51 Living Room Color Schemes From Bold to Understated

Deciding on a living room color scheme involves making choices around everything from paint to furnishings, textiles, and decor. Whether you're looking to make a subtle shift from all-white; add top notes of vibrant color to a neutral space; pair favorite colors; or build your living room decor around an unexpected statement hue, check out these inspired color schemes for ideas on how to incorporate color in both classic and unexpected ways.

White + Yellow

An all-white living room is a versatile blank canvas that you can easily transform by adding virtually any color under the sun. In this SoHo loft, NYC-based interior designer Ghislaine Viñas bathed the space in white before adding touches of wood and a pair of sunny yellow armchairs that add some mood-boosting color that's easy to live with, and can be layered with other colors down the road.

Pink + Gray

Pink and gray is a crowd-pleasing color pairing that gives this living room from Liberty Interiors a soft and soothing feel, with luminous gray walls, dark gray carpet, and shades of pink on armchairs and throw pillows that creates a soothing backdrop for relaxing and entertaining.

Brown + Blue

This traditional style living room from Becca Interiors pairs blue walls with brown leather and wood furnishings, a classic and timeless combo that goes together like a blue suit and brown leather dress shoes.

Black + Gray + Yellow

This sophisticated French living room from Caroline Andréoni Interior Design mixes matte black paint on the walls with a large sectional sofa in a soft pale shade of gray to create a calming, enveloping feel, while touches of yellow on throw pillows give the sober palette a lift.

White + Beige

When styling an all-white room, it's important to vary the shades and tones so that it doesn't feel one-dimensional or sterile. This 1920's Los Angeles hunting cabin from Leanne Ford Interiors reads like an all-white room, but it's the mixture of shades of white with natural beige tones that gives it a soft, cozy, and livable feel.

Shades of Pink + Mustard Yellow

Pink is a versatile color that can veer sweet and blush-toned or rosy and serene, like the walls and plush upholstered sofa in this living room from Fantastic Frank. Shades of yellow and mustard are a perfect complement that blends well with the warm wood tones.

Blue + Coral

Energizing shades of bright blue and coral complement a striking medium-toned wood accent wall in this light-flooded living room from interior designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis.

Brown + Cream

Tones of rich, earthy brown from the fireplace surround tiles to the grasscloth wall coverings to the vintage trunk coffee table are mixed with soothing creamy white walls that highlight the character of this Spanish Colonial style living room from interior designer Tyler Karu.

Blue + White

In this beach front living room in Nantucket, MA from Allison Babcock Design, the white shiplap walls and painted ceiling beams are punctuated with shades of blue and warmed up with natural materials like wood and rattan to give it a clean, coastal vibe that is easy to replicate whether or not you live at the seashore.

Black + White

Black and white is a marriage of opposites, a classic color pairing that will stand the test of time. In this living room from Louis Duncan-He Designs, matte black walls on either side of the fireplace are lined with floating shelves that serve as a showcase for a treasured vinyl collection that pops against the neutral background.

Yellow + Green + Red

This cozy British living room from Studio Peake has vivid yellow wall paint that makes a cheerful foil for assertive pops of green and red scattered throughout that add energy and personality to the classic bones of the room.

Gray + White

Using a serene, no-fail color combination allows you to play with shapes and patterns, like this gray-and-white living room from Michelle Gerson Interiors.

Pale Red + Olive Green

Bold red walls, red-toned woods, a massive olive green sectional, and black hardwood flooring makes a statement in this living room from interior designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis.

Black + Green

This living room from Laquita Tate Interior Styling and Designs pairs shades of green with striking matte charcoal black paint on the tall brick fireplace that anchors the room.

Beige + Sand

This midcentury modern desert living room in Rancho Mirage, CA from Brophy Interiors has a mix of retro and contemporary furniture and decor and a color palette of warm sandy shades of beige and butterscotch that suits the surroundings.

Black + Cream + Tan

Leanne Ford Interiors added tones of cream and tan to this black-and-white living room that adds warmth and makes it feel as inviting as it is chic.

Black + Blue

In this Parisian living room from Caroline Andréoni Interior Design, built-in bookshelves flanking the period fireplace are backed with black patterned wallpaper that complements the peacock blue walls and classic marble fireplace.

White + Gold

The white walls and curvy furniture of this contemporary living room from Leanne Ford Interiors are paired with gilded accents like an ornate vintage mirror on the wall that adds a decorative element over the minimalist fireplace and adds definition to the bright, light-flooded space.

