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Painting wood paneling color ideas


12 ways to add color and character |

(Image credit: Brent Darby, Neptune, TI Archive)

Paneling paint ideas allow you to breathe a new lease of life into a room, and are a simple way to refresh the existing décor and the style of a space with minimal fuss.  

Originally used as an insulation technique, paneling ideas for walls are often associated with traditional interiors, however, recent trends show that they are becoming a firm favorite for decorating and updating interior spaces, both classic and contemporary, adding a beautiful, decorative element to the home. 

Using paneling paint ideas allows you to get creative with color and texture in your space. Whether you keep things simple with subtle shades for bathroom paneling ideas, or choose bold paint colors to make a striking statement for stair paneling ideas, using paint to enhance the paneling in your home is a great way to create a unique architectural feature.

Paneling paint ideas

When it comes to paint ideas in the home, adding color and character to your paneling is a quick and easy way to transform the look of a space.  

With there being an array of paneling designs for interiors of all sizes, ages and styles, there are many paneling paint ideas you can choose from to best suit your home. 

Below, you can explore our top paneling paint ideas to help you make the most of the paneling in your home below.

1. Create contrast

(Image credit: Neptune)

In this beautiful dining room space by Neptune , an elegant contrast is formed between the warming pale pink shade on the walls and the dark black painted paneling. 

A room full of texture, shape and color, the dark paneling works to great effect when united with these contrasting elements, and creates a subtle statement without being overwhelming or uninviting

2. Complement your wallpaper 

(Image credit: Jon Day Photography)

When decorating, wallpaper ideas and painted paneling are a match made in heaven. 

In the study above, the dark ochre wall paper with a busy, botanical black and white print is grounded by the pale blue paint used on the paneling below. The paint color evokes an atmosphere of calm whilst effortlessly coordinating the wallpaper design. 

Whether you use painted paneling to frame wallpaper to create an elegant decorative design, or wallpaper the section of wall above, using paint colors to enhance and complement your chosen wallpaper will create a cohesive, stylish look.

3. Use all one color

(Image credit: Davide Lovati)

Depending on the paint color you choose and the style of your space, using all one color in a room can make your painted paneling stand out or blend in.  

In this bedroom, the floor-to-ceiling woodwork has been elevated by the striking, deep blue paint, creating an inviting and relaxing atmosphere.

When decorating with blue, picking a vivid blue shade like this adds a contemporary element to the traditionally painted paneled walls, with the color choice adding personality to the clean and uncluttered design.

4. Be bold with black 

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Decorating with black does not need to feel intimidating or dramatic, when used in the right way black paint can create an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, so why not make a chic statement and be bold with black paint on your paneling.  

In this bedroom, the dark paint by Farrow & Ball creates an inviting, cozy space, whilst adding a striking, modern edge to a traditional paneled design. Complemented by wooden and metallic accessories, the overall look is a beautiful combination of the old and new.

Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball Brand Ambassador, states a dark color like black or slate is 'a fabulous choice for poorly lit/ north-facing rooms. It works wonderfully on paneling, is surprisingly restful and has the neat trick of making your walls visually recede – so one to consider for a small room'. 

5. Add a modern twist to a traditional style 

(Image credit: Mel Yates)

Using paint is a simple and effective way to rejuvenate a traditional interior space with color and contemporary charm.

Painting paneling in a bright, modern shade will effortlessly inject style and personality into a room. 

The uplifting blue paint used in this bedroom adds energy and character to the space, with the mix of pattern, print and color forming a beautiful design that pays homage to both classic and contemporary styles.

6. Use a timeless beige-gray 

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

For a timeless backdrop that can grow with an interior space for years to come, beige-gray is becoming an increasingly popular shade to use in the home. 

Versatile and long-lasting, painting paneling a beige-gray shade allows for you to add color through accessories and furnishings, ideal for living room paneling ideas.

Beige-gray can coordinate with a huge range of colors across the spectrum, and allows for you to easily make changes to other parts of your scheme over time without clashes or opposing color combinations.

7. Take inspiration from nature 

(Image credit: John Lewis)

Taking inspiration from nature will always be a winner for decorating ideas. Using earthly, timeless color palettes that reflect the natural world is great for both classic and contemporary interiors.

In this bedroom space by John Lewis , the dark green painted paneling has been elevated by elegant scalloped edging, creating an eye-catching design statement is both simple and beautiful. Complemented by light green paint on the walls and pink and floral accents, the overall design is a considered reflection of the natural world. 

