The color living
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.
2 of 50
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
8 of 50
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.
5 Elevated Ways to Add Color to Your Living Room
Painting your living room a bold shade will make the space pop, but it's certainly not the easiest way. For a less labor-intensive path to adding color to your surroundings, look to your accent furniture and decor.
These five ideas, executed entirely with pieces from The Home Depot's online collection, demonstrate just how simple it is to take your living room from muted to vibrant without any major design overhauls. Here's how to tap the color spectrum to refresh this key zone.
Choose jewel-tone accent chairs
Rather than swapping out the anchor of your living room (the sofa), bring color into the furniture through accent chairs. Here, a pair of deep blue velvet armchairs provide contrast with the neutral sofa.
Jewel tones are always an elegant option, adding richness without being overwhelming.
The Home Depot carries seating options in every shade, from eggplant to emerald green to teal, so there's a style for every taste. Look for saturated hues paired with brass or gold elements to add warmth and a glam touch.
Nora Navy Accent Chair, Set of 2
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Monica Velvet Side Chair
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Bettina Velvet Barrel Arm Chair, Set of 2
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Anika Teal Arm Chair, Set of 2
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Put dynamic tones on display
Open shelving, like a bookcase or even a single wall-mounted shelf, offers an easy chance to add color and personality to your living room. Keep in mind the size of the space between your shelves as you shop for decor items, as you want to make sure they'll fit.
David Tsay
Layer your shelves with finds from your travels, plants, books, and ceramics, varying the hues, dimensions, and textures to create a dynamic composition.
You can mix a tall blue-and-white porcelain vase with a looped gold sculpture. Trailing plants, like low-maintenance pothos, perched on the top shelf break up a horizontal display and bring an organic sense (not to mention a lush green hue) to the room.
Layer saturated pillows over a neutral sofa
Throw pillows are one of the simplest ways to change up a room's vibe. You can even do it seasonally. The key is to start with a neutral sofa, which gives you the most flexibility in palette. Pull in hues found elsewhere in the space; in this room, the blush and mauve pillows echo the pink tones in the wall art.
This is also an opportunity to play with texture and shape to bring even more intrigue into a room. This emerald green pillow features plush velvet in a woven chevron pattern, while this round royal blue pillow brings an unexpected form.
Classic Blue Round Velvet Pillow
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Jordan Yellow Geometric Cotton Throw Pillow
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Emerald Chevron Velvet Throw Pillow
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Enhance Blossom Lumbar Velvet Throw Pillow
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Add abstract art with splashes of color
Think of your walls as a blank canvas for artistic display.
Abstract art is a fun and expressive way to add color to a room without committing to a particular scene or image as you might with figurative art. Look for pieces with shades that complement your overall palette and give the artwork pride of place above the sofa.
David Tsay
Eschew numerous smaller pieces for a few larger frames or a single, statement-making painting like this large-scale impressionistic piece. To create a diptych or triptych, choose artworks with the same dimensions and similar colors, such as this painterly print and this geometric one.
Go vivid with coffee table styling
Use your coffee table as a rotating canvas for bright and beautiful objects like sculptural vases and real or faux flowers, which can be stacked atop a glossy navy serving tray. More is less when it comes to tabletop styling; stick to just a few items at a time for greater impact.
Create a vignette with objects of varying heights, which pleases the eye more than a flat arrangement. Use the sharp, rectilinear silhouettes of coffee table books to add contrast to the taller items on your table. (This might be the one time to judge a book by its cover—pick something bright!) Your coffee table will be viewed from every angle, so do a lap around the table to make sure your composition works in 360 degrees.
Assorted Ceramic Vases, Set of 3
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Stoneware Vases, Set of 8
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Bright Matte Bud Ceramic Vases, Set of 3
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Multi Colored Stoneware Vintage Vases, Set of 3
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Stefanie Waldek
Contributing Writer
Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based writer covering architecture, design, and travel. She's worked on staff at Architectural Digest, ARTnews, and Oyster.com, a TripAdvisor company, and has contributed to Condé Nast Traveler, The Washington Post, Design Milk, and Hunker, among others.
When she's not dreaming about midcentury chairs, you can find her re-watching The X-Files, likely in an airport lounge or on a plane.
Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year
The Color of the Year, traditionally announced in December by Pantone (the developer of professional color standards and digital solutions for the design industry), is an expression of what is important to world culture, public sentiment and current trends.
The process of choosing the color of the year requires careful consideration and trend analysis. To make the right choice every year, Pantone color experts at the Pantone Color Institute scour the world for new color trends. Last year, ultra-violet turned out to be in trend.
16-1546 Living Coral has been chosen as the Color of the New Year 2019, a revitalizing and life-affirming shade of orange with golden undertones.
Pantone explains we get energy from nature just like a coral reef is a source of food and a haven for marine life, bright but "soft" stay afloat in our ever-changing world.
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PANTONE Color 16-1546 Live Coral encourages carefree activity with an outgoing and energetic appeal. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and the search for joy, Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral represents our desire for playful self-expression.
Lori Pressman, Vice President, Pantone Color Institute:
Color enriches and influences the way we experience life. A shade that celebrates life with its dual role as both vibrant and nurturing, Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral reaffirms that colors can embody our collective experience and reflect what is happening in global culture at any given time.
Use of color in advertising
On social media
Living Coral makes a strong impression in digital environments, evoking the same inspiring feelings as in natural settings. The brilliance and vivaciousness of Living Coral draws our attention in social media and digital design.
Product design
Living Coral is a natural fit for products of all genders and ages.
