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Best living room colour schemes


15 color schemes to inspire |

Color really can be transformative in interior design, whether that be through paint on the walls or from a beautiful piece of furniture or artwork, and choosing your living room color ideas will be one of the most important decisions you face in your home.

For many of us, the living room is where we spend most of our time, from relaxing and watching TV to socializing and entertaining with friends, and getting the color choice spot on for your living room ideas is vital to ensure you create a comfortable and inviting space that truly celebrates your style.

Choosing which colors to decorate with for any room color ideas can be a daunting process as there are so many to choose from, but becoming your own color consultant is easier than you think, and we are on hand to help inspire you with a range of colorful ideas for your living room.

Living room color ideas – the best color schemes for your lounge

Whether you're exploring living room paint ideas to give your existing space a colorful refresh, or are in need of color inspiration for a whole new design scheme, it’s time to get creative with color and transform your space with the help of our collection of inspiring living room color ideas.

1. Pick a palette of primaries

(Image credit: Future)

For a sophisticated room full of fun and energy, create a living room color scheme that hinges on decorating with primary colors.

Look to design movements of other eras, such as Bauhaus, from which you could choose from primary colors such as blue and mustard yellow, or lavender purple and tomato orange.

The colors need to be bold but not too bright, so choose hues that are paired back to give them a more authentic tone.

2. Go for a grounding and cozy look with brown

(Image credit: Studio Indigo / Luke White)

Looking to the colors of nature remains a timeless color trend in interior design, and choosing an earthy, brown palette is perfect for cozy living room ideas.

Whether you choose an enveloping, moody brown, as shown in the elegant living room above, designed by Studio Indigo , or opt for a lighter shade, decorating with brown can be incredibly versatile. 

Pair with a deep navy blue or gold for a more traditional living room look or unite with a more impactful accent shade, such as a burnt orange or mint green.

Brown room ideas can sometimes be seen as boring, but when used in the right way, brown can be an incredibly inviting, warming, and sophisticated color choice for the home.

3. Create a soothing space with soft pastels

(Image credit: Polly Wreford / Claudia Bryant)

Chalky, pale tones have always been an attractive choice for interiors, giving rise to delicate, light rooms that are easy to live in. Create relaxed, elegant schemes by pairing these hues with bold accent colors, or opt for impact with one sugary shade.

Pale shades of rose are becoming firmly established as the new neutral of choice in the most stylish of schemes, yet it is in combination with bolder pastels that its delicate allure really comes to the fore, perfect for pink living room ideas.

'Neutral pink is best in living rooms; it’s surprising yet subdued,' says paint expert Annie Sloan . Pairing with deep burnt reds it will create a sophisticated tonal palette with a lot of warmth; alternatively, bright oranges and turquoises with neutral pinks give more of a tropical, jungle intensity. '

In their Spring Summer Homes & Interiors 2023 trend round-up, trend forecasters, TrendBible have said that there will be a rise of chalky pastel shades, they say, 'gentle combinations of sophisticated pastels are perfect for a delicate layering of color, and this color palette naturally lends itself to tonal gradients and elegant compositions.'

4. Keep things simple yet striking with black and white

(Image credit: Future)

Sarah Lloyd, senior brand manager at Valspar says, 'a need for long-lasting harmony is expressed by the choice of a white shade, a universal and timeless color that never goes out of style, designed to grow effortlessly alongside your interiors without ever feeling dated. 

White is perfect when paired with marble and glossy surfaces, mirrors and white textiles to color-drench the whole house. To add a touch of color, think about including metallic or black details, as well as raw wood pieces to avoid a cold and sterile finish. '

Black and white living room ideas are always a winning combination and can be both cool and calming, and striking and confident. Create a perfect balance of the two neutrals, by using equal amounts of each. It will give a bright and fresh look for the day, together with a dramatic and tailored look for the night.

5. Create contrast with your color choices

(Image credit: Sarah Brown)

Lucy St George, co-founder of Rockett St George says, 'we believe that life is too short to take home design too seriously, instead, styling your home should be a fun and freeing journey where you can experiment with color, pattern and anything else that makes you happy along the way.'

As one of the main rooms in the home, your living room should be treated as a canvas for an exciting and uplifting design that celebrates your favorite colors and design ideas. 

Establishing a space rich in colorful contrast will not only create an interior design that feels more unique, but it can also make for a bolder, statement look, uplifting the room with energy and striking visual interest.  

If you're unsure where to start when using contrasting complementary colors, always consult the color wheel, Kate Guinness also advises, ‘if nervous about using a bold hue, painting woodwork adds a color shot without overwhelming' as shown with the bright blue shelving in this colorful living room above, designed by Sarah Brown Interiors .

6. Choose a beautiful blue

(Image credit: Alecia Neo)

Blue is one of the most popular colors to use throughout the home, and blue living room ideas can come in a variety of beautiful designs. From deep, dark navy to serene sky blue, there are so many different shades to choose from. 