(Image credit: Michael Sinclair)

By incorporating the paneling in a room in a bold, painted design, you can create a striking statement that celebrates the unexpected. 

In this living room, the vivid orange painted stripe adds an invigorating energy and a colorful accent to the space, creating a beautiful contrast with the light gray paint and other textures and patterns in the room.

Here, the painted paneling blends into the abstract painted design, yet still subtly adds character and an element of tradition to the expressive living room space.

Great for ceiling paneling ideas, an unexpected use and placement of color will be sure to create a innovative design statement in a room.

9. Create a sleek look with color blocking

(Image credit: Neptune)

Decorating with black and white can create a subtle impact in a space that is both elegant and sophisticated. When combined with other textures and complementary colors, color blocking can make for a timeless design in the home.

In this black and white dining room by Neptune, the painted black paneling adds character and texture to the large open space. Lifted by the white paint on the walls, the matching black and white paintings enhance the paint colors and painted features, creating a unified, modern design. The dark wooden floor and dining table add contrast and warmth to the space, with the overall space feeling relaxed and inviting. 

10. Create a painted paneling effect

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

If your home does not have any painted paneling and you do not want to set out making your own, painting a unique paneling effect on your walls is a clever way to create the illusion of paneling in a space.

You can use a palette of colors to create painted panel effects of more depth with shadows and highlights, or you can simply use one color like in the hallway above and create outlines of different sizes to mirror the panels, perfect for modern hallway paneling ideas.

A painted paneling effect is a very simple way to enhance an empty wall in a space without the effort of making your own paneling.

A great technique for decorative room ideas, using a painted paneling effect creates a contemporary, artistic feel that has been inspired by tradition.

11. Embrace calming neutrals  

(Image credit: Jake Curtis)

Neutral room ideas are guaranteed to create a long-lasting scheme for the home. Incorporating your paneling into a neutral design can create a relaxed, spacious effect with a subtle element of texture and character.

Whether you paint the whole room or just the paneling in a neutral shade, you can then add color and pattern through accessories and furnishings, with a neutral option working as the perfect backdrop.

12. Use complementary colors  

(Image credit: Nepture)

It can be a tough decision deciding on paint ideas for a room, so ensuring that you pick color combinations that are complementary will ensure for a long-lasting scheme.  

If you want to paint your paneling a different color from the rest of the room, using the color wheel will help you decide on harmonious color choices that are both striking and appealing. 

In this living room, the two purple shades used create a beautiful, contemporary design, with the added red accents and wall art creating a colorful and balanced scheme.

How do you paint paneling and make it look good?

Making sure that your panels, whether they are traditional or new, are prepped and are in the right conditions for painting will ensure that your painted paneling looks flawless. 

Helen Shaw, UK Director at Benjamin Moore states, 'If you are going to update your space and add paneling, make sure you consider the type of paint you use. Surfaces need to be dust free and well prepared and primed to ensure that the final finish stands up to the demands of the environment'.

The four basic steps to remember for preparing your paneling are cleaning, sanding, priming then painting.  

What is painted paneling made out of?

Paneling for painting is traditionally made out of wood. Originally, paneling was used in homes to help insulation, with authentic paneling crafted from solid wood such as oak or walnut. 

However today, paneling used for painting is often made from MDF. Using MDF allows for you to then easily paint the material to create a similar, traditional paneling effect without the expense of using solid wood.

Zara joined Homes & Gardens in February 2022 as a Content Editor. After studying English Literature at University, she worked as an Ecommerce Website Editor, Content Writer and Buying Intern at multiple independent businesses within the luxury retail and lifestyle sectors. Her role at Homes & Gardens unites her love, experience and passion for the world of design and desire to create inspiring written content. She enjoys nothing more than discovering new trends, brands and products, whether that be in fashion, interior design or lifestyle.

8 Paint Colors That Go With Wood Paneling

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Wondering which paint colors go with wood paneling, but aren’t sure where to start? If so, you’re in the right place. We’ll show you 8 unique options, why we love each one, and a few things to know before painting.

Disclaimer: REthority is supported by ads and participation in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click our links. The information included in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice.

Paint Colors for Wood Paneling: A Summary

Are you having trouble find good paint colors that go with wood paneling? Wood paneling offers a vintage look that makes the home appear more welcoming.

However, you might be surprised to know this type of wood wall paneling is quickly becoming the preferred choice for homeowners who intend to enhance the aesthetics of their home.

When you’re deciding on the best colors and patterns for rooms that have wood paneling, it’s always best to side with earthy and neutral colors. The best choices are yellow, white, turquoise, off-white/ivory, grays, blues, greens, and beige.

