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Paint schemes for living room


50 Best Living Room Color Ideas

Read McKendree

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

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

Seth Smoot

1 of 50

Gray-Purple

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

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Pearl

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

TREVOR PARKER

3 of 50

Cerulean Blue

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

Sean Litchfield

4 of 50

Cloudy Green

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

Alyssa Rosenheck

5 of 50

Sunny Yellow

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

Haris Kenjar

6 of 50

Ebony

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

Mali Azima

7 of 50

Red Clay

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

LAUREY GLENN

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Frost Blue

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

2022 TREVOR PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY

9 of 50

Teal

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

Bjorn Wallander

10 of 50

Sangria

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

Lisa Romerein

11 of 50

Cream

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

Jared Kuzia Photography

12 of 50

Dark Blue-Green

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

Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside

13 of 50

Dusty Rose

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

Anna Spiro Design

14 of 50

Buttercream

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

Brie Williams

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Pitch Black

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

Kendall McCaugherty

16 of 50

Peach

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

Read McKendree

17 of 50

Clay

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

Nicole Franzen

18 of 50

Off-White

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

Robert McKinley

19 of 50

Olive

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

Chris Mottalini

20 of 50

Steel Gray

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

Paul Raeside

21 of 50

Light Lime Green

Take your cues from the bold pattern mixing and modern artwork on display in this living room designed by Les Ensembliers. A light green color on the ceiling is an unexpected surprise that ties the whole room together. Here, it pairs beautifully with the yellow curtains, geometric green ottoman, and plenty of gray tones throughout.

Paul Raeside

22 of 50

Lemon Yellow

Does the thought of painting your living room yellow scare you to your very core? How about now that you've seen this timeless and cheerful living room designed by Michael Maher? One glance at this space, and we're about ready to repaint our own: It radiates warmth and offsets the cool blue tones.

Heidi Caillier

23 of 50

Light Fawn

This muted fawn color in a living room designed by Heidi Caillier is hard to pin down, and that's exactly why we like it. Not quite brown, not quite beige, it's a nice offbeat eath-tone option that functions as a neutral.

Simon Watson

24 of 50

Glossy Black-Green

Deep, dark, and glossy, the lacquered black-blue-green color makes this living room by Kristin Hein and Philip Cozzi seductive and mysterious. Paired with bohemian furniture and accents, the more moody qualities become more approachable and cozy.

Maura McEvoy

25 of 50

Kelly Green Splash

"I love the juxtaposition between the traditional space and the modern staircase," says Eliza Crater of Sister Parish Design. The rich kelly green accent wall and decorative floral curtains help bring some fullness and warmth to otherwise all-white surfaces in her home.

Bjorn Wallander

26 of 50

Charcoal

The traditional, neutral furniture in this room designed by Balsamo Antiques and Interior Design make a minimal visual impact so the moody colors, artwork, light fixtures, and other decorative accents can stand out. A deep, almost purple-gray tone turns out to be a wonderfully complex and evocative backdrop, so don't be afraid to try something different.

Douglas Friedman

27 of 50

Navy

Ann Pyne worked with decorative painter Arthur Fowler to create a contrasting geometric pattern on the walls. "I think of the puzzle-like shapes as a metaphor—it's a game of fitting all these disparate 'treasures' into a graphically coherent whole," she says. Matte navy blue and a gritty mustard tone work together to set a pensive and seductive backdrop—perfect for a smaller living room.

Heather Hilliard

28 of 50

Crisp White

A crisp, matte white is totally timeless. Sherwin-Williams Pure White is there for you when you're not interested in going for a trending paint color.

Francesco Lagnese

29 of 50

Mint Green

Channel a lush tropical oasis, as Thomas Jayne and William Cullum did, with this fresh color. In a living room where the paint stretches all the way up to the rafters, the hue changes depending on the way the light hits it, shifting between sharp mint and soft sea foam green.

Paul Raeside

30 of 50

Khaki

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

29 Best Blue Paint Colors

There's a reason why a blue is always in style: Depending on the shade, it can come off as evocative and moody, serene and calming, or bold and energetic. Plus, it pairs beautifully with a wide array of other colors (including wood tones and metallics). Since, considering the breadth of options, choosing the right blue paint can be a daunting task, we've put together a list of designers' favorite tried-and-true blue colors—from the palest powder blue to deep, glistening navy. Think of finding the right blue paint like searching for a pair of blue jeans that fit like a glove: Whether your decor is uber-traditional or super-modern, there's a perfect blue for you out there!

