I have a "pattern on pattern" floral couch that just looks like solid navy until you get a few feet away and then you can see the large flower shapes. I've had it now for 21 years. To my eyes, if finally now looks dated and I'm getting ready to move it out of the main living room into the kid's play room. I do see quite a few floral fabric chairs, though. And, if you tire of the fabric, it'd be a lot less expensive to recover a chair than a sofa.

You can have mine. I did love it for the first ten years. The second ten years, not so much. It is in good condition and in a room that we rarely use so I just try to ignore it. If I were to do it again, I would get my flower fix in the form of pillows, throws and other accessories. Not the expensive sofa.

I'm with you, laughablemoments. After 18 years I still love my camel back floral sofa. I wish I could show it to you. The chairs and drapes with sheers are solid, I have about a million plants (some flowering, some not), and wall to wall carpeting (gasp!) in my south facing living room. It's bright, cozy, charming and I'm not changing it for the world, I don't care how dated some may think it!

I solved your problem by going for a lighter brown and distressed/matte leather. Like the perfectly comfortable worn out boots you wear to walk down the country lane collect wildflowers :)

Funny, my old floral Century sleeper sofa just went out the door! Black background with tropical flowers. It was lovely, but after 22 years, it was time for a change. I bought a chair last year with beige background and tan/olive/dark and light aqua stripes, and my new sofa is a medium brown to coordinate with the brown in the stripes.

I don't have one, but think it could work. I feel the same way about leather. Are you shopping for new this time or CL with possible reupholstering? If new, you could do something pretty wonderful:

or a print that's not really flowers could work, too:

More cool flowered sofas:

flowered sofas

Then there's this!

I'm still looking at used. The quality is so much better for the price than what we could do for new.

I have a sort of flowery sofa. The fabric is soft (sort of sage) green and tan so not what you would typically think of as flowery. I still like it after ~15 years. I don't think I could live with a wildly colored flower pattern except maybe in a sunroom.

I hear you!

My new plain chairs arrive tomorrow to replace 2 flowered wingchairs that are Beloved. Seriously, I hate that they are worn out, dated and basically laughable to anyone who reads (home design stuff) but they are moving out.

Today, I looked at them so fondly and with such love.

A few years ago inquiries into reupholstering in the same fabric was a kindly, No consensus.

I have a black and white floral IKEA slipcover sofa I still love.

Olychick Where did you find that first flowered GEM?! That one is so good. I think floral will be back around pretty quick with a trendier look.

Laughablemoments - I found an english roll arm sofa on craigs this summer and intend to reupholster it. I still will but, I moved it into the new house and it is gold, burgundy and green floral brocade. It's not bad... It is like new - seriously came out of a grammas's sitting room that she never used. No smoke, no pets, no sunlight, no use. I think it depends totally on the sofa and the print and what you do with the rest of the room.

Well that's what I'm telling my DD and DH - they want it gone...

I have never owned a floral sofa. Diagonal stripe, vertical stripe, solid fabric, solid microfiber suede and solid leather. Never floral

I love florals, but I have a canvas slip covered sofa that I made the seat covers a tan and the pillow backs are the floral. I can always change out the pillow covers if I get tired of them.

As I walked through the local RH store I could not help but be overwhelmed by the depressing tone of all the grays. Yes it made the white coral pop (ocean coral not the color...I have the ones my dad dove for years ago for our place) And the crystals and bare bulb chandeliers popped in that sea of gray. But I had to wonder just how long these will be hot before it all gets replaced by something with some color and life....

theclose, what a fabulous room. Love the sofa & chair.

I opted not to go plain & neutral when recovering my sofa recently. Not floral, but a big pattern just the same.

Laughablemoments, I am not raising my hand because I still like my flowered sofa. but I do have a floral sofa that needs a good home and could go with your green couches. The couch belonged to my mother who purchased it in 1971. The couch got a lot of use until 2002 when my passed away it was moved to my house. It has been residing in my lower level for the past 13 years. It would like to see daylight once again. So if you're any where near Wisconsin come and get it.

This is the original upholstery on the couch and it still is like brand new.

Missymoo, I found it on someone's blog but couldn't find it again so had to do an image search, but here it is for sale.... ETA oops I shoulda looked at the site more closely, it's discontinued :(

Killim sofa

So funny, Badger. I think my parents' 1967 sofa is the same pattern, different color! Is yours quilted? I remember it was quite expensive. When we cleaned out their house 2 years ago, we were in quite a quandary what to do with this dated, like-new piece. Luckily, the renters loved it so it still sets in the same place it has set for the past 48 years--the "formal" living room. (Edited from 40 years, with my only math error excuse being I was an English major).

