Living room furniture color schemes
54 Living Room Color Combinations
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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
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
21
Caramel and Indigo
Douglas Friedman
This Naples, Florida, living room designed by Celerie Kemble defies all the tropes of coastal style with its moodier palette of caramel and indigo while still retaining hints of the tropics, like a natural wall covering crafted of dried water hyacinth (Phillip Jeffries). Art series, Henri Matisse
22
Cinnabar and Neutrals
Nelson Hancock
In this Connecticut living room featuring cashmere-upholstered walls, designer Markham Roberts brought the room to life with fabrics steeped in history. A cartouches printed linen (Rose Cummings) and a Kashmir wool paisley (Clarence House) adorn contemporary pieces like a custom sofa and slipper chair. Mandala artwork, Julia Condon
23
Blue, Tobacco and Coral
Melanie Acevedo
In Danielle Rollins' Atlanta living room, a curated rainbow of blue, tobacco, coral, and off-white unites an explosion of patterns. Sofas in a Prelle silk velvet, DeAngelis; curtains in a Cowtan & Tout fabric; wallcovering, Pierre Frey; artwork over sofa, Kelly O’Neal.
24
Cantaloupe and Coral
WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ / ART + COMMERCE
In this Upper East Side townhouse, Jeffrey Bilhuber used a pair of slipper chairs to a create artful mirror image seating area and ground the living room color scheme—soft cantaloupes and peaches plus cheerful accents in coral—with an earthy neutral.
25
Black-and-White Flair
Simon Upton
Shades of ebony and creamy white keep the attention of this Atlanta living room by Amy Morris, which showcases the Tudor-style home's original architecture and craftsmanship. Cool linens (Jim Thompson Fabrics) covering the armchairs paired with elemental ebony tables (Baker Furniture) add to the room's tailored look.
26
Verdant Views
Annie Schlechter
This Millbrook living room by Lynne Stair of McMillen, Inc., is a dazzling emerald showcase. An ethereal de Gournay wallpaper enveloping the space is punctuated by green draperies (Manufacture Prelle) and a Murano glass chandelier. The mahogany library table formerly belonged to the Marquess of Downshire, a British politician who served as secretary of state for the colonies in the mid-1700s.
27
Dapper Greens and Reds
Annie Schlecter
In his role as Colonial Williamsburg's Designer in Residence, Anthony Baratta brought modern energy and vivacious color into this revolutionary-era home. To accentuate the tall ceilings of the living room, Baratta painted the trim a dapper gray-green (Goodwin Green by Benjamin Moore) and hung a Chesapeake Bay shipyard sign over the doorway to a broom closet, reimagined as a spirited red bar.
28
Indigo Relaxing
Douglas Friedman
Stucco arches painted in a sweet pink color play down the architecture's imposing qualities and dial up the charm and comfort in this outdoor living room by Celerie Kemble. Indigo fabrics covering the slipper chairs (Penny Morrison) and dark teak furnishings ensure the room's link to the outdoors is organic and authentic.
29
Parisian Pastels
Christoph Theurer
Sweet candy tones transform this 18th-century Paris living room into a fresh stage for modernist artwork. Designer Jean-Louis Deniot filled the space with colorful midcentury and contemporary furnishings, such as the curvy sofa covered in a flecked bouclé (Raf Simons) and pink porcelain side tables (Djim Berger), which stand out against the gray-painted boiserie.
30
Accented in Emerald
David Tsay
Los Angeles–based designer Peter Dunham combed through flea markets and auction houses across the world to find the antique fabrics and colorful pieces to fill this Newport Beach living room. Emerald tones in the vintage chintz on Syrie Maugham armchairs and Flemish tapestry on the round ottoman informed the calming color palette of the space. The verdant drapery and shade fabric (Tassinari & Chatel) pops against creamy walls.
31
Mediterranean Splashes
HELENIO BARBETTA
Blue and green glassware and furnishings echo the sparkling Mediterranean outside in Milanese landscape designer Marco Bay's Portofino farmhouse. Handmade terra-cotta floors and tiles crafted in Tangier, Morocco, nod to the rosy tones of the landscape and fruits hanging from the trees in the home's garden.
32
Island Spirit
MELANIE ACEVEDO
In the living room of this Bahamian getaway, designer Miles Redd needed to find a way to ensure the sunny yellow shades and watery tones worked together rather than competed for attention. His solution was to use art as a color equalizer.
