White Sofa: If You’re in the Market, Inspiration Here!

Is it too safe a choice for a living room, great room, or den? And are they even practical where pets and children gather? We all have our opinions and experience with such “living with white” matters, and the answer is always “it depends.” Plenty of performance fabrics these days will stand up to muddy paws. And we’re all different about daily habits and use/abuse of furniture. Our family kept food in the kitchen and dining areas only so upholstery mishaps were the occasional spilled drink during a party. Personally, I have never had trouble spot treating stains. So as an ambassador of white, this White Sofa Inspiration will hopefully yield some help if you’re in the market.

Miramar Sofa with Fringe Skirt, Serena & Lily
Miramar Sofa, Serena & Lily

Pretty White Sofa Ideas to Inspire

Our current living room sofa has been with us for more than a dozen years. It’s a Belgian Track Arm Sofa from RH (Belgian Linen in the color sand).

Although considered “classic depth” at 37″, it is quite deep! If I bought another, I would likely opt for a more petite depth.

Belgian linen sofa in our living room at the Georgian. Walls painted SW Repose Gray. Abstract on wood by Michele, Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

Here’s the same sofa in our former home:

European farmhouse style in my living room with Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. Come see 20 Beautiful White Sofas to Ignite Your Imagination!
Hello Lovely Studio’s sofa: Belgian Track Arm Slipcovered Sofa, customized at RH. Fabric: Belgian Linen. Color: Sand. Depth: 37″ Classic. Length: 8′. Fill: Down Feathers.
European farmhouse style in my living room with Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. Come see 20 Beautiful White Sofas to Ignite Your Imagination!
Hello Lovely Studio

And in the home before that!

Michele in pointe shoes in her Belgian style living room - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely – the paint color can be found in THIS

Neutral Sofas Work Across Design Styles

Investing in a neutral color sofa for your space means you have tons of wiggle room for living with color, tone on tone, and even design evolution down the road.

Since sofas can be dressed up or down and tweaked with pillows and throws…

Willow Sofa, Crate & Barrel
Slipcovered Sofa, Crate & Barrel

call it “safe,” but I prefer “savvy.”

Myla Sofa, Lulu & Georgia
Myla Sofa, Lulu & Georgia

When I consider how our neutral linen sofa has worked with multiple paint colors, that sofa was a great investment!

Beautiful casual classic and natural family room with white Everleigh sofa - McGee & Co. #whitesofas #familyroom #casualclassicstyle
Everleigh Sofa, McGee & Co

You could paint the room above a light blue-grey for an entirely different feel without changing the furniture or upholstery.

So don’t buy into that pressure to go bold for a sofa if it doesn’t feel right in your gut.

Psst. I have always crushed on sofa designs like the one above and below with the wood base rather than a skirt. Seems so clean and light.

If you’re looking for white interior inspiration, Leanna Ford knows her way around it!

Leanne Ford designed modern rustic interior design with white sofa, white walls and black accents.
Leanne Ford (Photo by Josh Franer)

And Rachel Ashwell always has the most romantic white rooms to woo us.

Shabby chic living room designed by Rachel Ashwell.
Shabby Chic/Rachel Ashwell

Is it Practical to Live With Light Colors?

If I only had a dollar for every skeptic who asks if I’m serious about the ease of living with white!

European farmhouse style in my living room with Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. Come see 20 Beautiful White Sofas to Ignite Your Imagination!
Belgian linen slipcovers from BEMZ on Ikea Ektorp sofas in our Arizona living room. Wall paint color: VALSPAR Salute – also see warm white paint color inspo HERE.

We have not owned shedding pets so not sure if that’s better or worse with white. I don’t fret about white fabric because even if the worst happens?

European farmhouse style in my living room with Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. Come see 20 Beautiful White Sofas to Ignite Your Imagination!
Custom Belgian linen slipcover (BEMZ) made for Ikea Ektorp sofa – Hello Lovely Studio.

White comes clean with a little dish soap, and even red wine spills haven’t ruined our Belgian linen upholstered pieces. I don’t feel we have made sacrifices living with white, and it’s such a mood booster every single day.

European farmhouse style in my living room with Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. Come see 20 Beautiful White Sofas to Ignite Your Imagination!
My slipcovered sofa in Arizona – Hello Lovely Studio

White imparts the calm and gentleness for which I long. It’s a balm to undo the not-so-calm of chaos and bustle beyond home.

This post contains affiliate links which I hope you will use since they won’t cost you a penny extra yet may earn this blog a small commission.

