Another vote for no sets! Mixing it up gives the opportunity to incorporate more color/texture/pattern into your room. A designer told me you should try to have a small, medium, and large print in the room so maybe your curtains are one, your rug is one, and your chairs are one and you tie them all together with the accessories & pillows.

My own living room has all matchy matchy brown leather furniture because that's what the furniture store sold us a decade ago when we were clueless and gullable :) I don't love it but it is pretty kid proof so we're keeping it until the kids are a little older.

Thank you! K Lawrence and Camperoo, I should have ask a few days before and save me so much time :) This forum is amazing.
Please keep comments coming

No set, I am sorry. Elements in the room will coordinate through the repetition of color and pattern, but not style (though you can repeat styles, just not in an effort to match.)

Just so you know, the idea of a set came from husband! lol... And I just told him: "Baby, so sorry but I can't please you this time.

My gut was telling me that it was a bad idea to get a set.
Thank you Rita

I understand husbands :-)!

Maddie, Did he want a set because they are often good value as a package deal, and/or because it reduces decision-making? If so, many furniture stores have a design person who can put together non-set sets, if you will, that can accomplish those goals for you.

PS You may want to look at Laurel Bern's blog and search for her posts on living rooms and sofas. She shows some very pricy things, but I find she gives great advice about scale and proportion and how to judge the staying power certain choices. Her style is quite traditional (in a fun and updated way- not stuffy or retro.) She is very clear about how to avoid some key pitfalls, like buying furniture that is too big for the room (which is a problem because very often, that is all the stores seem to have.) So her advice is good regardless of your personal taste or budget- just focus on the basics of what she says. Plus she is a very entertaining writer.

Seconding no set AND the recommendation for Laurel Bern's blog : ) .

Thank you! I will search Laurel's post

#3. You don't want everything to be "matchy-matchy". Coordinate a solid sofa fabric with contrasting chair fabric in either solids or patterns. If you go solid, get some patterned throw pillows that pick up all the colors from the fabric and area rug.

It depends on the situation. I have a narrow, long living room (12x21) in a 1939 house. Punctuated by doors and window, I created three zones. I used the the same "set" for the seating (conversation) area in the middle. At the far end, I have a small library/desk made up of pieces that are rustic. At the front, I have a square Antique table with rattan chairs. Because of this configuration, the set works better for me. I've just removed the large TV and am now looking for original art for above my fireplace and am going to try a mirror over my sofa. If all I had was the conversation area, then I agree, mix it up with textures, solids and patterns.

I would generally say no, but, depending on the store, a set can coordinate but not be matchy-matchy

Yrs back my sister bought a 'set'--sofa, loveseat & chair at the old Marshall Field's store.

The Lawson sofa and loveseat were the same floral fabric-Queensland, but the wingchair was a plaid that coordinated

You would not guess set

Keep it interesting. Sets are boring. Solid neutral colored large pieces with different textures. Add color with accent pieces such as pillows, afghans and flowers.

I'm thinking of buying a matching sofa and 1 chair, and adding a third chair in a similar, textured fabric. I don't know that I would want three completely different fabrics in a somewhat small area, but I would add variety with textures and patterns on pillows and the rug. Should I really attempt to use three different fabrics? I should note that I really can't match the two chairs, since one of the chairs will have to be a bit smaller. I want the other chair to be a more comfortable size.

Thank you so much, great ideas and comments. Will give some thoughts to each comment. Thanks

I like the above room. The matching brown couches are separated by the light blue chairs and are given a hint of difference with their pillows of different colors. I think one thing I would do differently is to replace the tall flower arrangement on the credenza with a shorter arrangement f the same pink shade. If that isn't being too picky.

I have a couch and love seat in one style and pattern and two chairs in another, although both are in fairly similar tones of light beige. It works because I have a lot of pattern and color with drapes, pillows, area rug and lots of paintings and Chinese porcelain. The end tables and lamps on them at either end of the couch also do not match.