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Rich living room colors


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

15 of 50

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

Pin It for Later!

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.

style and character of the whole house or apartment

01. 10.2019

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The living room is the most visited place in the house or apartment. The whole family rests here in the evenings, guests and unexpected visitors are received here. Therefore, the choice of color in the interior of the living room determines the whole character of the house or apartment. An ideal living room should be functional, comfortable and harmonious at the same time, not annoying with flashy colors and not be faceless. nine0003


Factors affecting color choice

The choice of colors for the living room is influenced by many factors: the size and illumination of the room, the style of the hall and the house as a whole, the taste preferences of the owners (and the designer), the colors, shapes and textures of the furniture.

Dimensions and shape of the living room

The dimensions and height of the common room directly affect the choice of colors for the walls, ceiling and floor. Traditional advice is appropriate here: for small rooms, you should use light colors that visually increase the volume. Black, chocolate, dark blue, purple, burgundy tones make the room visually smaller. nine0003

In compact and low living rooms, a glossy ceiling will be very appropriate - it adds height to the room.

Spacious rooms give more space to the imagination of homeowners - the choice of colors and shades for decorating the living room is much wider.

To choose the decoration of the living room, the location of the room in the house or apartment is no less important. An enclosed space with a door allows for a more creative finish. Open placement, when the hall is one with the dining room, hall, hallway, implies a common style and color scheme for all rooms. In open living rooms, it is usually not used to paint a large surface in one color, especially dark. A combination of several colors and / or textures would be more appropriate. nine0003

The monochrome solution of the walls visually enlarges the room. In current design solutions, a combination of several wall colors or textures in one room is very often used.


Lighting

The natural illumination of the room depends on which side of the world the windows of the living room face. North windows give a little light, so it is better to choose warm shades: beige, chocolate, peach, orange, coral, lemon, yellow, pink. nine0003

The southern windows give bright light, and you can choose cool colors in the room: blue, blue, gray, turquoise, white, mint. For a living room with western windows, a cold color scheme is also more suitable.

Colors are perceived differently in natural and artificial lighting.


Color specification

White is becoming more and more popular. Initially, neutral white blends well and effectively emphasizes any color accents, decor elements, furniture, textiles. White has many shades. A room in white tones will always look flooded with light, clean and gentle. Depending on partner colors, décor, textiles and lighting, a white living room can look warm or cool. But light or white furniture, white carpet, curtains will give the room a somewhat cold and distant look. nine0003


Black color looks very stylish and extravagant, but visually reduces and darkens the room. Sometimes it acts somewhat depressingly, requires bright lighting. It is better to use it for individual design elements or to highlight part of the wall, rather than paint over the entire room with black paint. The black gloss on the ceiling looks interesting - the reflection of the room adds volume to it, no matter how paradoxical it sounds. Black is combined with all colors, but it is better not to choose caramel, pink, beige, lilac, peach as partners. nine0003


Everything that has been said about black belongs to the noble shades of dark chocolate. But it is better to combine chocolate shades with white, beige, cocoa with milk, cherry. Brown colors - chocolate, cocoa with milk, light brown, coffee - require competent lighting, in the twilight all the charm of these colors is lost.

Green, pistachio and salad colors have a calming effect on the psyche and relax - there is an association with green vegetation and nature. For dark shades, it is necessary to provide bright lighting. The optimal partner for green and salad shades is yellow and lemon. Olive and marsh colors should be used with caution, preferably in partnership with white. nine0003


The warmest colors are yellow, peach, light orange. The living room in these colors seems warm, cozy and sunny. This is the best choice for a room with windows to the north. Yellow and peach do not go well with red, cherry, black furniture. Optimal partners are natural wood browns, beige, green, ivory, dark orange and terracotta.

Red color is the brightest, exciting, active. And aggressive - it is uncomfortable to live in it. It is better not to use it for the entire room, but to highlight individual sections of the wall with decor. It is better to muffle the brightness of red with a combination of gray, beige, white walls, furniture, textiles. nine0003


A more refined and muted shade of red is coral. But it is better to use it in doses. The same applies to dark orange, terracotta.

Cherry blossom has long been the color of luxury. Especially when combined with gold. It will warm the room and serve as a wonderful backdrop for light-colored furniture, curtains, carpets. It is possible to use furniture in "palace" styles - natural lacquered wood, carving, gilding, inlays. Requires bright lighting. It does not go well with black, orange furniture or high-tech items. nine0003

The same can be said about emerald and blue colors combined with gold.