Water's Edge by Benjamin Moore

PAUL DYER

Icy blues bring clear skies indoors. “For a client’s library that opens to a garden and pool, we chose this beautiful blue-gray to give the illusion of bringing the outside in," says designer Paloma Contreras, who matched Water's Edge by Benjamin Moore to a high-gloss lacquer for a mirror-like finish.

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Water's Edge 1635, $49

Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball

"There's a kind of clarity in the air after a rain, and this color has the same feeling," says designer Katie Maine. She adds: "It suddenly makes the ceiling of a room seem taller, and the space somehow becomes larger. It totally changes the room's energy and makes you feel like you can finally take a big, deep breath!"

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light No. 235, $130

Smoke Ring by Pratt & Lambert

Pratt & Lambert

"This icy blue has a cool crispness that's refreshing," says designer Robert Stilin. "I'd add fabrics in different tones of the same shade, like navy and slate, to create a layered, monochromatic look." Or, as Stilin recommends, you can bring in contrasting colors like brown and red to add warmth and coziness.

BUY NOW Pratt & Lambert Smoke Ring, $97

Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball

Trevor Tondro

Painting an office? Try a gray-blue. "Studies have shown that blue helps your ability to focus," explains Sheila Bridges, who used Farrow & Ball's Oval Room Blue for this room. "This particular shade has a little gray in it, and that makes it even more soothing."

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue 85, $115

Early Frost Blue by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore

"Some people would call this pale gray, but it actually has blue and purple in it," says designer Brian Paquette. He continues: "To me, it's the color of the fog out here in Seattle. I used it in a living room with massive windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and at certain times of the day, you couldn't tell the difference between the sea and the sky and the walls. They were all the same color."

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Early Frost CSP-590, $49

Blue Veil by Benjamin Moore

Farrow & Ball

"This has the coolness of a long, tall drink of water on a hot day," says designer James Howard. "I use it frequently for ceilings because it's subtle. It catches your eye but doesn't yell. Or, if you want to dazzle, do it in high gloss on the walls, and the space will be electrified!"

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Blue Veil 875, $49

Light Blue by Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball

Designer Susan Ferrier adores this light blue shade. "When you think of the color of a lake, you have to think about trees and shadows and clouds," she explains. "It's muddled, like this gray-blue. It's not a clear jewel tone, like the ocean. The ocean, with its breaking waves, is all about energy. Lake water is more soothing. It laps at the shore. This gray-blue kind of washes over a room, and you don't see the clutter."

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Light Blue 22, $115

Sweet Bluette by Benjamin Moore

benjamin moore

"My favorite blue paint is Benjamin Moore 813 Sweet Bluette, says New York City designer Marie Burgos. "This color is part of the Benjamin Moore Classics, and its timeless appeal complements styles from traditional to modern and everything in between. It is such a soft color tone which brings an overall sense of relaxation and healing—perfect for a bedroom design or a nursery."

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Sweet Bluette 813, $49

Drenched Rain by Dunn-Edwards

Dunn-Edwards

"This is a romantic and charming blue with soft undertones of gray," says designer Ryan Saghian. He adds: "For me, it embodies Paris in the rain—the silvery reflections on the streets, the misty sky, the coat-grabbing wind. It's a very soothing color, so I see it in either a bedroom or a breakfast room. Pair it with yellows and oranges to make the blue look even richer."

BUY NOW Dunn-Edwards Drenched Rain DE5883, $5

Jet Stream Blue by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore

"I used this in the study of a Manhattan apartment with panoramic views out to the Hudson River," says designer Raji Radhakrishnan. "It blurred the edges of the walls and seemed as if the sky was lulled inside to wrap the room in one fell swoop. And the blue of the sky was reflected in the river. Spike it with shades of green, inspired by the treetops and lots of white."

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Jet Stream 814, $49

March Wind by Pratt & Lambert

Francesco Lagnese

Walls lacquered in Pratt & Lambert’s March Wind help brighten this north-facing room in an apartment designed by Nick Olsen.