Whether you opt for dark blue painted walls, complemented by warm wooden furniture, a more relaxed, coastal living room theme, or establishing a beautiful contrast with palettes of blues and yellows, this versatile color can coordinate seamlessly with spaces both traditional and modern.

Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove says that 'blue is universally loved in interior design, due to its calming, tranquil tones. Deep rich dark blue is a popular choice for productive rooms such as kitchens and home offices, whilst the softer, paler tones are chosen for bedrooms and sitting rooms to achieve a relaxed and soothing setting.'

7. Go for a variety of soothing green tones

(Image credit: Future )

Green has been named one of the best colors to paint a living room by color experts, with its roots in the natural world often creating spaces that make us feel more calm, grounded and connected with the outside world.

Daniela Boleto, design director at Camomile London says, 'green combines beautifully with a whole spectrum of colors from bold and bright to soothing pastels. We love the pairing of green with cream for a timeless color scheme that can create so much depth and texture across two key colors. It is also beautiful with house plants to bring a sense of nature into your living space.'

Green living room ideas promise to renew your connection to nature, and the color green is said to evoke feelings of serenity, vibrancy and good fortune.  

When decorating with green, you'll find the color available in a whole host of shades, it’s easy to find decor and living room color ideas that will suit your look and give your scheme a seasonal lift.

8. Instill calm with a neutral color scheme

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

'I love the calmness that you create when you have a neutral living room palette in a room,' says interior designer Tamsin Johnson . But this choice definitely doesn’t have to mean boring: you can create an interesting and exciting space by layering different tones, such as off-whites and beige, then introducing a range of caramels and even accents of black.'

'Natural textures, whether they are stone or wood or linen, can help to anchor a beige living room color scheme. It means that the overall look doesn’t feel too contrived or uptight or overly designed. They bring a laid-back quality that always works well.'

9. Build up a layered color palette

(Image credit: Tim Salisbury)

When you typically consider using paint ideas to create impact in a room, the first thought tends to be drenching the walls in a bright hue. While this is a tried and tested way of creating a statement, there are more delicate ways to achieve just as much of an impact. 

In this yellow living room from interior designer Anna Spiro , a high-gloss white paint on the walls bounces around a light, making the surfaces nearly appear liquid with shine. Architectural details have been picked out in a beautiful deep yellow, adding not only color but an excellent grounding element. Furniture and accessories in similar but not quite matching tones create a warming spectrum of sunshine across the space.

10. Mix up colors

(Image credit: Jonathan Bond Photography)

For a living room that sings with joy, try colorful living room ideas full of clashing combinations. This is a space for both socializing and retreat, so you want shades that both enliven and comfort you. 

‘Pink and green is one of my favorite color combinations – they play really well off each other and it’s a great way to cheer up a room,’ says Lucy Barlow, founder, Barlow & Barlow .  

Balance is key when using a mix of colors. Integrating more neutral tones to offset your bold hues can help bring calm when you need to focus, but then you can turn around and be energized when it’s time to switch off for the day and allow the room to return to its primary function.

11. Amplify with intense hues

(Image credit: Valspar)

For a really bold look, combine a collection of bold, bright hues to establish a truly immersive and one-of-a-kind living room color scheme.

Clara Ewart from Kitesgrove says, 'don’t be afraid to choose bright, bold hues in rooms that are regularly used for entertaining, the joyous burst of color will add to the ambiance and enjoyment of the space. Walls of bright color can also be broken up with artwork and mirrors to soften the impact of the hue.

Trusting your instinct is really important when working with color. You should surround yourself with colors you are drawn to and make you happy – just as you do with your wardrobe. '

12. Go for full color in a small space

(Image credit: David Butler)

Sophisticated, tonal color schemes are great for adding interest and intrigue to a dark living room or small living room. 

Often, we are advised to only use white paint for rooms that lack a presence of natural light or are of smaller size, but the way we use color in the home is rapidly changing, and there are so many other paint tricks and colors to use that can transform the look and feel of these spaces.

‘I like painting a small living room in a dark color to make them feel cozy,’ says interior designer Amelia McNeil , who designed this cozy corner shown above. ‘I even painted the window and architrave in the same blue so that the Phillip Jeffries wallpaper could be the main focus.

13. Embrace the warmth of red

(Image credit: Project Phillip Thomas / Photograph Michael Mundy)

Contemplating red living room ideas? While the color might sound like a dramatic choice, it’s actually a hue that’s easy to live with. Its warmth, the ability to make the room feel cocooning, and its appearance under artificial light make it a wonderful choice for many living spaces. 

One of the leading reasons why you might prefer a red living room is because of the color’s heat, and in cold climate areas, it can create a sought-after atmosphere, perfect for cozy living room ideas.  

14. Create a calming space with an earthy color scheme

(Image credit: Rikki Snyder)

Reinvigorate your living room with a fresh and soothing color palette of limestone, lichen and sage. Choose a subtle shade of limestone for walls, then layer different but tonal shades of creams or greens on furnishings to create a restful scheme. 

A patterned couch will add a punchy highlight to a neutral living room; layer it with cushions depicting foliage and forest scenery. 