Resources for Sofa Ideas!

Slipcovered Sofa With Bench Seat

Here’s a very similar style to the RH styles from Pottery Barn!

York Square Arm Grand Sofa with Bench Cushion Slipcover, Washed Linen-Cotton Ivory
York Square Arm Sofa With Bench Cushion Slipcover, Pottery Barn…certainly lovely indeed.
Personal growth quote about stillness by Michele of Hello Lovely Studio. #personalgrowthquotes #spiritualgrowthquotes

Cozy Belgian Style With Chaise

This style works so well in a den or media area.

York Slope Arm Deep Seat Slipcovered Chaise Sofa Sectional
York Slope Armed Deep Seat Slipcovered Chaise Sofa Sectional, Pottery Barn…certainly lovely indeed.
Tricia Hersey quote about rest and productivity on Hello Lovely Studio - @thenapministry. #triciahersey

Beachy White With a Flirty Skirt

Sometimes it’s a beachy, casual, coastal look you’re after.

Coral Gables Slipcovered Sofa
Coral Gables Slipcovered Sofa, Wayfair…certainly lovely indeed.
Brene Brown quote on Hello Lovely Studio.

Slipcovered With Slope Arms

Make sure you try out as many sofas as possible and notice your preference for arm style.

That will help you narrow down the possibilities.

Funny coffee quote by Michele of Hello Lovely Studio. #coffeequotes #coffeehumor #homebodies

Textured Linen & Clean Lines

As you can see, it’s a very different and non-traditional look when you opt for narrow arms:

Luxurious & Slipcovered

Also, if you’re planning to invest in a slipcovered sofa, you should decide whether you’re okay with a style that must be drycleaned rather than thrown in a machine. Plenty of designs may have “slipcover” in the name even if the covers are not washable.

Tricia Hersey quote about rest and productivity on Hello Lovely Studio - @thenapministry. #triciahersey

English Country Charmer

Sometimes a sofa design involves very low arms that influence the seat cushions:

PB English Arm Upholstered Sofa
PB English Arm Upholstered Sofa, Pottery Barn…certainly lovely indeed.
Mary Oliver quote on Hello Lovely. #maryoliver #inspirationalquote #blessingquote #naturequotes

Seen in Sarah Richardson’s Farmhouse

This is a sofa style I have always admired since it has a curved back yet narrow arms.

Fairchild Slipcovered Standard Sofa
Fairchild Slipcovered Standard Sofa, Birch Lane…certainly lovely indeed.

Keep in mind, you can always pile on throw pillows if you’re not sold on the back cushions that come with your sofa.

Fairchild Slipcovered Standard Sofa
Fairchild Slipcovered Standard Sofa, Birch Lane…certainly lovely indeed.

I have even seen creative homeowners use those sofa back cushions on beds and for other uses after adding pillows to tweak the look.

Hard to Beat Price & Comfort

We bought Ikea Ektorp sofas thinking they would be temporary, but we are still enjoying them in our family room where we watch TV or read.

EKTORP Sofa IKEA
Ektorp Sofa in Vittaryd White, Ikea…certainly lovely indeed.

Whether you order custom slipcovers or use those from Ikea, they can be so practical if you live with pets. I have washed Ikea slipcovers multiple times and been pleased with the wear.

Brene Brown quote about integrity on Hello Lovely Studio. #brenebrownquotes

Classic & Elegant

Sometimes a sofa will have a number of design elements combined in one piece. Nailhead trim, linen, and vintage little legs?

Tallulah Upholstered Sofa
Tallulah Upholstered Sofa, Pottery Barn…certainly lovely indeed.
Anxiety quote from Brené Brown about gathering data and staying calm - on Hello Lovely Studio. #BreneBrownquotes

Transitional Style

To minimize surprises, make sure you get all of the measurements and maybe even use painters tape to mark the size in your space before ordering.

Laid Back Lovely

Make sure you notice details like the sofa’s feet. I’m not crazy about how the scale of the feet on this sofa below work with the rest of it.

Mary Oliver quote poem about beauty. #beautyquotes #maryoliverquotes

Tasteful & Transitional

Are you more of a skirted sofa person?

Spruce Street Sofa, Serena & Lily #slipcoveredsofas
Spruce Street Sofa, Serena & Lily
Modern country cottage furniture and decorating resources on Hello Lovely Studio. #moderncountrystyle #getthelook #interiordesign

Dreamy With Fringe

What a difference a little fringe can make!

