Color scheme for small living room

10 Best Paint Colors for Small Living Rooms

Getty Images / Graphic by Cristina Cianci

The living room is often the center of a home, but if your space could use some extra square footage, there are plenty of ways to make a small living room feel larger. Interior designers agree that paint has the ability to completely transform a room. You can set the tone, express yourself, update any space, and make a room look larger with the right selection and execution.

Along with smart paint choices, New York designer Elizabeth Roberts and Portland, Oregon, interior designer Max Humphrey both suggest leaving space between your furniture and the walls to create the illusion of more space. Utah-based interior designer Shea McGee recommends focusing on using large-scale artwork, while London designer Sophie Ashby thinks that utilizing compact essentials in a small space is key. Read on for the best small living room paint colors to try in your home right now, according to these interior designers.

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Studio McGee

"Sometimes small spaces are the best place to make a statement," McGee says. While some argue that bright whites and lighter tones are the only way to make a room feel bigger, this living room makes a case for richer tones. "It's bold and moody without being overpowering because the space itself isn’t overwhelming in size," she explains.

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Elizabeth Roberts

Roberts suggests trying an off-white paint color like this one in your small living room to make the space appear larger. "It is a bit softer but still gives a clean palette to work with," she says.

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Studio Ashby

"I love using earthy ochre such as taupe to create a calm atmosphere in a room," says Ashby. Here, a neutral tan paint color contrasts with a lighter gray wall to give dimension to the small space.

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Studio McGee

"We use Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore all the time," McGee says. "It's a crisp white but with just the right amount of softness to it—perfect for a refresh that still feels cozy. " It looks even brighter compared to the wood-beamed ceiling in this small living room.

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Max Humphrey

Humphrey recommends using a lighter gray tone in your living room. "It looks awesome in modern homes as well as traditional ones and can be dressed up or down depending on how fancy (or casual) you get with your furnishings," he says. This is a great alternative to using traditional white or beige paint.

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Studio McGee

"We love using light grays with a white trim because it adds a little bit of contrast while still keeping a light and fresh feeling to the room," McGee says. It's a neutral tone that's just a bit more interesting than an all-white space.

07 of 10

Elizabeth Roberts

"I recommend sticking with light colors for the walls and even floors," Roberts says. One of her favorite paint colors is Super White from Benjamin Moore, which she says can be used on both walls and ceilings. "It is bright, works well with any accent color, and will help bounce natural sunlight around the room. "

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Studio Ashby

Ashby is a big fan of this shade of light green. "It creates coziness in a small space," she says. Replicate this look with a soft green hue that will still reflect natural light. It's a nature-inspired, unique look.

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Max Humphrey

According to Humphrey, a gray like this one is incredibly versatile, making it ideal for a small space. "It can read gray, blue, or even greenish depending on the light," he explains. If your small living room has big windows, a color like this will change with the light throughout the day, creating a dynamic look.

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Studio McGee

"Paint color sets the tone of the space," says McGee. "A fresh white will make most spaces feel clean and updated instantly." This small living room looks light and refreshed thanks to the cool white paint and large windows, which both make the space appear quite large.

The Pros Have Spoken: The 7 Best Small-Bathroom Paint Colors

Best Paint Colors for Small Rooms

If you're lacking a ton of square footage, you probably feel like you need to pull out every trick in the book to make your room appear larger. But the simplest solution might be in the swatch book: Paint. It's no secret a new paint job can do wonders for a space, and that's true with making it appear larger as well. And while we definitely have some clever maximizing tips to help you to do so ahead, the truth is that there really is no one-size-fits-all solution—it's more about finding the right paint color for your style (and the light you get!) and then choosing a strategic layout. Since the experts know best, we rounded up some of our favorite designer spaces that showcase great paint color ideas for smaller homes and rooms, no matter how neutral or vibrant you lean. You will quickly learn that while white is the obvious choice, it isn't the only option. From bold and dark to light and bright, these are the best colors for every room in a small house, from a cramped hallway to a tiny living room, or bedroom. Grab your brushes and get ready!

