Neutral and black living room
23 Timeless Neutral Living Room Ideas That You'll Love
By
Sarah Lyon
Sarah Lyon
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Published on 09/29/22
Desiree Burns
If you like the concept of a neutral living room but fear that your space will appear too bland if you decorate it with blacks, whites, grays, and beiges — think again. Neutral living rooms can be incredibly stunning, and they can also reflect a range of styles — coastal, Parisian, mid-century, you name it! If you're struggling to decorate your neutral living room, keep reading and take a look at these 23 spaces that have absolutely nailed neutral styles.
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01 of 23
Be Modern
Alvin Wayne
If your style leans contemporary, why not opt for a living room rooted in black, white, and gray? Here, black and white abstract art makes a bold statement over the sofa. Don't be afraid to still accessorize with a few pops of color here and there. A single vase of pink roses livens up this otherwise subdued space.
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02 of 23
Say Yes to Scandinavian Style
Alvin Wayne
If you've always admired Scandinavian style, it's an excellent way to embrace an all-neutral palette. This living room features classic cane chairs and an expansive white sectional, making the setup both chic and perfect for hosting large groups.
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03 of 23
Add Little Touches
Design Lines Signature
This living room features a wide variety of neutral tones which play together wonderfully to create a space that is neat and orderly yet still warm and inviting. Don't underestimate the power of small touches like table lamps, picture frames, and trinkets.
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04 of 23
Show Off Some Marble
Think Chic Interiors
A round marble and black coffee table stands out against darker seating in this oversized living room. Marble is a popular material used in neutral spaces of all kinds; it's excellent given that it can be styled to look Parisian, contemporary, or traditional, it all depends on the specific furniture piece chosen.
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05 of 23
Think Pink
Think Chic Interiors
You may not traditionally think of pink as a neutral color, but designers say that it can certainly be seen as one. In this feminine living room, pops of pink add a touch of charm.
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06 of 23
Let the View Speak for Itself
Alvin Wayne
If your living room features floor-to-ceiling windows, going neutral can be a smart tactic, given that you won't want your furniture to distract from the amazing view outside. Whether you overlook city skyscrapers, a body of water, or a beautiful mountain range, you'll want to make the most of that gasp-worthy view.
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07 of 23
Go Green
Louis Duncan-He
Don't forget to add some greenery to your neutral living room. A couple of plants will really liven up your space and provide just the right amount of color.
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08 of 23
Say Oui Oui
Louis Duncan-He
If you love all things Parisian, neutrals are a great way to go—many French living rooms are black, white, and gray. Of course, don't hesitate to add pops of gold or brass, too. The oversized brass mirror leaning on the mantel makes this space look extra grand.
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09 of 23
Make it Mid-Century Modern
Louis Duncan-He
This neutral living room is rooted in mid-century modern style and is kept fairly minimal. Note that leather pieces blend with wood tones nicely; consider subbing a leather or faux leather ottoman in place of a standard coffee table for a laidback vibe.
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10 of 23
Try This Art Approach
Louis Duncan-He
This neutral living room is very minimal and proves that you don't need many accessories to still make a sophisticated statement. If you wish to display art on a gallery wall, opt for black and white photos or figure drawings that won't disrupt the overall color scheme in your space.
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11 of 23
Shop Your House
Louis Duncan-He
Neutrals can be oh so cozy! Shop your own home for pieces that will complement your neutral color scheme wonderfully. For example, a few crates can be stacked to serve as a side table, and those wooden figurines sitting on your bookshelf may look lovely on the coffee table for a change.
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12 of 23
Keep It Coastal
Desiree Burns
If you love coastal style, you can definitely embrace it by using plenty of neutrals. White sofas and accent furniture will bring that Coastal Grandmother aesthetic to life in no time. Additionally, jute rugs are great for neutral and coastal spaces alike and are ultra-durable to boot.
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13 of 23
Incorporate Hot Trends
Desiree Burns
Embrace the latest design trends in your living room by having fun with shapes and textures. Here, a fluted console table provides extra surface space behind the sectional sofa, while a curved piece positioned beside the staircase serves as a valuable command center.
