Selecting a Colour Scheme for Living Rooms

The colour scheme you choose for your living room will define the mood and atmosphere of the space. You might decide to create a gentle, comforting sanctuary using inviting hues that will promote rest and relaxation. Alternatively, your living room could host a unique combination of colours that project your personality, delivering a captivating setting.

Explore inspiring living room colour schemes from the Paint & Paper Library palette to create the ideal setting to correspond with your decorating style.

9 living room colour scheme ideas to transform your space

Tranquil nature-inspired living room colour schemes

Use a colour palette of soft, muted greens to harness the soothing abilities of nature. Green shades can instil an atmosphere of calm and tranquillity in your living space. Embrace a colour scheme of related greens such as the Sprig Architectural Colours. Or, select complementary shades like Ilex and Sobek.

For an inviting, encompassing effect, colour drench your space in an attractive muted green like Greenback or The Botanist.

Coordinate your green shades with natural materials and neutral furnishings to achieve a peaceful, comforting feel. By completing your scheme with natural light and greenery, you will create a strong sense of connection with the outside world.

Timeless neutral colour scheme ideas for living rooms

Neutrals are a classic choice for living rooms. These shades provide an understated backdrop that is simple to complement with fabrics and statement furniture pieces. Shades that contain a balanced combination of pigments are truly versatile. They sit comfortably in almost any interior without appearing too warm or cool.

Consider neutrals from the Stone, Slate or Canvas Architectural Colours. Pair these neutrals with accessories and focal points that reflect your personal style.

Discover some of the best warm neutrals for your living room colour scheme.

Sumptuous, dark and moody living room colour schemes

The Paint & Paper Library includes a selection of dark paint colours that can transform the atmosphere of a living room. Muted, charcoal shades like Squid Ink and Kohl are particularly effective when embraced across all walls and woodwork. These deep colours envelop guests in their rich and profound hue.

Embrace the elegance of your chosen paint colour by teaming with antique furniture and traditional dark wood floors. Introducing a contrasting colour or texture will elevate your scheme. Consider a mustard yellow fabric or a complementary wallpaper like Quatrefoil – Kohl.

Explore more ways to embrace deep, dark hues.

Sophisticated yellow painting schemes for living rooms

The introduction of yellow in your living room is an excellent way to create a welcoming and uplifting setting. You might feel that yellow is a bold colour choice that could overwhelm your interior design. However, incorporating a complementary, elegant yellow within a tonal colour scheme will create a sophisticated space with a real sense of positivity. Consider the warm yellows, Muga and Morning Room, as colour highlights within a warm neutral Paper scheme.

Earthy tonal shades for living room colour schemes

Recent years have seen a clear shift away from the use of cooler, grey-based neutrals in living rooms. Instead, opting for earthy neutrals that offer inherent warmth can create a restful, nurturing living room environment.

The pink-based Powder Architectural Colours are based on a palette of tonal warm neutrals. These shades make a superb choice for a harmonious living space. These alluring hues coordinate beautifully with neutral furnishings and elegant dark wood finishes.

Luxurious deep blue living room colour schemes

Use dark, inky blues in the interior design of many living rooms to deliver a scheme with real confidence. Shades like Kigali, Blue Blood, Plimsoll and Mockingbird have a luxurious, sophisticated character. When used all-over – or on a statement ceiling – these deep blues can create a cocooning setting that offers tranquillity and restfulness.

The furnishings you incorporate will help to determine the overall atmosphere of your scheme. To bring a sense of comfort, consider light-coloured, textured boucle furniture alongside rustic bare wood floors. Or add a touch of opulence with plush velvet fabrics in complementary dark colours.

Be inspired to use blues and greens in tranquil combinations.

Vibrant, botanical living room colour schemes

For an energising scheme, consider walls painted in bright and bold shades that evoke the vibrancy of the outdoors. You could introduce an impactful accent colour on your woodwork and trim to instantly enliven your living room. Choose a paint colour that coordinates with your chosen botanical wallpaper or complementary neutral on the walls.

For a statement finish, embrace a rich and vibrant paint colour like Iguana on all your walls and woodwork. Combine with fabrics, furnishings and accessories in tonal shades to achieve an immersive oasis of colour.

Explore botanical wallpapers for your nature-inspired living room scheme.

Rich and sumptuous living room colour schemes

For an alluring blend of warmth and opulence, select a rich paint colour for your living room walls. These sumptuous hues combine beautifully with dark wood furniture and coordinating fabrics to create a luxurious wraparound effect. For added design impact, consider a statement, contrasting ceiling colour – for example, Grenache with Lady Char’s Lilac.

Elegant, cocooning living room colour schemes

Deep chocolate browns are now reclaiming their place in interior design. These unassuming shades have an unrivalled ability to create warmth, comfort and elegance in living rooms.

Use brown shades on all walls and woodwork for a cocooning feel. With their earthy undertones, dark browns are also the perfect accompaniment to natural elements such as stone, wood, rattan and jute finishes. This combination creates a restful, soothing scheme that evokes nature.

Consider comforting schemes particularly for colder seasons.

Explore the full Paint and Paper Library palette by colour, to define your next living room scheme.

FAQs about colour schemes for living rooms

What is the most popular colour for the living room?

Neutral paint colours have timeless appeal for living rooms. They are a popular choice due to their ability to coordinate with a variety of fabrics and furnishings. As such, you can easily update your scheme throughout the year, depending on your decorating style.

As an alternative to pale neutrals, you could consider an elegant green paint colour. With their neutral makeup, shades of green sit comfortably in most interior settings. Greens provide a beautiful backdrop to artworks and accessories.

How to choose a colour scheme for your living room?

When choosing a colour scheme for your living room, it is important to consider the function of the space and the atmosphere you want to create. The same is true of any interior scheme.

Explore inspiration in the Paint & Paper Library image gallery and consider what schemes and colour combinations draw you in. Order a complimentary colour card to select a few shades. Then order sample pots to test in situ and confirm your colour choices.

How to add colour to your living room?

Using paint is the perfect way to bring colour to your living room. Paint walls or woodwork to instantly add personality and character to your scheme. You could create real transformation by painting all the walls and woodwork in one paint colour for a cocooning, colour-drenched finish.

Alternatively, add colour to your living room by introducing a bright colour highlight on your woodwork or a piece of furniture. This judicious use of colour can have real impact, elevating your scheme with increased design interest.

Selecting a Colour Scheme for Living Rooms