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

Navy

Heidi Caillier Design

Navy blue paint adds personality to this small bathroom. Heidi Caillier Design used the same color for the custom vanity base and the walls for a camouflaged look, but keeping the top section of the walls cream prevents the space from getting swallowed up by the darker tones.

BUY NOW Clare Goodnight Moon, $59

Olive Green

Lisa Romerein

When used in an allover treatment like Benjamin Dhong did here, an earthy tone sets a soothing backdrop.

BUY NOW Backdrop Saged, $45

Crisp White

JOSHUA McHUGH

Let's start with a crowd favorite before we move into more obscure territory. There's a reason white is so popular: It reflects light and makes the walls recede, which helps make a small space seems larger. While whites can have undertones of blue, pink, or even green, this bedroom by Raji RM features white in its purest form without any color. It's not stark or cold, just light and airy.

BUY NOW Beyond Paint Bright White, $129

Teal

Eric Piasecki

Since it's got many undertones, a rich teal like this will enliven a small space—and can even hold up to a patterned wallpaper, like Robin Henry chose for this powder room.

SHOP NOW Farrow & Ball Hague Blue, $115

Chocolate Brown

Amelia Stanwix

In this modern bedroom by Fiona Lynch, an unexpected shade on the brown results in sculptural shadow play.

BUY NOW Graham & Brown Hanami, $90

Purple

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Wild, loud colors, like purple, might actually be better in small spaces. Could you imagine how in-your-face this shade would be all over a giant living room? By limiting it to an entryway, you still get a pop of color without overwhelming your house.

BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams Opulant Purple, $4

Pearl Gray

Nicole Franzen

Gray can be dull, so choose one that has some luminosity to it. The color fluctuates with the shadows and time of day, so it's always intriguing and looks more sophisticated and unique than a simple white backdrop.

BUY NOW PPG Diamond Silver Blue Pearl, $115

Sage

Heidi Caillier Design

Choose a neutral with mossy green undertones in a small space that gets plenty of natural light. In this walk-in closet/pantry-turned home office, Heidi Caillier paired the sage paint color with a floral motif pattern to complement the greenery outside and make it feel like a natural extension of the view beyond.

BUY NOW Glidden Essentials Soft Sage, $16

Pastel Yellow

Amy Neunsinger

Nickey Kehoe opted for a cream and pale yellow color scheme to lean into the warmth of the wood counters and terracotta floor tiles in this small pool house kitchen.

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Dayroom Yellow, $125

Greige

James Merrell

Neutral never goes out of style. This is for everyone who doesn't want basic white but isn't ready to incorporate bold color into their space.
BUY NOW Behr Coastal Beige, $28

Soft White

Stephen Kent Johnson

Shawn Henderson unified the two surface textures in this bedroom by painting them the same shade of soft white, which sets a perfect backdrop for the neutral accents.

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore White Dove, $21

Mink Brown

STEPHEN KENT JOHNSON

This medium-toned shade of gray-brown in a home designed by Mally Skok is surprisingly calming, versatile, and sophisticated. Bright blue and red fabrics and gold accents brighten it up without interfering with the peaceful mood.

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Mouse's Back, $125

Mint Green

Julian Wass

This misty green in a kitchen by Gary McBournie feels beachy, but it's also classic. Neutral décor, like a sisal rug and fresh marble counters, strikes the balance between casual and formal in an open kitchen, too. That contrast is the key to making a tiny space feel dynamic.

BUY NOW Clare Two Scoops, $54

Khaki

Paul Raeside

Designer Garrow Kedigian defines a neutral as "anything that isn't jarring," which is a super helpful way to reframe things if cream, white, or gray simply isn't cutting it in your living room and you can't figure out why. Certain spaces just call for something outside the box, whether it's because of an architectural style, light exposures, or existing furniture. Here, the walls are painted Benjamin Moore's Rattan.

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Rattan, $50

Dark Green

Nicole Hollis Studio

Remember when we said there were no hard and fast rules for small house paint colors? Here's proof. Deep, dark green sets the scene in this modestly sized dining nook designed by Nicole Hollis Studio.

BUY NOW Sherwin Williams Rainforest Canopy, $4

Soft Blonde

Robert McKinley Studio

A soft blonde or golden color will add warmth to any small space. Pair it with nature-inspired, minimalist decor and eye-catching artwork, as Robert McKinley did in this bedroom.

BUY NOW Glidden Light Autumn Brown, $25

Glossy Black

AMY NEUNSINGER

Glossy black paint turns this small Mark Sikes and Michael Griffin-designed bathroom into a glamorous jewel box. Reflective paint and mirrored walls bounce light, too.

BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams High-Gloss Black, $20

Sky Blue

Robert McKinley Studio

Nothing soothes in a room like a dreamy sky blue tone. This soft shade of blue helps your space feel a bit more expansive and peaceful, no matter the size. Robert McKinley only applied it to half the walls, as to not overwhelm the space.

BUY NOW Behr Ethereal Mood, $44

Electric Red

JANET MESIC MACKIE

A hallway reading nook nestled into the window is brought to life with fire engine red paint. The plaid cushions and carpet complement it beautifully.

BUY NOW Backdrop Negroni, $45

Medium Gray

AMY NEUNSINGER

Play up the cozy factor of a tiny room with a rich gray tone. This shade in a small bedroom by Commune Design, with its hint of greens, creates intimacy (with an edge) in the small bedroom.

BUY NOW Backdrop Italian Plaster, $45

Blush

Karyn Millet

A super-soft shade of pink adds warmth to a small room without overpowering it. Pair it with bright blue accents and other shades of pink for a sweet atmosphere, as Celerie Kemble did here.

BUY NOW Behr Angel Blush, $33

Antique White

Kevin Scott

White is a small space go-to, since it opens everything up and keeps it feeling bright, but pure white might feel too stark for your style. Stick with a warmer shade to help your room feel more inviting or whitewash shiplap. Use this contemporary and inviting space by Studio Dia as a blueprint.

BUY NOW Valspar Antique White, $20

Ever-Changing Neutral

Shade Degges

Designer Jae Joo opted for a soft palette in this 1885 Boston living room. The dark wood pieces bring out the warmer tones in the versatile neutral backdrop. In some lighting, it appears light gray-green, and in others, a more beige hue. Either way, it's uplifting and understated.

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Skylight, $125

Dark Teal

Simon Watson

A small room doesn't mean you should limit your palette. Choose a bold shade that's simultaneously vibrant and relaxing, like this deep teal color. Prevent it from feeling cavernous by adding lighter textiles and tons of cozy elements.

^{BUY NOW Clare Deep Dive, $54}

Light Beige

Adrian Gaut

Cover your walls in a gorgeous shade of tan, and you'll feel so cozy that you'll never want to leave the room. It'll make any small space feel like a quaint getaway.

BUY NOW Valspar Hidden Path, $4

Charcoal

Bjorn Wallander

The smaller the space, the darker you can go. This gray is modern and sophisticated yet still cozy and chic. In this breakfast alcove designed by Balsamo Antiques and Interior Design, a deep, dark glossy gray tone turns out to be a wonderfully complex and evocative backdrop, so don't be afraid to try something different.

BUY NOW Backdrop After Hours, $45

Light Gray-Blue

manufoto llc

"I intentionally chose a cooler gray because I knew I'd be mixing in blue and green pieces," says Rayman Boozer, the designer behind this bold room. It just goes to show that color can change so much depending on the pieces you pair it with.

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Parma Gray, $125

Off-White

Nicole Franzen

You want to maximize the light in your small living room—especially if you have lots of windows—so opt for an off-white wall color. It'll add a hint of warmth but still keep things feeling airy. Try a unique finish for textural intrigue in a neutral space like this one. Whether it's super matte, high-gloss, lacquer, or chalk, it brings character while still being understated and sticking to a tight color palette.

BUY NOW Behr Off-White, $25

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

Design of a small living room (80 photos)

In small-sized apartments, the renovation of the living room causes a lot of problems, because this room most of all needs competent design. Quiet family evenings are held here, guests gather for celebrations, and sometimes business negotiations are conducted. Each apartment owner understands that the living room is a business card that demonstrates good taste and material wealth. But what to do if its dimensions do not allow you to install chic furniture and decorate the interior with rich decor? In our article, we will look at how you can turn a small living room into a stylish, comfortable room that can become a real pride of its owners.

Enlarge space

Renovation of a small living room should begin with the consideration of opportunities to increase the area. This can be achieved by combining a room with adjacent rooms. The easiest option is to connect a loggia or balcony to the layout. True, it will be necessary to additionally insulate the attached area, but it will be a great place to organize a dining, desktop or relaxation area with armchairs and a coffee table. When attaching a balcony, most often only window and door frames are demolished, and part of the wall is converted into a bar counter. The opening can be beautifully beaten with an arched vault, creating a decorative highlight in the interior.

A more troublesome but effective way to increase space is to combine the living room with the kitchen. In this case, you can not do without zoning - you can separate the working area from the guest area using finishing materials, lighting or furniture in the form of a sofa or bar counter. One-room small-sized apartments are often turned into studio apartments, where almost all interior partitions are demolished, with the exception of the bathroom. Such a room will look light and spacious.

If there is no possibility or desire to engage in redevelopment, you can use techniques to visually expand the area of the room. To do this, choose light colors of finishing materials, install only the necessary interior items, endow the room with a variety of light sources. Glass and mirror surfaces help to make the space lighter and freer: a glossy stretch ceiling, lacquered furniture fronts, mirrored wardrobe doors, glass tables, shelves.

In a small living room there is an opportunity to "push" and "raise" the walls due to the peculiarities of finishing materials. One of the walls can be decorated in a solid dark color - it will give depth to the space, focusing on itself. The same effect is created by photo wallpapers and large prints. Placing patterns on the walls vertically will create the illusion of a high ceiling, and horizontally will expand the plane of the walls. Such techniques can be combined in a single room. Small drawings, as well as those arranged in a diagonal order, create dynamics, lightness of the atmosphere.

Color solutions for a small living room

A small room will look much more spacious if you choose a light palette for its decoration. Dark tones are also present in the interior, but not as the main background, but as auxiliary elements that focus on a particular area.

You can use a white color scheme that visually expands the space, gives a feeling of cleanliness and freshness. Against such a background, any dark and bright details harmoniously look. White is able to emphasize cold tones and muffle warm ones, streamlining the situation.

Beige tones will add more coziness and warmth to the atmosphere, creating a neutral background for a confidential conversation. In such an environment, you can relax and rejuvenate after a hard day's work. At the same time, the beige palette harmonizes perfectly with any cold and warm colors that help diversify the interior, make it more dynamic.

The base color for designing a small living room can be gray, which is very popular with modern designers. It is great for any style decision, and using its various halftones, you can create unique fashionable interiors. Pastel colors look best against the background of an ashy palette, but bright contrasts will blend in no less harmoniously.

To design a small living room, you can also use color solutions, decorating the room in blue, light green, lemon, pink colors. The introduction of their brighter shades should be moderate and combined with a white palette.

Finishes and materials

The modern market is full of various materials for interior decoration, and for a living room that does not have microclimate features, you can choose absolutely any. But it is worth considering that in small rooms it is better to avoid decorating with finishes that will steal part of the space, such as plasterboard wall coverings or PVC panels installed on a metal frame.

Floor

It is better to lay a warm material on the floor, such as laminate or compacted linoleum. Self-leveling and porcelain tiles are also used, but they are quite cool, so you will need a warm carpet. If the living room is combined with any other room, you can create different combinations of materials by highlighting areas.

Walls

Walls in a small living room are available in a variety of finishes. In most cases, the choice depends on the personal preferences of the owners, the style concept and financial capabilities. Before finishing the wall, it is necessary to carefully align and eliminate existing defects. They can be wallpapered, combining plain and patterned surfaces, painted, decorated with decorative plaster or PVC panels. On accent areas, artificial stone, photo wallpapers, as well as cork, leather canvases are used.

Ceiling

The easiest way to decorate the ceiling is plasterboard sheathing followed by painting. You can use stretch fabrics, glossy coatings that create a reflective effect will be especially good in a small living room. With the help of drywall, you can create various stepped structures, highlight functional areas.

Small living room furniture

The choice of furniture for a small living room is an important point that requires special attention to detail. It is important here to prioritize correctly and select only the necessary elements. A sofa, armchairs, a TV panel remain mandatory interior items.

You can purchase a transforming coffee table, which, if necessary, turn into a large dining table, install a suspended modular set with glossy fronts. If you can’t refuse a closet, give preference to a compartment design with mirrored doors. For some styles (classic, Scandinavian), a false fireplace would be a good solution.

Lighting and decor

In a small living room, the lighting must be intense enough so that no corner is left unattended. You can arrange multi-level lighting: install a chandelier, spotlights, hidden lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling and local lighting of individual areas, for example, a floor lamp or a wall lamp by the sofa, hanging appliances above the bar counter.

Do not oversaturate a small room with decor, so as not to bring confusion into the atmosphere. Choose details that match the style. Live flowerpots, bright decorative pillows, family photos will be appropriate in any interior. You can use decorative finishing materials as decorations: voluminous or patterned wallpapers, fabrics, photo images, etc.

Interior styles

For a small living room it is very important that the environment is as ordered as possible, so you need to choose a certain style direction. We propose to consider several options that will perfectly fit into the conditions of a compact hall.

Minimalist small living room

Perhaps the best option for a small living room can not be found. The minimalist trend, which has gained great popularity recently, involves a light interior design, equipping it with only useful furnishings. Clear lines and the correct geometric proportions of all details, the absence of decorative excesses - such conciseness does not prevent the interior of the living room from being cozy and friendly.

Japanese style small living room

The interiors of the people of the Land of the Rising Sun are a combination of Japanese traditions and European practicality. Natural motifs are quite popular in the premises, as the philosophy of culture is based on the harmonious reunification of man with nature. In the design, natural colors and materials, landscapes and natural ornaments are preferred.

Japanese-style living room furniture is limited to the presence of extremely functional squat pieces. The spirit of Japan is ideally emphasized by hanging chandeliers-lanterns, traditional shoji partitions or their authentic imitation, bamboo wall coverings, philosophical sayings made in hieroglyphs.

Scandinavian style small living room

Northern peoples, who, due to climatic conditions, experience a lack of sunlight, most of all needed and still need bright spacious rooms, which clearly confirms the Scandinavian style of interiors.

Here, light tones of decoration are welcome, among which the white palette occupies a leading position. The ethnic orientation is emphasized by a deliberately rough finish - the walls are plastered or decorated for brickwork even without prior leveling, the ceiling is whitewashed, and the floor is laid with a wooden board (can be replaced with laminate or parquet). Warm decorative details give a special comfort: pillows, rugs, wooden furniture, green flowerpots.

Small Loft Living Room

Fans of extraordinary design of their homes should pay attention to the loft trend in design, where you can find amazing combinations of careless finishes, aged furniture with modern products of technological progress.

Here is the place for well-worn interior items, as well as those made by oneself: a small loft-style living room can be decorated with a coffee table knocked down from pallets or boxes, an old shabby wardrobe or chest of drawers, a floor carpet from the last century. Finishing materials create a special "factory" atmosphere: brick, concrete, wooden walls, high plastered ceilings with metal lamps.

