Living Room Colour Ideas To Create A Timeless Space With Design Edge

A mid tone grey living room is a very on-trend choice, and if you choose a tone with a yellow rather than blue base it can be surprisingly welcoming and warm. Grey handles well British light that can vary from cold and hard on a dull winter’s day to vividly bright in hot summer sun, and also reflects evening lamplight beautifully too. Surprisingly neutral, it can handle most decorative periods from mid-century modern bold prints to classical Georgian wooden simplicity. It’s also a shade that can take you from play-date sticky fingers to evening drinks party as it shows less marks than white. Even if you decide on a chalky hue, consider a modern paint formulation that is wipe-able and tough for the rigours of everyday busy life.

Green living rooms benefit from the influence this colour naturally has on the nervous system; according to colour theory, green is the colour with the most calming effect. A great way to introduce it is through house plants. As well as the benefits of creating a healthier space from improved air quality, they create interesting natural shapes which break up most rooms’ boxy structure. Rather than dotting the odd plant around a room focus on a set of shelving to create a mini living wall, or on side tables of different heights. Avoid too many different coloured flowers and use strong bright green leaves such as indoor palms, ferns and Aloe Vera plants varying size and form. Pair with accessories such as cushions or blinds sporting the hot botanicals trend for extra chic points.

White living rooms have a timeless quality making them one of the perennial design favourites. The challenge with white is to avoid being tempted to make your surfaces too perfect and bland or it can create a soul-less office feel.

To avoid any starkness, look for warm white rather than a blue base. Natural materials work well here, such as rattan or wood, and woven fabrics like Venetian blinds with linen tapes add subtle texture. Whether in white or earthier tones they will add richness and depth to the scheme.

To ensure a blue living room seems serene rather than cold choose soft tone or a paler teal hue. These deeper shades will keep the look cocooning rather than chilly, although the addition of white here is a timeless combination that, with good lighting, can be marine-fresh in daylight and grownup indulgence at night.

Don’t just think in terms of standard paint colours; a blue wall can add a huge amount of drama whilst also feeling classical and restful. Try breaking up solids with patterned throws for sofas or large checks on armchairs. You could even add blue in your window blinds with a look that's subtle and stylish.

Burnished wooden trays sporting art books or large gilt frames on walls should be used to break up the effect of this dominating shade and to add some New England elegance.

A coral red tone in a living room has a very warm and inviting feel and can be made to look very modern when used as an accent colour, for a burst of energy. It works well as a wallpaper print, especially as a feature within a monochrome scheme. Whether as decorations – like glassware and vases – or as a main detail in a painting or print it can add richness, contrast or a ‘pop’ to stop a scheme looking too serious.

For those who want to test the water, try using it as a ground on a velvet sofa with complimentary throws over it; in a deep red shade, some bohemian gypsy style that quietly improves with age.

A yellow living room may seem a rather bold choice, but when used carefully with other accents colours, it can be a very sophisticated and confident colour scheme for living rooms. It lends itself to a bit of whimsy as a colour and has the advantage of adding instant warmth and humour. Try using fake panels as wall décor to create a classical sitting room or pair with oversized leather sofa. After all, who wouldn’t love to recline in such a cheery yellow room? Instant good mood.

Looking for more inspiration? Visit our living room blinds idea page.