But all shades of blue and blue (boring faded blue does not count) are gaining more and more popularity. The white and blue gamma simply does not go out of trend. To soften the contrast, bright accents are used: red, coral, yellow, orange. Blue and blue shades are great for high-tech style.


Increasingly, purple and lilac colors are used. That's right - combine purple walls with white or light-colored furniture, light purple textiles. Companion colors - white, beige, light coffee, gray, lilac, light purple. Looks great, but the purple space is not very suitable for families with small children. Purple living room requires bright lighting. nine0003


Another trend among modern designers is light gray. A discreet neutral color is not as cold and easily soiled as white, and at the same time it is combined with any color and favorably emphasizes all design delights, furniture, decor, textiles.


Family and living room color

In many ways, the color scheme of the living room is determined by the composition of the family and the characteristics of family pastime. For a couple without children or with teenage children, a creative design of the hall would be more appropriate: bright or dark colors, non-traditional catchy design, high-tech style, loft, etc. nine0003

For a family with young children, neutral warm tones and a small amount of aggressive colors are preferable. Children will be uncomfortable in a black or coffee room, and parents of children in an exciting red one. For a family of three generations, a calmer color scheme of the common room and a traditional design are more suitable. The main thing is that all family members do not feel discomfort and can fully relax.


Interior styles

The style of the living room determines the color. Some styles simply dictate the use of certain colors. So, hi-tech requires cold, soft shades (possible with bright accents): gray, white, blue. Loft - almost always white or brick (terracotta) walls, or a combination of both. Rustic style, eco-style require the use of wood, white and beige. Provence - muted beige, pistachio, olive shades.


For modern styles, more saturated colors are used, often only one wall is painted in a bright color. For a classic style, muted beige, salad, blue, lemon shades are used. nine0003


Any renovation starts with an idea. Abstractly choosing the color scheme of a room is risky - you can create a completely meaningless interior.

Before choosing the color of the living room, you should weigh all the factors that affect the choice. The living room should be cozy and warm for all family members, the space should not seem cold, not “press” with tightness, not annoy. With the help of color, you can mask certain flaws in the room, make it “warmer”, lighter, more spacious, adjust the shape, divert attention from the ledges. The right combination of the main color and accents will help create an exclusive interior in the living room of each house or apartment. nine0003

photos, popular colors, tips for choosing colors

A living room is a place where you can not only spend your free time and have fun, but also meet guests. It is not surprising that the design of this room requires special attention.

What is the first thing that catches your eye when a person enters the living room? Of course, this is the color of the walls and furniture. The selection of the color palette used in the arrangement of the room is a top priority.

At the same time, the color scheme of the walls of the living room, along with the selection of furniture, are a key factor in the formation of an individual design. Then a natural question arises: how to choose the color in the living room? nine0003

Design: Zhenya Zhdanova, DivaDecor.ru

Basic rules for color combinations in the interior

When choosing a particular color for decorating a room, you should start not only from your personal preferences, but also from existing color combination rules. An incorrect combination of even two tones will cause dissonance in the interior and psychological discomfort.

What should be the correct combination of colors in the interior?

  1. Using a gamut of shades within a single color. For example, if you combine light yellow, yellow and dark yellow. In this case, the palette should be diluted with a neutral companion, which will help create a smooth transition from one tone to another. It is gray, white, beige. nine0003

  2. Shades that harmonize with each other. There are universal tones - white, black, gray, beige, which are combined with any others. They can be taken as a basis, diluted with contrasts.

  3. Contrasting interior color combination. To understand which of them are well combined, you should use the color wheel - this is a palette of color combinations in the interior. For example, yellow and purple, orange and blue, green and red harmonize with each other. But they should not be used in equal proportions, there should be more of some shade. nine0003

  4. Use of adjacent tones (analogue triad). On the color wheel, it is green with blue and blue, orange with red and purple.

In addition, you should follow the recommendations regarding interior color design:

  • Do not use more than three or four shades. Choose the main one, the rest will be his companions. The combination of colors in the interior is considered correct if the proportion is observed: 75% - the main tone, 25% - companions, 5% - bright color accents. nine0003

  • Neutral shades should be used for the background.

  • A monochrome interior can seem boring. To revive it, it is worth adding bright decor and elements with different textures.

