33 Living Room Color Schemes for a Beautiful, Livable Space
Color is the best way to make an impact on a room's decor. Find a combination of hues you love on this list.
Your choice of color scheme sets the tone for your living room. Make the space cozy and inviting, or create a dramatic and dynamic atmosphere with a combination of colors you love. Find a fresh look for your space with these living room color schemes you can easily adapt to match your decorating style.
Related: 37 Living Room Ceiling Ideas to Transform Your Home
Nature-Inspired Living Room Color Scheme
Olive Green + Cream + Black
Colors pulled from nature make relaxing living room color schemes. Several shades of green appear on this room's mantel, accent chair, and pillows, but the effect is subtle and organic. Creamy white walls linger in the background but complement the yellow undertones of the greens, while hints of black offer a bit of sophistication.
Related: 8 Designer-Approved Ways to Decorate with Black
Modern Living Room Colors
Crisp White + Black + Gold
Living room color schemes don't have to include tons of vibrant hues to pack in personality. A simple palette dominated by black and white gives off a sleek, modern atmosphere. Start with white walls and incorporate black in bold ways, such as on built-ins or trim work. Layer in metallic gold through accessories and accent furniture to brighten the look.
Colorful Living Room Ideas
Burnt Orange + Grassy Green + Pastels
Bring your living room to life with exuberant colors. Start your scheme with one or two main colors, then add in more hues via accessories and fabrics. In this cheery living room, grass-green furniture and window treatments pair with orange accents for an eclectic look. Patterned upholstery and pillows supply a variety of pastel colors to contribute to the room's unique character.
Elegant Living Room Color Scheme
Off-White + Navy + Wood Tones
Variations of cream and white provide a sophisticated foundation for living room color schemes. Employ a variety of textures and small doses of color throughout the room to make a mostly neutral space more interesting. In this living room, wood accents appear on furniture, open shelves, and a built-in nook stocked with firewood. Navy throw pillows bring personality to the simple linen sofa.
Related: Decorating with Raw Wood
Beachy Living Room Color Scheme
Turquoise + Cool Gray + Brights
While blue and turquoise are standard fare for coastal color schemes, bright colors with warmer tones also have a place. This living room blends brilliant turquoise with a few hints of hot pink and yellow to create a playful look inspired by the sea. Subtle beachy accents, including seahorse table lamps, nod to the motif without sacrificing the room's sophistication.
Bold, Moody Living Room Colors
Citron Green + Dusty Rose + Charcoal
Shades of green that lean more yellow than blue tend to have more zing. The vibrant citron green on this living room's sofa is tempered by dark charcoal paint that gives the living room color scheme a moody feel. A rosy area rug underfoot and playful animal print fabrics work with the sofa to keep the dark wall color from feeling too gloomy.
Refined Rustic Living Room Color Scheme
Cloudy Gray + Mustard + Linen
Use living room colors to bridge the gap between distinctive styles. Here, muted neutrals and refined furnishings lean traditional, while a checked ottoman and a framed buffalo art print nod to rustic style. White, gray, navy, brown, and blue cover a wide range of neutrals but work together thanks to the room's timeless aesthetic. Mustard yellow accents add warmth and keep the scheme from falling flat.
Vibrant-Yet-Livable Color Scheme
Tangerine + Cornflower + Shades of White
Bright complementary colors, such as orange and blue, come on strong, but the right decorating strategy ensures this living room color scheme isn't too intense. Sprinkling the hues against a backdrop of white softens the look. In this space, a painted color-block treatment introduces vivid orange in a small area instead of an entire accent wall to keep the color understated.
Related: 25 Bright, Bold Colors That Go with Orange
Light and Airy Living Room Colors
Cottage White + Taupe + Goldenrod
Soaring ceilings and airy shades of white lend a sense of grandeur to this living room. Gray, gold, and tan in the fireplace's stone provide inspiration for the living room colors used elsewhere. Warm gray and goldenrod textiles liven up white furniture while keeping the overall palette neutral.
Cottage-Style Living Room Colors
Antique White + Burgundy + Navy Blue
Simple furnishings slipcovered in timeworn white evoke a cottage-like feel in this living room. Pillows and an area rug sporting navy blue and burgundy patterns energize the look. Fresh flowers and a sprinkling of coastal accents keep it classic rather than cutesy.
Bright Pink Accent Colors
Cream and White + Bright Pink + Muted Blue
Incorporating both white and cream plays up the gorgeous characteristics of pink in living room color schemes. Using all white would make the color seem childish, and a completely cream background would muddy the color. In this living room, balance is achieved with warm white walls and trim and cream upholstery. The right accent colors will also help you pull off blush pink. Throw pillows featuring muted blue patterns tone down pink's feminine appeal.
Rich Blue Living Room Color Scheme
Cerulean Blue + Soft Red + Khaki
Going bold with a living room color scheme is a risk, but the payoff can be incredible. Balancing a vibrant color with neutrals is one key to success. In this living room, cerulean blue colors the walls, fireplace, ceiling, and trim. A mid-tone khaki on the leather sofa and ottoman temper the blue and soft red accents provide further contrast.