Am I the only surprised there are so many floral sofas? It seems like everything is solid neutrals now. My diagonal stripe sofa was my before I got married fling (had gathered kick pleats too) and I loved it. Got married and had two boys, so now I live in a guy house and get teased a lot. They'd never allow a floral in the house. Have I trained myself to not even see them?

theclose, I love your sofa and chair so much. When my cats (destroyers of all upholstery) pass away, I'd love to get a set just like them! I have a not-so-latent passion for colorful florals.

I wish I had the picture, I'd have the third sofa in another different print. It's the one I have many happy memories of from my childhood. Exactly the same as badgergal and dee! I'm fairly sure.

I have a tan and cream floral slipcover for my sofa. I love it. I have 4 different slipcovers for that sofa, which makes that fun.

i have a floral loveseat... it is cream with blue, green and mauve/burgundy floral print... it is really quite attractive- that is why I haven't gotten rid of it, but it is in our unfinished basement! I love the shape and it is very comfortable and well made but just doesn't go with anything! bought it about 25 yrs ago! I will probably have it reupholstered some day...

Dee and rob, maybe the sofas are triplets separated at birth. Now that I think about it my parents probably purchased it a bit before 1971. I know we had it that year because it is in some of my sister's wedding pictures from that year. I know my parents could not have afforded a wedding and new furniture at the same time. And yes there is some quilting in the fabric.

I'm sure no couch purchased in 2015 will have fabric in such great condition after 44+ years. And there were seven people living in the house when my parents bought that couch.

Thank you all for chiming in. Floral chairs sound like a good compromise, Jewel. Thanks for the offer, dee. : ) I can see where it would be of benefit to go neutral on the big pieces and more frilly on the easy to swap out things like pillows and throws. That makes a ton of sense.

Sheesh, your room sounds wonderful. We just let a camel back sofa go that we dearly loved, but it was truly worn out. Some days I still miss its comfiness, though.

Good idea, Butternut. I think you and I are in the same camp of wanting a little softness and femininity around. (I have 6 daughters--I better want a little femininity around! LOL) Maybe if I picture soft leather shoes rather than biker jackets, I'll do better!

Both your old and your new choices sound lovely, Diane. Hopefully the new owners will enjoy the floral as much as you did.

Really, you feel the same way, olychick? I feel so bad saying that a lot of leather just doesn't appeal to me. Those are some wild new takes on traditional florals that you found!

Your couch sounds nice, rosesstink. See, I'd love the feel of a sun room in our living room. It gets lots of light, so that sounds great to me. : )

Hope the new chairs grow on you just as much as the old floral ones did, Bumblebeez. They sounded very special.

That's a very cute cover Meris. It would look really nice with the black and white toile in my kitchen. : )

missymoo, have you seen the tutorials online where people have painted their sofas with a combo of latex and fabric medium? I saw one that was done on an English rolled arm sofa like you describe. It was interesting, and it sounded like it was holding up well.

Hmmmm, Lacatx. Maybe it's time for you to turn over a new leaf, er, flower. ; )

I have to say those are some mighty fun flowers, theclose. How can you not smile when you are in that room? Those sofas exude cheeriness!

Kippy, that's what I need: presto-change-o furniture. I hear you on the drab colors. I do wonder when the grays will finally wash away, too. Sometimes I look at the shades of gray decorating and feel like I'm looking ata black and white photo. Is it soothing, or is it just...blah?

awm03, I think we have the same window as each other! It looks to be the same height, size, everything. Your reupholstered couch looks fantastic there, it goes so well with all the greenery outside. NIce!

Aw shucks, Badgergal, we're no where near you. I bet you have lots of good memories associated with that couch. Thanks for the offer! ; )

mdln, that's a very nice looking sofa. It's easy on the eyes, I'm thinking you'll still like it in 5 years. I like the fact that the fabric looks beautiful, but still family friendly and forgiving.

Look at that, dee. If only they'd had pinterest back then. Those florals would have been all over it.

There are a few florals on our craigslist, lascatx, some definitely look more dated than others. The more recent vintage look to be from the tail end of the shabby chic stage. (And I love them, LOL.)

Robo, hope you find your desired flowery couches someday. Isn't it terrible to have to wait for our furry friends to pass on to do things? My mom could really use new carpeting, but not until the cat passes on. She loves that kitty, but the poor little thing is a puker. : /

That's funny rob, I'm tellin' ya, they were somehow pinnin' those floral sofas anyway!

lilsophie, 4 slipcovers? That does sound like fun! : )

busybee, that couch sounds nice. I think I like those colors just as much now as when they were really big back then.

badgergal, what is up with the new fabric? I have what should be a decent La-Z Boy chair and ottoman, and their fabric is toast. It's shredding, and it's not that old!

Laughable- If your husband is okay with it....I'd say go for it! :)

The key is to find a floral (or other print) that you really love and keep it not too busy and warm. Of course, with CL...you have to be a little more open to what is available. But I think it could still work!