Psychology, meaning and perception of color

Choosing a harmonious combination of colors in the interior, you can remember Luscher's psychological test. It helps to determine what state a person is in based on the choice of palette. The test does not highlight gray, beige, white or black - they are neutral. But it distinguishes four main shades: red, yellow, green and blue. nine0003

You can interpret them like this:

  • Yellow is a symbol of joy, happiness, manifestation of new opportunities, self-development. An interesting combination of colors in the interior (photo below): muted yellow, gray and greenery of living plants.

  • Red symbolizes self-respect, confidence, power. Many people cannot get along with this color, considering it aggressive. But you can always add muted shades of red to the design of the room, for example, terracotta, dusty pink. nine0003

  • Blue - Luscher self-limitation. From the side of interaction on the psyche, one can say about blue as calming, pacifying, capable of giving a good sleep.

  • Green - trust, optimism, self-confidence. This color in the interior gives peace, relaxation, and reduces fatigue.

Classic color combinations

Some interior color combinations have become classic:

  1. Black and white. A combination of two universal shades suitable for any style and room.

  2. Gray and blue. This combination of colors in the interior gives peace and tranquility. A sophisticated, stylish combination suitable for bedroom, study, library.

  3. Beige (brown) with pink. Symbiosis of simplicity and classics. The shade of a dusty rose is especially relevant today.

  4. Yellow - ivory. A bright combination, suitable for rooms that need additional lighting. Shades bring a touch of joy, freshness, purity.

  5. Red and gold. Bright hues can look too pompous, but muted ones help create an elegant, expensive interior.

Warm and cold colors in the interior

The combination of colors in the interior of cold and warm colors requires following some rules:

  1. The choice of the dominant scale - warm or cold, to which accents of the opposite are added helps to achieve harmony.

  2. Application of the principle of balancing one tone at the expense of another. So, the result of this principle was a combination of turquoise and beige.

  3. The use of mutual reinforcement when shades make each other deeper, nobler (for example, emerald and marsala).

  4. Uses a muted, desaturated effect. An example of such a technique is a neutral main background with accent bright colors. nine0003

By combining a warm palette with a cold one, you can adjust the space. It is known that warm tones visually reduce the space, and cold tones make it deeper, wider.

The use of a gradient in the interior

Gradient (ombre) is a complex technique of combining shades from lighter to darkest. It is used when painting surfaces, combining wallpapers, selecting accessories. When decorating walls with a gradient, they make a transition from bottom to top from dark to light, thereby visually increasing the height of the ceiling. nine0003

When creating a gradient, it is important to find the right combination of colors in the interior. Then the ombre technique will make the room stylish, and not just colorful. When combining, you can use the color wheel. The most commonly used gradient is blue and gray.

The technique of painting walls with a gradient is often difficult for the layman, so you can simplify your task by using ready-made textiles or ombre-colored decor (curtains, rugs, carpets, photos, floor lamps). Curtains with a gradient look especially advantageous against the background of neutral, plain walls. Small ombre carpets give the effect of volume. nine0003

Tables of harmonious color combinations in the interior

When creating a fashionable image of your home, it can be difficult to figure out which colors are best to choose. Therefore, there are ways to simplify this choice. They were created by experts. In addition to the color wheel, they include a tabular form for selecting shades.

To choose the right combination of colors in the interior, the table offers ready-made options. It remains to choose the main shade, then see which complementary companions are suitable. In tables built on this principle, several tones (five or six) are presented. The first of them is the main one, the next two are complementary to it, and the fourth and subsequent ones are contrasting. With the help of such a palette, you can choose all the necessary shades for decorating a room. nine0003

Other tables may work differently. For example, by choosing a shade you like, you can see the degree of its compatibility with another. If it is low, you should look for other options. More opportunities are provided by tables that present a shade and a number of tones combined with it: a similar range, similar shades of other colors or in contrast.

Popular colors for living room walls

Living room colors can be varied. The entire palette of existing shades is divided into warm and cold tones, which should not be mixed with each other. What colors can be taken as a basis in any living room? nine0003

White

An undoubted favorite of the classic style, versatile and perfect for creating a cozy room. Light colors create the effect of expanded space, visually increasing the volume of the living room. White color is easily combined with any other shade, black and white is especially welcome - a classic that will never go out of style.

Recommendations from Nadezhda Kuzina

The only rule of a "white" living room is to use bright and contrasting elements, because an exclusively white interior will create an impression of incompleteness. Among such elements may be furniture, paintings or patterns on the walls, curtains. nine0003

In general, the white shade of the walls can be compared to a canvas: further drawing will depend on your imagination.