"Not only does art help a room feel complete, it can make soft colors feel less wan and stronger colors appear more mellow," says Redd. The painting "So To Speak" by Doug Argue hangs over a sofa in a Osbourne and Little fabric. The yellow linen fabric seen on the ottoman and lamp shades is from Pierre Frey.
33
The Turquoise Coast
Thomas Loof
Sharp shades of turquoise and red make a powerful statement in the living room of this Hamptons home designed by Katie Ridder. Playing off the colors of the graphic, hand-painted Iksel wallpaper, Chinese red pillows and a Jim Thompson sofa fabric headline the room’s vibrant palette. A bold chrysanthemum print by Bennison Fabrics covers the club chair and ottoman.
34
Pretty in Pastel
Annie Schlechter
Soft yellow accents playfully mingle with green and blue hues throughout designer Meg Braff’s Long Island living room. A floral print by Lee Jofa covers the pair of club chairs and complements the green-patterned Bernard Thorp drapery fabric. Braff’s vintage goatskin-lacquered coffee table by Karl Springer boasts an exotic finish, which is emblematic of Springer’s 20th-century style.
35
A Maximalist's Jewel Box
Björn Wallander
Vivid jewel tones shine in the sitting room of this Sig Bergamin–designed Miami apartment with the help of sand-colored textiles. Among the nearly two dozen patterned fabrics Bergamin used in this room, a fabric by Braquenié serves as the trim on a George Smith sofa. The solid tan-colored sofa fabric comes from Peter Fasano. The ottoman is covered in a Lee Jofa fabric and the bolster tassels are from Samuel & Sons.
36
Sunny Disposition
Amy Neunsinger
Cheerful yellow walls and neutral yet lively patterns set a whimsical tone within this midcentury living room designed by Mark D. Sikes. Exuberant walls in Farrow & Ball’s Citron and a geometric rug from Patterson Flynn Martin make this room that talk of the house. An ikat fabric by Pierre Frey covers the armchair by Hickory Chair Furniture Co. The floral drapery and tufted sofa upholstery is by Lee Jofa.
37
Rust Reinvented
Annie Schlechter
A soft rust velvet sofa pops against blue and white textiles throughout the casual and ultrastylish family room of Meg Braff. James Mont-style horseshoe chairs, upholstered in a ticking Malabar cotton, channel the curvy, low slung forms of the Ming dynasty. A rattan chandelier from Currey & Company hangs at the center of the media room with Katie Ridder wallcovering decorating the walls.
38
A Robin's Nest
Thomas Loof
In this New Jersey home designed by Miles Redd, subtle pink florals are amplified by lacquered robin’s egg blue walls in the living room. An exaggerated pelmet disguises a low window and draws the eye upward with the help of treatment fabric by Fisherman’s Fabric. The custom tufted sofa is in a Brunschwig & Fils silk velvet. The wall color is Bird’s Egg by Benjamin Moore.
39
Lights of Gold
NICKOLAS SARGENT
Designer Cindy Rinfret uses gold leaf lighting by Currey & Company and ultramarine furnishings to play off the entry’s domed, Moroccan-influenced architecture within the Kips Bay Show House. The 1970s Jansen palm tree acts as a tasteful nod to the living room’s Palm Beach setting. The patterned grass cloth wallpaper and panels were designed in collaboration with Nicolette Mayer. The drapery fabric is by The Shade Store.
40
Shell Tones
FRANCESCO LAGNESE
Echoing the soft tones of a seashell collection, pinks and creams make for a romantic setting in this Palm Beach living room designed by Susan Zises Green. Claremont fabrics cover the custom sofa and both pairs of armchairs with pillows in Fortuny fabrics. A pair of Daniel Barney lamps top side tables by John Rosselli Antiques. A framed artwork by Belgian artist Diane Petry hangs above the sofa.
41
Notes of Dior
Melanie Acevedo
Taking a few tricks from Christian Dior’s decorating legacy, historian Maureen Footer pairs far-flung artifacts with contrasting lime green and red tones in her fanciful New York apartment. The living room’s custom sofa is in a Bergamo fabric with Urban Archaeology sconces hanging above. A Bryan Burkey artwork sits between two windows dressed with Brunschwig & Fils damask shades.