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14 of 23
Keep the Mantel Simple
Cathie Hong Interiors
We see a lot of maximalist mantels, but there's no need to go overboard when decorating yours. Stick to a few neutral accents—sconces, vases, or sculptures—then draw in some nature in the form of a potted plant or bouquet.
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15 of 23
Say Yes to Texture
Cathie Hong Interiors
To ensure that your neutral space looks nice and inviting and not too stark, play up the cozy factor. An oversized knit blanket adds texture to this space and encourages visitors to cuddle up and get comfortable.
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16 of 23
Style the Media Console
Cathie Hong Interiors
Your media console provides many a styling opportunity, and to keep your neutral theme going, why not decorate the piece with some black and white art and a stack of coffee table books? You can still showcase your personality and interests while sticking to a color scheme.
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17 of 23
Celebrate a Stone Fireplace
Ashley Montgomery Design
Neutral pieces will complement a stone fireplace like this one perfectly. Bring in those wood tones, wicker pieces, whites, and grays—all of these shades and textures will blend together to result in a warm, inviting space.
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18 of 23
Bring Out the Pillows
Ashley Montgomery Design
Don't forget the pillows! Bring some farmhouse charm to your living room by displaying throw pillows in neutral colors and setting out your favorite ceramic vessels. And of course, you can't forget the shiplap walls to complete the look.
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19 of 23
Layer, Layer, Layer
Ashley Montgomery Design
It's all about the layers in this living room, which also embraces the farmhouse look. A potted tree adds height and contrast to the space—even if you don't trust yourself to keep a live plant thriving, you can replicate this setup with a faux option.
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20 of 23
Embrace Transitional Style
Whittney Parkinson Design
This transitional style living room features a stunning sculptural coffee table and a beautiful abstract art piece that add plenty of character. It's more than ok to weave in small amounts of color to play off favorite works—blue pillows complement the blue-gray art without being too overwhelming.
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Add English Cottage Charm
Whittney Parkinson Design
Add English cottage charm to your neutral space by skillfully incorporating small touches of blue and plum, as we see here. Again, neutral living rooms don't need to be completely devoid of color; it's all about selectively choosing pieces that will enhance your space.
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22 of 23
Let Architectural Features Shine
Whittney Parkinson Design
This neutral living room features gorgeous high ceilings, exposed beams, and wood paneling, and to play up these features, it's smart to keep furniture subdued in color and relatively simple. Let the architectural detail do the talking!
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23 of 23
Hang or DIY Some Art
Whittney Parkinson Design
Abstract art and neutral spaces go hand in hand. Struggling to find a piece you love? You can always create your own—many DIYers have used spackle atop canvas to design fantastic textured works.
10 versatile and timeless designs |
(Image credit: Catherine Gratwicke / Future )
If you're after the latest neutral living room ideas, then you have landed on the right page. For many years we were in love with all shades of peach, cream and magnolia – the color choices of property developers despite being the butt of many ‘discerning’ interior designer’s jokes.
However, now the tide has turned, and those creamy neutrals have been brought up-to-date with a sophisticated gray, taupe and coffee palette. These are the new neutral living room ideas that will happily blend with bold contemporary shades (such as lime, cobalt, shocking pink and acid yellow) or complement stronger, deeper heritage tones.
Team neutral living room ideas with the latest rustic wood finishes, and look at contrasting colors and textured materials. We show you how to create the perfect neutral living room scheme.
Neutral living room ideas
When looking for living room color ideas, these are fail-safe choices. These versatile neutral living room ideas will encompass a thousand shades of gray, oyster, café au lait and green-grays, are easy on the eye and a very good choice for those who prefer a subtle hue, rather than dramatic shades. Use the 'new neutrals' right through to practical living room paint ideas to achieve the finish you desire for your neutral room ideas, and add in plenty of layering for a cozy appeal.
1. Add layering with neutral tones
(Image credit: Mark Alexander)
Beige living room ideas are so much more exciting than they sound. This room is abundant with textures, from the mixed tones of the herringbone tiled floor and the different woods in the furniture, through to the chalky finish of the handcrafted Japanese paper wallcovering from Mark Alexander and the blocky design of their upholstery cloth.