Finally, bring the garden indoors: mix plants and cacti with fresh spring blooms and accessorize with striking botanical prints, faux coral and crystal geodes for a scheme that is at one with nature.

15. Embrace a modern costal feel

(Image credit: Future/Emma Lee)

Start with creating a blue scheme with tones taken straight from a sea view. The easiest way to create a space with a coastal feel is by adding cool shades of ocean blues. Then bring in an eye-catching, contrasting accent color, such as red, yellow, or purple. 

A more contemporary take on classic coastal decor, the use of these accent colors will not only bring in an element of contrast but will also ensure the room won't feel too cold.

How do you choose the right living room colors?

Knowing which color combinations are guaranteed to look beautiful together and being able to select the best hues are not mysterious, secret arts – they are simple skills that we can all learn in just a few steps.

Always start off your room color ideas by building a complementary palette of timeless tones and classic shades, then add accent hues to create bold effects on a mood board. Think of it like cooking, with colors representing ingredients and flavors.  

Explore living room paint ideas and collate images, swatches, fabric, and photographs to paint a picture of your desired scheme. This allows you to marry all of your finishes together to ensure all ideas work as one.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of the color wheel – a tool professional interior designers use to put together stunning schemes that never fail to impress.  

What is the best color scheme for a living room?

'The best color scheme for a living room will always be a color that you simply love and want to look at all day, every day,' says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands . 

'It is one of the rooms in your house that you’re likely to spend the most time in, so deciding the final scheme shouldn’t be rushed. 

'Research living room pictures for inspiration, then paint large sample areas that will catch different light throughout the day and live with it for a few days or weeks before going ahead and painting the whole room. 

'That way you can be sure that no matter what you go for, be it dark and moody, bright and light, or calm and sophisticated, you’ll be making the right decision for your space.  

'As a general guide, rooms with a cool North-facing light benefit from warmer colors, but rooms with warm South-facing light can take most colors.'

What are good living room color combinations?

Good living room color combinations can be achieved in various ways.

‘Combining color is a perfect and affordable way to create an impressive design statement, achieved by applying a modest amount of color for maximum impact. It’s an easy trend to assimilate but does require bravery. 

'We all experience color differently from one another and each will have an energy that appeals. Work with your instincts. Assert your whims, and look at the clothes in your wardrobe for color inspiration,' advises interior designer Andrea Maflin .

How do you combine colors in a living room?

For anyone designing a living room, it's tempting to play it safe when it comes to injecting color. However, interiors that experiment with bold tones are often the most striking. The key is to do your research, and test contrasting palettes out before decorating and using color and fabric with confidence.

Color can have a profound effect on mood, and a bright scheme can uplift the senses as well as add depth to your interiors. Unexpected color combinations, such as blues and reds or oranges and pinks, can work well, but try to provide relief with some neutral touches, like white woodwork, or introduce patterns to break up the look and add texture.

Before decorating walls, try painting the inside of a shoebox with your preferred hue. That way, you’ll see how the light falls into the corners too, which will give a truer representation of how the color will look in a room. 

If you prefer to keep walls more neutral, a large living room rug is a great way to inject vibrancy, complemented by colorful accessories such as cushions and fabrics, whether a single throw or a brightly upholstered ottoman.

Consult a color wheel to find daring hues that will work well together. Remember that color changes with its surroundings. The tone is never quite the same depending on the surface material you choose. 

The right paint finish will also transform the final look. Matt and eggshell produce a soft sheen, and gloss and oil are both shiny finishes that reflect light. Test paints first using sample pots to see how they will look before you decorate. Inspiration can be found in the latest trends.

What colors make a living room feel bigger?

When decorating small spaces, the colors that make areas feel larger are pale shades that reflect light. However, making a small living room feel bigger is slightly more nuanced than color scheming alone. 

Lean towards off-white shades when working with neutrals, over stark whites: off-whites will deliver more character than a pure white, distracting the eye from the size and more towards to the color.

'Another trick is to carry the wall color onto all of your woodwork, avoiding all the horizontal framing and creating the illusion of more space,' advises brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball , Patrick O’ Donnell.

'Finally, be aware of your ceiling color – most people default to a generic white, but if you choose an off-white that shares similar tones to your wall color, you will become less aware of where your wall height stops and the ceiling starts,' he says. This is also a great tip for apartment living room ideas that sometimes have lower ceilings.

'Traditionally, wisdom has been that rooms in bright tones of white or off-whites will give the best feeling space,' says Dominic Myland.  

'However, we’re increasingly seeing customers take much bolder steps with bright colors, such as yellow, which, when paired with contrasting trims, moldings, and ceilings in lighter colors, will trick the eye into thinking the walls are spaced further apart to make the room feel bigger.' You can even use paint to play with proportions when planning long living room ideas.

'White and neutral shades are always the go-to color as they make a room look bigger, airier, and more open,' explains David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin . 

'However, for small space living, you can be more daring. Don’t be afraid of dark and rich colors, like coffee or dark gray, or try teal or even orange for a braver burst of color. These hues bring richness, intimacy and extra depth whilst allowing you to show personality and flair. 