42
Splashes of Green
FRANCESCO LAGNESE
Youthful energy bursts from this Palm Beach living room with the help of apple-green seating. Designer Bunny Williams covers antique Italian chairs in a bright Zimmer+Rohde fabric. Bradmore armchairs in a Quadrille print surround a Bernd Goeckler cocktail table. The custom curved sofas are from Liz O’Brien.
43
Lacquered Lifestyle
Simon Upton
Overlooking New York’s Central Park, this Hampshire House apartment designed by Tammy Connor boasts classic cosmopolitan style with a punch of blue lacquer, accented with mossy green and brick red. The tilting oculus of the family room brings natural light in the adjacent stairwell. The John Saladino X bench in a Kyle Bunting hide perfectly matches the George Smith armchair. The Ferrell Mittman sofa is in a Peter Dunham Textile stripe, and the custom rug is from Beauvais Carpets.
44
A Balancing Act
Kevin Spearman Design Group
Dark furnishings and a creamy white palette gracefully work together, creating a surprisingly soothing living room in this Tel Aviv home. Designer Kevin Spearman covered Rose Tarlow armchairs in a Loro Piana fabric. The sofas are from Dmitry & Co., and the rug is by Beauvais Carpets.
45
Stripes of Blue and White
J. Savage Gibson
A classic seaside palette and warm-weather textures make for the perfect getaway in this Phoebe Howard–designed Palm Beach living room. An Abaca rug by Patterson Flynn Martin ties the room together, while Richard Serra artwork acts as the room’s main focus. Howard covers the McGuire armchairs and daybed in a blue-and-white Bennison fabric. The custom sofas feature a C&C Milano stripe, and the curtains are in a Raoul Textiles print.
46
Purple Reign
Max Kim-Bee
Designer Colette van den Thillart incorporates varying shades of purple and cream to accent the delightful curves in the living room of her Toronto home. A Marvic Textiles crewel dresses a 19th-century Italian chair. The roman shades are Nicky Haslam for Turnell & Gigon, and the Italian glass lamps are custom.
47
Green with Envy
Thomas Loof
Black-and-white patterns have never looked so vibrant in the verdant green living room of this Washington, D.C., home designed by Alessandra Branca. The room’s sofa and chairs are from the designer’s Casa Branca collection, and the chairs are covered in a Schumacher fabric that pop against the lacquered green walls. The 1940s lacquer cocktail table is from Maison Jansen and artwork is by Ellsworth Kelly.
48
Into the Woods
Simon Upton
Crisp lines and natural materials enable rich textures to shine throughout the Atlanta home of architects Bobby McAlpine and Blake Weeks. Stark white furniture and warm wood-paneled walls work together to create a dramatic contrast in the sitting room. A Paul Ferrante lamp sits on an antique French altar-boy seat. The sofa and screens are by McAlpine Home for Holland MacRae. The cocktail table is from John Saladino.
49
Velvet Dreams
Thomas Loof
In Diana Ross’s former apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, riots of color make a powerful statement against glossy lacquered walls and mirror insets. Designer Jeffery Bilhuber incorporates saturated shades of plum, French blue and olive green throughout the living room to add a contemporary spin in the historic apartment. A Caio Fonseca artwork hangs above a custom sofa covered in blue Cassaro fabric, which is flanked by brass cocktail and side tables from Michael Dawkins Home. The rug is from Holland & Sherry.
50
Plaid Chic
Eric Piasecki
Designer Anthony Baratta embraces the impactful power of plaids in the black, white, and red living room of this Utah mountain home. Ralph Lauren Home checks decorate the custom chairs and ottoman while a custom-painted Kevin Cross trunk accents the home’s warm palette. The walls are in White Dove with ceilings in Yarmouth Blue, both by Benjamin Moore. The custom mantel is by Thomas W. Newman.
51
Metallic Motifs
Francesco Lagnese
Deep purple upholstery stands out against luminous metallic walls in a quaint Upper East side apartment designed by Nick Olsen. Missoni chevron-covered spoon-back chairs frame a John Salibello cocktail table. The curtains in a Manuel Canovas satin silk reflect the sleek Roger Arlington wallcovering. The custom sofa and armchairs are in a Holland & Sherry velvet, and the rug is from Eskayel.
52
Sunshine Yellow
Melanie Acevedo
Vivacious yellow walls and an emerald Décor de Paris velvet sofa flourish in the living of this Miles Redd–designed Manhattan apartment. The colorful Sultanabad rug inspired the room's rich palette. Redd covered the pillows in a Clarence House leopard silk velvet. The 1930s French coffee table is from Todd Alexander Romano.