Though the palette is neutral, the scheme feels rich and full of interest thanks to all the texture and pattern from the variety of surface materials and finishes.
'Such a chic look, this room is a beautiful example of how a pared back, neutral scheme can still feel warm and layered. It is all about how you mix in different materials and textures,' says Emma Thomas, Homes & Gardens' Style Editor.
2. Introduce color to a neutral scheme for a chic scheme
(Image credit: Michael Sinclair / Ali Brown )
Neutral living rooms are so much more successful when texture is emphasized, as here in the tonal mix of blues with the warm whites and additional wood accents.
The fresh modern rustic scheme has been brought to life with the introduction of gentle watery blue hues. The smooth finish of the painted wall boards and crisp sofa upholstery offer a neutral backdrop for the addition of the tonal mix of slubby blues, from the aqua linen sofa loose cover from Threads at GP&J Baker and soft teal linen sheer curtain to the tapestry-style cushion and aged rug.
3. Introduce the warmth of wood for natural tones
(Image credit: Jan Baldwin / Katrin Cargill / Emma Thomas)
If you're toying with the idea of white living room ideas, you will want to introduce warmth. Crisp neutral living room walls are given an instant lift when you introduce natural timber pieces. A beautifully reeded front gives this buffet a modern elegance. The warm wood tones are echoed in the panels of the deep window frame. A pared- back selection of monochrome artwork, sculpture and white plaster lamp adds a contemporary freshness. Additional texture can be found in the linen curtain and flatweave rug.
4. Choose a pale, neutral palette for a timeless feel
(Image credit: Kingcome / Christopher Horwood)
This gracefully proportioned sofa from Kingcome , shown here with soft upholstered loose covers in a crisp white linen, sits elegantly alongside the handwoven textures of a beautifully thick braided jute rug from Emily’s House London and ceramic lamp with natural linen shade. The mix of textures and tones from the most pure and refined to the more tactile and natural combine for a chic yet informal look, pleasing on the eye.
'Traditionally handcrafted English furniture always promises a pleasing attention to detail, a sense of quality and longevity and works beautifully in both classic and modern spaces and with a mix of styles. And pieces, such as this classic sofa, when upholstered in a new crisp white linen loose cover, feel fresh and contemporary,' says Emma Thomas.
5. Introduce the 'new neutrals' for a warm feel
(Image credit: Elicyon)
There is a movement towards 'new neutrals', with warmer pinks and spice shades being included by many interior designers as neutral backdrops in their schemes.
Charu Gandhi, interior designer and founder of Elicyon, who designed the room above, explains: 'The new neutrals are warm by nature. An underlay of yellow pigmentation throughout creates a cozy cocooning aesthetic, regardless of scale. '
6. Paint your living room in shades of gray
(Image credit: VSP Interiors )
Gray living room ideas are undeniably popular. This cool color adds a sophisticated edge, elegance and a refinement to a room, and is a go-to for anyone who wants an easy-to-live with tone that will go with almost any other color.
‘Grays are a decorating staple – and can be combined in both classical and contemporary decoration with ease and elegance,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene .
Due to its versatility, most colors go with gray – it is a neutral after all, which means gray will act like a blank canvas on which you can put your mark.
7. Give neutral living room ideas a lift with art and furnishings
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
If you are a keen collector or art connoisseur, then neutral living rooms provide the perfect backdrop for a prestigious gallery wall or collection.
'Knowing what overall ambiance you are aiming to achieve in your home helps when creating a bespoke selection, and the relationship between the artwork and its surroundings plays a central role when designing the desired atmosphere,' advises Federica Barretta, director of Opera Gallery London
Here, the addition of rough and coarser textures like reclaimed wood, velvet and terracotta have 'visual weight' and create a cozy, rustic aesthetic in this otherwise predominantly pale neutral living room.
8. Enhance a white living room with texture
(Image credit: ND Studios)
This versatile neutral is one of the most popular shades for interiors, offering a blank canvas that illuminates dark spaces and make even the smallest rooms feel spacious, light and bright.
Texture in interior design is imperative if you want to create a cozy living room. Quite simply, without texture, a white living room space will fall flat. It's crucial to look at the room as a whole and bring an area together with mixed materials for vibrancy and warmth.