'Layering deep rich colors with artwork also adds fantastic texture and interest.' Be sure to incorporate small living room lighting ideas into your scheme too, to make the most of your chosen color schemes.

50 Best Living Room Color Ideas

Read McKendree

When it comes to living room design, a flattering color palette is one of the first aspects you need to nail down. It will likely drive the whole design scheme and set the mood for years to come. Plus, your living room is probably the most-used room in the house, so choosing colors that make you look forward to spending time in it is a must! Whether you want something bold and bright, neutral, or dark and moody, we've laid out tons of designer-approved living room paint color ideas to help you get inspired. All you have to do is put on your overalls and grab a roller—or, you know, hire someone else to do the dirty work. The hardest part will be deciding between all of these living room colors. But once you do, you can start shopping for the decor.

🏡You love finding new design tricks. So do we. Let us share the best of them.

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1

Gray-Purple

Seth Smoot

In a Cape Cod-style home for a couple of empty nesters, designer Lauren Nelson painted the living room walls in Farrow & Ball's Dove Tale—a warm gray with purple undertones. It keeps the atmosphere neutral yet inviting.

2

Pearl

A soft white paint with a slight gray tone to it can easily make your living room a spot you want to spend all day in. Take it from designer Sharon Rembaum, who dressed this living room with textured pieces in a neutral color palette to boost its overall coziness.

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3

Cerulean Blue

TREVOR PARKER

Designer Garrow Kedigan made use of Lakeside Cabin by Benjamin Moore on the walls of this cozy corner. The faded cerulean blue acts as a soft backdrop to the rich orange and gold decor and dark gray sofa.

4

Cloudy Green

Sean Litchfield

Reminiscent of the outdoors and luxurious spas, sage green can instantly make your living room feel welcoming. In this speakeasy-inspired room by Brooklinteriors, Art Deco, Eastern World, and bohemian elements are blended together on a background of Clare's Dirty Martini paint for an opulent but casual atmosphere.

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5

Sunny Yellow

Alyssa Rosenheck

Sunny yellow walls can instantly brighten up your living room— no matter if you have big windows or small openings for natural light. In this room designed by Taylor Anne Interiors, Farrow & Ball's Citron adds energy to the tropical-yet-modern space.

6

Ebony

Haris Kenjar

Set a moody yet cozy scene by painting your walls and ceiling in a soft shade of ebony. For designer Sean Anderson's client, comfort and function in the living room were crucial for entertaining. He painted the room in Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams and layered items that told the homeowner's story to enhance the welcoming atmosphere.

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7

Red Clay

Mali Azima

Designed by Melanie Turner, this living room's walls are painted in Windswept Canyon by Sherwin-Williams. The assortment of furniture styles is united by a common colorway that pairs nicely with the paint.

8

Frost Blue

LAUREY GLENN

Frost blue walls—in Benjamin Moore's Philipsburg Blue, to be exact—offer the right amount of softness in this formal dining room designed by Jenny Wolf. Gold framed art and a textured rug add warmth near the fireplace.

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9

Teal

2022 TREVOR PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY

"It’s a vibrant happy blue while not being too overwhelming, says designer Rudy Saunders of the color on the walls of his Upper East Side studio apartment. It's Fine Paints of Europe Jefferson Blue from the Dorothy Draper paint collection.

10

Sangria

Bjorn Wallander

Designer Krsnaa Mehta aimed for a salon feel in the heart of his India home. The sangria-and-blue palette of the living room achieves that inviting look that's best suited for entertaining.

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11

Cream

Lisa Romerein

This sunny living room designed by Thomas Callaway exudes warmth, despite the grand size and ceiling height. Callaway broke the room into zones to enhance intimacy and then used soft buttery glaze on the walls to give the room a golden glow, and layered rich yet mellow fabrics.

12

Dark Blue-Green

Jared Kuzia Photography

Designer Cecilia Casagrande chose rich jewel tones for this Boston Colonial living room. It's classic yet fresh. The paint color—Farrow & Ball Hague Blue—in particular, straddles that duality of modern and traditional styles, perfect for a historic home. Casagrande also mixed contemporary elements with more traditional ones to further play with that juxtaposition between old and new.

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13

Dusty Rose

Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside

Atelier ND and homeowner Carice Van Houten used a variety of plant species to liven up the room and create visual intrigue with different heights and shapes. It really freshens up the bold pastels and rich earthy tones for a unique composition. Pro tip: Don't forget to paint the ceiling for a more immersive impression.

14

Buttercream

Anna Spiro Design

Instead of painting the walls blue, designer Anna Spiro covered the hardwood floors in a cheerful blue color. She also made the windows extra sunny by painting the frames buttercream yellow.

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15

Pitch Black

Brie Williams

Dark black walls and lots of warm gold and caramel tones make this living room designed by Ariene Bethea super cozy but also formal and regal—the ideal balance if your living room doubles as the family room. She used Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams.