53
Lush Living
Max Kim-Bee
Designer Ashley Whittaker infuses earthy greens and browns and outdoorsy imagery into the family room of this Upper East Side townhouse. A piece of art by Carol Greenan Bouyoucos and a Les Indiennes wall fabric serve as the room’s focal points. The custom sofa is in a Brunschwig & Fils wool and flanked by custom lamps with shades in Rogers & Goffigon stripe. The custom ottoman is covered in a Schumacher fabric.
54
A Rustic Revamp
Joshua McHugh
In this lively New York living room designed by Nick Olsen, rustic wood beams and painted floors perfectly frame vivaciously upholstered furniture in shades of green, blue, yellow, and red. A Bennison Fabrics crewelwork covers a Ann-Morris armchair and ottoman. The walls are painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
Sarah DiMarco Sarah DiMarco is the Assistant Editor at VERANDA, covering all things decor, design, and travel, and she also manages social media for the brand.
20 best living room color schemes |
(Image credit: Future)
Choosing the right living room color ideas is one of most important decisions you can make for your space. Getting the color choice spot on is vital, because this is the room where we spend most of our time. These inspiring living room color schemes and ideas are guaranteed to add vibrancy to your interiors.
Choosing which colors to decorate your living room ideas with can be daunting – partly because there are so many options available. But 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.
Start off 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.
Collate images, swatches, fabric and photographs to paint a picture of your desired scheme. This allows you to marry finishes together to ensure all your living room paint ideas work as one.
Living room color ideas – the best color schemes for your lounge
Becoming your own color consultant is easier than you think, 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.
It’s time to brush up your skills, get creative with color and transform your living room with the help of our collection of inspiring living room color ideas.
1. Go for a variety of soothing green tones
(Image credit: Future )
Is there any color more suited to 2022 than green? At at time where our happiness and health have seemed more important than ever, it's only right that we'd want to surround ourselves in shades that symbolize growth and renewal. What's more, it has been named one of the best colors to paint a living room by color experts.
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. With green 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.
2. Embrace the warmth of red
(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
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 makes 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.
3.
Enliven a neutral scheme with pops of primaries(Image credit: Future / Emma Lee / Sally Denning)
For a sophisticated room full of fun and energy, create a living room color scheme that hinges on the decorating with primary colors – but bear in mind that even in small doses, such as in the neutral scheme above, they can have real impact.
Feeling braver? Bold blue walls instantly add a cosseting effect to a space, making the room feel more inviting yet spacious.
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 bright, so choose hues that are pared back to give them a more authentic tone.
4. Warm up a cool spaces with hot shades
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
In a cool living room or one that you want to feel incredibly warm and welcoming, red is a great choice.
'Red is more and more popular lately and is a very stimulating shade. In this palette, it also represents the moment during exercising when you are at the top of your game,' according to trend forecasters, TrendBook .
This living room color idea was inspired by the already evident success of orange and bright red. It is the extroverted color for the season, and when paired with gray – the color of sustainability – it represents the full cycle of a routine. 'This color is the quiet one and represents the end of the journey, the warming down after an exercise,' say TrendBook.
5. Pick punchy pastels for a family room
(Image credit: Geraldine Tan )
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 – as in this family living room by Little Big Bell influencer, Geraldine Tan – that its delicate allure really comes to the fore.
Geraldine predicts that more muted pastels such as the shade below will be popular moving forwards, and at H&G, we love to mix pastels with soft green, muted gray, black and accents of gold to give them a sophisticated edge.
'Neutral pink is best in living rooms; it’s surprising yet subdued,' says 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.
'There’s a reason we see this color combination all over our Instagram feeds. It’s highly emotive, it shows confidence in color, and a certain joie de vivre,' says Annie.
6. Match soft pastels with earthy tones
(Image credit: Future/Emma Lee)
Inject a playful summer vibe into your living room color ideas scheme. Use a palette of raspberry and citron to create a fresh, stylish look. Washed linens and the eye-catching open design of the rattan sofa brings a relaxing mood to this inviting space – inspired by bohemian living room ideas – which is enhanced by unlined curtains that gently filter the sunlight.
This confident mix of rose shades evokes a sense of luxury, femininity and sass. Pink has grown up, trading its sweet reputation for a more muted, sophisticated and earthy look.