BUY NOW Pratt & Lambert March Wind, $84

Caribbean Sea by Glidden

Glidden

"In Turkey, the sea is so clear and so bright—a true ocean blue, like this color," says designer David Phoenix. He adds: "You see the same blue in the tiles in the Blue Mosque. It has endless depth, and that makes it very calming. I'm imagining it in a high-gloss finish in an entry or a library. After all, it's only paint. Take a risk and go for it!"

BUY NOW Glidden Caribbean Sea GLB02, $26

Dynamic Blue by Sherwin-Williams

Dane Tashima

"Dynamic Blue by Sherwin-Williams is a blue bursting with joy," says designer Courtney McLeod, who used it in her own living room. "It strikes a wonderful balance between being bold and bright but also quite livable. It is also a great backdrop for other bold colors."

BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams Dynamic Blue 6958, $115

Major Blue by Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams

"Certain shades of blue immediately take me away to a tropical island, and this is one of them," says designer Debbie Viola. "Even though it's a medium-bright tone, it's still calming yet vibrant enough to make me feel happy as soon as I enter the room." She suggests adding accents of tangerine and lime green to enhance the tropical flavor.

BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams Major Blue 6795, $115

Cruising by Sherwin-­Williams

ROBERT PETERSON / RUSTIC WHITE

In designer Vern Yip's Florida home, a kitchen with cabinetry painted in Cruising by Sherwin-Williams is the epitome of life at the beach. It offers a welcoming energy that can't be beat, especially considering the rest of the home is covered in other bright colors, patterns, and textures that give it great liveliness.

BUY NOW Sherwin-­Williams Cruising SW 6782, $115

Celestial Blue by Valspar

Valspar

"I like real colors, as opposed to those that are just a hint of something," explains designer Harry Heissmann. He continues: "I love clarity, and this is a clear blue. Anything you put against it—a black bamboo bed, a bright abstract painting—will pop. And the light in the room takes on a wonderful atmospheric quality. You feel good in it."

BUY NOW Valspar Celestial Blue 5003-9C, $45

Thunderbird by Benjamin Moore

COURTESY OF KIRILL ISTOMIN INTERIOR DESIGN

"This sitting room was inspired by the ethereal blues found in Kandinsky paintings hanging in the Hermitage Museum," says Kirill Istomin of this muted turquoise hue, Thunderbird by Benjamin Moore.

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Thunderbird 675, $49

Turquoise Tint by Valspar

Valspar

"On vacation in the Caribbean islands, I was walking along a street and stopped to sit on a ledge so I could look down at the water, which was exactly this color," says designer Erinn Valencich. She continues: "And suddenly, just three feet away, all these tropical fish were swimming by in the most amazing purples, yellows, and greens. We humans can make many beautiful things, but nothing is more beautiful than what's already here in nature."

BUY NOW Valspar Turquoise Tint 5006-10B, $62

Green Blue by Farrow & Ball

Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

"My favorite blue paint color is Farrow & Ball's Green Blue #84," says designer Chad Graci. He explains: "I love using this clear, mutable blue for its chameleon-like quality. It can feel coastal, historic, or just plain fresh when you need it to."

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Green Blue 84, $115

Clare Good Jeans

courtesy of Ashley Izsak

Designer Ashley Izsak selected Clare Paint's Good Jeans for this entryway because it worked so well with the wallpaper she chose (Endless Summer by York Wallcoverings). "This shade of blue almost feels like a neutral because of its toned down soft qualities and works well in our open-concept space to add a little bit of drama without feeling intense," the designer gushes.

BUY NOW Clare Paint Good Jeans, $64

Antiguan Sky by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore

"Aqua is a calming color, which balances a fiery red-head like me and makes for a pretty room," says designer Lindsey Coral Harper. "Actually, most people look good in aqua, and when you look good, you feel more confident."

She likes to use a range of one color, so she'll add a darker teal or Prussian blue with this one. "Red or pink would punch it up and give it more pizzazz," she adds.

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Antiguan Sky 2040-60, $49

Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball

Simon Watson

When it comes painting to pint-sized rooms, designers often reach for a deep, dark blue, like perennial favorite Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. "Because the library is small, it lent itself to a rich jewel-box treatment," says Jeanette Whitson of this stunning space.