Neutral Living Room Colors
Off-White + Taupe + Smokey Black
Give neutrals presence by applying them in a mix of patterns. Vary the scale of patterns on different surfaces to create a balanced look. Here, window treatments feature a tight pattern that's hardly noticeable, while black-and-white striped chairs have a much bolder presence. An assortment of patterned throw pillows in warm neutral colors adds interest to a taupe sofa.
Related: 18 Neutral Living Room Ideas That Are Anything but Boring
Bohemian Living Room Color Scheme
Kelly Green + Brick Red + Earthy Browns
A fearless combination of colors and design styles gives this boho-style living room its edge. The botanical curtains are a jumping-off point for the living room color scheme. It guides the selection of the furniture, area rug, and accents, such as the table lamps and wall sconces. The bright colors are combined with assorted animal print pillows for a safari look.
Vintage-Style Living Room Colors
Kelly Green + Saffron Yellow + Antique White
A living room color scheme of Kelly green and yellow would typically appear bold and modern, but in subdued shades, the hues contribute to this charming space's vintage style. The shiplap-covered walls are painted green to make antique wall art and furnishings stand out. Saffron yellow window treatments bring out the warm tones of leather and wood pieces. Keeping the ceiling, trim, and sofa white maintains a classic look.
Warm Living Room Colors
Oatmeal + Cream + Watery Blue
Set a tranquil tone in your living room with a mixture of warm neutrals, soft colors, and natural elements. The stone fireplace and its rustic wood mantel feature rough textures softened by soft linen furniture and a plush cream-colored area rug. Watery blue tones in pillows and a landscape painting reinforce the serene feeling.
Soothing Living Room Colors
Light Aquamarine + Cottage White + Coral
A soft, blue-green paint color creates a calm, soothing effect in this living room. Upholstered accent chairs and matching ottomans repeat the hue throughout the space for a cohesive look. The light color is just a few shades off of the white that covers the fireplace, trim, and cabinets. Small coral pillows introduce an accent color without distracting from the room's quiet, peaceful mood.
Unexpected Living Room Color Ideas
Warm Gray + Dark Teal + Rich Leather
When colors are applied in unexpected ways, the result is striking. A dark teal accent color covers the fireplace mantel in this living room, creating a colorful focal point in an otherwise neutral space. Warm gray walls, a leather sofa, and a nubby area rug incorporate natural tones into this living room color scheme.
Related: How to Choose the Perfect Area Rug for Your Room
Fun with Neutral Living Room Colors
Light Gray + Pure White + Bubblegum Pink
Neutrals take a fun twist when bubblegum pink becomes part of the living room color scheme. Starting with a neutral base and adding one big pop of color is a savvy way to dive into color without going over the top. Here, pink patterned wallpaper covers the backs of built-in shelves. Pulling in a few smaller doses of equally bright colors, such as coral throw pillows and metallic gold accents, ensures the pink doesn't stick out.
Happy Living Room Color Scheme
Sunny Yellow + Blue + Eggplant
Sunny shades of yellow create bright, happy living room color schemes. Try painting the walls yellow to instantly give the space a lift. To keep the yellow from overtaking the room, introduce cooler tones, such as purple or blue, for contrast and balance. Here, purple velvet chairs, a blue-upholstered sofa, and an assortment of multi-colored pillows and artwork contribute to the room's cheerful outlook.
Pastel Tones in Living Rooms
Powder Blue + Lavender + Warm White
When banded together, soft colors produce a living room color scheme that makes a strong statement. In this space, powder blue takes on a bold presence, covering the ceiling, furniture, and floors. Similarly light in tone, lavender contrasts the blue on artwork and pillows. Creamy white walls offer a warmer counterpoint to all the cool hues.
Related: 9 Pastel Wall Color Ideas to Brighten Your Home
Contemporary Color Scheme
Bluebird + Gunmetal + Snowy White
Cool gray walls paired with plenty of blue captures a modern tone in this living room, enhanced by contemporary furniture and accessories. Using soft white, rather than a stark shade, injects the space with warmth. The wood coffee table top and touches of nature add a grounding effect.
Warm Blue Living Room
Robin's Egg + White + Driftwood
Although blue is technically a cool color, shades that sport a little bit of yellow come off as warmer. In this space, the warm blue wall color is enhanced by a cozy gray chair and wood coffee table. The white fireplace and mirror are brighter counterpoints to the warm hues. Accessories in shades similar to the wall color tie the space together.
Ocean-Inspired Living Room Color Scheme
Navy + Taupe + Sailcloth White
Muted neutrals soothe this large-scale room, while hints of navy introduce a sophisticated color. The primarily gray and blue living room color scheme is reminiscent of stormy ocean waves. With a monochromatic base of neutrals, shape and texture are important players, and the woven wicker chair and large round coffee table become standout pieces.