'Textures help to keep a space from feeling flat or one dimensional,' says Tiffany Leigh, of Tiffany Leigh Design . 'Texture in interior design is all about creating tactile moments that invite touch.'
9. Introduce an accent color
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
Neutral walls are the perfect canvas for a variety of bright, bold colors. Gray works perfectly with brown living room ideas, black and wood – really, all natural tones.
When neutrals such as gray, white, beige and taupe are married with green or blue living room accents, like in the scheme above, it works as an indulgent and glamorous color choice.
10. Warm up with wood, leather and linen
(Image credit: Matthew Williams / Future)
One important aspect to consider when decorating with neutrals is bringing in as much texture as possible, as it creates interest and layers – important factors when strong colors are out of the picture. Consider natural wood elements and warm metallics like brass and bronze alongside velvets, linens, leather and chunky knits.
When it comes to wood, Barak Alberro, architect and head of design at Banda Design Studio , advises: 'Gray is a versatile color which pairs well with natural wood furniture. It works particularly successfully in large spaces where a bolder color would be too much.'
11. Decorate with a black and white color palette
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)
Many rooms are suited to the neutral look, but as they are so relaxing, monochromatically neutral designs are especially perfect for a main living room. It will feel very fresh, clean and balanced.
A straight 50:50 split between white and black living room colors could make the space feel rather cold. Instead, pair monochromatic neutral living room ideas with wood and leather, and add another vital ingredient, texture.
While monochrome decorating can be tricky to get right, a considered approach will be rewarded by a simple but impactful scheme. Monochrome interiors can work especially well in period homes, where the striking color contrast can highlight and complement original features.
12. Layer pattern and texture
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
A peaceful blend of neutrals is a classic approach to creating a beautiful scheme with a sense of calm. The trick is to incorporate subtle pattern into neutral living room ideas to achieve depth and interest.
In this scheme, pattern and texture reign supreme, all in a muted tonal palette. While large-scale prints can feel overwhelming, a variety of small-scale patterns on repeat add a decorative appeal without dominating a room.
13. Consider the light levels in neutral living room ideas
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
Light is really important when choosing neutrals. If a space gets a lot of natural light, we tend to go with lighter tones and enjoy the beautiful shadowing that will come in throughout the day, creating another layer of texture. In rooms with limited light, it’s naturally more moody, so darker neutrals can be very effective.
Plus, it is vital to invest in good artificial lighting. The right living room lighting ideas can highlight architectural features, provide dramatic decorative effects, create illusions of space and define zones in open plan areas.
14. Create a cocooning feel with dark neutral living room ideas
(Image credit: Catherine Gratwicke / Future )
Using a dark neutral palette base is a clever way to create a modern look to a room, while still retaining traditional and classical elements. The trick is to turn up the texture volumes in a room where the colors have been stripped back – it will help add atmosphere and character, and stops the space from feeling too flat and one dimensional.
Start with a calico or natural linen wallpaper. Depending on the hue, it will automatically give the room a softer more inviting feeling. Continue the dark living room ideas at the windows by hanging a set of weighty linen curtains in a plain neutral – here a dark gray/green has been used – and hang them generously so that they pool on the floor to give a more relaxed, pared-back look.
Then let the artwork and decorative pieces do most of the talking, with the accent of a ticking stripe on the cushions and floor just to soften the scheme.
15. Introduce a hint of shiny metallics for glamor
(Image credit: Future / Damian Russell)
Metallics, and in particular gold, are an age-old way to communicate opulence in an interior. Used sparingly as thread in tapestry and embroidery in the Medieval period, through to opulent Art Deco interiors and, later, the 1980s prevalence for shiny brassware, using precious metals in a room has long been a way to communicate a sense of importance (or depending on your point of view, brashness) in a home.
But it needn’t be a controversial color choice. When employed judiciously and sparingly, glimmers of metallics, be they on fabrics and upholstery on the walls or on details such as cushions and rugs, introduce a flattering luminosity to the space.
Employed here in a very modern context, the metallic scheme serves to outline and show off the dramatic artwork, interesting lighting and stylish curves of the furniture.
