Choosing a wall color for your living room can be an exciting yet daunting. With endless paint options to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But have no fear! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to select the perfect living room wall color.
Living Room Wall Colors
Your living room walls set the tone for the entire space. The right wall color can make the room feel soothing, peaceful, lively, and energetic. When selecting a shade, it’s important to consider the mood you want to create and how the color will look with your existing furniture and decor.
Neutral wall colors like white, beige and gray are always safe. They provide a clean backdrop that allows your furniture and accessories to shine. If you want to make more of a splash, consideration a rich blue or green to create an elegant, cozy feel.
No matter what direction you decide, this guide will break down the psychology behind wall colors, popular paint options, how to choose an accent wall, pairing colors with furniture finishes and more. Let’s dive in!
The Psychology Behind Living Room Wall Colors
Understanding the psychology behind different colors is crucial when selecting your living room wall shade. While personal preference plays a key role, colors can evoke certain moods and emotions in a space.
Calming, Neutral Wall Colors
Stick to neutral wall colours if you want to create a relaxing and soothing environment. Here are some top options:
- White – Crisp and clean, white makes rooms feel open and airy. It allows other furniture and decor to pop.
- Beige – From warm sand to soft camel, beige infuses a subtle coziness into a space. It pairs nicely with wood tones.
- Light Gray – Gray is versatile and modern. Soft, light grays feel soothing and elegant.
- Greige – A blend of gray and beige provides a pleasant neutral backdrop for decorating.
Uplifting, Bold Wall Colors
Want to energize your living room? Go for a bolder wall color. Here are some bright ideas:
- Yellow – Cheery shades of yellow spark joy and uplift the mood. From bright lemon to soft buttery hues.
- Green – Earthy green tones bring the outdoors in. Sage and moss greens are pleasant and relaxing.
- Blue – From soft powder to dramatic navy, blue hues instill tranquility and sophistication.
- Red – Sparking excitement and activity, reds run the gamut from rich burgundy to bright cherry.
No matter which direction you decide to go – neutral or bold – choose colors that complement your existing furniture and create the desired ambiance. Look at some of the most popular living room wall color ideas.
The Top Living Room Wall Color Ideas
Based on current trends and designer recommendations, here are some of the best living room wall colors to consider:
Neutral & Subtle
- Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray – A very light, slightly warm gray. Soothing and elegant.
- Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan – A warm, inviting beige that infuses coziness.
- Behr Cappuccino Foam – A latte-inspired tan that pairs well with brown leather furniture.
- Valspar Rock Gray is a versatile, pale gray that complements modern and traditional decor.
Soft & Relaxing
- Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow – A muted yellow with a subtle green undertone. Feels bright yet relaxing.
- Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige – A popular greige (gray/beige) that provides a soothing backdrop.
- Behr Gale Force – A breezy, airy pale green blue. Captures the essence of the sky.
- Valspar Oyster Mushroom – A restful, dusty shade of green with gray undertones.
Bold & Vibrant
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy – A dramatic, inky navy blue that feels refined.
- Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn – A deep, dark blackish gray for a bold, sophisticated look.
- Behr Deep Forest – An elegant emerald green that envelops you like the forest.
- Valspar Crimson Tide – A striking red in a blue undertone for visual depth.
Warm & Welcoming
- Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray – A light warm gray that creates an inviting backdrop.
- Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige – A versatile beige with gray undertones, feels cozy.
- Behr Cinnamon Toast – A creamy, spiced tan that sparks comfort and nostalgia.
- Valspar Doeskin – A soft fawn brown that pairs nicely with leather and wood tones.
Choose a shade that enhances your space and furniture, no matter which direction you choose – light or dark, warm or cool. Now let’s look at how to use accent walls to add drama.
Choosing an Accent Wall Color
An accent wall is a great way to add visual interest and personality to your living room. You can make one wall the focal point by painting one wall a different color. Here are some accent wall ideas:
Complementary Color
Choose a shade that complements your main wall color for subtle contrast. For example:
- Main walls: Behr Gale Force
- Accent wall: Behr Canyon Floor (earthy orange)
Bold & Vibrant
Make the accent wall stand out with a saturated hue like:
- Main walls: Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan
- Accent wall: Benjamin Moore Cobalt (vivid blue)
Metallic Sheen
Amp up the drama with a metallic paint finish. Consider:
- Main walls: Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray
- Accent wall: Sherwin-Williams Silverplate (shimmery gray)
Natural Tone
Bring warmth to a cool-toned space with wood paneling or a stone finish on the accent wall.