Which Paint Colors Go With Wood Paneling?

Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

When it comes to design, wood trim and wood paneling have unique accommodations that you should adhere to. By learning which colors allow you to add other features to the room without clashing, you can bring your vision to life.

1. Yellow

Yellow is a versatile color that pairs beautifully with both dark and light wood panels because it echoes the want undertone of the wood.

You can use muted mustard yellow, and this color will work wonderfully in a modern bedroom or kitchen. You could just as easily use a bright and sunny shade of yellow as well.

2. White

The color white pairs well with everything, and therefore it’s called a universal color mainly due to the fact that it’s incredibly versatile. For example, a room with white walls, when matched with light colored wood paneling makes, for a modern warm look.

More specifically, this is the way to mix a techy appearance with a natural look. Typically people who go with white do so to enlarge the way that their room appears.

3. Turquoise

Suppose you are a person that has taken a pointer or two from traditional interior designs. In that case, chances are you’ve noticed that wood paneling and turquoise is a staple of Southwestern décor.

The funny thing is that this is not a trend exclusive to the Southwest. This color is for anyone looking for more of an exotic look. The turquoise gives a beach-like ambiance against the wood trim when used in this way.

4. Gray

Gray can complement a white-themed kitchen counter adorned with white paneled wooden walls and cabinets filled with kitchen utensils.

You may be surprised to learn that grays are where it’s at when it comes to home design. This is especially true for those that enjoy modern and traditional looks. 

If you’ve been mulling over what color to choose for your panels, gray is the best choice. Gray is versatile and can be used with country, modern and traditional looks. This color simply complements everything.

5. Blue

If you wish to have royal themes using your wood paneling, blue is a tried, true, and classic choice. It’s common to find older homes with a cerulean or royal blue hue against mahogany or cherry.

This is indeed a fantastic contrast, and it will give your room a sophisticated feel and look. This happens to be even more accurate when paired with gold.

6. Different Shades of Green

When it comes to wood trim, green is more of a conventional color to put with it, even more so if you have wood finishes which are darker, such as mahogany. This kind of color scheme is not foreign to the design of Ivy League schools. The look is not only rustic, but it looks refined as well.

You may be shocked to learn that you don’t have to choose the darkest shade of green for it to pair well with the wood paneling. For example, mint green is an excellent choice due to the contrast that it provides.

If you wish to give off tropical or ocean vibes, turquoise is the color to achieve this effect. If you want something elegant and regal, try pairing turquoise with brass or gold will produce a nice palatial feel to your home.

7. Beige

Beige is an excellent choice for nearly any trim or wood paneling. Thanks to the fact that it’s color is neutral, this sandy color can be put in an extensive range of palettes.

You can use this shade with the quirky or traditional look due to its versatility. Beige hues can be used with a mild golden tone, and this will help improve the aesthetics of the wood panel in any room, in most situations.

Read Next: Colors That Go With Beige

8. Off-White/Ivory

You can try a modern kitchen with wooden paneling and a lower cabinet section that’s painted white. In some instances, white can contrast too much with the color in a room.

That’s even more true if your goal is to design a kitchen that’s more inviting with a more comfortable and cozy look.

A mild off-white like an eggshell cream will work wonderfully with delicate colors. Moreover, if you are fond of a Tudor-style design theme, there’s the option to match a dark wood with off-white instead of white.

Tips on Choosing Paint Colors for Your Wood Paneling

Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Remember that furnishings and fabrics can help bring wood paneling to life by enhancing the tones. When deciding on the best wall colors, don’t forget the fabrics and furnishings to enhance your wood panels.

Take into account the dominant tones that provide high drama to your color scheme.

For example, warm and neutral colors, like dark gray or tan-green, will highlight the rich dark brown color of the wood panel if you match the walls with an even-toned brown color; it makes the environment more comforting. 

The primary goal is to make sure the colors are simple and don’t overdo it by selecting furniture that’s too dark and makes the room feel dreary.

Also, try using contrast to make the room pop more and to make the wood paneling stand out in a good way. When you contrast the color of the walls with the wood panel, your room has a more distinct look to it.

For example, if the room features a dark wood like walnut, mahogany, or oak, it stands out beautifully against light blue, ivory, or white. If you have a lighter wood tone such as maple, ash, or birch, go with a dark and bold color like navy or dark green instead. 

How to Make Wood Paneling Look Good Until You Paint

Here are ways to liven up your wood paneling even without painting it:

Stain the Wood

If you have had your wood paneling for years and you’re trying to revive it because it’s looking dull, try adding a stain to it to see if that helps. If the paneling is actual wood, use a rich stain that will adhere well to give it that “new” look. 

Focus on the Furniture

If you feel that your wood paneling isn’t eye-catching, but you’re trying to draw attention and be bold, focus on the furniture.

Choose a few distinguished pieces like sectional or trendy chairs, designer tables, and so on. Go for bold patterns, bright colors, fun textures, and other exciting aspects that distract from the walls or complement them.

Interior Decorating Mistakes to Avoid

Anna Maryenko/Shutterstock

Using a wood panel is tricky because it’s a classic design theme that is easy to butcher. There are some simple and effective ways to make it look great, and it’s even easier to make it look horrible. Be sure to avoid these mistakes when decorating:

Choosing the Wrong Paint

There are two ways that this can go wrong. You can choose the wrong paint color for the room itself, like pairing dark colors with dark paint and vice versa, or just choosing a color that doesn’t match well, like orange. 

Or, you could be painting the wood panel itself incorrectly. Be sure to sand and prime the panel first, and then pick a vibrant paint, oil-based being the best option. Also, don’t rush the drying process.  

Trying to Match a Rug or Carpet to the Panel

Under no circumstances should you try to make the carpet match the color of the wood paneling. Dark brown wood with a dark brown carpet looks awful and will totally bring down the brightness in the room.

You also don’t want to pair light wood with a light carpet because it’s too one-toned and doesn’t add anything distinct or contrasting. Remember, light walls go with dark floors, and dark walls go with light floors.

Read Next: Interior Decorating vs. Interior Design

Things to Consider 

The thing to consider most is the pattern or the wood panel and its color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the responses to the most commonly asked questions regarding pairing colors with wood paneling:

Is it a bad idea to paint wood paneling?

Absolutely not. Painting the wood panel is a simple way to transform a home interior from outdated to modern.

If you’re not sold on the wood panel, and you’d like to go for the element of texture, this is the perfect solution. It’s also a good idea if your wood paneling has become old and looks worse from year to year. 

Is wood paneling outdated?

People often think that a wood panel is a bad choice for home décor because it’s old and reeks of the 70s. However, while the reputation for retro is accurate, that doesn’t mean that the concept can’t be freshened up and made to look more modern. 

If your colors clash, then it will indeed look outdated and worn. But if you can bring the right furniture pieces in and choose the perfect paint to go with the wood paneling, it can be a gorgeous addition.  

Can you paint stripes on wood paneling?

The answer to this depends on what look you’re going for with the painted paneling. It’s challenging to bring a room together with striped walls because it’s hard to match the furniture with that design theme. 

If you have a skilled interior decorator that can show you how it can work, go for it. Otherwise, avoid painting stripes on the wood and focus on painting the walls a solid color instead.

Can you make the wood panel lighter before you paint the walls?

If you want to paint the walls a dark color but the wood panel is already dark, you might consider trying to lighten the panel itself. Bleaching and whitewashing can help, but be sure that you completely cover the parts of the room that you don’t want to be exposed.

Should you use wood paneling in the bedroom?

Admittedly, wood paneling looks best in a living room or a den, and you don’t typically see this type of theme in a bedroom. However, if you have a home office in your bedroom, it could go well to make the space look more professional. 

So, What Colors Go With Wood Paneling?

So there you have it — paint colors that go with wood paneling. Choosing the right colors to paint your walls can be the difference between a beautiful and creative room and a dull and boring one.

If you go with the perfect colors to make the wood panel look fresh and modern, the possibilities for color combinations are extensive. 

Remember that the most popular choice will be your neutral colors like grey, white, beige, and off-white, but colors such as green, blue, and yellow work really well if done correctly.

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Colors in the interior: how to choose

Contents

Feng Shui colors

Shades are important for the emotional state of a person. It is necessary to take this into account when determining which color will be best for the bedroom. Feng Shui will help you with this.

Feng Shui green has a calming effect. It is optimal to use its derivative shades: olive, pistachio, light green.

Feng shui cold colors: blue, white, purple, promote comfort and sound sleep.

Bright tones: red, orange, yellow, according to Feng Shui, on the contrary, have an exciting effect. It's hard to sleep in this room.

According to Feng Shui, the bedroom should be decorated in pastel colors: pink, blue, green. This range gives a feeling of peace and comfort. Gray, although it is preferred, is boring in Feng Shui.

Wall paint selection

If you have finally decided to paint the walls with paint, then it is important to make the right choice. The color of the walls will affect not only the entire interior in the apartment, but also daily affecting our organ of vision, it can have a certain psychological impact.

Wall painting can advantageously emphasize some interior items, or vice versa, hide them. In any case, before you buy wall paint, you need to consider:

Painted walls in the bathroom and toilet are not only convenient, but also practical

Sunny yellow painted walls in the kitchen harmonize wonderfully with the dark kitchen set

Bathroom in a combined design, the top of the walls is painted with light paint, and the bottom is tiled beautifully and creatively

Delicate blue paint on the walls looks great with white fixtures, window frames and doors

White panels on the walls and blue painting of their upper part is a practical solution for the bathroom

Bathroom in Provence style with delicately painted walls

The sky blue red on the walls and ceiling is in harmony with the white tiles on the floor and sanitary ware

Orange paint on the walls in the bathroom is unusually beautiful with the tiles in the shower

Beautiful contrast of white panels and painted wall in the bathroom

The chocolate paint on the walls in the bedroom is in perfect harmony with the luxurious white bed and ceiling. Among the leading shades are brown, beige, ocher, cobalt, terracotta.

To prevent the interior from appearing flat, columns and moldings are used in the design.

Living room interior in antique style

Vanguard

Bright colors and combinations prevail. Basic beiges, whites and yellows are complemented by details in purples, reds, greens and blues.

Avant-garde

Empire style

This style exudes its richness and majesty, so it is suitable only for large apartments.

Main colors - white, red, burgundy, gold.

Empire style living room interior

Art Deco

A living room in this style implies a predominance of dark tones, brightness and variegation are recommended to be avoided.

Living room interior in Art Deco

Art Nouveau

Subdued, natural colors - chocolate, terracotta, gray, sand - dominate.

Art Nouveau living room interior

Baroque

Because of its grandeur and splendor, this style requires the use of terracotta, dark green, brown-green, red-burgundy, purple-gold, blue-green shades.

Small baroque living room

Biedermeier

Finishing materials used are traditional - wallpaper, paint, plaster.

Style is characterized by comfort and simplicity. The presence of pink, creamy, brown, milky, blue colors is necessary.

Biedermeier living room

Victorian

The dominance of wallpaper with various ornaments. The predominant colors are pale pink, lilac, almond, gold.

Victorian style in the interior design of the room

Constructivism

Monotony prevails. The main colors are white, light and dark gray, black, red, light green.

Bright living room in the style of constructivism

Classic

The walls should be matte and rough. Wallpaper should be chosen with a classic pattern.

The dominant position is occupied by light pastel colors, which are complemented by elements of white, dark brown, blue-green, blue, pink shades.

Classic

Renaissance

It is allowed to choose any colors, but it is important to correctly combine them and monitor the absence of bright contrast and transitions. Standard shades - red, burgundy, black, brown

Cozy renaissance interior style in the living room

Minimalism

Involves the use of classic shades - white, black, gray, beige. It is appropriate to introduce elements of orange, red and green colors.

Minimalism

The walls are made in silver. It is not uncommon to use stones of cold shades and “metal-like” tiles.

Hi-tech

Country

The walls are decorated with paper wallpaper, wood panels, decorative plaster.

Soft colors predominate - light green, beige, lilac, milky.

Country style living room

Provence

A soft and light style that requires the use of white, cream, sand, light yellow, light blue, pale green and lavender shades.

Provence

Types of paints for room design

Alkyd

A special kind of paints and varnishes. Characterized by versatility of use. Alkyd paints are matte, glossy, semi-gloss.

The main advantages of this coating are durability, fast drying and compatibility with any material.

Alkyd paint for wood, metal and plastered surfaces

Emulsion

There are several varieties of this type of paint:

Emulsion paints

Textured paints

The main features of these paints, which give them an advantage over others, are the lack of ability to absorb odors, ease of use (rarely get dirty), and environmental friendliness.

Textured wall paint

Features of painting different materials

The existing range of paints is huge. This allows you to transform a wall from any material. But each of them has its own characteristics.

Concrete

Wash the wall with soapy water before applying the paint. After that, all cracks and crevices are sealed with putty.

To do this, a polyethylene sheet is glued to the wall with adhesive tape. If after 24 hours moisture appears on the sheet, the wall is treated with a sealant.

Painting of concrete walls is very popular and is carried out in different techniques

Finally, a paint sealant is applied to the painted surface. It provides a tighter adhesion of materials and an extension of the service life of the coating.

The concrete wall must be checked for leaks.

Wood

Glossy paints give the interior an original look, matte paints emphasize the relief of the material.