What is a nice neutral color for a living room?
From oyster and beige to sand and gray hues, the secret to neutrals is to pick the right tones for the type of light coming into your room. Cool light works well with warmer neutrals, while south-facing light has a yellow hue, so cooler neutral colors are best.
Layers of similar tones keep a scheme from feeling flat, while accents of dark gray, brown or black can be used to punctuate.
How do you style a neutral living room?
A neutral scheme can still be inspiring and have depth. It’s important to consider texture, whether through pattern, such as a lacquered fabric, or by mixing finishes, like a matte wall with gloss paint on the ceiling. These elements create interest that will make neutral living room ideas sing.
If you want a room that’s very calming, stay completely in the neutral world with a more monochromatic look. However, if you want a splash of energy, then include one incredible piece of art, a colorful rug, or blue or green living room accents to create interest and personality.
How do you add color to a neutral living room?
There are many ways to add color to a neutral living room, from living room furniture ideas and living room seating ideas, to colorful accessories and decorating with art. The beauty having living room walls in neutral shades like cream, beige, white and grey is that they pair with almost any color so make a great foundation for layering bold pieces.
'Having beige walls allows key pieces of furniture in the room to really stand out, whether it's a luxurious, jewel-toned velvet sofa or an armchair in a bold pattern. It also allows you to make a statement of any artwork you have up, allowing the art to do all the talking,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director, Kelling Designs.
When it comes to what accent colors work well in neutral living rooms it's important to pay attention to the tone of the wall color says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown .
'As with any neutral or white, whether it is a warm or cool color depends on whether it has underlying hints of the warmth of something like pink or the coolness of a blue. So if you are using a deep red you can complement it with a warm grey/beige, conversely you can mix a colder grey with cooler blues, deep greys and greens.'
'Earthy tones in particular feel really neutral and warming and play to the aesthetic perfectly,' adds Samantha Wilson of Collection Noir.
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.
Black living room: interior features and recommendations 0 Comments
The bold interior of the black living room is the choice of those who are ready to change their prejudices. It is believed that this shade carries a depressive mood. Black color is associated with gothic, horror, but in fact it is a very deep, luxurious color. Experienced designers claim that real miracles can be created with this shade, creating solemn, elegant interiors.
In Japan, black is a symbol of life experience, nobility. It brings kindness, shows morality, purity of a person. In African countries, color speaks of hard work. For many architects, designers, black is an opportunity to show the beauty of the interior of Jadot, Duisen, Diran.
Features black
Each person has their own association with black. Some represent boundless outer space, while others represent luxury, wealth, minimalism.
In terms of projects, black is always thought out more carefully when choosing stains. It helps to create the effect of the disappearance of space, expanding it and hiding the boundaries. Even black ceilings do not have the oppressive effect that is expected.
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Light in the dark
When decorating a living room in black tones, you should be careful with choosing the shade of the floor. On a dark background, dirt is clearly visible, especially if it is a wooden floor. It is best to use aged stone materials in a black living room. The heterogeneity of the texture will allow the floor to always look clean, have a completely decent look.
Thinking through the design, it is worth paying attention to warmth, good lighting. Otherwise, the room will be too cold and dark.
Neutral shades help to dilute black. They help to give accuracy to the design, balance it, getting rid of excess gloom, congestion.
Advantages black
Using black helps to highlight other elements. To show the beauty of the metal, its brilliance, it is recommended to use black wallpaper for wall decoration. This combination of Art Deco style is the perfect solution, emphasizing the integrity, richness. The warmer tone of the metal helps soften the aggression of the dark.
Ways to bring a room to life
No matter what they say, the black room will always remain lifeless. In order to somehow revive it, it is necessary to use different materials, textures. Glass, plastic elements, metal are suitable for this. Textiles help add warmth. Stone and glossy furniture will help to add charm, and a stretch ceiling will increase the space.
Mirrors are used to enhance the depth of space. Mirror tiles are placed on one of the walls, and the other, located opposite, is made completely black.
Suitable for revitalizing prints. They can be classical or geometric. Good for abstractions. You can try to combine different ornaments.