Cost Conscious & Coastal

Wright Sofa
Heritage Wright Sofa, Wayfair…certainly lovely indeed.
White sofa - Heritage Wright
Heritage Wright Sofa, Wayfair…certainly lovely indeed.
Anne Lamott quote on Hello Lovely Studio.

Shabby Chic Signature

Sterling Slipcovered Sofa, Cream Linen
Rachel Ashwell Slipcovered Sofa…certainly lovely indeed.

Beautiful white sofa options HERE.

In Case You Need a Pillow!

Coastal living furniture and decorating ideas on Hello Lovely.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

White Slipcovered Sofa
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8 Comments

  1. Jeannie
    July 25, 2023 / 9:36 am

    This was fun to read. I have your identical RH sofa including the sand color. We love it until we decide to move it because it is the heaviest sofa we have ever owned!! I also have an Ikea white slipcovered sectional in the den. I as well do not have any issues keeping it clean. I use clear dish soap and I also use hydrogen peroxide (with a white cloth etc). I have a friend who is a Nurse and she told me that is what they use to get the blood stains out of their uniforms. Have a lovely day and I truly look forward to your blog every day. Such a pleasant way to start the day ❤️

    • Michele
      Author
      July 25, 2023 / 10:08 am

      How fun that we are living with the same pieces as kindred. Love that! Oh the weight of that sofa – you’re so right, and I believe ours has found its resting place! With this recent move, we decided if we move again that we’ll start fresh with furnishings. The thought helped us push through this local move which we handled ourselves. I’m told there are alternative methods to get toned thighs and a six pack. 🙂

  2. THERESA
    July 25, 2023 / 10:51 am

    ALWAYS A THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND QUOTES! OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE PURCHASED OUR SOFAS FROM CRATE AND BARREL OR POTTERY BARN BECAUSE OF THEIR DESIGN OR COMFORT … BUT! THE FEATHERS ALWAYS WORK THEMSELVES OUT OR INTO OUR SKIN. DO YOUR SOFAS/CHAISES/CHAIRS/PILLOWS HAVE SOMETHING OTHER THAN FEATHERS? — I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW BEING TAR AND FEATHERED WAS A MEANS OF TORTURE … PERSON WHO CAME UP WITH THIS TORTURE MUST HAVE HAD FEATHERS IN THEIR BED/SOFA. AYE!

    • Michele
      Author
      July 25, 2023 / 11:43 am

      I’m so grateful for you here – so happy to have you in the fold! All I can say is AMEN and YES the literal feathering of our nests is also real here. The RH pieces throughout our home are down, and while we don’t have feathers escaping from the chairs, the sofa has its confetti moments when I adjust the cushions or if my husband plops down dramatically. I have attributed this to use and age, and how can I be mad at something because it is aging naturally? Hahahaha. What great imagery, yes?

  3. July 26, 2023 / 2:23 pm

    Oh the fun of living with down cushions… while watching “Ridley” on PBS Sunday night, a scene startled and I felt a shooting pain in my heel, checked when the pain didn’t stop, and found a quill stuck in my skin! Had to pause the show as I was laughing so hard about being attacked by my own furniture during a dramatic moment. Down is so worth it, though isn’t it?!

    • Michele
      Author
      July 26, 2023 / 6:11 pm

      Hahahaha – hilarious. I’m hopeless and now get injured while doing nothing at all. Cut my finger deep enough for stitches the other day on the foil covering of the yogurt container. What? Is my skin thinning and vulnerable now like my hair? As far as the down fallout, I did inspect our sofa’s seat cushion carefully and found a worn spot on the underside which we stitched close. And I get so much satisfaction from using things that become threadbare! Plenty of folks will never understand that joy. 🙂

      • July 27, 2023 / 11:46 am

        Patina is the essence of French and English style- usage creates charm and comfort, enhances beauty, doesn’t it?! So we develop patina, too, by this time in our lives! Our skin thins and foil injuries are real! At 70, I ended up at the chiropractor this week… she asked as I lay face down, if I had been ironing or doing laundry. We giggled about how laundry injuries are real. And I admitted to doing 3 loads of laundry and ironing a stack of clothes the day before. Aging is fun fun fun 😉

        • Michele
          Author
          July 27, 2023 / 10:17 pm

          Great point about developing patina! Yes. Ironing injuries. Bedtime injuries – like I reached to turn off the lamp, and now I can’t use that arm for a few days. Hahahaha. Aging is not fun, but it is humbling and of course that is a sort of win. 🙂

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing