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Living room color theme ideas


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.

54 Living Room Color Combinations

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1

Citron and Blue-Black

Thomas Loof

Decorator Garrow Kedigian pulled color inspiration from The Carlyle's timeless decor for his own apartment in the iconic New York building. The bright yellow walls pay homage to the lobby's velvet sofas while the black moldings echo the iron doors and the window mullions.

2

Persimmon and Taupe

DAVID TSAY

Instead of looking to the walls, designer Fran Keenan decided to introduce color into this Los Angeles family room by hanging persimmon curtains. The light-taupe upholstery and bronze-brown carpet (Fibreworks) make the room feel gracious and relaxed.

3

Pale Apricot and Blood Orange

Melanie Acevedo

In Summer Thorton's Chicago townhouse, an oversized orange sofa brings out the warm undertones of the apricot living room. Woven bouillon fringe (Samuel & Sons) adds a flirty touch to the velvet mohair seating.

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4

Beach Pink and Soft Blues

Eric Piasecki

The floral linen by Blithfield covering the comfy sofas and tufted armchairs inspired the soft pink and barely-there blue palette in this Block Island living room. Designer Miles Redd sprinkled oak spindle armchairs cushioned in white terry and woven rattan drum tables throughout to amplify the home's beachy feeling.

5

Reimagined Red, White, and Blue

Mark Roskams

To counter this Upper West Side pied-à-terre's spacious rooms, designer Anthony Barrata played with arresting colors and dramatic furnishings. An American painting by Tomory Dodge and an oversize custom floor lamp take advantage of the capacious height. Plaster and marble objects, including an over-the-top amphora lamp, echo the color and classical tone of the original ceiling moldings. The cherry-red velvet is by Pierre Frey.

6

Park Green and Cream

Thomas Loof

Taken by her famed neighborhood's green, decorator Cece Barfield Thompson ushered verdant color and nature-inspired patterns into her family's New York City living room. The white walls, tonal carpet, and punchy green curtains give the Louis XVI chairs a modern presence. An oil painting by London artist Daisy Cook hangs over a nine-foot Schneller sofa upholstered in stain-resistant fabric (Perennials).

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7

Taxicab Yellow and Pastels

Douglas Friedman

Sweet pastel tones, taxicab yellow walls, and cobalt Chinese lamps give the living room of Todd Romano's San Antonio home a dose of vibrancy. On the walls are two prized artworks from Romano's vast collection: an Andy Warhol silkscreen print of Liz Taylor and a flamboyant Todd & Fitch work.

8

Teal and Red

Mark Roskams

Decorator Anthony Barrata played up high-drama Americana with an emphasis on textiles and folk art in this historic New York apartment. The study is dressed in a Lee Jofa tartan pattern recolored specifically for this room. The armchair upholstery is inspired by an early American weaving; the leather chair is antique English.

9

Gold and Green

Annie Schlechter

Raw oak rafters mix with white-painted panels and crossbeams, and golden walls (Standish White by Benjamin Moore) in this Carrier and Company-designed New York family room, making it an energetic place for parents and kids to hang out. The sofa is upholstered in a moss green fabric by Kravet.

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10

Modern Earth Tones

Brie Williams

Designer Ceara Donnelley used an Art Deco–inspired wallpaper (Iksel) to headline a warm, earthen palette in the sitting room right off the kitchen of her 18th-century Charleston home. The Dmitriy & Co. sofa is covered in a Schumacher fabric.

11

Juicy Apricot and Kiwi

Thomas Loof

For this Naples, Florida home, designer Summer Thornton ushered in delightful color and buzzy prints to create an energizing family hub. Apricot walls are amplified by verdant fabrics and botanical prints. The gauzy block-printed drapery (Muriel Brandolini) filters sunlight into the great room.

12

Sunshine Yellow and Muted Peach

Julia Lynn

Designer Angie Hranowsky gives each room of this late-20th-century Tudor in Austin its own distinct personality with the help of buoyant color. For the lively living room, energizing shades of yellow on the wall (Golden Straw, Pratt & Lambert) flirt with the soft peach tones of the sofa (Pierre Frey).

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13

Metallic Neutrals

Mali Azima

Ravishing neutrals and brilliant metallics dominate the sprawling, light-filled salon of this Atlanta home by designer Melanie Turner. Historic styles mix to create an elevated look from conical Murano glass chandeliers and Louis XVI–style commodes to the chevron-pattern custom carpet (Patterson Flynn Martin). The custom retro-inspired sofa is by Björk Studio.

14

Blue Velvets and Oak

Annie Schlechter

Blue velvets, lilac prints, and touches of red liven up the original oak panelings in this New York living room by Carrier and Company. The Bridgewater-style sofa is covered in a Mohair fabric by Maharam. The walnut veneer drawings are by Neal Perbix.

15

Apple Green and Raspberry

Annie Schlechter

In this New York living room designed by Chiqui Woolworth, vivid dragon-print draperies (Jim Thompson) and glossy apple green walls cloak the living room in a carousal of color. The artwork over the mantel, Contemplation, is by Anne Rose, the owner’s mother.

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16

Timeless Blue and White

Stephen Karlisch

17

Aubergine and Olive

Francesco Lagnese

At a Montana condo designed by Palmer Weiss, a Pierre Frey floral linen called Mortefontaine inspired a scheme for the living room of nutty aubergine, soft brown, navy, and olive tones to play off walls of shiplap paneling. Leopard carpet acts as a neutral and stands up to snowy boots. A Paul Marra chandelier “feels like an old bobbin bed, but with a modern attitude,” says Weiss. The 19th-century portrait of Pocahontas is by Victor Nehlig.

18

Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby

Douglas Friedman

For a client's home in Connecticut, designer Miles Redd found these George II–style painted mirrors at auction “for a steal. They are totally Mario Buatta and really anchor the living room.” Emerald silk walls (Kravet), lapis-blue taffeta curtains and bullion fringe, and ruby red accents illuminate the room to radiant effect. Hand-blocked chintz upholstery fabric, Clarence House

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19

Coming Up Roses

DYLAN THOMAS

20

Midas Touch

William Abranowicz

Who said luxury can't be laidback? At this seaside houose in the Hamptons, designer Alex Papchristidis created a scheme for the entire home comprising whites, creams, silvers, and golds for a luxe look that feels appropriately casual for the beach. In the living room, a pair of custom cantilevered sofas are upholstered in white velvet (Cowtan & Tout). Ceiling lights and sconces, Hervé Van der Straeten. Drapery fabric, Fabricut

Sarah DiMarco

Sarah DiMarco is the Assistant Editor at VERANDA, covering all things art, design, and travel, and she also manages social media for the brand. 

14 luxurious ideas from ReRooms

Let's talk and show you how to create an incredible living room interior with 14 interesting colors.

The right color combination will help create a stylish and original interior in the living room. Today ReRooms will talk about 14 colors that can and should be combined with other shades to get interesting ranges.

These colors can be both basic and find their place in various interior details, such as decor or textiles. In order not to overload the room or, on the contrary, not to make it faceless, it is necessary to combine colors. And we will tell you how to do it.

1. Beige

Beige will look stylish and noble with almost all colors: cheer up the interior with bright accents of green, coral and red, or, conversely, create a calm and peaceful atmosphere with white, brown, gray or mint colors.

Beige color is better not to use alone, as you run the risk of creating a faceless and boring space from the living room, which will crush with its monotony. To prevent this from happening, introduce a few additional shades into the interior - the photos below show very interesting examples. In the decoration of furniture and walls, give preference to light colors, diluting the palette with bright accents on textiles and decor.

For example, beige and white colors will look most harmonious in combination with a third accent shade. This option will create a cozy and peaceful environment. The combination of white and beige is considered universal, it will suit almost any style: whether it is strict minimalism or cozy Scandinavian style. In such an interior, use textured furniture or decor elements: wooden tables, wicker lamps or iron partitions. Choose these elements in contrasting colors, then beige and white shades will emphasize their unusualness and create an original apartment design.

2. Blue

Blue is one of the most sought after colors in the design world. It is quite difficult to use, but if you find a suitable pair for it, then believe me, your interior will radically change.

Use the aforementioned beige or white to dilute the somber blues. Thanks to this combination of colors, you can create a marine mood, which is sometimes so lacking in city apartments. However, often this combination may look too cold.

Add to these colors a bright red carpet and purple accents on textiles, then the blue and white design of the room will be transformed and you will get a full-fledged vintage interior. Just do not forget to add unusual decor items in this case: carved candlesticks, natural flowers, marble vases and unusual lamps.

3. Violet

This color has a large number of shades of different temperatures and brightness, so it is very interesting to work with it in the living room interior. As you understand, there are a lot of options for combinations with purple.

One word of caution: don't use dark purple alone, or you risk creating Count Dracula's crypt from the living room. To create an unusual interior, give up the classic white or beige shades, give preference to contrasting tones that will bring brightness and fun to the living room. To do this, use green, orange, blue, red or brown. The listed colors can be both bright and pastel. The main thing is to find a balance and fit each shade appropriately. In the photographs you can see very unusual and striking examples.

4. Coral

This color will help create a good mood and atmosphere in any style and in any area, for which we love it so much. Depending on the lighting in the living room, it can give different shades: pink, orange, red and brown.

The peculiarity of the coral color is to give off warmth to the surroundings. Therefore, if you live on the north side of the house or it is always cool in your area, this color will be a real salvation. Pair it with beiges and browns and add interesting decor elements like a coral chandelier (why not?). If you, on the contrary, think that it is too hot and saturated, use white and blue to cool it down. Combine blue and coral in textiles or upholstery, and white in wall decoration.

Such combinations of colors will always give you a good mood and energize you.

5. Green

One of the most frequently used colors not only in the interior of the living room, but also in the interiors of other rooms, especially the kitchen. And it's not just that. Green color calms, creates a natural atmosphere, which is so lacking in city apartments. As in the case of the aforementioned colors, we advise you to abandon the banal combinations, such as green and beige, green and blue. It is better to experiment and create a real jungle at home.

If the living room area is large, use bright shades of green in combination with yellows, pinks, blues and browns. Complement this bright madness with unusual decor: figurines in the form of parrots, fruit-shaped dishes, colorful paintings and pillows. So you will definitely turn the room into a tropical jungle.

If the area of ​​the room is small and you don't really like flashy shades, then give preference to muted green shades that go well with beige, brown and gray. However, you should not completely abandon bright accents, just use pastel shades instead of flashy colors.

You can also see examples in the presented photos.

6. Red

This color has long been feared for its excessive brightness and aggressiveness. However, now almost every interior has this color in various shades and on various surfaces. You need to use it very carefully, because if you overdo it, instead of a comfortable living room, you will get a visual nightmare. In order not to get tired and not annoyed in such an interior, you need to muffle it with white, beige or brown colors.

We advise you not to use red in the decoration of walls or ceilings, it is better to focus on furniture, textiles or decor items. To make the living room look more interesting, experiment with red patterns in combination with other colors: red and white curtains, red and blue pillows.

7. Gray

The popularity of this color has grown exponentially since the release of the famous film. Gray is rich in various shades, which can be emphasized thanks to light and dark, warm and cold colors. At first glance, it seems that gray is a boring color with a poor palette, but it is not. With it, you can create a very cozy room in which it will be comfortable to relax. To do this, combine gray and white colors, do not forget to add wooden textures to this combination, which will create a more cozy atmosphere.

If this combination seems rather boring to you, it doesn't matter - introduce a contrasting third color into the interior: green, red, blue or purple.

8. Turquoise

Turquoise color is very noble and beautiful, it must be in the living room interior. It can be combined with white, beige and blue shades, then you get a very gentle and unobtrusive interior. However, if you create the same design as shown in the photographs, you will get a bright and expressive environment. To do this, add red, orange and yellow colors - and vintage style in your pocket.

The main thing is not to overdo it with saturated shades.

9. Mustard

Luxury, prosperity and independence - these are the associations that arise when we mention the mustard color. Depending on the lighting, it plays with different shades: from bright yellow to dark.

This color pairs well with its closest neighbors, yellow and brown. The first will add brightness and energy to the interior, and brown - luxury and style.

For a summery feel, pair mustard and blue with interesting decor to add freshness and good cheer.

10. Brown

Brown is another color that won't go out of style for a long time thanks to its versatility. It can fit into any interior: be it a cozy Scandinavian or a luxurious classic style. The classic combination - brown and white, coffee with milk - designers use very often in the interiors of living rooms, as it creates both a cozy and luxurious atmosphere. White color in this combination creates a background for brown shades, highlighting them favorably.

To make the brown-white gamma sparkle with colors, add fresh flowers and unusual decor elements to the interior, as shown in the photo below. Just a couple of strokes - and the living room acquires notes of wildlife.

11. White

This color is the basis of all foundations, no modern interior can do without it. However, we do not recommend using this color alone, as the living room risks turning into a hospital room. It is unlikely that you will be comfortable in such a room. To make such an interior warmer and more homely, add blue or beige to white - you can see examples in the photographs. From a lifeless and cold room, these two shades will make something airy and peaceful. This color scheme is used in Scandinavian interiors.

12. Olive

This is a stylish and sophisticated color that goes well with both neutral shades (white, beige, brown) and bright ones (red, purple, yellow).

The combination of olive with brown and white is very harmonious. It resembles wild nature landscapes, where massive tree trunks coexist with delicate foliage shimmering in the sun. This palette will bring peace and serenity to the interior.

13. Burgundy

Not every owner will like this color, as burgundy is a very expressive shade by its nature. However, if you correctly fit it into the interior of the living room, you will get an expressive and expensive-looking room.

This color is rarely used in wall decoration. But if the soul demands, we will not resist it. In this case, use a warm tint and let the surface of the walls be glossy - this way you minimize the over-saturation of this color.

As a rule, burgundy is used in furniture upholstery, textiles and decor. It becomes a bright accent of any room.

14. Orange

A warm and cheerful color that will cheer you up even in the gloomiest weather. Orange is perfect for creating vintage interiors. Love oriental and Indian motifs - then be sure to look at this color. The combination of orange, brown, blue, purple and red will not leave anyone indifferent.

However, such a riot of colors still needs to be smoothed out - use classic white for this. It will hold back the energy of a bright range.

This palette is best used in small areas, as small rooms run the risk of simply drowning in saturated colors.

In small rooms, it is best to use orange as accents and white or beige as the main color.

photos, popular colors, tips for choosing colors

The 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 the 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, one should proceed not only from one's 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 can 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 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 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.