‘There is an exciting duality to grown-up pink – it’s soft and delicate, yet strong and composed,’ says Paula Taylor, color and trend specialist at Graham & Brown .
It’s best to avoid clean whites with this pink, as they may wash out the space. Stick to warmer neutrals, such as tones of gray that will add depth, or dial up the drama with touches or charcoal, emerald green or black.
7. Pick on-trend powdery pastels
(Image credit: Crown Paints)
Chalky tones have always been an attractive choice for interiors, giving rise to delicate, light rooms that are easy to live in. Create relaxed, grown-up schemes by pairing these hues with bold accent colors, or opt for impact with one sugary shade, like in the minimalist living room above, decorated in Cocoon by Crown Paints .
Decorating with pastel shades needn’t mean going entirely pale. Create an accent wall in a darker color, such as a deep blue, to balance lighter tones. To add depth, introduce subtle textures with wool upholstery, drapes and rugs in patterned weaves.
8. Create a traditional feel with berry shades
(Image credit: Future/Dan Duchars)
Aubergine, heather and indigo have a lasting appeal that makes them decorating favorites, but used on their own, they can feel a little cold. Warm them up instantly with earthy tones or a hit of flame orange – it works really well with colors that have a blue base, like purple or teal.
Purple is all about power and passion. Its strong and versatile hues are associated with creativity, individualism and inventiveness. When choosing purple, always select a color several shades lighter than the one you are aiming for, as they are more powerful when applied.
Lavender reflects light really well, even in the depths of winter, making it a clever choice when planning small living room ideas. Living rooms always look smart bathed in or accented by purple and pink, which creates serene and interesting living spaces, appearing quiet or bold depending on the setting.
9. Warm up neutral schemes with earthy shades
(Image credit: Future/Mark Bolton)
Sandy shades are very usable living room color ideas and work well as part of an earthy palette, coupled with terracottas or warm cinnamon, or even splashes of bright teal and zesty orange.
They can stand alone, providing a calm, neutral backdrop onto which you can layer accent colors like sunflower. Or use harmonious tones of sandstone, beige or taupe for multi-layered beige living room ideas that bring in other off-white or neutral tones.
10. Pick a neutral color scheme for a laid back look
(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 neutral living room ideas; 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.
11. Pick an earthy yellow for a bright but elegant finish
(Image credit: Future/Davide Lovatti)
Yellow’s reputation as a fresh and lively sunny color means it is often overlooked for living room color ideas, but paler shades can work nicely and become especially inviting when used in harmonizing or contrasting tones.
Yellow’s complementary shade on the color wheel is blue, and if both are used in a muted combination, like cornflower yellow and pale blue-gray, it will look stunning.
Use tones of muted yellow in your living room to provide a clever mix of brightness and warmth. Mix warm ochre with egg-yolk shades for a yellow living room that will lift your mood.
Yellow inspires optimism, creating a summery feel; team it with charcoal and black for modern look that follows the latest living room trends. This color is also fantastic when mixed with crisp white or warm wood furniture, and the spectrum of sunny shades look great with an additional contrast color such as gray or duck egg blue.
12. Use a cool combination of black and white
(Image credit: Future/Michael Sinclair)
Striking, cool and confident, black and white is always a winning combination and will make a dramatic statement in a living room. Create a perfect balance of the two neutrals, by using equal amounts of each. It will give a bright and fresh look for day, together with a dramatic and tailored look for night – especially when paired with living room lighting ideas that feature both directional and ambient lighting.
Introduce pattern and character with a statement rug or cushions and some sophisticated framed artwork, and keep the rest of your furniture and accessories plain and more colour blocked.
Recreate the refined elegance of grand Parisian apartments by decorating with soft muted grays, whites and black living room shades.
Panelled walls painted soft gray provide a sophisticated backdrop for this scheme, which artfully balances black and white upholstered furniture. Blocks of pattern, in the form or tailored cushions and artwork, add interest and personality to the modern look.
13. Go for a timeless gray living room color scheme
(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)
Gray living room ideas are enduringly popular, and it's easy to see why – this neutral shade suits most spaces, although it is important to choose the right tone.
'Gray isn't a tricky living room color to get right,' says H&G's Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'However, it is important to pick a gray that suits your room's natural daylight.
