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.
-
'We were keen to buy a small country retreat to escape to'
This Devon cottage has brought balance and calm to the owners' busy working lives
By Marisha Taylor
-
Find out how much a party wall surveyor costs now to avoid any nasty surprises later
In some cases, hiring a party wall surveyor will be unavoidable – our guide explains how much to set aside for their services
By Natasha Brinsmead
-
Mid-century modern meets Japandi in this 1960s extended home
The calm, colourful interiors connect seamlessly with their woodland garden
By Alexandra Pratt
-
Is your porch missing something to sit on? These 7 porch seating ideas will solve that issue for you in style
These are the top porch seating ideas to make your space more functional and stylish at the same time
By Sara Hesikova
-
I failed my no-buy month because of this Primark tableware collection - it looks so much more expensive than it is
My tablescape has never looked better - without taking a hit to my budget
By Holly Cockburn
-
Kilner's butter churner is back in stock – here's why it sold out in the first place
Make your own butter by hand with this fun addition to your kitchen gadget collection
By Molly Cleary
-
I won't gatekeep – Magimix's new small kitchen-friendly mini chopper is my secret to delicious lazy dinners
My homemade pesto pasta has never been better
By Holly Cockburn
-
'I've now bought 3 different colours' – my favourite affordable linen bedding is currently half-price, and the 5-star reviews speak for themselves
The half-price linen bedding that owners can't stop raving about
By Amy Lockwood
-
Want to cook like Jamie Oliver? This is the top-rated casserole he uses from his own collection all the time on Instagram
Jamie's collaboration with Tefal has led to this casserole dish getting the best user reviews I've ever seen
By Molly Cleary
-
I’ve found a stunning £40 buy that rivals Le Creuset at Wilko - this casserole dish is a dead ringer for one of the most summery colourways
You just can't beat finding a great Le Creuset alternative
By Kezia Reynolds
-
This beautiful mixing bowl is the unexpected star of so many kitchens – including Mary Berry's and the Bake Off tent
This earthenware bowl proves that you don't have to spend a huge amount for a classic kitchen addition
By Molly Cleary