When selecting an accent wall color, stick to the 60-30-10 rule – 60% main color, 30% accent color, 10% for trim and ceilings. This creates balanced contrast.
Wall Colors for Different Furniture Styles
The wall color you choose should complement your existing furniture. Here are some recommendations:
Walls for Black Furniture
Black furniture pops against soft, light wall colors:
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (bright white)
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White (crisp white)
- Behr White Metal (clean white with cool undertones)
Avoid pairing black furniture with dark wall colors, which can feel oppressive and heavy.
Walls for Brown Furniture
Brown furniture looks best against warm wall tones like:
- Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (warm beige)
- Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (greige)
- Behr Cappuccino Foam (latte-colored tan)
Stay away from cool grays, which can clash with the warmth of brown.
Walls for Gray Furniture
Since gray furniture is neutral, you have more flexibility with wall colors. Consider:
- Benjamin Moore Rain (slate blue)
- Sherwin-Williams Inkwell (inky blue-black)
- Behr Silver Drop (light gray with lavender undertones)
Avoid matching gray furniture with gray walls, which can feel flat and monotonous.
No matter your furniture style, choose a wall color that complements while adding visual interest.
Top Paint Brands for Living Room Walls
When selecting a wall color, the paint brand you choose matters. Here are some top options:
Benjamin Moore Paint
Known for their rich, long-lasting pigments. Great living room wall color options include:
- Manchester Tan (warm beige)
- Revere Pewter (soft gray)
- Hale Navy (classic navy)
- Calm (pale gray-green)
Sherwin-Williams Paint
Trusted brand offering a wide selection of hues. Good living room choices:
- Repose Gray (light tan-gray)
- Accessible Beige (greige)
- Peppercorn (deep gray with green undertones)
- Tradewind (gray blue-green)
Behr Paint
Offers excellent coverage at a reasonable price point. Notable living room picks:
- Chestnut (reddish brown)
- Silver Drop (lavender-gray)
- Gale Force (pale blue)
- Chic Gray (medium gray with violet undertones)
Valspar Paint
Budget-friendly option with a variety of finishes. Great affordable choices like:
- Rock Gray (light warm gray)
- Doeskin (soft fawn brown)
- Crimson Tide (vibrant reddish purple)
- Oyster Mushroom (restful gray-green)
Opt for interior paints formulated for living rooms, no matter which brand you select. Look for durable finishes like satin or eggshell for easy cleaning. Stay away from flat, which stains easily.
Investing in quality paint ensures better coverage and longevity. Now let’s answer some common questions about living room wall colors.
FAQs:
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about selecting the ideal living room wall color:
What color makes a living room look bigger?
Lighter wall colors open up space and make rooms feel larger. Soft whites, light grays, and subtle beiges are great choices to expand smaller living rooms visually.
What is the most popular living room wall color?
Neutrals continue to top the charts for living room wall colors. Simple whites and light beiges or grays suit a variety of decors. Soft blue-grays are also widely used for their relaxing vibe.
What is the best color to paint a living room with brown furniture?
Look for colors that complement the warm tones of brown. Shades like beige, greige, tan, and mocha brown work well. Stay away from cool grays and whites.
Should living room and bedroom wall colors match?
Using complementary colors in living rooms and bedrooms is fine to create a cohesive feel. Don’t choose the same shade, or spaces may feel too similar.
What wall colors make a room look modern?
For a contemporary look, lean towards medium to dark gray tones with a hint of blue or green. White trims also keep the vibe modern. Avoid beiges and yellows.
Conclusion and Final Tips
Choosing a wall color for your living room involves considering the mood you want to create, existing furniture, paint brands, and your personal preferences. Here are some final tips:
- Select samples and paint swatches on the wall to view colors accurately.
- Take lighting into account. Colors look different in natural vs. artificial light.
- Don’t be afraid to be bold! Dark emerald or navy blue can be striking.
- Change it up! Repainting is inexpensive to switch up the look down the road.
This extensive guide gives you the information to confidently tackle your living room wall color selection. Trust your instincts, experiment with samples, and select a shade that brings you joy. The right living room color is out there waiting for you!