'A cool, North- or East-facing room will really benefit from a gray – however light or dark – with a hint of yellow pigment; a South- or West-facing space can take a cooler shade that has a hint of blue – although I would always advise a warmer shade for a living room, which is intended to feel inviting. '
14. Create a coastal appeal with red, white and blue
(Image credit: Future/Emma Lee)
Create a blue living room with tones taken straight from a sea view. The easiest way to create a space with a coastal feel is by adding the cool shades of ocean blues.
Whether it’s with paint, fabrics or your choice of living room furniture ideas, choose a living room color that both reflects the tones of the sea and the sky so that it isn’t too bright or too pale. The room won’t feel cold if you team it up with sandy beiges and cream colors.
15. Pick a classic blue and white living room color scheme
(Image credit: Future/Jake Curtis)
Decorate with a palette of blue and white. This combination is often described as the new monochrome, and it is easy to see why. From indigo to navy and cobalt, blue hues sit particularly well together, so offer great scope for pattern mixing.
In this white living room, cushions with small-scale motifs are successfully combined with robust striped blinds and a bold indigo geometric on the screen.
Beloved by ancient Chinese dynasties, the Moors and the Greeks, this enduring color combination takes a fresh, modern feel with the latest indigo textiles, shibori patterns and denim tones.
Are your living room color ideas dependent on warmth? You can still use blue and white if you're after cozy living room ideas – keeping blues warm is a matter of applying a shade with warm tones in it and teaming it with rich sandy shades that echo the seashore, or else crisp whites, cool grays and palest yellows.
White is the perfect foil for this color as it copies the skyline. Pale clear blue often looks fabulous combined with oak or chestnut furniture, which serves to keep the atmosphere warm. These colors and combinations work best in spaces that benefit from generous natural light.
16. Bring the outdoors in with fresh green and naturals
(Image credit: Rapture & Wright)
Use arboretum-inspired motifs, hothouse plant life and foliage for a fresh green living room look this season. Working geometric motifs into the scheme gives the finished look a modern edge. It’s time to welcome all things green and pleasant into the home.
'Sage green works wonderfully in a living room, or somewhere south-facing where the nuances of the color will be visible in the bright light,' advises color and paint expert Annie Sloan .
'Pairing sage green with a vivid orange will give more energy to a space; contrasting complementary colors emphasizes the qualities of each and creates a bold statement look.
'I’d use a strong black, too, to give a solidly masculine mid-century modern living room scheme. It’s calming because it’s strong and looks very put together.'
17. Go for a dramatic inky shade
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Combine saturated shades of cobalt, malachite and verdigris with botanical motifs to bring natural depth and earthiness to dark living room ideas.
Pale cane furniture provides a lighter note in a scheme featuring luxurious textures, such as velvet and silk, in rich moody shades – or choose deep woody tones, as in the room above, with antique pieces that only enhance the drama.
18. Opt for a Cape Cod-worthy color scheme
(Image credit: Chris Everard)
This classic pairing has enduring appeal and is a sure-fire way to create a fresh and elegant scheme. The use of two blue tones, one on the walls and a paler hue on the ceiling, combined with white woodwork, draws your eye upwards, creating the feeling of being surrounded by clear skies, great for living room ceiling ideas.
19. Introduce an earthy tobacco shade
(Image credit: Nicola Harding)
‘Tobacco yellow is often used with greys and neutrals; I love the idea of going the other way and allowing it to be a backdrop for much brighter saturated tones,' says Genevieve Bennett, head of design interiors, Liberty .
'We have used this shade as a fantastic backdrop color for the vibrant fresh jewel-like greens. This muted yet rich color allows the jade greens to sing, which a brighter yellow would clash with. It has a surprising, fresh and contemporary feel which is suited to modern living rooms. ’
20. Use a timeless blue-green to best effect
(Image credit: Ben Stevens)
‘If nervous about using a bold hue, painting woodwork adds a color shot without overwhelming,’ advises designer Kate Guinness , who used turquoise accents in this chic boot room.
‘This is a guaranteed crowd-pleasing color with lots of positive associations,' says Annie Sloan , color and paint expert. 'It embodies both the recessive quality of a blue and the calming quality of a green, making it very easy to work with. I’d be inclined to dress it with heavily textured accents to give a cozier finish, but a 1960s palette of turquoise and orange also works fabulously with mid-century modern silhouettes, glass decor and metallic fittings.’
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.
