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As the foremost common area in your home, your living room is where friends and family gather together—and where you establish your signature style.
When it comes to living room colors, you first must decide on the atmosphere you want to create. Relaxed and casual? Modern and polished?
Cozy and warm? Once you have set the mood, the perfect living room paint color will underscore it.
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Living Room Color Schemes Come to Life
As its name suggests, we live in our living rooms. In this video, you’ll see how six popular living room colors dramatically impact the same space, resulting in a range of diverse design styles.
Favorite Benjamin Moore neutral paint colors include classic White Dove OC-17 and Stardust 2108-40. Another essential neutral that blends gray and beige, Wish AF-680, is from our Affinity® Color Collection. More vivid paint colors in this cinematic living room include elegant Black Raspberry 2072-20, cheerful Hibiscus 2027-50, and the always airy Gossamer Blue 2123-40, all of which create a distinct mood in the space.
Need living room color ideas? Update your space with these popular living room colors.
30 Living Room Paint Ideas
When choosing your living room paint color, keep the space’s lighting foremost in mind. The amount of light your room gets and the direction it faces will have a direct impact on how a color appears. For a room with southern or western exposure, lean towards cooler hues for balance with strong natural sunlight. An ultra-premium paint—like Aura® Interior—can also help ease the effects of lighting.
Once you’ve determined how much light the room is getting and are ready to start your color journey, here are 30 living room paint color ideas to help you narrow down your selection.
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1. Embrace the Earthy Neutral Living Room
The ultimate go-to color scheme for living rooms, neutrals offer a blank canvas for you to decorate however you’d like. Here, Brandon Beige 977 offers a subtle nod to the outdoors, thanks to a mossy hint of green, and goes perfectly with White Down 970 ceiling and trim. Other mossy neutrals for living rooms we love include:
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2. Light Blue Living Rooms
When paired with white hues, light blue paint colors have the ability to create an ethereal vibe that feels both effortlessly cool and endlessly relaxing. Give your living room a clouds-in-the-sky feel with these pretty paint color combinations:
- Harbor Haze 2136-60 and Chalk White 2126-70
- Smoke 2122-40 and Dove Wing OC-18
- Tear Drop 2060-70 and Chantilly Lace OC-65
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3. Sleek & Stylish: Black & White Living Rooms
Add a touch of dark glamour to your home with an unexpected pop of dramatic color in an otherwise white-painted living room. Here, the blackened-gray tones of Raccoon Fur 2126-20 evoke the serene mystique of midnight, creating a standout scene. Other black and white combinations to try as a living room accent include:
- Witching Hour 2120-30 and Misty Gray 2124-60
- Black Ink 2127-20 and White Diamond OC-61
- Black HC-190 and Horizon OC-53
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4. Positively Purple Living Rooms
Want to add an uplifting, luxurious touch to your home? Try using a soft purple as an accent in your living room. Purples with a healthy dose of gray or blue undertone, like Winter Gray 2117-60 shown here, make the space feel cozy without casting too much warmth. Use one of these hues for the perfect look:
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5. Get Groovy with a Mod Living Room Color Scheme
Invite guests into yesteryear and go “new retro” in your home with living room colors that celebrate the influence of past design trends. Lighter hues help to set the stage for bolder accents, like funky end tables or floral décor. Get in the groove with laid back hues like:
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6. Vintage Living Room Color Ideas
For an eclectic space that puts the “fun” in functional, put on a record and soak in the nostalgia of a vintage-styled living room. We suggest upping the drama with a dark blue paint color like Twilight 2058-10 or Champion Cobalt 2061-20, which bring to mind lush velvet fabric and thrifted accents.
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7. Vivid & Vibrant Living Room Paint Colors
A favorite look of top interior designers, living rooms painted with deep colors in a high sheen make for an attention-grabbing space that’s sure to become one of the favorites in your home. We suggest using a professional painter to get this stunning result, and rich hues like:
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8. Make Magic with Dark Teal Living Rooms
An intriguing dark teal blue like the endlessly popular Gentleman’s Gray 2062-20, seen here, offers an otherworldly elegance to your living quarters. Try Tucson Teal 2056-10 or Pacific Rim 678, teal hues with strong green undertones that are sure to make your living room pop.