Special recommendations
When creating a black interior, you should not focus on one color. To create a stylistic unity, contrasting objects are selected. Prints are used to soften transitions. The main rule is to use no more than three tones.
If you wish, you can create a contrast between the color of the furniture and the walls. It is important to consider the style in which the room is decorated. If this is a loft, which involves focusing on a brick wall, then the furniture is selected from leather. Embossed textiles look good against the background of smooth walls.
When experimenting with decor, the main thing is not to overdo it. An excess of such elements is much worse than their deficiency. In a black living room, understatement is better. Any doubt regarding the chosen subject must be resolved with a refusal. Better look for something else.
What to wear with black
When decorating a room, it is important to consider the combination of colors. White and black is a classic. Some find this decision annoying, while others believe that it is an energetic decision. In a black and white interior, there may be a chess pattern, stripes, a cage.
Usually in such rooms they make a light floor. Although there are options that combine light walls and a black ceiling.
If you want to add red, you should be especially careful about choosing a shade. It should not be flashy, otherwise, instead of a passionate and romantic design, you will get an aggressive room that will constantly annoy. You can complement the red-black room with beige, white.
Shades of noble metals are beautifully revealed: silver, gold. They are able to create stylish combinations, giving the living room "luxury".
How not to fall into darkness
Usually a black shade is diluted with light tones. Most often used in combination with white. However, in recent years, such a decision has been perceived negatively. And then the designers came to the decision to use cream shades for dilution.
A black living room will be combined with other colors in different ways, depending on the proportions. The more dark the color, the more dramatic the room will be. Do not use black with brown, purple, dark shades of green. Such combinations make the room lifeless, empty. But replacing them with lighter shades will help fill it with new meaning. It can be light green, coffee or lavender. A bad decision is the use of yellow, orange, red. They will bring aggression.
Having decided to decorate the living room in black, it is worth considering the lighting. The room should have a maximum of natural light, large window openings. Be sure to consider artificial lighting. LED lighting is laid along the perimeter of the ceiling or floor. There should be enough light in the room: chandeliers, spotlights.
Black living room addition
To expand the space, create bottomlessness, use a black glossy ceiling. It symbolizes infinity, showing its dominance in the interior. Such a ceiling combines all the elements into a single structure. Even in a small room, such a ceiling will look perfect, but to enhance the effect, it is recommended to add built-in lighting.
Not everyone decides to make a completely black room, but use this color to decorate one wall. In this case, wallpaper with a relief pattern, silver is used. Matte paint can be used for finishing. Against the background of a black wall, interior items look especially advantageous.
The most daring decision is the black floor. He is able to make a fulcrum for everything that is planned to be placed in the room. A room with a black floor does not seem so empty, and the furniture looks spectacular. The black floor fits perfectly into any environment.
When choosing a black floor, as a rule, the walls are left light. To complement the interior, they are trimmed with a strip.
A good solution is to use black furniture. Once upon a time, only emperors could install it in their palaces, but today it is available to everyone. Leather sofa models are ideally combined with white walls, and textile options with beige. When planning to acquire furniture of this color, the walls are made neutral. Black furniture looks perfect on any background.
Well complements the interior, which uses a modular storage system. Ideally, it brings space, although it requires the support of light shades.
If you are not ready to radically change the room, then you should start small, adding black objects to the room, changing the furniture.
Black and gray living room design (41 photos)
A strict gray and black living room will appeal to business people and perfectionists, creative workers tired of mental stress, as well as people who are fond of philosophy and fans minimalist . How to create it from scratch - we will tell in this article.
WHY GRAY AND BLACK LIVING ROOM?
In a gray-black room you will enjoy silence, protect yourself from stress and negativity, you can read and work in the evenings in peace. In addition, a minimalist living room in gray and black looks expensive.
Successful people prefer these particular colors, because they have already proved everything to the outside world and do not want extra brightness, flashiness, sham chic.
- See all about gray
- See all about black
A significant advantage of the black and gray design of the living room is that it is long-lasting. Calm dark tones will not bother you a month after the repair. And if the severity of the dark scale still bothers you over time, add color accents. Refreshing greens or turquoises, warm yellows, fiery reds - complement your interior with whatever you want.