Beige

Another win-win option that is very difficult to spoil the design of the living room. This color scheme makes the room bright and spacious, does not tire, combines well with other shades.

Beige-coloured walls go well with natural wood furniture. This approach to the design of the room will not leave your guests indifferent. nine0003

Design: Svetlana Startseva

Brown

There are a huge number of shades of brown, and all of them will add practicality and richness to your living room. Brown walls are suitable for those rooms that are well lit.

Just don't overdo it with brown, because too much brown will make the living room look smaller. And one more tip: first paint the walls brown, and then pick up furniture and other sets of a different shade so that the elements of the room do not merge with each other. nine0003

Gray

Another versatile option for decorating the living room walls. Against a gray background, any bright paraphernalia looks good, be it a headset or paintings. A good option would be to dilute the monotonous gray shade with patterns or stripes.

Design: Yana Molodykh

Green

Among the many shades of green, there are both bright and dark options for decorating a living room. The presence of green color will give the room a sense of calm, which is so lacking after a hard day's work. nine0003

Green colors look original and attractive, but matching them with other design elements will not be so easy. Shades of green may not be combined with all furniture or floor options, which makes it somewhat difficult to design a living room.

At the same time, a competent combination of all factors makes a room in green tones cozy, beautiful and mysterious. Natural colors are always pleasing to the human eye, which your guests will definitely appreciate.

Design: Stepan Bugaev

Yellow

A truly vibrant color scheme for the living room. The use of yellow shades will be a saving solution for rooms with insufficient natural light.

Bright yellow must be diluted with other, calmer tones (white, gray, beige). A successful combination will make the living room so cheerful and cheerful that you won’t want to leave it.

Design: Irina Sobylenskaya

Blue and light blue

Blue and light blue are suitable for small rooms. These shades are well combined with white, gray, yellow, lilac, brown. Do you want to make your living room a place of peace and tranquility? Then blue tones will be a good solution when choosing a color scheme.

When using blue or light blue, it is important to know the measure and be able to combine with the material of the headset and other elements of the living room. With a successful selection, the room will look elegant and unusual. nine0003

Design: Nikolay Nikitin

Red

The use of red color with proper design leads to good results. An excess of this shade gives the room excessive saturation and contrast, which greatly hurts the eyes, and guests can plunge into a slight shock.

Would you like to use shades of red? Dilute them with furniture and white curtains. This will reduce the “danger” of red in the room and save the eye from overstrain.

Orange

This is where you can talk about the character of a person if he uses orange to decorate the living room. Walls painted in this color will obviously speak of the positive mood of the owner and give the guests a charge of good mood.

Too much orange is the same mistake as in the case of red. Because orange color is very popular with designers, they advise to dilute it with white, gray, beige or black.

Purple and lilac

Purple is a symbol of wealth. The decision to paint the walls of the living room in such shades speaks of the owner's creative and extraordinary thinking. Rich style and unusual design - that's what you can get when choosing lilac and purple colors for decorating the living room.

Black

Here you can once again talk about the classic combination "white + black", the choice of which will bring almost 100% effect on you and your guests. However, the use of black for wall decoration is a rather controversial point, although acceptable in the modern world of design. nine0003

It is believed that black shades can bring sadness and melancholy to those who are in the room. However, now there are many projects where black tones fit perfectly into the overall picture of the living room. The main feature is the use of additional matte, metallic and chrome shades of the color palette in the room set.

Design: Kameleono studio, Pavel Lichik and Anastasia Ivanova

Living room zoning with color

Zoning will be an excellent addition to the overall design of the living room. In particular, the room should have its own seating area, where guests can sit on the sofa and spend their free time having pleasant conversations. How can space be divided? nine0003

  1. An excellent solution would be to paint one of the walls in a bright and saturated color. This contrast is especially visible in the room, the main shades of which will be beige, gray, white and other light colors. The brightness of the object will visually divide the room into several zones;
  2. If you have a dark room in which the walls and other attributes are designed in brown, dark green, blue shades, you can highlight the place for leisure by installing floor lamps, lamps and lamps;
  3. If you dilute plainly painted walls with a few paintings or photographs, you will also be able to highlight a corner in the living room.

Choosing the color of the living room according to the cardinal direction

As the wind rose is taken into account when building a city, one should not forget about the direction in which the living room windows face. The choice of the color of the walls and its maximum manifestation may depend on this.