I've been an interiors editor for over 20 years, and I predict this is the hottest new colour trend for sofas
You heard it here first


One of the things I've loved most throughout my twenty-year career on interiors magazines is getting a chance to see the next season's collections before they drop, and spotting trends you know are going to fly. I popped along to the preview of John Lewis's new Autumn Winter 2024 collection last week, and what was I most excited by? A colour trend that I can seen having a big influence on the best sofas – and one I can't wait to see making waves in homes up and down the country.
Our love of the velvet green sofa has been an enduring constant over the last few seasons, but I spy a new colour challenger stepping up to take over the charge. Say hello to caramel, the shade that I think we'll be seeing everywhere this autumn (and beyond), and that's poised to be the latest sofa colour trend.
A post shared by Ideal Home (@idealhomeuk)
A photo posted by on
'Caramel is a rich and cosy colour from nature that brings both comfort and luxury. It works wonderfully in a modern scheme across velvets and marble, offering warmth to a more minimal aesthetic,' says Melanie Archer, Colour Expert and Designer at John Lewis. 'Caramel and auburn shades will be a contender for the grounding greens we have seen dominate the last few seasons.'
I've been lapping up the rich, earthy shades that have been sweeping through interiors – so much so, that I recently painted my downstairs loo a luxurious terracotta – and caramel sits comfortably in this palette. In fact, looking around my home now, I already have a few caramel accents that have crept into my decorating scheme recently, including a couple of caramel cushions on the bench seating in my kitchen.
When I stop to think about it, the colour has been on my design radar since Little Greene launched their Sweet Treats collection last autumn – a collection of warm neutrals, inspired by tones of honey, caramel and chocolate.
And why is caramel perfect for sofas? As a statement neutral it gets brownie points for versatility, which is what you're looking for when choosing an investment piece like a sofa that you want to last beyond a flash-in-the-pan micro-trend. Mustard sofas have also enjoyed a moment this year, but let's face it – in reality, yellow is harder to live with (and a bigger commitment) than this rich shade, with its neutral brown base mixed with a look-at-me hint of orange.
Caramel pairs well with a spectrum of accent colours from red (the unexpected red theory isn't going anywhere) to calmer pale shades of blue or green.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
This sofa colour also works brilliantly in different fabrics. In a linen it's has a more relaxed, boho feel, or in velvet (as I saw at John Lewis) it'll add a luxe touch to your living space, with the depth of colour really accentuated. At the preview it was shown off to perfection on the elegant new sofa design, inspired by the brand's bestselling Blocky armchair. Having sat on the Blocky sofa last week, I can confirm it ticks the box for comfort, and the sculptural legs give it a design edge.
If you can't wait until the Blocky sofa drops in September, start to introduce this must-have new colour now with accent cushions on your sofa, or a few well-placed accessories like vases, lamps or throws dotted across the space.
This tactile velvet cushion is a quick and easy way to introduce on-trend caramel to your existing sofa
So I'm calling it. Caramel is my colour pick for Autumn Winter 2024, and we'll be seeing it on sofas left, right and centre right throughout 2025.
Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer.
-
Is open-shelving a stylish storage solution or an impractical trend? Join the debate
Let us know your opinion in the comments
By Rebecca Knight
-
I tested this portable medium-pressure washer and found it perfect for lightweight cleaning tasks on the go
I tested this portable medium-pressure washer and found it perfect for lightweight cleaning tasks on the go
By Linda Clayton
-
This £70 steam cleaner can clean almost anything while being both lightweight and easy to use
It's an affordable buy for smaller homes or flats too
By Annie Collyer
-
IKEA has quietly launched a new storage trolley – its clever shape makes it perfect for blending into your home
The beauty in this trolley is in its simplicity
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Aldi has launched an air fryer in 2025's biggest colour trend - and it's only £30
We're seeing this colour everywhere right now, and Aldi nails it
By Kezia Reynolds
-
This expert-recommended £5 M&S buy will stop yellow stains on your pillows – shoppers are raving about the quality for the price
This bestselling M&S buy solves a common bedding issue, and it's only £5
By Amy Lockwood
-
I give it a week before social media is obsessed with this Addison Ross wireless bobbin lamp – the matching salt and pepper mills have already gone viral
This stunning wireless lamp is my new favourite thing
By Sara Hesikova
-
Habitat's Anthropologie bow mug alts are going viral on TikTok – grab them while you can
The bow trend is going nowhere
By Kezia Reynolds
-
7 ways to store pots and pans in a small kitchen - expert tips for clutter-free cooking
Genius ways of storing cookware in a compact kitchen
By Natasha Brinsmead
-
George Home is selling an air fryer that rivals the coveted Ninja FlexDrawer - it's getting rave reviews from shoppers
The George Home 11L Multi-Drawer Air Fryer has a five-star rating
By Kezia Reynolds
-
5 ways to organise food containers in your kitchen - for clutter-free cupboards that actually close
A ten minute task that provides so much satisfaction
By Holly Cockburn