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Hague Blue No. 30, $115

Santa Monica Blue by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore

"This is the deep, almost Prussian blue of the ocean in the Bahamas at low tide," says designer Alessandra Branca. "When you combine it with coral-colored fabrics, it's amazing." Branca has used this color in a bedroom with blue-and-white toile. The designer recommends going for it if you live near the sea or want to constantly be reminded of it.

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Santa Monica Blue 776, $49

Sea Serpent by Sherwin-Williams

EMILY FOLLOWILL

“I love the kitchen—it suits their personality: cool and sophisticated,” says designer Melanie Millner of the Atlanta kitchen she designed for a pair of coastal bon vivants. The backsplash has a nice hint of blue in it that pairs well with the cabinetry painted in Sea Serpent by Sherwin-Williams, making the space one seriously dreamy place to cook.

BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams Sea Serpent SW 7615, $115

Pitch Blue by Farrow & Ball

Jana Davis Pearl

"I love this color because it changes throughout the day," says designer Kelly Finley. "The pigments are so rich that sometimes it reads as if there is a little periwinkle in the blue and from another angle, it is a true dark blue." Finley notes that the color adds a ton of depth when used on furniture that most other paints can't achieve.

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Pitch Blue No. 220, $115

Pitch Blue by Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball

Designer Dan Barsanti is another fan of Pitch Blue. He explains: "I'm a big blue-and-white freak. It says nautical, crisp, and timeless to me. I painted my kitchen cabinets this great blue—almost a navy but with some periwinkle thrown in—and did white statuary marble on the countertops."

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Pitch Blue No. 220, $115

Blueberry by Benjamin Moore

SANDA STOJAKOVIC

Designer and blogger Sanda Stojakovic used Benjamin Moore's Blueberry paint to give her Illinois library a vibrant, happy atmosphere. “Incorporating bold colors was important to me because we moved from the sunny states of California and Texas to the Midwest where there are many gloomy, cold days that really can have a negative effect on our mood,” she says.

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Blueberry 2063-30, $49

Searching Blue by Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams

"This painterly blue proves a color can be tranquil and exciting at the same time," says designer Mary Douglas Drysdale. "You almost sink into the calmness, but it's still confident."

BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams Searching Blue SW 6536, $50

Polo Blue by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore

"A deep, dark blue in a dining room will evoke the deep, dark Atlantic," says designer Tom Scheerer. "The paint finish is matte to absorb as much light as possible and let the objects arranged on it shine."

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Polo Blue 2062-10, $49

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Alice Morgan

Use this chart as a reference guide before you head to the store.

Sienna Livermore Senior Editor Sienna is a senior editor at Hearst.

Emma Bazilian Senior Features Editor Emma Bazilian is a writer and editor covering interior design, market trends and culture.

Wall color in the living room - how to choose, 100 photo-ideas of living room interior

The living room is rightfully considered the center of the apartment and the house, since it is in it that relatives and friends gather for rest and relaxation after a working day. For a good mood, relieving nervous tension and a complete distraction from everyday life, the color of the walls in the living room is selected taking into account a number of rules used by professional designers around the world.

Selections

The right color scheme allows you to visually make the room bigger and more spacious, fill it with light, support the overall concept and even eliminate some of the room’s shortcomings.

Color selection criteria

  • Lighting features. Dim lighting can be corrected by using bright, light palettes that evenly distribute light and remove dark corners. If natural light enters the room in sufficient quantity or even in excess, preference should be given to cool, calm tones.
  • Design and personal preference. First of all, the color of the living room should please its owners. In addition, if a certain style concept has already been chosen in the design project, it must be adhered to.
  • Functionality requirements. The color of the finish can often act as a tool for zoning space instead of massive partitions or furniture groups.
  • Living room area. A spacious room opens up more opportunities for the implementation of bright ideas. Here you can create a contrasting finish, or use smooth transitions. Small living rooms require the use of light colors and neat accents that will be in harmony with other interior details.

Not all walls have to be painted the same tone, but there must be a balance in everything. The floor and ceiling finishes are pre-thought out so that all surfaces blend well with each other.

Influence on the choice of cardinal directions

Any palette can manifest itself differently depending on the degree of natural light. This factor depends not only on the size of the window openings and their openness, but on the side of the world from which the room is located.