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9. The Quintessential White Living Room Paint Colors
Sometimes the best living room paint idea is to go with a classic white paint color. Bright, clean, and endlessly versatile, white paint sets the stage for everything else in the space. Our favorite white paint colors for living rooms include:
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10. A Sunny Two-Toned Living Room
If you’re looking for a way to use more saturated color, two-toned “feign”-scoting really makes an impact. Try one of these white and yellow living room combinations for a bright, colorful look:
- Savannah Green 2150-30 and White Heron OC-57, shown here
- Treasure Trove 285 and Floral White OC-29
- Lemon Grove 363 and Simply White OC-117
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11. Painted Living Room Ceiling Ideas
Want to make a color statement in your living room? Look up! Pair richly hued painted ceilings and baseboard trim with neutral walls for a unique motif that feels cozy and accessible. Try the look with one of these handpicked living room color combinations:
- Collector’s Item AF-45 and Gloucester Sage HC-100
- Peony 2079-30 and White Dove OC-17
- Kendall Charcoal HC-166 and Snow White OC-66
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12. Sage Surroundings: Light Green Living Rooms
If most of the prominent elements in your living area are neutral-toned—carpet, flooring and fabrics—a soft green paint color, like former Color of the Year October Mist 1495, can add dimension and interest. Use it to bring in elements of nature, while still retaining its Zen. Other soft, sage greens we love include:
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13. Shifting into Neutral: Natural Living Room Colors
Living and family rooms are often the central space of the home, connected or open to other areas of the house. A neutral living room color can help connect adjoining spaces, creating color flow and cohesion. Try a neutral two-toned style to make a statement, while creating the perfect starting point for color flow through the rest of your home. To get the look, try these combinations:
- Elmira White HC-84 walls and Monterey White HC-27 ceiling, shown here
- Pompeii OC-82 walls and Mayonnaise OC-85 ceiling
- White Violet 1408 walls and Chantilly Lace OC-65 ceiling
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14. Clean White-Painted Living Rooms
Create a chic, modern living room vibe with a crisp white paint color. Look for minimal undertones and higher LRV’s to create a bright, clean cast. Consider one of these fresh hues on walls and trim to create a blank canvas for your favorite art and furnishings:
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15. Pretty Pastel Living Room Paint Colors
If you’re looking to bring more color to your space, but aren’t quite ready for something dark or saturated, try a pale or pastel paint color. Pastels help to enliven the room with a gentle touch of color, especially when used near focal points, such as a fireplace wall. Our favorites include:
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16. Freshen Up Your Fireplace
Draw attention to your fireplace by giving it a fresh coat of paint. Whether you choose a saturated hue, an off-white, or any color in between, make sure to use a quality interior paint that delivers lasting color and a stunning finish. Try one of these paints to make your project a success:
- Advance® Interior: Premium paint that delivers durable high-end finishes ideal for doors, trim and cabinetry.
- Aura® Interior: Ultra-premium paint for ultimate performance, and color depth and richness that lasts.
- Regal® Select Interior: Our flagship paint for over 60 years, synonymous with the ability to stand up to everyday wear and tear.
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17. Warm White Paint Colors for Your Living Room
Want to make your living room feel extra cozy? Try invoking the Scandinavian ethos of hygge with plush pillows, thick blankets, and a warm white paint color. Create a relaxing mood with one of these soothing hues:
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18. Gorgeous Green Living Room Ideas
Searching for a unique paint color idea for your living room? Go green! A longstanding homeowner favorite, green paint colors—including Fairmont Green HC-127, shown here—are an excellent choice for a monochromatic color scheme. More versatile, verdant hues we love include:
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19. Gray Paint Colors to Look Up To
Create a calm space with a sleek gray living room ceiling. Hues like Dolphin AF-715, Graystone 1475, or Chelsea Gray HC-168, seen here, pack a modern punch while still being classic enough to work with any design style. With so many to choose from, count on your locally owned Benjamin Moore store to help you find the perfect hue.
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20. Saturated Neutrals for Living Room Ceilings
For a pop of color versatile enough to work with any décor throughout the year, look to a rich taupe or gray with a saturated undertone. An excellent choice for ceilings paired with off-white walls, it’s sure to stand out while retaining neutral sensibility. Saturated neutral hues we love for living room ceilings are:
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21. Modern Farmhouse Living Room Colors
“A soft white paint color is a hallmark of modern farmhouse style,” says Molly Lynch, Color & Design Expert. “Accent with mix and match textiles to make loftier spaces feel cozy and welcoming.” To get the look, paint traditional shiplap in one of these popular white paints:
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22. Maximalist Living Room Design
Sure, maximalist style may be otherwise known as “controlled chaos,” but when it looks this stunning, why not give it a try? Kick things off with a bold hue in both semi- and high-gloss sheens, then add patterned accents, global-inspired décor and abstract art. Hues to help you start your color journey include:
- Deep Ocean 2058-30
- Raspberry Blush 2008-30, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2023
- Cochineal Red CW-330
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23. Minimalist Living Room Design
If you prefer to tone down your living room paint colors, go for a minimalist design with one of our most popular neutral paint colors as a starting point. These standout hues are elegant and timeless, spanning beige, off-white, and greige, including:
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24. Southwest-Inspired Living Room Colors
Refresh your living room with paint color that’s as warm as sun-dappled wood and woodfired hearths. Pair one of these hues with terracotta pots and handwoven textiles for a Southwestern serenity that’s sure to impress.
