Getting the right paint color for your living room can be tricky but our interior painters can assist you every step of the way. Especially because natural and artificial light affects how the shade looks in a space.
Designers recommend examining color samples under different lighting conditions to see how they look at different times of the day. For example, a cool gray may look blue or green in the morning but warm gray during the evening.
Blue
Blue paint colors are versatile and can bring a sense of calm to your living room. They also look good with almost any style, from modern to traditional. The key is to choose a shade that suits your personality. If you are looking for something a little bolder, try a darker blue, like Behr’s Lakeshore. It has a rich tone but enough gray to keep it from feeling overpowering.
If you want a soothing color, try Sherwin-Williams’ Mount Etna. This light blue-gray has a subtle slate-and-green undertone, so it won’t read as either blue or green and works well with bright white trim. Sherwin-Williams’ Tradewind is another option that works well in rooms with west- or south-facing windows. This blue-gray has a cozy feel that pairs well with both warm and cool neutrals, so it can work in Caribbean, coastal, or modern farmhouse themes. A moody blue, Sherwin-Williams’ Dark Night, is great for creating drama in your living room. It has green undertones that work well with both warm and cool tones.
Green
Green paint is a great choice for living rooms because it can make the room feel both inviting and calming. The lightest greens, like sage, work well in open concept living spaces as they feel fresh and clean. Darker shades of green, such as Rock Garden from Sherwin Williams, can also look neutral enough to suit certain homes.
When choosing the perfect shade of green for your home, pay attention to the undertones – if they lean towards blue, the color will appear cool and crisp whereas yellow undertones will give the hue a warm and vibrant feel. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, try painting swatches on your walls and looking at them at different times of the day to see how the colors change with the light.
If you’re not ready to commit to a full room of green, try incorporating the color with accent walls. This will help to test out the hue without risking a costly mistake.
Gray
Gray paint colors are a classic choice that never go out of style. They’re mostly neutral, but they add more depth and interest to a space than white. They also come in a variety of shades, including warm, cool, and mid-value colors. Plus, there are lots of different undertones to choose from, so you can find the perfect shade for your living room, no matter what look you’re going for.
Revere Pewter is a great warm greige that’s been popular for years. It has a slight green undertone that gives it a timeless, classic look and pairs well with a range of other colors.
If you’re looking for a lighter greige, try Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray or Repose Gray. You can even ask your local hardware or paint store to mix these shades at half-strength to lighten them. The key to finding the right shade of gray is to test it in your room’s lighting before committing.
White
When paired with light wood or neutral furniture, white paint colors can brighten a room and make it feel larger. A cool white, like Polar Bear from Behr Paint, has a balanced undertone that’s perfect for a living space that features lots of dark wood pieces, says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services for the brand.
Warmer whites, such as Sherwin-Williams’ Muddled Basil, work well with dark wood pieces and earthy tones. The neutral shade “looks just right alongside terra-cotta accents and rich fabrics,” says designer Anna Spiro, who used it in her sun-filled Florida living room.
If you’re working with open floor plans, select a flow-through paint that can easily be carried from one space to the next. A color that looks creamy on a fan deck can look darker or lighter once it’s on the wall, depending on the quality and direction of the natural lighting in each space. Get big swatches of the top contenders and put them on the walls, along with existing furniture, to see how they appear in natural and artificial light throughout the day.