  1. South. Often, sunlight is not only enough, but also in excess. In order to reduce the “temperature”, it is recommended to use moderately cool shades (white, blue, turquoise, gray).
  2. West. During the daytime peaks, the room can be too hot and light, so there should be cool shades, such as mint (closer to blue), deep blue, gray, brown.
  3. East. It is recommended to give preference to pink, brown tones, which will favorably beat the sunrise and compensate for its lack in the afternoon.
  4. North. Due to the coldness and short duration of the sundial, you need to choose warm, soft shades (beige, coffee, green, yellow). They will not only add light to the room, but also visually fill it with the sun.

Before choosing the color of the walls for the living room, you need to consider the location and intensity of the lighting fixtures. If they are located around the entire perimeter of the room (in the form of LEDs or built-in lamps), the tint palette can be changed depending on the desired effect.

Feng Shui in the colors of the living room

The use of Eastern teachings in the selection of interior colors allows you to determine the direction of vibration and energy, which will positively affect the mental and physical health of a person. The doctrine is based on the main elements: Wood, Fire, Metal, Water and Earth. At the same time, the finish should lie on smooth, even walls so that nothing interferes with the movement of positive energy.

Feng Shui color characteristics

  • White. Symbolizes the ideal, purity, light. For comfort and warmth, use in combination with another palette. A great solution is to add yellow tones.
  • Red. The color of passion, activity, movement. It stimulates the appetite, but can sometimes cause bouts of aggression. In combination with gold, it attracts good luck. Red doesn't go well with black. The palette is not recommended for people with diseases of the nervous system.
  • Orange. Combines the positive energy of yellow tones and the power of red. Disposes to a pleasant conversation in the guest room, attracts well-being and kindness.
  • Gold. Denotes respect, honor, status. Previously, only rulers could use this color in the interior. The golden palette has a positive effect, attracts monetary energy.
  • Black. In fact, it is not considered a mourning, but a magical color according to Chinese teachings. But, many still equate it with a negative, so the use of black is best minimized or used for accents.
  • Blue. The main association is water. The palette has a calming effect, restores harmony, relaxes and is suitable for meditation. Blue stimulates spiritual energy, intuition.
  • Green. The color of calmness, peace, nature. It stimulates wealth and well-being, means life, growth, harmony with others. Pairs well with yellow and gold to create an energy of success.
  • Yellow. Symbolizes positive energy, success, happiness. It attracts warmth and makes the living room cozy, causes an optimistic mood, attracts good luck.
  • Violet. It has mystical, magical properties. Suitable for creative people, symbolizes material well-being.

When choosing not one, but several wall colors in the interior of the living room, it is important that they indicate one direction to enhance the energy. You should be guided not only by the above characteristics, but also by your own preferences in order to create a cozy interior.

Optimal solutions

Gray background

A modern, popular palette that is suitable for both classic and loft, minimalism, modern styles. For greater effect, it is complemented by geometric textures. Due to the variety of shades, it is suitable for rooms of different sizes.

Yellow range

When choosing, you should pay attention only to pastel and calm, and not bright and flashy shades, which will negatively affect the rest and cause nervous tension. Sunny, warm yellow is associated with summer, comfort. In spacious rooms it can be used for all walls, in small living rooms - for interesting accents in decor, photos, etc.

Browns

Mainly used for classical solutions. For accents, more saturated and deep shades are chosen, for the background - coffee, chocolate, etc.

Olive shade

Well suited for Provence, Scandinavian style, country. A soft, natural, pastel shade of green is suitable for rooms of different sizes and locations. The noble tone gives coziness and comfort, goes well with other soft tones.

Light orange

Associated with rich summer colors. It is used for various interior solutions, it will become a highlight of mixed stylistics in classics and modernity. Pairs well with turquoise and grey. Favorably looks in dark living rooms, the windows of which face the north side. It also compensates for the lack of lighting.

Shades of beige

A popular, versatile, practical color that can be used to decorate any living room. The room will turn out warm, harmonious. Bright, rich colors, imitation of brickwork, textured plaster are used for decoration.