Blue + Green + Orange

Soft white walls and pale oak flooring makes the perfect backdrop for a color scheme comprised of blue, green, and orange accents in this colorful Spanish apartment from Fantastic Frank. This combo can work in any interior and is particularly well suited to midcentury modern interiors.

Blush Tones + Navy Blue

Interior designer Tyler Karu added color to this living room with art and textiles in shades of soft blush tones and navy blue, a winning combination that is balanced and easy to style.

Black + Cognac

Soft black walls, a mix of black and white textiles, and a cognac colored leather sofa are an easygoing match for this comfortable apartment living room from NYC-based interior designer Alvin Wayne.

White + Gray + Blue + Brown + Rust

Adding touches of color through textiles and accessories is an easy way to introduce color to an otherwise neutral-toned space. This light and airy midcentury modern living room from Cathie Hong Interiors reads as neutral, but a closer look reveals judicious doses of multiple colors—from pale gray to navy blue to medium-toned brown to rust—that quietly add depth and dimension without detracting from the zen feel of the room.

Ombre of Blue + Pale Gray

The star feature of this living room from Tina Ramchandani Creative is the blue gradient paint treatment on the walls and ceiling that creates a calming atmosphere and is more memorable than flat painted walls. A pale gray sofa adds a quiet contrast that works well with the dramatic ombre of blue tones.

Terracotta + Pale Yellow

This understated living room from Cathie Hong Interiors has a neutral palette with white walls, a light taupe colored sofa, and accents of pale terracotta and soft yellow on the wall art and rug that complement the wood tones throughout the room.

Royal Blue + Gray

In this glammed up living room designed by Forbes + Masters, glossy royal blue walls and coffered ceilings set the tone for decor like blingy chandeliers and an ornate gilded mirror. Curved sofas in a medium-toned gray and contemporary accents like a minimalist fireplace surround and pairs of floor lamps on either side of the seating area calm things down just a bit.

White + Turquoise + Gold

This Palm Springs living room from Michelle Boudreau Design has soft shades of white and gray accented with a midcentury armchair in a bracing shade of turquoise that echoes the shade of the pool beyond the windows. Bright gold accents let the sunshine in.

Chocolate Brown + Cherry Red

Saturated chocolate brown walls are paired with deep cherry red drapes, a cocoa-colored suede ottoman and a brown plaid rug in this well lit basement living room from Forbes + Masters.

White + Red

This contemporary minimalist living room from Leanne Ford Interiors has a strict white and red palette that keeps the focus on sculptural shapes and clean lines.

Blue + Pink + Green

This English double living room from Studio Peake has a color palette of blue, pink, and green in varying shades on a riot of patterns that creates a colorful, eccentric look that's difficult to pin down while creating a cohesive color story, making it the perfect backdrop for those who prefer a maximalist take on decor.

Navy + White

The white walls and simple lines of this Connecticut farmhouse living room from interior designer Kara Mann is anchored by a deep navy blue velvet couch that complements the wood tones and vintage decor pieces.

Deep Teal + Hot Pink

This eclectic midcentury modern style living room from Erin Williamson Design has deep teal wall paint, a hot pink vintage rug, and plenty of white and wood tones to keep the room in balance.

Red + Brown + Black

Before settling on a color scheme, consider existing architectural elements and decor. This living room from Leanne Ford Interiors features dark tones of red and black from the Chesterfield sofa to the armchairs, giving it a relaxed, chic feel that stands up to the bold patterned tile fireplace and dramatic brown wood ceiling beams and flooring.

Red + Green

In this London house living room from Emilie Fournet Interiors, green paint and red patterned textile accents create an unpretentiously cozy spot for nights in that feels like it's been this way forever, and will never go out of style.

Black + Gold

This 1920s Tudor living room from Brexton Cole Interiors has a neutral palette of black and white, with touches of mustard yellow and gold on textiles, lighting, and accessories to keep it from looking too traditional.

White + Black + Pale Gray

This contemporary living room from Forbes + Masters is dominated by shades of white and the palest of gray, with black accents to add a graphic and grounding touch.

Orange + Green

This midcentury modern meets Caribbean-style California living room from Cathie Hong Interiors has a neutral envelope of soft white, beige, and light wood tones that is complemented with textiles and a floral centerpiece in shades of orange and green.

Taupe + Gray

Color doesn't have to be bright or loud to make a statement. Taupe walls, a soft gray sofa and rug, pale wood accents and a ceiling-scraping potted tree create an effortlessly chic backdrop for this Scandinavian living room from Fantastic Frank.

