navy, depending on whether you want harmony or a focal point.
Is a grey armchair a good choice for modern interiors?
Yes — a grey armchair works especially well with minimalist and contemporary styles because of its flexibility and calm visual weight.
How does a green armchair fit with NZ living spaces?
A deep green adds a natural, restful look that pairs nicely with wood and nature-inspired palettes common in NZ homes.
Can white armchairs still feel cosy?
Absolutely — combine a white armchair with textured throws and rugs to keep the space inviting while preserving brightness.
Recommended Next Step
If you’re ready to match colour with your space, visit our armchair gallery and filter by shade and shape: explore the armchairs collection.
Last updated: February 2026