Shades of turquoise

The turquoise palette will give a feeling of freshness, freedom, spaciousness. Shades are presented as rich and deep, as well as pastel, fresh. It goes well with different color options, while not overloading the interior. Makes a cold palette softer and more appropriate. More suitable for spacious rooms, plays well in accents.

Natural shades of green

A natural, comfortable palette that symbolizes life. Various shades are used in the interior of the living room. Often gamma is used for zoning space. It goes well with shades of gold, brown, floral prints.

White background

Strict and restrained, but at the same time, a neutral color that can be used as a base for any style. Its tint palette is wide and varied, and textured application will open up new facets of white. The palette visually expands the room, fills it with light and warmth, eliminates dark corners.

Characteristic stylistic palettes

  1. Contemporary. The modern style allows for more vibrant colors such as blue, teal, emerald, lilac, etc. A combination of several contrasting scales in one room is characteristic.
  2. Scandinavian. The style is characterized by the use of beige, gray and white tones, as well as shades of blue. The color should be harmonious, maintain spaciousness.
  3. Classic solutions. These areas are characterized by muted, calm ranges of brown, green, blue. The interior uses only one shade, wallpaper with a pattern is used for accents.
  4. Loft. A modern solution for decorating a living room. Mostly cold, calm tones are used for the interior. Gray and white goes well with brick. For such an "industrial" idea, you can use black.
  5. Country. A rustic theme is impossible without natural shades, such as brown, green, pale yellow, blue, peach, olive, etc.
  6. Provence. The base is pastel colors such as olive, beige, lavender, etc. It has a natural, restrained palette.

The palette of each style may vary depending on the functional purpose of the color, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, and personal preferences. If, according to the design project, the implementation of non-standard tones is appropriate, there are no restrictions on bringing such an idea to life.

Color combinations

  • Contrast. This combination of colors is used to implement modern interiors. You can choose the most unexpected scales, if you place them correctly in the room. Use cases - accent wall, geometric patterns, stained glass or panel effect, etc.
  • Neutral combination. It opens up ample opportunities for the implementation of original ideas. Delicate shades are suitable for classics, for modern solutions - colder palettes.
  • Monochrome. The use of one color scheme allows not only to visually preserve the area, but also to expand it. There are many combinations, since each color can have dozens of shades. Without overloading the interior, you can zone the space.
  • Two colors. The use of two different colors is acceptable for spacious rooms, but other solutions can be considered if both shades are light. It is important that the selected colors are from one half of the spectrum. The transition is smooth, the gradient method is popular.

The use of several combinations is possible only if the living room area is 25 square meters or more. Then one of the zones can be decorated for relaxation in soothing colors, the other can be finished for receiving guests, etc.

Color choice for a small living room

To decorate a small living room, light, soothing colors are used that will be in harmony with other elements of the interior. It is better to refuse patterns and prints, because because of them the room may seem smaller in size. For bright accents, decor items and furniture are used.

To visually enlarge the room, you need to think over a lighting scheme that will emphasize the color of the walls favorably, as well as hang mirrors. If you use wallpaper or decorative plaster, they should be discreet, monochrome, without unnecessary details that could adversely affect the visualization of the space. An interesting solution could be to paint the accent wall in a different shade, if you choose the right color.

Living room wall color

The living room is a room in which everyone wants to feel cozy and comfortable. All family members gather here, you meet guests here. Each person has his own tastes and preferences: some like bright and saturated colors, while others like light and delicate ones.

But what should be the color of the walls in the living room, so that the room looks attractive and does not irritate the eyes. This will depend on many factors, which we will try to talk about in our article, we will also talk about what experienced designers advise in this regard.

What do designers advise?

When choosing the color of the walls in the design of the living room, many designers give the following tips.