In order to allow the wood to breathe and thus prolong its aesthetic appearance, it is better to choose acrylic paints. After some time, oil paints lose their original shade and become matte.

Competent coloring of wooden walls can emphasize their aesthetics

Brick

It will be problematic to remove the coating from such material in the future. In addition, the paint on the brick lasts about 4 years.

Silicone coating is the best choice in this case. The disadvantage is the high cost, but this paint allows air to circulate and helps hide minor defects.

Brick, as a building material, is not quite suitable for painting

Wallpaper

When choosing paint, you need to start from the type of wallpaper. For example, latex paint is better for glass wallpapers, water-based paint for non-woven fabrics.

Wallpaper of any kind can be painted no more than 10 times.

Wallpaper for painting

Plaster

Gypsum or cement plaster is used to level the walls. Acrylic or water-dispersed paint is suitable for the first, water-based paint for the second.

Pros and cons of wall painting

Paint has its pros and cons, so you should be familiar with them before you start repairing.

Wall painting benefits include:

  1. Easy update. In order to update such a coating or change the design, large financial and time costs are not required.
  2. Water resistant. The painted surface is easy to wash in case of contamination and not be afraid to damage the coating.
  3. Diverse assortment. A rich selection of colors allows you to realize any ideas and dreams of your ideal interior.

Following the existing recommendations will allow you to get an attractive and harmonious living room Among the disadvantages:

  1. Difficult surface preparation. The paint will not cope with masking even small bumps and cracks. With insufficient preparation of the walls, all defects will be clearly visible. You can level the surface with gypsum and putty. In case of uncertainty in their abilities, it is better to contact a professional.
  2. Permanent care. Painted walls get dirty easily, so they need to be washed frequently.

When choosing a material, it is necessary to rely not only on personal preferences and desires, but also on the rationality of its use and the condition of the surface.

Interior colors

Cold shades

The living room is decorated in purple, blue, blue, turquoise, gray tones.

Such shades soothe and improve mood, increase concentration and perseverance. Visually expand the space and increase the area of ​​​​the room.

Violet living room

Living room in blue tones

Blue living room

Living room in gray tones

Warm shades

These include orange, red, yellow, green, beige, peach, coffee.

Warm colors create a feeling of coziness and comfort in the room, improve mood. Visually reduce the space.

Living room interior in orange

Living room in red

Living room in yellow

Living room in green

Beige living room

Peach living room

Living room in coffee tones

Neutral colors

Unchanging classics of interior design of the living room - white and black colors.

Design in these shades will not be boring. Thanks to them, all surrounding objects will look brighter and clearer. They allow you to effortlessly complement the interior with new elements, giving it freshness and originality.

All colors require the right combination. So that cold and warm shades look good together, you need to choose one leading color and add a few details of another shade to it.

To maintain color balance, you can neutralize one color with another.

For example, deep blue can be diluted with white, bright red with bluish green.

Living room in white

Living room in black

Living room in black and white

What color to paint in the hall: a selection of the best designs

Following the hallway, as a rule, there is a hall, which is important to maintain in one stylistic decision, a suitable color scheme. If the rooms differ in colors, strongly contrasting with each other, this will cause some dissonance.

Therefore, the main rule for choosing colors in the hall is the combination and continuation of the interior set in the hallway, living room. Designers recommend that in 2020, when choosing a color for the hall, take a closer look at the following colors:

Depending on the color, you can complement the selected shade with gold and silver accents, delimiting the space into functional areas.

Crossing the threshold of the house, every person wants to feel the protection and comfort of home. Therefore, the choice of colors in the room should be approached responsibly, taking into account the characteristics of each family member.

50 photos of interiors, what color to paint the walls in

The color of the walls in the living room can be called the basis of the composition in the interior, because they become the background for further arrangement of a comfortable, aesthetic and harmonious room. The mood of the situation, the feeling of comfort and warmth depends on the shade of the finish.

The choice of palette depends not only on personal preferences, but also on the parameters of the room - color schemes will make a room with low ceilings and one north window more comfortable, a very narrow or irregularly shaped room.

The choice of colors depending on the cardinal direction

Perhaps the first thing to do is to determine how effective the natural lighting of the room is: the northern rooms do not receive sunlight, while in the southern rooms there is an excess of them. Of course, a lot also depends on the climate, because some even the southern regions are distinguished by the predominance of cloudy days.

Colors help make the living room more comfortable.

Combination of finishes and furniture

The choice of color for the living room and its furnishings is usually based on simple rules of harmony. And in this matter, it is not so important what the chosen shade for the walls will be - it is important to find an aesthetic combination.