Interior design of a small living room - photo

Further acquaintance with what the design of a small living room can be, we suggest continuing in our photo gallery. Here we have tried to collect the best examples of interiors that will inspire you for your own design project. Happy viewing!

Video: Small living room - Interior ideas

60 interior photos, renovation ideas

A small living room is not a problem. Even the cramped, at first glance, room can easily be turned into a cozy place for evening relaxation in front of the TV, chatting with friends and family holidays. Our ideas and tips will help you to ensure comfort, as well as create a relaxed atmosphere!

Interior style for a small living room

The living room is the face of the house and its arrangement should be given special attention. It is always a pleasure to relax in a beautiful interior, as well as invite friends. To visually increase the space of the room, it is advisable to opt for one of the styles described below. They are united by lightness, unloaded details and predominantly light colors in the finish.

Contemporary living room

This style combines functionality and neatness. Clear graphic lines, soothing monochrome colors, cutting-edge materials and the latest in electronics are the perfect environment for busy people. Modern style is reminiscent of the office, but it can always be complemented with cute home decor, textiles, cushions or houseplants.

Classic living room

The luxurious classic style is characterized by harmony and symmetry. The abundance of white, crystal chandeliers and sconces, mirrors in gilded frames will fill the room with a soft glow.

The main decoration of a small living room in a classic style is carved furniture in ivory color or expensive wood polished to a shine.

Stucco molding, relief cornices, arches, columns are required. The windows are covered with heavy curtains with vertical drapery and jewelry-made tiebacks.

Provence style living room

The charming simplicity of southern France is the best solution for a small romantic living room. The distinctive features of Provence are lace, floral prints on the wallpaper, as well as pastel beige, peach, blue and gray shades. It remains only to get a beautiful service, put a vase with homemade jam and have a tea party!

Loft style living room

The design of a small loft-style living room provides for bare walls, panoramic windows and a minimum amount of furniture. Abstract paintings, black and white photographs, metal floor lamps can act as decor.

Minimalist living room

The name of this direction speaks for itself - a minimum of things, no decorations, only the necessary compact furniture and modern appliances.

Only one of the colors is used, in extreme cases - two. Available in white, grey, beige, silver or blue. Accents can be saturated, but always in a calm range.

Scandinavian style living room

Scandinavian interior style - a snow-white background with a slight admixture of beige, bright accents, as well as a lot of natural light. This design will create a feeling of freshness in a small living room.

Color matters!

To visually enlarge a small living room, it is necessary to keep the design in two or three light or neutral colors. Darker ones can be used in flooring, furniture, neat decor. The pattern should be on one thing - if the walls are decorated, then the textiles are plain, and vice versa. Restrained palette, conciseness, lack of flashy details - this is the secret of a room in which nothing will distract or annoy.

White living room

White color is ideal for the background (walls, ceiling), goes well with other colors - gives them contrast. Makes the living room more spacious and brighter.

Gray living room

Neutral grays tone down objects that are too bright. For vertical surfaces, a bleached tone of dry asphalt, silver, is suitable. Furniture and decor could be darker.

Brown living room

Brown color looks great in autumn colors - from sand to chocolate. Interspersed with orange, red, burgundy or light green shades are possible.

Blue living room

Blue color has a calming effect on the human psyche, cools. A white ceiling, blue walls and light furniture are a magical option for a small living room interior design.

Green living room

Green color has a good effect on vision and improves well-being. Looks beautiful surrounded by natural elements in shades of wood, stones, water and flowers.

Lilac living room

Shades of sunset and lavender fields. A small living room in lilac color will set you in a romantic mood and will become a favorite vacation spot for all the inhabitants of the apartment.

Small living room decoration

To make the living room look impressive, you should choose high-quality, but not necessarily expensive materials for its decoration. The main criterion in this case is aesthetics.