16

Peach

Kendall McCaugherty

The open floor plan in this Chicago family apartment designed by Bruce Fox called for cohesion between the dining and living room areas. That soft peachy paint and deep pink sofa are reflected in the printed armchair at the head of the dining table, and also mimic the rosy glow of the pendant light. The color scheme was inspired by a photograph taken of the family in London during spring when the city was veiled in cherry blossoms.

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17

Clay

Read McKendree

Dark gray walls can be a bit brooding, like storm clouds, but in the case of this sunny Manhattan apartment by Elizabeth Cooper, they look playful and contemporary. Cheerful pinks, a dash of cobalt blue, traditional granny-chic patterns, and whimsical artwork lighten the mood.

18

Off-White

Nicole Franzen

While bright colors can help liven up a room, it's not the only route. Take this neutral-toned living room by Kristin Fine: Soft and texture-rich upholstery mix with off-white paint, rustic wood pieces, and plenty of antique accents to make a surprisingly modern impression with lots of character.

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19

Olive

Robert McKinley

Robert McKinley wanted to keep the color scheme in this country retreat earthy and neutral but also wanted to inject it with a little warmth. He opted for a quietly sophisticated shade of olive green for the walls while the chose a cream color for the wood-paneled ceiling.

20

Steel Gray

Chris Mottalini

This New York City living room designed by Nanette Brown is a lesson in dark paint decorating that strikes the balance between formal and casual, sophisticated and easy-going, elevated and cozy. The exact color pictured is Amethyst Shadow from Benjamin Moore.

photos, popular colors, tips for choosing colors

A living room is a place where you can not only spend your free time and have fun, but also meet guests. It is not surprising that the design of this room requires special attention.

What is the first thing that catches your eye when a person enters the living room? Of course, this is the color of the walls and furniture. The selection of the color palette used in the arrangement of the room is a top priority.

At the same time, the color scheme of the walls of the living room, along with the selection of furniture, are a key factor in the formation of an individual design. Then a natural question arises: how to choose the color in the living room?

Design: Zhenya Zhdanova, DivaDecor.ru

Basic rules for color combinations in the interior

When choosing a particular color for decorating a room, you should start not only from your personal preferences, but also from existing color combination rules. An incorrect combination of even two tones will cause dissonance in the interior and psychological discomfort.

What should be the correct combination of colors in the interior?

  1. Using a gamut of shades within a single color. For example, if you combine light yellow, yellow and dark yellow. In this case, the palette should be diluted with a neutral companion, which will help create a smooth transition from one tone to another. It is gray, white, beige.

  2. Shades that harmonize with each other. There are universal tones - white, black, gray, beige, which are combined with any others. They can be taken as a basis, diluted with contrasts.

  3. Contrasting interior color combination. To understand which of them are well combined, you should use the color wheel - this is a palette of color combinations in the interior. For example, yellow and purple, orange and blue, green and red harmonize with each other. But they should not be used in equal proportions, there should be more of some shade.

  4. Use of adjacent tones (analogue triad). On the color wheel, it is green with blue and blue, orange with red and purple.

In addition, you should follow the recommendations regarding interior color design:

Psychology, meaning and perception of color

Choosing a harmonious combination of colors in the interior, you can remember Luscher's psychological test. It helps to determine what state a person is in based on the choice of palette. The test does not highlight gray, beige, white or black - they are neutral. But it distinguishes four main shades: red, yellow, green and blue.

You can interpret them like this:

Classic color combinations

Some interior color combinations have become classic:

  1. Black and white. A combination of two universal shades suitable for any style and room.

  2. Gray and blue. This combination of colors in the interior gives peace and tranquility. A sophisticated, stylish combination suitable for bedroom, study, library.

  3. Beige (brown) with pink. Symbiosis of simplicity and classics. The shade of a dusty rose is especially relevant today.

  4. Yellow - ivory. A bright combination, suitable for rooms that need additional lighting. Shades bring a touch of joy, freshness, purity.

  5. Red and gold. Bright hues may look too pompous, but muted ones help to create an elegant, expensive interior.

Warm and cold colors in the interior

The combination of colors in the interior of cold and warm colors requires following some rules:

  1. Harmony is achieved by choosing the dominant scale - warm or cold, to which accents of the opposite are added.

  2. Application of the principle of balancing one tone at the expense of another. So, the result of this principle was a combination of turquoise and beige.

  3. The use of mutual reinforcement, when the shades make each other deeper, nobler (for example, emerald and marsala).

  4. Uses a muted, desaturated effect. An example of such a technique is a neutral main background with accent bright colors.

By combining a warm palette with a cold one, you can adjust the space. It is known that warm tones visually reduce the space, and cold tones make it deeper, wider.

The use of a gradient in the interior

Gradient (ombre) is a complex technique of combining shades from lighter to darkest. It is used when painting surfaces, combining wallpapers, selecting accessories. When decorating walls with a gradient, they make a transition from bottom to top from dark to light, thereby visually increasing the height of the ceiling.