Natural duets and trios are among the traditional combinations. This, of course, is the color of greenery and wood, sky and earth, greenery and buds. Obviously, the blue, pastel olive and pistachio walls of the living room complement the brown furniture. An example is the combination of woody and vibrant greens, mint and fuchsia.

Combinations of beige scales with all natural shades look just as harmonious: the color of sand and the sea, clouds and clear sky. But the most organic are considered tones close in gamut - for example, cream, sand and peach, as well as pistachio, azure and emerald.

The achromatic palette is always out of competition, because it goes well with any - both natural and "poisonous" tones. The white, gray or even black color of the living room does not determine the shade of the furniture set - any other shade looks great against such a background.

To find the best combinations, you can use the circle, in which harmonious tones are selected using figures inscribed in it - triangles, squares or rectangles - depending on how many shades are needed for decoration.

How to find the perfect color for your living room

In search of the best decor, hosts look not only to personal preferences and design advice, but also to various psychological aspects. For example, psychologists are sure that deep blue is the best shade for a bedroom, while light green gives a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Another theory of the influence of the color palette is associated with the Taoist symbolic exploration of space, called "feng shui". In this teaching, it is believed that the color for the living room is as important as your spiritual state is for you. Here, the balance and distribution of color throughout the room is significant. In this theory, the palette is divided into male and female shades. And they should all be present in the design. According to Taoist theory, a cozy living room should include almost all existing shades, but it is recommended to give priority to the feminine, then the atmosphere will turn out to be soft and hospitable. These tones include white, blue and green - a rather cool palette, but they must be complemented by "male" colors - black, orange or red.

Of course, no one can tell you what the ideal color for your living room will be, so you should take into account a variety of parameters and personal preferences.

The neutral character of pastel shades

A living room in pastel shades is a versatile solution for any style project. This range is distinguished by a particularly light spectrum, almost imperceptible emotional coloring, the possibility of combining with any other bright accents. The best shades in this range are, of course, beige, milky, cream, powdery, gray-beige. Less commonly, pastel yellow, green, blue are used in the design. They are more emotionally colored, so choose them when the owners are sure what mood they want for the interior of their living room, albeit in pastel colors.

This palette has both warm and cool tones:

Living room in pastel colors can be different - restrained and neutral, strict and unemotional, hospitable and cheerful, solemn and elegant. The inclusion of any bright color sets the mood and shapes the character of the setting.

Living room in warm colors

It is obvious that warm colors in the interior of the hall form a completely unambiguous atmosphere - cozy and pleasant. Lighter shades are quite sophisticated, but saturated ones are homely and emotional.

Living room in warm colors can be either red - extravagant, or brown - in a natural, rather saturated color of natural wood. Against such a background, elegant details in a peach shade, in a white and beige palette, as well as green, blue, and pink decor are harmoniously used.

Warm colors in the interior of the living room can be both pink and green. To do this, just add yellow notes to such shades, and you get a curious mix of halftones that will allow you to combine opposite temperature spectra for full harmony and filling the composition. For example, a peach-colored living room includes a hint of pink, which allows you to organically use the rich shade of fuchsia in accents.

Living room in a cold palette

Cool shades are usually chosen for rooms that are flooded with sun. Most often, these are apartments and houses in the southern regions, because even the southern rooms of the northern climatic regions actually rarely see the sun. But a living room in cool colors can also be chosen to implement a discreet - modern or solemn pompous style. It will be a detached environment, perhaps strict and even businesslike, technological or with futuristic features. Of course, even such a palette can be made cozy if you choose light shades for the background, and the main composition will be wooden pieces of furniture, accents in a warm palette - red, orange, yellow, beige, chocolate.

The lilac color in the decoration of the hall will look extraordinary. Shades of lilac range are quite peculiar and ambiguous. They include a wide range of other pure colors, which creates a variety of variations and nuances of this color scheme. For example, the predominance of notes in the purple range will make the interior mysterious and meaningful. In the living room in lilac tones, there will hardly be an additional zone in the form of a children's or play area. Such a room is more often used for receiving guests and spending time with a married couple without children.

Black is designed to emphasize the style of the hall in cool shades - it outlines the contours, sets off the depth of the background color or demonstrates the lightness of the light palette.

Cool tones of blue, green, gray-beige remain pleasant for perception. These are light and unobtrusive colors that can be pastel or more intense, but their nature allows you to create organic and comfortable compositions.