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25. Elegant Brown Living Room Paint Ideas
Create a luxurious-looking sitting room with a deep chocolate brown paint color. Pair the rich walls with a light pink ceiling and dark, red-toned décor for a bold and sophisticated design that works effortlessly. Brown-and-pink living room combinations we love include:
- Hearthstone Brown 2109-20 and Soft Pink 2012-70
- Brown Horse 2108-30 and Organdy 1248
- Barista AF-175 and Porcelain 2113-60
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26. Balanced & Beautiful: Greige Paint Colors
Can’t decide between warm or cool gray for your living room? Go for a hue firmly in the middle. Beautiful and balanced, these greiges will bring a modern sensibility to your space, allowing you to play around with seasonal décor no matter the time of year. Our favorites include:
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27. Rustic Red Living Rooms
Lavish your living room in a sunbaked russet red that emanates warmth. In thoughtful amounts, a muted red can blend in seamlessly, appearing almost neutral against deeper paint colors and dark wood décor. Try one of these rustic reds for your next project:
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28. Perfectly Peach Living Rooms
When you’re looking for a living room color idea that’s a little outside of the box without being too bold, consider peach! Hovering somewhere between pink and orange, paint colors with peach undertones are as versatile as your favorite neutral. Take a bite out of one of these fizzy peach hues:
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29. Cozy Cottage Living Room Colors
Whether you are going for the look of a coastal cottage by the sea or the evergreen charm of “shabby chic,” give your living room a friendly glow with an off-white paint color. Try one of these delightful hues to bring your “cottagecore” dreams to life:
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30. The Sophisticated Black Accent Wall
“Black paint colors feel luxurious and unexpected, especially in a space like a living room,” says Hannah Yeo, Color & Design Expert. “Keep the other elements in the space, like floors and furniture, light for the ultimate effect.” Get the look with one of our favorite black paint colors, including:
Three Ways to Pick Perfect Living Room Colors
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1. See the Light
When it comes to choosing an interior paint color, the amount of light your living room gets makes a major impact. A room flooded with sunlight can handle more saturated color, but pale shades tend to get washed out. For help in picking the most comfortable color, take your room’s temperature. Cool colors counter strong sunlight, but north-facing rooms get cozier wrapped in a warm color.
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2. Set the Mood
Color is one of the most important parts of setting the mood in your living room. Put thought into your color selection and make sure it speaks to the overall vibe in your home. There is no right or wrong when it comes to picking a color—whether you go for a carefree blue or cozy greige, your choice should be a reflection of yourself.
If you opt for a living room accent wall, go for a hue that can be tied to the fabrics, area rugs, and accessories in the overall space. The remaining walls can be painted in a lighter version of the accent color, or a neutral with an undertone that complements the accent wall.
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3. Sample Your Choices
Find the hues that give your living room the spacious, elegant look it deserves by sampling your color options. Visit your locally owned store or shop online to purchase color samples to see how your selections look throughout the day. Benjamin Moore offers a variety of samples for you to try, including:
- 8 oz. Color Samples: Our brush-on color samples are the best visualizer of paint color. Use them to observe color in different lighting conditions.
- Color Swatches: These 4″x8″ swatches are larger than color chips you see in store and used by designers to test color on-the-go. Available online only.
- Peel & Stick: Reusable, movable peel and stick paint samples easily test colors for different walls, rooms and lighting.
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What is the Best Paint for Living Rooms?
Not sure which paint to use for a living room? We suggest ultra-premium Aura® Interior paint in a matte finish to ease the reflections in a room with strong natural light, or for a soft effect in rooms where natural light is minimal. If your living room is your sole entertaining space or sees a lot of foot traffic, consider Regal® Select Interior, which offers proprietary stain-release technology, allowing for easy removal of everyday spills, stains, and scuffs.
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Your Personal Living Room Color Scheme
Even the most celebrated interior designers depend on the color wheel for inspiration when it comes to selecting paint colors for living rooms. When balanced, analogous living room color schemes come together, it can create a striking, eye-catching design.
Renowned Los Angeles-based designer Timothy Corrigan says living room design comes from three aspects of comfort and how they play together: Psychological comfort, physical comfort and practical comfort.
“You have to start with the practical aspect,” he says in this video, calling to mind a living room he designed; noting that relaxing comes naturally in living rooms, given the plush furniture and innate comfort.
A Final Note on Living Room Colors
No matter which hues you decide on for your living room, the best paint colors are the ones that fit the mood or atmosphere you want to create. For even more color advice and project help, look to the experts at your locally owned store—they can help you bring your vision to life and make your living room the ideal place for family and friends to come together for weekdays, holidays, and more.