When creating a gradient, it is important to find the right combination of colors in the interior. Then the ombre technique will make the room stylish, and not just colorful. When combining, you can use the color wheel. The most commonly used gradient is blue and gray.

The technique of painting walls with a gradient is often difficult for the layman, so you can simplify your task by using ready-made textiles or ombre-colored decor (curtains, rugs, carpets, photos, floor lamps). Curtains with a gradient look especially advantageous against the background of neutral, plain walls. Small ombre carpets give the effect of volume.

Tables of harmonious color combinations in the interior

When creating a fashionable image of your home, it can be difficult to figure out which colors are best to choose. Therefore, there are ways to simplify this choice. They were created by experts. In addition to the color wheel, they include a tabular form for selecting shades.

To choose the right combination of colors in the interior, the table offers ready-made options. It remains to choose the main shade, then see which complementary companions are suitable. In tables built on this principle, several tones (five or six) are presented. The first of them is the main one, the next two are complementary to it, and the fourth and subsequent ones are contrasting. With the help of such a palette, you can choose all the necessary shades for decorating a room.

Other tables may work differently. For example, by choosing a shade you like, you can see the degree of its compatibility with another. If it is low, you should look for other options. More opportunities are provided by tables that present a shade and a number of tones combined with it: a similar range, similar shades of other colors, or in contrast.

Popular colors for living room walls

Living room colors can be varied. The entire palette of existing shades is divided into warm and cold tones, which should not be mixed with each other. What colors can be taken as a basis in any living room?

White

Undoubted favorite of the classic style, versatile and perfect for creating a cozy room. Light colors create the effect of expanded space, visually increasing the volume of the living room. White color is easily combined with any other shade, black and white is especially welcome - a classic that will never go out of style.

Recommendations from Nadezhda Kuzina

The only rule of a "white" living room is to use bright and contrasting elements, because an exclusively white interior will create an impression of incompleteness. Among such elements may be furniture, paintings or patterns on the walls, curtains.

In general, the white shade of the walls can be compared to a canvas: further drawing will depend on your imagination.

Beige

Another win-win option that is very difficult to spoil the design of the living room. This color scheme makes the room bright and spacious, does not tire, combines well with other shades.

Beige-coloured walls go well with natural wood furniture. This approach to the design of the room will not leave your guests indifferent.

Design: Svetlana Startseva

Brown

There are a huge number of shades of brown, and all of them will add practicality and richness to your living room. Brown walls are suitable for those rooms that are well lit.

Just don't overdo it with brown, because too much brown will make the living room look smaller. And one more tip: first paint the walls brown, and then pick up furniture and other sets of a different shade so that the elements of the room do not merge with each other.

Gray

Another versatile option for decorating the living room walls. Against a gray background, any bright paraphernalia looks good, be it a headset or paintings. A good option would be to dilute the monotonous gray shade with patterns or stripes.

Design: Yana Molodykh

Green

Among the many shades of green, there are both bright and dark options for decorating a living room. The presence of green color will give the room a sense of calm, which is so lacking after a hard day's work.

Green colors look original and attractive, but matching them with other design elements will not be so easy. Shades of green may not be combined with all furniture or floor options, which makes it somewhat difficult to design a living room.

At the same time, a competent combination of all factors makes a room in green tones cozy, beautiful and mysterious. Natural colors are always pleasing to the human eye, which your guests will definitely appreciate.

Design: Stepan Bugaev

Yellow

A truly vibrant color scheme for the living room. The use of yellow shades will be a saving solution for rooms with insufficient natural light.

Bright yellow must be diluted with other, calmer tones (white, gray, beige). A successful combination will make the living room so cheerful and cheerful that you won’t want to leave it.

Design: Irina Sobylenskaya

Blue and light blue

Blue and light blue are suitable for small rooms. These shades are well combined with white, gray, yellow, lilac, brown. Do you want to make your living room a place of peace and tranquility? Then blue tones will be a good solution when choosing a color scheme.

When using blue or light blue, it is important to know the measure and be able to combine with the material of the headset and other elements of the living room. With a successful selection, the room will look elegant and unusual.

Design: Nikolay Nikitin

Red

The use of red color with proper execution of the design leads to good results. An excess of this shade gives the room excessive saturation and contrast, which greatly hurts the eyes, and guests can plunge into a slight shock.

Would you like to use shades of red? Dilute them with furniture and white curtains. This will reduce the “danger” of red in the room and save the eye from overstrain.

Orange

This is where you can talk about the character of a person if he uses orange to decorate the living room. Walls painted in this color will obviously speak of the positive mood of the owner and give the guests a charge of good mood.

Too much orange is the same mistake as in the case of red. Because orange color is very popular with designers, they advise to dilute it with white, gray, beige or black.

Purple and lilac

Purple is a symbol of wealth. The decision to paint the walls of the living room in such shades speaks of the owner's creative and extraordinary thinking. Rich style and unusual design - that's what you can get when choosing lilac and purple colors for decorating the living room.

Black

Here you can once again talk about the classic combination "white + black", the choice of which will bring almost 100% effect on you and your guests. However, the use of black for wall decoration is a rather controversial point, although acceptable in the modern world of design.