Laughable....did you say you're in Iowa?

http://ottumwa.craigslist.org/fuo/5180773126.html

Olychick, I want the brown sofa with the multi colored, brightly colored crazy pattern so bad I can taste it! OMGosh, it's...it's...it's...I don't have words for it but I love it! <lol> It's quirky!

This is my leafy print sofa. Not a good picture. I am not at home right now. It is a camel back I have had for about 15 years. The sofa has been through four cats without a scratch. I wanted a fabric that would hold up with cats. I still 'like' it and it looks like new. Be careful what you wish for sometimes.......

I dont have floral, but stripes! This sofa and chair were wedding presents from my parents, 43 years ago. At that time it was gold velvet!! I had it reupholstered about 20 years ago.

I still have one in our library. I still love it. The pup belongs to our son-our two would never let us catch them on the furniture. I am not sure why because we are such softies when it comes to them, but they won't get up when we are home. This one, however, has no qualms about it!

Ah, LL, that room oozes with coziness. I could snuggle right in there. : ) We are far from Iowa, LOL.

I love how individual all of our tastes are Monica. There's a couch for everyone!

Nice leaves, Dianna. I'm impressed your kitties left it be. I found a couch on clist today that's free due to kitty scratches. (Do I admit that it tempted me, LOL? It's a Lillian August, which sounds like a quality piece.)

Roseabby, that's impressive that your couches have held up so beautifully! They look wonderful in your space. You did marvelous work with what looks like a challenging-sized room.

Aw, cyn, what a cutie. I like those florals, too. I think I'd have a hard time keeping them pristine, but they are pretty.

How about this flowery number, says it's a grandma's couch from the 20's:

Here's the one my sensible side is trying to get me to convince DH to look at:

Here's what I'm attempting to coordinate with (no, this coffee table is not staying...):

Oh, that Grandma's couch is adorable!!!

olychick thanks for looking up that couch too bad its DC

laughable - Get that Grandma couch! It's great! I like that its completely different style-wise from your matching two so it looks like a plan and not just an extra sofa. Just look at it like an easy chair, only bigger.

Step away from the bloated leather...

I love that, bloated leather, and there's a lot around!

Thanks for the Grandma love, olychick and missymoo.

DH likes the Grandma couch, too. : ) (Can you believe it?!) Come to find out, he doesn't like leather furniture, not the way it looks, not the way it makes, we'll call them "peculiar" shall we, noises when you sit on it, that you're sitting on a "dead cow"...LOL. He's great! ; ) Not every guy could handle that kind of floral in their living room.

Missymoo, you gave me a good belly laugh with the bloated leather comment. I tried to find the least bloated, but still well stuffed, leather set on Clist. So many of them look like this (there are many around, Bumblebeez!):

Bloat Burger Supreme. Probably is super comfy, though. Kind of like when my son snuggles into me and says, "How come mommies are so comfy and squishy?" LOL

We'll have to see if the Grandma couch is comfy or not. That's the acid test.

The trouble with bloated leather is that even if you like it bloated (and maybe especially then) it doesn't stay bloated -- then it looks like deflated bloated. I like more tailored leather though.

I'll take a pass on the floral sofa for now -- but I did remember that we got a Waverly slipcover for a while -- it was a Waverly semi-floral. Does that get me off the hook?

I have a petite sized sofa that has been in several homes, always in "my" area. It's way too small for my 6ft husband but i love it. Along with the coordinating chair in a small yellow print, iIt evokes spring and feels cheerful. Originally it had 3 seat cushions but was changed to one. I kept the old cushions incase I want to go back to the previous style. It also reminds me of a lovely elderly lady who was the original owner.

lascatx, "deflated bloated", yes, I saw lots of that, too. Especially in a brand of leather couches that I kept running across as good quality here. Right now the name escapes me...nope, I got it, Bradington Young. They all looked like they need major fluff overhauls and re-dying.

Yup, a Waverly slip gets you off the hook. ; ) (I love Waverly prints....)

Mnzinnia, that's beautiful! Can I crawl right in the picture and read a book on your cute little sofa? That looks like a wonderful place to relax, sigh... Thank you for sharing a picture of your special spot. : )

Actually, I love the look of plain, light neutral sofas -- love the visual calm, love how you can place color & pattern elsewhere around the room. But when I think of actually living with them, one coffee stain or a wear pattern that begins to appear will ruin the whole look. With a patterned sofa, you can kind of hide imperfections like the coffee stain that didn't totally come out in cleaning or a small tear that was inartfully repaired. From a practical standpoint, for an active family patterned is the way to go.

I don't like the floral on my sofa.

Don't get me wrong: I LOVE florals. They're cheerful, feminine, fresh, and hide dirt so well. I'll be doing two chairs in the floral shown on the left in the second pic.

Here's my floral. I still love it. We have navy leather recliners to go with it. It took forever for me to pick this fabric when I ordered the couch. And as I went through the fabric books, the saleslady pointed out that I really liked floral :) I think we bought this couch in 2006.