Living room decoration in dark colors

Before choosing the main color for the living room, it is worth evaluating its parameters: if it is spacious and light enough, the walls can be painted in an intense shade from any palette. Of course, black surfaces will press psychologically, so when choosing a specific tone, one should take into account its effect on human sensations.

Despite the apparent extravagance of a saturated background, you can find a lot of interesting solutions:0374 . This is a standard solution for the loft style, as well as for many industrial, urban, ultra-modern areas in which there is a lot of metal, concrete, glass.

  • The interior of the living room in dark colors is often made in chocolate tones . Such design can be implemented both in modern style and in classicism.
    • The photo shows the design of the living room in chocolate tones.

    Decorating a room in this palette is quite easy - it goes well with light and saturated shades of other ranges. Chocolate can be the color of natural wood panels or painted concrete, then there are discreet gray notes in it.

    When choosing a dark color for the hall, another interesting question arises - regarding the choice of color for the kitchen-living room when combining these zones. Obviously, a saturated room in a deep palette cannot be monotonous. When we design a combined space, it should not be cluttered with intense tones. The combination of contrasting shades will be the perfect tool for zoning a room. With any dark range, white, light gray, beige will organically look.

    Choice of finishing colors for individual surfaces

    It is unlikely that anyone thinks that it is enough to paint the walls in the living room, and the interior will be ready: the composition, mood, atmosphere are formed by many details, and you should not take away an important role from floor and ceiling coverings in this process. One thing is obvious - they almost never merge with vertical surfaces. Even in the same range, clear boundaries are drawn between the planes with the help of a plinth. In a monochrome room, the flooring, the color of the walls of the living room, the ceilings will be implemented in the same range, but in different shades. Although among the harmonious combinations there are many stylish and elegant solutions.

    White living room

    The ideal solution for a bright, spacious room is, of course, white. It is chosen for walls and ceilings in classic, Scandinavian, Greek style, as well as contemporary and shabby chic. Depending on the direction, you can find the best answer to the question of how to choose the color of the floor.

    Popular and harmonious finishes:

    From ceiling coverings for a white interior, similar materials are usually chosen - preference is given to stretch fabrics. The choice of gloss or matte surface depends on the style and parameters of the room. As a rule, glossy ceilings are equipped in rooms that are too low and in modern design directions. In tension multi-level structures, colored canvases can be used - in the central and zoning inserts of various shapes. It can be a regular geometric figure or a contour of arbitrary geometry.

    Beige interior

    Everything is clear here: the use of beige neutral colors creates an elegant environment with a discreet character. As a rule, cream or sand wallpapers complement the wood floor. The ceiling can be painted both in traditional white and in milky - a softer tone.

    Universal beige is a good solution for both luxury and budget interiors. Such a palette allows you to save a lot - there are no flashy and demonstrative details, the price of materials fades into the background, like the whole environment - comfort plays the main role.

    Gray room

    Gray palette - a wide variety of shades for decorating rooms in different styles. Silver is a frequent guest in restrained classicism, matte ash is the color of pure concrete in a loft style, aluminum and steel is a high-tech direction priority, graphite can become the basis of any modern or retrospective design. Of course, a living room in dark colors is possible only with a sufficient area of ​​​​the room. However, there is always room for an accent surface.

    To decide what color to paint the walls, it is worth comparing the parameters of the room and the nature of the chosen style. Universal and achromatic gray can be appropriate in any of the directions in a very different format.

    Picking up the same color for the floor and ceiling is not difficult.

    Wall materials

    Still, the main issue when choosing a particular palette is the choice of wall material. The traditional answers are paint and different types of wallpaper. A painted interior is the simplest solution, the implementation of which is available to everyone. For a textured finish, you can choose wallpaper for painting, which differ in unobtrusive relief, or plaster, but it’s better not to work with it without skills.

    Other options include decorative wood panels, glass and stone panels for accent and partial wall decoration. Such coatings can imitate doors to other rooms, look like paintings, mask built-in wardrobes, etc.

    The most common option is, of course, wallpaper.

    The choice of these depends on many factors:

    At the same time, the color of wallpaper with a pattern loses its original character - here the shade of the ornament takes on the main role. This should be taken into account when decorating a living room in a certain range.

    Features of choosing a color for a living room combined with a kitchen

    The rules for choosing a palette for a living room combined with a kitchen are actually not much different from choosing the color scheme of any room.

    Nevertheless, there are nuances that are worth paying attention to.

    Since in the kitchen area, instead of wall decoration, sets are usually visible, it is precisely its facades that will be combined with the decoration in the hall.

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