- Contrasting colors – split contrast mixes of two closely related and one unrelated color, and for impact use the brightest tone as an accent in cushions or accessories. Ensure you choose colors of a similar depth for bold impact. Indigo blue always works well with sunny yellow, for example.
- A monochromatic palette using different shades of the same color can also be effective. Try transferring these applications to door and wall panels, cornicing and dado rails. Play with patterns too. Stripes, squares and spots are all eye-catching effects and adding coordinated wallpaper ideas builds in texture.
- A tonal scheme can be created by mixing different tones of the same color together for a multi-layered scheme with lots of depth. For example, use dark navy blue, pretty cornflower blue, and rich royal blue in equal amounts for a balanced result. Or combine moody blues with fresh greens for an elegant scheme that channels colors found in the natural world – think of plants and water. Try zesty lime green with rich indigo blue for an up-to-date look.
- A three-color scheme is a basic but effective approach; try combining no more than two or three colors in a scheme, focusing either on primary or secondary tones. To create eye-catching contrasts, study the color wheel and look at opposing shade combinations, such as canary yellow and grey, or electric blue and hot pink.
- Neutral color blocking, combining monochromes and soft tones, such as black, white and gray is also effective, but be prepared to edit a scheme strictly for maximum effect. Accessories are also an important color blocking tool – vibrant, block colored living room seating ideas against a contrasting block panel will set off a scheme.
‘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, testing 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 adding 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 introducing pattern 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, mouldings 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.
What are the new colors for living rooms?
Yellow is set to make a comeback for 2022. It’s the shade of confidence and joy, so after the global turbulence of the past year it comes as little surprise that yellow is decorating’s color du jour. Yellow room ideas inspire optimism, creating a summery feel; team it with charcoal and black from a modern look in the living. ‘Current trends show a real shift towards brighter colors with a clean-cut finish – and are a great way to feel happier at home,’ says Sue Kim, senior color designer at Valspar.
Gentle pastel tones have also been making a big appearance in the fashion world, so it makes sense that they are a burgeoning interior design trend. What you see on the catwalk ends up on the cushions, as the old saying goes.
However, all the trends and color experts we have spoken to predict that this desire for comfort will evolve into a more optimistic excitement, which will translate into brighter, bolder color choices being introduced into our homes, with living room color schemes no exception.
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
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 movie. 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.
style and character of the whole house or apartment
01.10.2019
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The living room is the most visited place in the house or apartment. The whole family rests here in the evenings, guests and unexpected visitors are received here. Therefore, the choice of color in the interior of the living room determines the whole character of the house or apartment. An ideal living room should be functional, comfortable and harmonious at the same time, not annoying with flashy colors and not be faceless.
Color factors
The choice of colors for the living room is influenced by many factors: the size and illumination of the room, the style of the hall and the house as a whole, the taste preferences of the owners (and the designer), the colors, shapes and textures of the furniture.
Dimensions and shape of the living room
The dimensions and height of the common room directly affect the choice of colors for the walls, ceiling and floor. Traditional advice is appropriate here: for small rooms, you should use light colors that visually increase the volume. Black, chocolate, dark blue, purple, burgundy tones make the room visually smaller.
In compact and low living rooms, a glossy ceiling will be very appropriate - it adds height to the room.
Spacious rooms give more space to the imagination of homeowners - the choice of colors and shades for decorating the living room is much wider.
To choose the decoration of the living room, the location of the room in the house or apartment is no less important. An enclosed space with a door allows for a more creative finish. Open placement, when the hall is one with the dining room, hall, hallway, implies a common style and color scheme for all rooms. In open living rooms, it is usually not used to paint a large surface in one color, especially dark. A combination of several colors and / or textures would be more appropriate.
The monochrome solution of the walls visually enlarges the room. In current design solutions, a combination of several wall colors or textures in one room is very often used.
Lighting
The natural illumination of the room depends on which side of the world the windows of the living room face. North windows give a little light, so it is better to choose warm shades: beige, chocolate, peach, orange, coral, lemon, yellow, pink.
The southern windows give bright light, and you can choose cool colors in the room: blue, blue, gray, turquoise, white, mint. For a living room with western windows, a cold color scheme is also more suitable.
Colors are perceived differently in natural and artificial lighting.
Color specification
White is becoming more and more popular. Initially, neutral white blends well and effectively emphasizes any color accents, decor elements, furniture, textiles. White has many shades. A room in white tones will always look flooded with light, clean and gentle. Depending on partner colors, décor, textiles and lighting, a white living room can look warm or cool. But light or white furniture, white carpet, curtains will give the room a somewhat cold and distant look.
