How to Choose a Color Scheme for Your Living Room

When repainting your home, there is more to it then simply choosing the first color that comes to your mind – think about furniture, composition, organization and an overall effect you want to achieve. When choosing a color scheme for your living room, things are complicated because this is the main room of the house, with so many activities going on and many people present.

Since the choice has to work for multiple purposes and occasions, so here are a couple of ideas and hints that might help you choose the perfect scheme.

Combine Colors

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Not all colors have the same strength and not all should bear equal importance in your living room. When looking at a basic color pallet we all know from the kindergarten, you will notice primary and secondary colors – the first ones are red, blue and yellow, and the second, created by mixing them, orange, violet and green. 

When choosing a color scheme, you can combine complementary colors in order to bring more life into the space: the red/green, blue/orange and yellow/violet combinations are not only popular in industrial design, but with paint jobs and wall/furniture combination, too.

What about the Furniture?

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Speaking of furniture, changing the color of your walls does not mean you have to change everything in your living room – of course, if the existing furniture is usable and does not need replacement, do not replace it. A more sensible solution is to blend it in the new color scheme and make an intertwining composition. 

Select one piece of furniture for the basis and pick a color that is either slightly darker/lighter or goes well with it – in a recent conversation with reputed interior wall paint vendors, I discovered that red/yellow, blue/grey and black/white combos are among the most effective.

Different Color Schemes for Different Moods

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Spending so much time in the living room means it has to serve several purpose and different moods. So, depending on your preoccupying mood, you can choose certain color schemes and combinations that will accentuate it and help you relax even more.

For example, families enjoy cosy spaces, so warm colors – red, orange, russet, saffron and earthy tones – are preferred in a living room that helps them enjoy free time and entertain guests. On the other hand, living rooms used as a getaway from the world and a place of solitude welcome other colors and shades such as soft blue and sage green that relax people and remind them of nature. If you, however, want to refresh and feel energized, pick vibrant and bold colors: pink, red, yellow, violet and turquoise.

Bring in the Light!

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Depending on how much light your room presently has, you can go into two ways, with dark or light colors. There is no philosophy here – you need as much light as possible, so, if you do not already have it, you should enhance it with the color of the walls.

For dark rooms with small windows and little natural light, schemes like pastels, beige, or even a shade of light grey, will make it look less dark and macabre. On the other hand, sunny rooms with big windows can handle darker colors (dark red, green, orange or neutrals), as they already have enough light.

Beware: Possible Faux Pas

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Painting an entire living room in just one color is not a good idea – especially if that color is poorly chosen – because it makes the room boring and too simple, so a combination of two colors on the walls is much better. Also, when combining the wall and furniture color, do not go with the exact match because it too creates a dull effect. 

With so many shades on the color palate, limiting choices and sticking to just one or two is more than unnecessary. Finally, go with the reliable color brands, painter and decorators – do not save money on these, especially when it comes to the living room.