All-American Color Scheme
Indigo + Paper White + Rusty Red
You can rarely go wrong with a blue-and-white color scheme. In this living room, detailed wall paneling gives the color combination more impact. Introducing rusty red, rather than bright apple red, on accessories captures an Americana style without coming across as a theme. A brown sofa keeps the look relaxed.
Related: 30 Wall Paneling Ideas That Add Instant Character to Any Room
Pink Living Room Color Scheme
Fuchsia + Raspberry + Browns
Pink brings a bright, energizing feel to living rooms. Here, warm neutrals, including white walls, medium latte on the sofa and rug, and dark browns on the furniture frames and floor, are key to pulling off the pink in this living room. Richer tones of pink, raspberry, and fuchsia, rather than pastel hues, appear through punchy patterns that feel bold and grown-up.
Energetic Colors for Living Rooms
Cornflower Blue + Lime + Coral
Covering the walls and trim, blue takes a bold stand in this living room color scheme. Equally strong citron and coral keep up with the blue's energy level. The room's colorful walls, upholstery, and throw pillows remain livable thanks to large doses of neutrals in the window treatments and area rug.
Vibrant Green Living Room
Emerald + Jade + Linen
Green pulls out all the stops in this jewel box living room. Jade and emerald on the walls play out in subtle contrast, and the hues are sprinkled in with accessories throughout the space. A neutral sofa and slipper chair calm the vibrant colors.
Rustic Living Room Color Scheme
Wisteria Purple + Linen Beige + Cloud White
Although this living room is mostly neutral, the exact shades selected for the space have a colorful quality. A hint of wisteria purple on the fuzzy pouf and the throw pillows guided the choice of cooler neutrals on the gray built-in cabinets, brown armchairs, and clean white on the walls and trim work. The linen beige color on the sofa, coffee table top, and mirror frame warm up the living room, as do the wicker baskets and leather-bound books.
Related: 10 Coffee Table Decor Ideas for Every Style
Reimagined Traditional Color Scheme
Coral-Orange + Aqua + Milk Chocolate
Traditional design relies on a refined composition and classic styling. Have fun with this formal look in a living room by layering in a punchy color scheme. With a foundation of timeless neutrals, a complementary color scheme of coral-orange and aqua brings this living room to life. Hints of chocolate brown recall the coloring of the wood floor, tables, and chair frames. Limit a traditional color palette to a few neutrals and two colors to maintain a formal air.
Related: 17 Traditional Living Room Ideas with Classic Design Details
Living Room Colors Inspired by the Garden
Cloudy Blue + Garden Soil Brown + Grass Green
An earthy palette drawn from the garden defines this living room color scheme. The green curtains, garden stool, and the blue wall color are cooler in tone, offering a more refined approach to earthy colors of sky blue and grass green. A brown sofa resembles the color of rich soil and is repeated within the armchair upholstery's stripe.
Classic Living Room Colors
Ecru + Dove Gray + Yellow
A mix of neutrals and warm tones set a classic, elegant tone in living rooms. Soft ecru lends a glowing quality to this space, while gray is a grounding addition. A restrained use of yellow on the pillows draws out the yellow undertones in the ecru while adding dimension.
Metallic Living Room Color Scheme
Nickel Gray + Golden Yellow
Use neutrals inspired by metallics to create a chic look that's not overpowering. In this living room, nickel gray walls envelop the space, and a golden yellow pattern is featured on the window treatments. Bringing the colors of your walls and window treatments into the rest of the space is a smart step in good decor. Here, the gray pops up on the upholstery, and the golden color appears in variations on the rug and the side table between the chairs.
Help With Choose Colors
Lists of color choices are very helpful when trying to pick colors for your bedroom or living room color scheme, but what goes into determining how colors work together? To start, take a look at how the color wheel works. Understanding how colors complement each other, why colors work together, and which colors draw your eye can give you confidence when picking paint swatches to test at home. Check out the major paint brands' annual choices for color of the year if you want to know what's trending—or what's predicted to be significant.
All these things will work to give you ideas, but maybe the most important thing you can do when choosing colors is to just look around you. Check out your clothes, your favorite piece of art in your home, the flowers you pick up at the farmers market each week, and what you find yourself drawn to when browsing in stores or window shopping. Color is personal, so listen to your instincts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most popular color for living rooms?
The most popular living room color is green—particularly greens inspired by the colors of nature. Designers love it because it is a soothing color that pairs well with soft neutrals, crisp whites, and a bevy of earthy greys, browns, and blues.
What’s the best furniture color for living rooms?
When it comes to living room furniture, many experts suggest sticking with neutral colors (like grey, brown, or beige), but frankly, anything goes. If you are starting from scratch, decide if you want your sofa to be a vibrant showpiece or a neutral anchor for the room, and design the rest of the space around that decision. Choosing accent chairs that echo the colors of your wall art or throw pillows is a great way to tie the whole room together.
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