Living Room Colour Schemes

A living room is one of the most well-used and well-loved rooms in a house. It’s a space to relax and unwind, a place to catch up with family and friends and a place to forget about the stresses of the day. As such, your living room colour scheme plays an essential role in providing the perfect backdrop for all the above and can very much dictate the ambience in your space. To make sure you’re creating an interior that sits harmoniously with how you intend to use the room, we’ve created a guide to the various living room colour schemes to help you design the living room you’ve always wanted.

The Psychology of Colour

You may choose a colour for your interiors because you like the way it looks, but did you know that there is a real psychology behind it, with studies showing that colour can influence emotion and mood? As a result, the colour you choose for your living room can make a real difference to the ambience and the environment you want to create. Before getting that paintbrush out, make sure you’re clear on the type of mood you want your interior to have, and you can then choose the colour palette accordingly.

Let’s break it down:

Calm Interiors

If you want relaxation to be key in your living room, consider neutral shades, soft blues and greens, all of which can create a calm, relaxing environment.

Social Space

If you see your lounge as a place to socialise and need some energy in your interior, consider more vibrant shades, incorporating the likes of yellows, oranges and reds into your design. This doesn’t necessarily have to be through wall colour but could be the colour of your sofa, artwork or cushions.

Cosy and Comfortable

Create a comforting and inviting atmosphere in your living room through the use of earthy tones, like warm greys, browns and deep oranges and burgundies.

Touch of Elegance

Introduce that touch of refinery into your space through darker hues such as a navy or charcoal.

Before choosing any specific colour or shade, look at the different elements of your room which could impact how well your preferred shade complements the space.

Firstly, the size of your room. If you have a smaller room, choosing a lighter hue can give the illusion of more space. As a contrast, darker tones can create a cosier vibe in a larger interior.

Alongside the size of your room is the height. If you have low ceilings, lighter colours will help to make the room feel taller, whereas darker colours do the opposite, creating a more intimate environment.

If your living room has the benefit of lots of natural light, it will help to prevent darker shades from feeling too overwhelming. And if you don’t have too much light, consider lighter colours to brighten up your space.

Furniture Colour Creates Cohesion

While your wall colour has a large role to play in influencing the ambience of your room, your furniture can also make a real difference. If you’re planning on introducing a new piece of furniture into your space, if you choose a furniture colour that complements your wall colour, it will create a cohesive design throughout your interior.

The psychology of colour is just as important when choosing your furniture as it is your wall colour. A bright bold fabric sofa will bring a real sense of energy into your space, as well as a creating a stylish focal point, while a leather or neutral sofa will reinforce that sense of calm. If you do choose a neutral-coloured sofa or armchair alongside neutral walls, consider introducing a pop of colour through your accessories to stop your décor feeling too flat.

When it comes to coffee tables and bookshelves, wood will bring that earthy warmth, whereas materials such as glass or metal will provide a more contemporary edge.

It’s All About Balance

When it comes to planning a colour scheme, visual balance is key. Consider the following principles:

The 60-30-10 Rule

This relates to how to break up the colour in your room. Your walls (which tend to be the dominant colour) should account for 60%, your furniture colour should be 30% and then your accessories make up the final 10%.

Create Contrast

Prevent the room from being too one-dimensional by adding contrast, mixing light and dark shades.

Add Texture

Keep your interior interesting through your use of material. Incorporate the likes of Wood, fabric, glass and metal, all of which can contribute to creating a richness in your décor.

Whether you’re planning a contemporary or traditional interior and whether you want a cosy retreat or an energetic social space, there’s a colour palette to suit. Spend time looking at your existing furniture, the shape and size of the room and consider any new furniture you’d like to introduce before settling on your final colour scheme. Get some testers and have fun experimenting before you fully commit!