  1. The color scheme of the living room from floor to ceiling should have a transition from dark to light tone. This means that the floor can be a dark color, such as wenge, the ceiling can be white, milky, cream, and the walls should have an average color between the floor and the ceiling. It is this palette that is considered easy to perceive for the eyes, as well as a win-win option, because it suits most interior styles.
  2. In the design of the walls, you can take as a basis the color from natural shades, because they are able to bring coziness and harmony to the atmosphere of the living room.
  3. Always choose only the color that you really like, but if the soul does not lie in something, then you should not even experiment. Designers say this: “A great color is one that you would love to wear on yourself, and more than once.” We think that we can agree with this, because sometimes, under the impression of a beautiful speech of a manager or a designer at a point of sale, we can agree with one option for the color of the walls, and after a couple of weeks we will bitterly regret and think how we could even like this.
  4. Another very good tip is to add a neutral white or beige color to your living room walls for an undeniably great result. It’s even better to choose three colors that are close to each other, of course, this combination will seem boring to one. But after all, you can arrange bright accessories against the background of a neutral color of the walls, and then the living room will sparkle with colors. Moreover, if you suddenly don’t like something, then you can easily remove bright spots. But the bright wallpaper to re-paste is much more problematic.

Wall and cardinal colors

One of the important factors to consider when choosing the color of the walls in the living room, and indeed any room, in principle, is the cardinal points. The ones with windows. Here it is necessary to be guided by the principle of "opposite". It is as follows: if the windows of the living room face north, then the walls should be decorated in warm colors (beige, peach, light yellow and pale green), and if the windows face south, then the walls should be cold shades (lilac, saturated green), but at the same time light.

In an illuminated living room, these colors will add coolness. As for the east, pastel-colored walls will look great in such a living room, and with windows to the west, you can finish the walls in cold colors (lilac, rich green).

Of course, in daylight, any color looks more natural, so when choosing the color of the walls, consider how they will look in artificial light in the evening.

Wall color and furniture in the living room

The color of the walls largely depends on the color of the furniture and vice versa, so if you do not plan to change the furniture in the living room, you will have to take into account its shades. To correctly combine the shades of furniture and walls, you must not forget about the rule of five colors. It says that in one room you can combine no more than five colors, the shades of which can be more. Remember that the walls should be a few shades lighter than the furniture, which, in turn, is lighter than the floor. This combination is considered classic and does not go out of fashion.

Wall color combination

You can combine colors in interior design according to one of the schemes, while the colors used are taken in the proportion of 60/30/10, where 60% is the main color in the living room, in which the walls are decorated. These schemes are:

  • monochromatic - this scheme involves the use of shades of the same color;
  • neutral - a scheme according to which the colors for decorating the living room are only muted and delicate, for example, white, gray, beige;
  • contrast - with this scheme, opposite colors are used, for example, white and black, orange and purple;
  • harmonious - involves the use of colors close, from one half of the spectrum.

Popular living room wall colors

We offer to consider several options for the color of the walls in the living room.

  • Chocolate walls. This design of the walls looks quite strict, but at the same time original and luxurious, both men and women feel comfortable in it. Rich chocolate color is considered a symbol of wealth and stability. The main thing is to choose furniture and accessories of the right color for such a background and the room will be filled with light. Turquoise, pistachio, orange and white furniture go well with this wall color. You can decorate the walls themselves with paintings or photographs.
  • Beige walls. Such walls are a win-win option for a classic living room, although in many other styles this color in the design of the walls will be appropriate. Most other colors are suitable for beige, especially shades of brown, terracotta, white. Living plants perfectly complement the interior of such a living room.
  • White walls. White classic has always been in fashion, it will not lose its popularity. After all, white walls look great in living rooms of any style. A few bright accessories, contrasting furniture and the atmosphere will be filled with comfort and good mood. In addition, it is not necessary to make all the walls white, you can make one of the walls in a contrasting color, which will attract attention, especially since combining and combining has become fashionable and stylish today. Black furniture looks great in a white living room, black and white decoration of the reception room is an excellent solution that is suitable for both small and large rooms.
  • Bright walls. Often you can find in the design of the walls of the living room, such bright colors as red, orange, purple, green. Such colors can make the interior of your living room very unusual, they refresh the room. But the subtlety is that you need to use such colors very carefully, if you make a mistake with a shade or oversaturate the room with the main color, and your interior will be hopelessly damaged. A bright base color needs to be well-diluted with neutral colors that will potentially smooth out the negative perception of a bright color and make the color scheme more organic. Most often, one of the walls of the living room is painted with a bright color, and all the others are neutral.

Thus, the color of the walls is very important in the interior of the reception room. If you want a conservative design, then choose a color scheme for vertical surfaces in beige, brown and gray. Such a living room, although it will not become something outstanding, will most likely please you and your loved ones.

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