Living Room Colors to Brighten Your Space

Using white in your home maximizes natural light and makes rooms appear larger. If you spend most of your day in a living room that is on the smaller side, white is the perfect color for you. Having a living room with white-colored walls also gives you a wider choice of furniture styles, and you have the option to add decorative pieces of any color. If you want to add a pop of color to a white living room, colorful cushions and vibrant artwork are the perfect solutions.

Some people find that white walls require regular maintenance, and for young families, perfect white is not a suitable option. Choosing cream for your living room walls gives you the same lightening and enlarging effect as white, but the color needs less maintenance. It also has a warm tone, so if you like to use your living room during the evening and feel cozy, choosing cream might be the best option for you. If you want to add a pop of color, cream walls work particularly well with pink or grey.

Lilac is a great accent color for a light, bright living room. If your living space gets lots of natural light, lilac is the perfect color for you. Choosing a light purple shade gives an otherwise white or neutral room a subtle and sophisticated pop of color. For a cozier atmosphere, you can paint all of your living room walls lilac; for a fresh and airy feel, pick a singular feature wall. Lilac works best when paired with white, gray, or cream furniture.

Deep red colors are best for large living rooms that are used mostly during the evening. Red is a dark color, so this is not the best option if you want a lot of natural light. However, if you enjoy coming home to a homely space and putting on the fire in the evening, royal red walls are perfect. Dark, wooden furniture and red walls can make your living room extra snug.

Light gray is another great option for those with young families or pets. If you choose a lighter shade of gray, you will get the benefits of a light and airy living space without any concerns over easily marked walls. As this color is a neutral tone, you can decorate your living room with any type of furniture or accent color. To add warmth to a light gray living room, choose yellow or orange cushions and wooden furniture.

Using a raspberry red color is the perfect compromise between deep red and pink. If you love red but think it too imposing for your living room, raspberry walls are perfect for you. Raspberry is a fun color that also works perfectly on feature walls or wallpaper. Gray, white, and dark brown furniture all suit raspberry-colored rooms, so if you're on a budget, you can switch up your space without replacing your furniture.

Yellow walls are best suited to living rooms that receive good amounts of natural light. If your room is already bright and airy, yellow can create a sunny, happy atmosphere. Choosing yellow as the focal color is also a great option for people who use their living space equally throughout the day and evening. You have an array of stylistic options in yellow spaces as gray, white, and vibrant colors all work well.

Similar to dark red shades, deep purples are best suited to large living rooms used in the evening. Purple is a color associated with wealth and power, so it's the perfect shade if you want to give your living room a luxurious feel. If you don't want your space to become too dark, consider using purple as an accent color on wallpaper or accessories like cushions.

Olive is another color that can add luxury to your living room. Although, unlike deep purple shades, olive doesn't create a dark space. Olive rooms can be just as light and airy as cream or lilac rooms, but they suit a more classic style. If you entertain friends in your living room, you can use this elegant color to impress them. To take a modern twist on a classic style, add light wooden furniture and pops of pink.

If you're a movie fan, a navy blue living room could be the best option for you. Navy can create a dark, theater-like atmosphere that's perfect for cozy nights in and watching your favorite movie. Although, if you love navy but don't want a dark room, you should add light furniture or white wall art.

Using darker colors in your home makes the living space seem more sophisticated, and chocolate brown is an excellent choice. If your living room is smaller, consider neutral upholstery, accessories, and lamps, which set a lovely base. Crisp creams contrast perfectly against a chocolate brown hue and keep the room from feeling crowded.

Blue is a classic color for interior design, but lately, lighter summer-ready shades are a must. Powder blue is a fabulous choice for a living room space that feels relaxed. The pale blue is effortless to coordinate with most decor and architectural designs but watch for shades with certain undertones. Too many hints of red can throw off the color, while a touch of yellow underneath will keep it looking refreshingly blue.

Orange creates a cozy atmosphere and is a warm choice for living room walls. This modern shade promotes general wellness with dual calming and energizing effects. Pairing orange with neutral tones can elevate a space and give it an autumn feel. Likewise, striped accessories can highlight this hue, adding depth. Lighter oranges are perfect for every season, whereas heavier shades tend to skew more autumnal.

Painting the ceiling can be tricky — especially when it comes to finding a ladder. Many designers consider a painted ceiling essential, though you don't necessarily have to paint the ceiling the same as the walls. Instead, try mixing white paint with several drops of whatever color you've painted the walls. This method makes a room feel more spacious while also concealing that old, discolored paint so common to ceilings.

Adding mirrors to your living room can brighten it considerably. Mirrors tend to draw in any daylight possible, even when the skies are gloomy, and reflect it through the room. Placing a mirror next to a lamp or window brings even more light and makes a room feel spacious.