- See interior colors
Psychologists also say that gray and black tones awaken sexuality. In such a neutral environment, feelings and sensations are sharpened, because these colors do not draw attention to themselves and thus do not steal our precious energy.
But despite all the advantages of the gray-black range, many are afraid to work with it, as there is a great risk of getting not a cozy home corner, but a faceless concrete box that resembles an office. How to avoid this - we will show next.
IN WHAT PROPORTION DO YOU MIX BLACK AND GRAY FOR A LIVING ROOM INTERIOR?
Do not try to have black and gray in half - there is no need for this. And according to some experts, this is even a mistake. It is better to mix in a ratio of 2: 1, and what color will be in the lead role depends on the dimensions of your living room and its illumination.
A small or poorly lit room on the north side of the house should be decorated predominantly in gray, and it should be a light or moderate shade of gray. And it is also desirable to use an additional neutral color - white. It is needed to facilitate the transitions between black and gray. White visually enlarges the space, adds freshness, coolness and lightness.
Here are some examples of small living rooms in gray and black.
Don't like sterile white? Then take its alternative shade - for example, creamy. This is the same white, only with a subtle yellow undertone. Creamy will create a softer and calmer contrast with black and gray.
In a spacious or well-lit southern living room, black is acceptable as a dominant. Black will slightly reduce the space and will absorb excess sunlight.
Large living rooms and combined kitchen-living rooms in black and gray are shown in the photo.
When choosing finishing materials, furniture and textiles, try to find interesting combinations of textures: glossy and matte, smooth and rough. Multi-texture will diversify your interior and make it more lively, dynamic. Read more about the finishing of the main surfaces, furniture and textiles, read on.
HOW TO INTRODUCE A GRAY AND BLACK COMBINATION IN THE LIVING ROOM
Let's look at the options for finishing walls, floors and ceilings, the principles of furniture selection, lighting features of a dark living room, as well as its textile and decorative design.
1. BASIC SURFACES
The easiest and safest option is to make the walls light gray and give black an accent role.
If you want to decorate your walls in dark gray or even black, think about wall graphics - be they photographs, posters or paintings. Black and white graphics with a dominant light background will look best.
Here are some more ideas for wall decoration:
- brick accent wall;
- large geometric and abstract prints;
- moldings;
- niches in walls;
- embossed wallpaper;
- grey-black wallpaper for one or two walls or part of a wall.
Brick accent wall is a hallmark of industrial and masculine design styles (loft, urban, industrial, brutalism). It is not necessary to design the entire living room in the same style - you can mix elements from different directions in one space. The photo shows a mix of loft and neoclassical elements.
- See description of interior styles
Wallpaper with a large geometric or abstract print is suitable for a large space of a combined kitchen-living room. Large drawings slightly reduce the volume of the room, which plays a plus for a spacious living room - this makes it more comfortable.
When creating neoclassical gray and black living rooms, plain walls are often decorated with white moldings. Light moldings bring a tangible revival, dilute the atmosphere.
As you have already noticed, designers are always “hiding” something: they hide heating radiators, disguise household appliances under the general context, and even change traditional cabinets and shelving for niches in the walls. This is a good solution for those who appreciate minimalism. In addition, it is convenient and creative.
Do you remember about multi-texture? This is no longer just a trend, but a certain rule for the design of modern interiors. For example, you can order embossed wallpaper - at least for finishing one or two walls.
And, of course, in the range of wallpapers you will find grey-black with classic, geometric and floral prints. They also paste over one or two walls, less often - all four. And they also decorate part of the wall with such wallpaper - for example, above the fireplace portal.
As for the flooring, it is better to choose a black, dark gray or brown finishing material for light walls, and a light one for dark walls.
Ceilings in these living rooms are usually done in white or light gray. Although the desire to have a black glossy ceiling is not criminal, but even original. Only in this case, minimize the amount of black furniture and decor so as not to overload the interior and avoid the feeling of a dark cave.