Black color looks very stylish and extravagant, but visually reduces and darkens the room. Sometimes it acts somewhat depressingly, requires bright lighting. It is better to use it for individual design elements or to highlight part of the wall, rather than paint over the entire room with black paint. The black gloss on the ceiling looks interesting - the reflection of the room adds volume to it, no matter how paradoxical it sounds. Black is combined with all colors, but it is better not to choose caramel, pink, beige, lilac, peach as partners.
Everything that has been said about black belongs to the noble shades of dark chocolate. But it is better to combine chocolate shades with white, beige, cocoa with milk, cherry. Brown colors - chocolate, cocoa with milk, light brown, coffee - require competent lighting, in the twilight all the charm of these colors is lost.
Green, pistachio and salad colors have a calming effect on the psyche and relax - there is an association with green vegetation and nature. For dark shades, it is necessary to provide bright lighting. The optimal partner for green and salad shades is yellow and lemon. Olive and marsh colors should be used with caution, preferably in partnership with white.
The warmest colors are yellow, peach, light orange. The living room in these colors seems warm, cozy and sunny. This is the best choice for a room with windows to the north. Yellow and peach do not go well with red, cherry, black furniture. Optimal partners are natural wood browns, beige, green, ivory, dark orange and terracotta.
Red color is the brightest, exciting, active. And aggressive - it is uncomfortable to live in it. It is better not to use it for the entire room, but to highlight individual sections of the wall with decor. It is better to muffle the brightness of red with a combination of gray, beige, white walls, furniture, textiles.
A more refined and muted shade of red is coral. But it is better to use it in doses. The same applies to dark orange, terracotta.
Cherry blossom has long been the color of luxury. Especially when combined with gold. It will warm the room and serve as a wonderful backdrop for light-colored furniture, curtains, carpets. It is possible to use furniture in "palace" styles - natural lacquered wood, carving, gilding, inlays. Requires bright lighting. It does not go well with black, orange furniture or high-tech items.
The same can be said about emerald and blue colors combined with gold.
But all shades of blue and blue (boring faded blue does not count) are gaining more and more popularity. The white and blue gamma simply does not go out of trend. To soften the contrast, bright accents are used: red, coral, yellow, orange. Blue and blue shades are great for high-tech style.
Increasingly, purple and lilac colors are used. That's right - combine purple walls with white or light-colored furniture, light purple textiles. Companion colors - white, beige, light coffee, gray, lilac, light purple. Looks great, but the purple space is not very suitable for families with small children. Purple living room requires bright lighting.
Another trend among modern designers is light gray. A discreet neutral color is not as cold and easily soiled as white, and at the same time it is combined with any color and favorably emphasizes all design delights, furniture, decor, textiles.
Family and living room color
In many ways, the color scheme of the living room is determined by the composition of the family and the characteristics of family pastime. For a couple without children or with teenage children, a creative design of the hall would be more appropriate: bright or dark colors, non-traditional catchy design, high-tech style, loft, etc.
For a family with young children, neutral warm tones and a small amount of aggressive colors are preferable. Children will be uncomfortable in a black or coffee room, and parents of children in an exciting red one. For a family of three generations, a calmer color scheme of the common room and a traditional design are more suitable. The main thing is that all family members do not feel discomfort and can fully relax.
Interior styles
The style of the living room determines the color. Some styles simply dictate the use of certain colors. So, hi-tech requires cold, soft shades (possible with bright accents): gray, white, blue. Loft - almost always white or brick (terracotta) walls, or a combination of both. Rustic style, eco-style require the use of wood, white and beige. Provence - muted beige, pistachio, olive shades.
For modern styles, more saturated colors are used, often only one wall is painted in a bright color. For a classic style, muted beige, salad, blue, lemon shades are used.
Any renovation starts with an idea. Abstractly choosing the color scheme of a room is risky - you can create a completely meaningless interior.
Before choosing the color of the living room, you should weigh all the factors that affect the choice. The living room should be cozy and warm for all family members, the space should not seem cold, not “press” with tightness, not annoy. With the help of color, you can mask certain flaws in the room, make it “warmer”, lighter, more spacious, adjust the shape, divert attention from the ledges. The right combination of the main color and accents will help create an exclusive interior in the living room of each house or apartment.