Materials with texture and friendly colors, such as Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral, speak to our need for products with human and eye-pleasing characteristics.
In packaging design
Living Coral is ideal for packaging. Warm and inviting, this life-affirming shade invites the shopper to take the item off the shelf.
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute:
Color is our universal lens through which we perceive both natural and digital reality, and this is especially true for Living Coral. With the consumer craving more than ever for connection and social connection, the human and uplifting qualities of Pantone's friendly Living Coral strike a chord.
Introducing the Pantone Color of the Year 2019, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral - an animating and life-affirming coral hue...
Published by Pantone Wednesday, December 5, 2018
The Pantone Color Institute has announced Living Coral as the Color of the Year for 2019, a vibrant shade with natural softness.
Bold Living Coral has a playful spirit. It creates a feeling of warmth, peace and care in the house. Due to its nature, Living Coral adds a powerful color effect to any space. We selected furniture and accessories in the trendy color of the coming year: “We get energy from nature. Just as a coral reef is a source of food and a haven for marine life, vibrant yet soft Living Coral welcomes us into its warm and nurturing embrace, providing comfort and keeping us afloat in our ever-changing world.” — Pantone.
Warmth and positivity
The Italian factory Paola Lenti produces original furniture from woven fiber that is resistant to sun and rain, as well as designer carpets and runners. Paola Lenti furniture is bright and positive, it is chosen for private interiors, hotels and hotels. Coral-colored pouffes and carpets will look organically both on an open veranda and as bright accents in any modern interior:
In the photo: furniture Paola Lenti .
Lagom style
Connubia is a concise furniture in a modern style, in harmony with objects of various trends. Most of the brand's models can be purchased in several color options, including coral. An attractive price is achieved through the use of practical modern materials and efficient processing technologies.
In the photo: kitchen chairs Connubia Sami .
According to an ancient myth, Perseus, after cutting off the head of the Gorgon, was on his way to the goddess Athena. Along the way, the head of Medusa, folded into a bag, dropped drops of blood. Those drops that fell on the deserts turned into poisonous snakes. And those that fell into the sea were transformed into red corals.
Classic shapes
chandeliers and SigmaL2 lamps are elegant and unique pieces of furniture that create a sophisticated atmosphere in the room. The materials used in the collection are extremely varied: bronze, steel, brass, porcelain, majolica, marble, onyx, precious stones and Swarovski crystals.
Most of the products of the factory are decorated by hand. The unsurpassed art of execution down to the smallest detail attracts the eye again and again:
In the photo: lamp SigmaL2 in coral shade.
Energy of nature
Coral color is able to give off heat. By placing elements of coral color in the interior, you can add warmth to the atmosphere. The stylish modular sofa from by designer Patricia Urquiola in coral color offers an unprecedented number of different configurations, possible sizes and shapes, allowing it to fit brilliantly into various interiors. The frame of the model is made of wood, and the base is made of stainless steel:
In the photo: designer sofa Moroso Lowland .
The sociable and energetic nature of the color Living Coral encourages carelessness. Symbolizing our innate need for joy, coral represents the desire for playful self-expression.
From the future
Furniture Vondom is made from technologically safe and recyclable materials.
The translucency of the frame allows you to embed LED lighting in most models of the factory. Luminous objects look very impressive not only indoors, but also in open space. Recognizable geometric design is the main feature of Vondom furniture.
Photo: sofas Vondom Stone and lamps Vondom Sabinas by designer Javier Mariscal.
Velvet luxury
Luxurious finishes and a rich selection of beds Silik , made in the style of Louis XIV, with high upholstered headboards and chic finishes, will impress connoisseurs of exquisite Italian furniture. Soft and incredibly comfortable beds are made single and double and only from the most valuable species of wood.
Pictured: single bed Silik .
Depending on the lighting and companion colors, coral can look different - leaning more towards red or becoming almost pink.
Delicate Murano glass
Catalog Or Illuminazione includes two collections: chandeliers with crystal pendants and handmade Murano glass lamps.
All Or Illuminazione items are handcrafted and made to order. Most models are available in several sizes and colors, including soft coral:
Photo: Murano glass lamp Rosa Oro by OR Illuminazione.
Coral VS Gray
Coral color looks great against gray. The neutrality of the adjacent colors helps the coral to reveal its full potential. At the same time, the general background is also transformed - it becomes cleaner and clearer.
In the photo: modular upholstered furniture Twils . Any Twils bed or sofa can be purchased in a finish of your choice: the factory has dozens of textile upholstery to suit every taste.
Lightness and comfort
Armchairs and chairs Midj are based on metal or wood. At the same time, a feeling of lightness and comfort remains common to any model. For decoration, both artificial materials - plastic and fabrics, and natural ones - leather and wood are used.
In the photo: light and stylish Midj chairs in trendy color 2019.
Bright and elegant
Bed Prima by Valdichienti will perfectly fit into your bedroom interior thanks to its elegant shapes and original design solution. The bed is completely made of solid wood, leather is used as upholstery. The stability and strength of the whole structure is ensured by massive wooden legs 16 cm high.
In the photo: bed Valdichienti Prima .
Cozy textures
Carpets produced by Limited Edition attract attention at first sight. And you feel love for natural materials, colors and textures that lie behind them. Pure craftsmanship, handmade, distinctive design, Belgian quality . The factory offers the freedom to choose not only the color, but also the shape, size and material of the future carpet.
In the photo: bright carpet Limited Edition Mystic .
Romantic mood
The high quality of Bolzan materials, combined with extensive customization options and accurate workmanship, has made Bolzan a popular choice among European and Russian buyers.