2. LIGHTING
A black and gray living room needs maximum natural and artificial lighting. The only way to influence the degree of natural light is to make panoramic windows. And with artificial lighting it’s easier: introduce spotlights along the contour of the ceiling, consider the location of sconces, floor lamps, and lamps. Try to avoid dark, unlit corners - you can even build light bulbs into the floor or wall for this.
3. FURNITURE
The two main principles of furniture selection are alternation and monochrome. More often they go by alternation: they put gray furniture next to the black wall, and black furniture next to the gray one.
The monochrome principle is used in the furnishing of small living rooms. In this case, the walls are light gray and the furniture is the same, and black is embedded in the accents. But keep in mind that there should still be one fairly large black object - for example, a coffee table. Several small black accessories on a light gray background will look like blots, but if you have one large dark element, you will already get some kind of meaningful, holistic composition.
4. TEXTILE
In the southern living room, decorated mainly in black, there will be enough translucent light curtains - gray or white. After all, black absorbs light anyway, so it makes no sense to hang heavy curtains. But in the southern room with a light gray dominant, it is better to choose a darker fabric - for example, a graphite shade.
In the northern room, it is worth limiting yourself to light transparent curtains. If the room is very small, then completely abandon the traditional curtains - it is better to hang roller blinds or blinds.
5. DECOR
Do not want to deviate from the gray-black range even in decor? Then focus on original shapes, lines and patterns.
And for those who are afraid to get tired of the dark colors over time, you can start by collecting a small set of accessories in the third accent color - red, yellow, orange, green, turquoise or purple.
7 GREY-BLACK LIVING IDEAS:
At the end of our excursion, we have a small selection of ideas for inspiration.
1. MODULAR PICTURES WITH VOLUMETRIC ELEMENTS
Many people now order modular paintings in online stores. Modular means divided into parts. There are two or three modules, four or five. And usually these are flat printed images. The photo shows an example of a deviation from this pattern.
Three-dimensional flowers are arranged here on three modules. Most likely made of metal. Please note that this modular picture is also equipped with small light bulbs - it looks very impressive, glamorous and feminine.
2. CUSTOM MIRROR
A rectangular mirror is a little boring. It is better to hang a round, oval or art deco mirror with rays (sunburst). There are also such non-standard mirrors - most likely, this is an exclusive designer product or from a limited edition. The contour resembles a man with crossed arms and evokes lofty religious associations.
We hope this photo will inspire you to look for an original mirror or have it custom made.
3. WALL FINISH WITH GOLD RAIL
As we have already said, dark gray and black walls are decorated with white moldings. And here is an option for finishing a white wall, although it will fit both gray and black. The wall is decorated with golden slats, forming a large geometric pattern. This idea is relevant for those who are interested in neoclassicism.
If you don't like slats but love gold, just spruce up your living room with this sparkly decor. In the photo - a vivid example of the fact that with skillful handling, gilding does not look tasteless at all. Note that the gold-plated accessories in this living room are successfully complemented by a modular painting with an epic storyline.
4. OPEN SHELVES
If you don't want to worry about wall niches, we recommend open shelves and shelving units. Especially such shelves are needed in a small room - performing their direct functions, they do not create a feeling of bulkiness and clutter.
5. CLEAR PLASTIC CHAIRS
Another feature for small living rooms is transparent plastic furniture. Works with a bang - allows you to accommodate all the guests and does not clutter up the space.
6. MIRROR FALSE WINDOW
Such a mirror with black slats is somewhat similar to a window, and this association has a positive effect on the perception of the interior. The mirror surface reflects light and visually enlarges the space. With such a mirror, the living room will seem brighter.
7. BIONIC FLOOR LAMP
In modern design, there is a tendency to transfer natural forms into the look of everyday objects. Here, for example, floor lamps, which with their outlines resemble trees and plants. There are both minimalist models and classic ones.
Please write in the comments to this article what you liked and what you would like to apply in your home. For more ideas go to our portfolio . And to get expert advice on creating the living room of your dreams and the entire apartment, call us at the numbers indicated or leave a request in the feedback form on the website below.
See also:
- Art Deco living room design
- Loft living room design
- Minimalist living room design
- Contemporary classic living room design
- Kitchen colors
- Bedroom colors
- Children's colors
♦ Heading: Color solutions for the living room.
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