It is believed that black shades can bring sadness and melancholy to those who are in the room. However, now there are many projects where black tones fit perfectly into the overall picture of the living room. The main feature is the use of additional matte, metallic and chrome shades of the color palette in the room set.

Design: Kameleono studio, Pavel Lichik and Anastasia Ivanova

Living room zoning with color

Zoning will be an excellent addition to the overall design of the living room. In particular, the room should have its own seating area, where guests can sit on the sofa and spend their free time having pleasant conversations. How can space be divided?

  1. An excellent solution would be to paint one of the walls in a bright and saturated color. This contrast is especially visible in the room, the main shades of which will be beige, gray, white and other light colors. The brightness of the object will visually divide the room into several zones;
  2. If you have a dark room in which the walls and other attributes are designed in brown, dark green, blue shades, you can highlight the place for leisure by installing floor lamps, lamps and lamps;
  3. If you dilute plainly painted walls with a few paintings or photographs, you will also be able to highlight a corner in the living room.

Choosing the color of the living room according to the cardinal direction

As the wind rose is taken into account when building a city, one should not forget about the direction in which the living room windows face. The choice of the color of the walls and its maximum manifestation may depend on this.

Design: Yuliya Piskareva

Decorating a living room is an important step in decorating any home, so the choice of wall color should be taken seriously.

Our advice: choose the colors you like best and then see how to do it. So it will be possible to create a compromise option and satisfy not only your wishes, but also create a successful version of the interior of the living room as a whole.

Design: Vasilyeva Natalia

Design: Anna Muravina

Design: Nikolay Nikitin

Design: Olga Rozina, Natalia Preobrazhenskaya and Uyutnaya kvartira studio

Design: Uyutnaya kvartira studio

Design: ToTaste Studio

Design: Marina Kutuzova

Design: Victoria Smirnova

Design: Alexander Babajanyan

Design: Irina Krasheninnikova

Design: Elena Filimonova

Design: Elena Chabrova and Olga Chebysheva

Design: Irina Sobylenskaya

Combination of colors in the interior of the living room (50 photos)

As a person is greeted by clothes, so our housing is evaluated by friends and acquaintances by external signs. Stylish wallpaper, beautiful expensive furniture, dishes, modern appliances, of course, will attract attention, but only if the combination of colors in the interior of the living room does not look dissonant. Properly selected colors will skillfully hide the flaws of the room and visually emphasize its merits.

Contents

  1. The role of color in the interior
  2. How to combine colors
  3. Decorating the living room
  4. Living room, which is used only for meeting guests
  5. Living room combined with kitchen
  6. Living room combined with bedroom interior
    7. Color combinations 2
  7. Red
  8. Orange
  9. Yellow
  10. Green
  11. Blue
  12. Brown
  13. Gray
  14. Color Matching Tips

The role of color in the interior

In the decoration of an apartment, in the selection of furniture, textiles and decorative elements, in connecting all of this into a whole, a color scheme plays an important role. It can evoke certain emotional responses in a person. Each color "works" in its own way. For example, yellow and orange shades tone up, have a stimulating effect. Light blue can calm and even cause drowsiness.

Yellow color in the interior of the living room

Different color combinations are also perceived ambiguously, causing positive or negative emotions in us, creating a cheerful mood or constant irritation. They can either increase performance or decrease it. For example, the monochrome execution of the room causes fatigue, and the polychrome, on the contrary, actively influences the person.

Monochrome color combination in the living room.

Color also affects our perception of space. For example, the same room can look different if it is decorated with dark or light colors. Caution is required in the design of small spaces.

Know! Red in small living rooms can significantly narrow the space and create a feeling of pressure. In addition, the illumination of the room will be reduced, as bright flashy shades are able to absorb light.

Red color in the living room

The right color palette for a particular interior helps:

Color combination in the interior

How to combine colors correctly

Color harmony is the very factor that allows you to create interesting stylish designs. A special circle with 12 primary colors and a large number of shades will help you choose the right design. There are various ways to select the required tones for interiors.

Color wheel

The monochromatic finish involves the use of shades of the same color in the design of the living room. They can be from several tens to several hundreds. So, among the shades of green there are 376 tones. And each of them has its own name, for example, the color of the forest shade, jasmine green, pale lime and others. But not all are used in interior decoration.

The polychrome version consists of two and/or more colors. A design of two basic shades can be quite difficult to implement. Therefore, complementary colors are more often used. We can distinguish the following combinations:

The chosen color is usually implemented in the room as follows: the lightest shade is the background (walls, ceiling, floor), the average saturation is given to furniture and textiles, the dark and most expressive is for decor details and accessories.

The color scheme can be evenly distributed throughout the living room. The exceptions are rooms in which several functional areas are combined. It is in one of them that the highest concentration of shade is obtained, and the rest of the area receives the minimum.