Blue + Red

This spacious British living room from Studio Peake has a neutral background that makes dominant shades of blue and red take center stage, telling a color story that can be changed when the desire for another mix of hues arises.

Brown + Black + Gray

This living room from Forbes + Masters has white walls and ceiling that contrast with the dramatic black and gray floors, rug, furnishings, and decor, and give the art a chance to shine.

Soft White + Pale Blue

This bright living room from Desiree Burns Interiors has a light and relaxed feel befitting of a coastal grandmother, with shades of soft white and pale blue warmed up with wood tones and natural accents on window treatments, floor coverings, and armchairs.

Navy + Blue-Gray + Red

In this British living room from Studio Peake, both solid and patterned takes on red and navy blue are paired with pale luminous blue gray wall paint for a cohesive effect loaded with personal style.

Beige + Blue

This living room from Erin Williamson Design has a calming color palette of beige and blue tones that complement the brown wood furnishings and eclectic decor.

Sage Green + Golden Yellow

This cozy English living room from House 9 Interiors pairs calming sage green paint with an eye-catching mustard velvet sofa that adds some color and contrast to an otherwise neutral room.

Purple + Gray

This Stockholm living room from Fantastic Frank has a plush royal purple rug, a deep gray velvet sofa, and black-and-white photography and patterned throw pillows to add a graphic touch that keeps it looking modern.

Blue + Pink + Yellow + Green

This living room from Leanne Ford Interiors mixes soft vintage-inspired shades of blue, pink, yellow, and natural green that work harmoniously together without feeling busy.

Brown + Pink

This English living room from Lobster and Swan has a warm, earthy color palette of brown wood tones and natural elements mixed with textiles in shades of blush and salmon pink for a slightly retro, eclectic, bohemian design-inspired feel.

Navy + Gold

This living room from blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona has matte navy wall paint that adds depth to the wall of built-ins, and gold-toned lighting fixtures that wake up the dark color with a little bit of bling.

Green + White

This bright and sunny living room from Desiree Burns Interiors pairs deep jewel toned green with crisp white for a clean, modern feel.

Yellow + Blue + Green

This sunny living room from Casa Watkins Living mixes shades of yellow, blue, and green, colors that play together well and are easy to mix and match.

Gray + Green + Orange

This cozy Victorian house living room in London from Emilie Fournet Interiors has classic bay windows and a period fireplace. But it's decorated with midcentury modern furniture and decor, eclectic art, and green and orange accessories that play well against the warm gray walls.

Rainbow Colors

If you love color but have difficulty choosing a color palette for the living room, why not install a giant rainbow area rug instead. In this New York City apartment from interior designer Ghislaine Viñas, the rainbow rug anchors the seating area and provides a menu of largely bold primary colors that are blended throughout the room, from a multi-colored framed artwork over the mantel to bold upholstery and decor.

How do you choose a color scheme for a living room?

For a cohesive look throughout your home, choose a living room color scheme that is similar to the rest of your interior. Add variation with an accent wall, throw pillows, wall decor, or an area rug.

Choose black and white for a timeless or minimalist feel, or jewel tones for a traditional space. For a tonal look, mix three or more shades of the same color such as green or blue (or any other color that strikes your fancy) to give the monochromatic color scheme dimension and interest.

What is the 60 30 10 rule for living rooms?

The 60 30 10 rule is a simple formula that can come in handy when deciding on a color scheme for a living room. Choose a dominant color for 60% of the room, using it on large accent pieces like area rugs and sofas.

Select a secondary color to complement the main color, and use it on 30% of decor such as window treatments and accent walls. Then add a finishing touch by adding 10% of a third color on throw pillows and blankets and wall art and decor.

What is a good color scheme for a small living room?

Neutrals are a safe bet for a small living room. From all-white to beige to gray, taupe, or a classic color combination of black and white, you can mix neutrals together in a cohesive way to keep a small living room feeling balanced and harmonious.

Paint walls, trim, and ceiling in the same color for a modern feel that will make the space feel larger than it is.

But if you are a lover of color, feel free to paint a small living room in a bright color such as yellow, in shades of light blue and green for an airy feel, or in warm earth tones. Or you can embrace the coziness and paint a small living room dark, which can actually make it feel larger by blurring the lines between where walls begin and end.

Be sure to add plenty of texture, ambient lighting, and metallic accents that will attract and bounce around light.

Read Next: 20 Family Room Color Ideas

Read the original article on The Spruce.