Decorating the living room

The interior of the living room suggests a variety of color combinations. For some, calm, muted tones will be preferable, while others prefer a blaze of bright colors. For example, a shabby chic design is characterized by calm delicate shades, a combination of pink, ivory, light green. And the catchy colors of pop art will resemble the windows of fashion stores.

Know! Do not choose an academic color scheme. Strictness and stiffness can look boring. Add brightness and expressiveness, but do not forget the basic laws of color.

In the design of any living room, the color balance of large surfaces such as walls, floors, furniture, carpets, and curtains is important. These are the most active color carriers. By choosing the right design option for them, it will be easier to find shades for small things: vases, paintings and the rest.

When choosing the main and accompanying colors in the interior, it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the room. For small apartments, several roles are combined at once: they sleep in the living rooms, receive guests, relax, and study. Based on this, and choose a color solution.

Living room, which is used only for meeting guests

In this case, the interior can be decorated in bright colors with lush finishes. Comfortable upholstered furniture, stylish heavy curtains, modern musical equipment will encourage pleasant communication and good rest. This is the option that they say: it’s not a shame to invite people, and there is something to show.

Living room combined with kitchen

Finishes of different colors and textures will perfectly highlight several relevant areas: for example, part of the kitchen is made of brick-colored artificial stone, and the relaxation area is made with calm delicate wallpaper. A wooden bar with high chairs will separate parts of the room and will act as an additional table.

Living room combined with bedroom

Functional upholstered furniture during the day plays the role of an ordinary sofa, and at night it turns into a bed. Such a room can be made in contrasting colors, playing with dark and light shades. For example, decorate part of the room with a sofa in delicate beige tones, and the area with armchairs and a table in brighter, coffee tones. Divide zones will help high through racks or screens.

Choosing a combination of colors for the living room, you need to pay attention to lighting, natural and artificial. If the room is located on the south side of the house, where the sun will constantly shine through the windows during the day, cold shades, such as greens and blues, are better suited. For a dark room looking to the north side, warm colors are more appropriate: yellow, orange, burgundy.

Variants of color combinations in the interior of the living room

What will be the interior depends on the preferences of the owners. Bright creative shades will suit the young and energetic. Calm pastel options will suit older people more. Consider the most common combinations.

Red

Red is always associated with danger, aggression, passion, militancy. It has a strong effect on the human psyche. Therefore, preferring such an interior, you should try to add additional colors to it so as not to get too tired in such a saturated room. But a competent decor in red, on the contrary, will invigorate, give a great mood and joy. It looks good in combination with shades of brown, with white and noble golden.

Orange

You have to be careful with orange, even more than with red. Its obvious predominance in the living room will have a depressing and disturbing effect on a person. But in combination with other colors, such a living room looks bright and life-affirming. For example, you can decorate one of the walls with orange or choose a bright sofa or curtains to decorate the living room in white. As well as orange little things (pillows, a table, paintings) will perfectly enliven a calm monochrome design.

Yellow

Yellow symbolizes prosperity and joy. It is used both as the main background in the decoration of the living room, and in various combinations. For example, it looks beautiful paired with peach, coffee. It will look great with white and lilac, orange and shades of green. And also organically fits into the group to brown, milky and gray.

Green

A natural color that signifies harmony and tranquility. Light tones of green will create a good mood, while dark tones will soothe. It looks more interesting in various combinations. For example, green can be paired with all shades of wood, light yellow, white. An interesting combination happens with dark cherry.

This color has a beneficial effect on vision. Combinations with it are perfect for spacious living rooms. Gloomy, dark shades will help visually reduce the area of ​​​​the room, making it more compact and comfortable. Very bright shades in the interior should not be used, although they will be appropriate in pop art styles.

Blue

This color belongs to the cold palette, always creating a feeling of the sea coast. Visually, shades of blue have a sense of depth and distance. And in combination with white or ivory, it gives rise to thoughts about summer and the coast of the sea. Often used for living rooms in a modern high-tech style, pop art. But it looks interesting in traditional interiors. Blue color is not recommended to be abused, it is better to use it in accessories.

Brown

All shades of brown have a calming effect on the human psyche. They are considered one of the universal options when decorating a living room, because they can be successfully combined with various colors. A pair of brown with white and red is considered a classic of interior design. For active and purposeful natures, a combination of brown and green with yellow is used. And complementing it with purple, they get an interior full of mystery and sensitivity.

Gray

One of the classic neutrals and available in many shades. Skillfully using their combination, you can get a dynamic and elegant interior. It can act as the main background, and take green and yellow or white, blue and white and other groups as satellites. For example, darker or lighter furniture in purple, lilac, burgundy and other active colors is well suited to the gray tint of the walls.

Each year, renowned designers choose the latest trends in interior design. In 2016, interiors are increasingly dominated by a unisex palette, bets are made on optimistic warm colors. All of them are based on shades of nature: the colors of plants, the sea, stones. Designers recommend the following interesting combinations for decorating living rooms:

Color matching tips

A professional, skillful selection of color combinations can decorate and enliven the interior of any room. But if the owners decide to do the finishing of their homes themselves, you should heed the advice of experts: