5 Best Colours for Small Living Rooms
These paint colours will set the mood, update your space and make a small space seem larger than it is
Picking a paint colour for the living room can turn out to be a hand-wringing experience, especially when it is short on square footage. While you know the indisputable fact that light, neutral shades open up a space, a part of you wants to walk on the wild side and experiment with dark blues, greens and maybe even black. Here, we pick five colours that cover the spectrum from light to dark and show you how each of these colours has the ability to transform a small living room.
White need not be equated with minimalist design. As you see here, this white-walled living room, infused with an abundance of colour, pattern and stylistic variety, still looks light and bright. Paint your walls white and then indulge yourself with the endless possibilities when choosing furniture and soft furnishings.
Tip: Paint the walls and trim the same colour but in two different sheens, to add dimension.
Tip: Paint the walls and trim the same colour but in two different sheens, to add dimension.
2. Cream
A perfectly neutral cream (without yellow undertones), is the go-to colour for most homeowners. The colour keeps a small living room open and bright, and looks beautiful against hardwoods and other natural materials. Cream is considered ‘safe’ as it is the perfect backdrop for any other colours and any décor. Layer it with different hues of cream…
A perfectly neutral cream (without yellow undertones), is the go-to colour for most homeowners. The colour keeps a small living room open and bright, and looks beautiful against hardwoods and other natural materials. Cream is considered ‘safe’ as it is the perfect backdrop for any other colours and any décor. Layer it with different hues of cream…
…or pair it with any dark colour. That way, cream is an all-rounder. The soothing hue expands a room and creates a feeling of cocooned warmth, especially if it is used on the ceiling and walls. The neutral walls recede and you focus more on the furnishings than on the size of the room.
3. Yellow
While a bright sunshine yellow may be a tad too bright for most people, a softer yellow can brighten up a dull living room infinitely. Yellow is a warm, versatile colour that can look great with other shades of its own family, or…
While a bright sunshine yellow may be a tad too bright for most people, a softer yellow can brighten up a dull living room infinitely. Yellow is a warm, versatile colour that can look great with other shades of its own family, or…
…with contrasting colours such as red. Yellow is a more exciting substitute for those who think that whites and creams are boring. Plus, it works beautifully in classic as well as contemporary settings.
Find a designer to design your dream living space
Find a designer to design your dream living space
4. Grey
Be brave and go dark in small spaces – you’d be pleasantly surprised to find out that a darker colour can add depth by dissolving the edges of a small room. Grey is sharp and suave, yet cosy and chic. Pair it with crisp white mouldings and bright furnishings for a bit of colour relief.
Be brave and go dark in small spaces – you’d be pleasantly surprised to find out that a darker colour can add depth by dissolving the edges of a small room. Grey is sharp and suave, yet cosy and chic. Pair it with crisp white mouldings and bright furnishings for a bit of colour relief.
Contrary to its reputation as an unemotional, bland colour, dark grey can be a chameleon of sorts. Mix it with patterns and pops of colour for an eclectic look or let it take over the whole space for a sleek, sophisticated aesthetic.
Tip: A deep grey would be even more effective if you used it in high gloss to reflect the light and create spatial magic.
Tip: A deep grey would be even more effective if you used it in high gloss to reflect the light and create spatial magic.
5. Indigo
The closest rival to grey would be indigo – it is designer-dark, moody and sensual. It makes a small space feel cosy, enveloping you in its warmth. If the blue is too dark for you, bring in some relief by way of lighter furnishings, such as these mustard cushions, that contrast beautifully with the blue wall to create a refined boho effect.
The closest rival to grey would be indigo – it is designer-dark, moody and sensual. It makes a small space feel cosy, enveloping you in its warmth. If the blue is too dark for you, bring in some relief by way of lighter furnishings, such as these mustard cushions, that contrast beautifully with the blue wall to create a refined boho effect.
Dark blue can also seem to recede from the viewer – it’s a trick that this colour plays on our eyes, so the walls seem to visually enlarge the space. Dark tones on the walls act as a great background to mount art – so go bigger and bolder in your paint choices. Here, the white artwork stands out in striking contrast to the deep-blue wall. Lighten up all this delicious dark blue with a white ceiling, the moulding being an added bonus.
Tip: Don’t be afraid of using oversized artwork in tight quarters. It makes the space seem bigger than it actually is.
Read more:
Fool-Proof Tricks to Make a Small Living Room Look Bigger
How to Choose Colours For Your Home
Tell us:
What colour is your living room painted? Do share pictures in the Comments section below.
Tip: Don’t be afraid of using oversized artwork in tight quarters. It makes the space seem bigger than it actually is.
Read more:
Fool-Proof Tricks to Make a Small Living Room Look Bigger
How to Choose Colours For Your Home
Tell us:
What colour is your living room painted? Do share pictures in the Comments section below.
Pure white, oddly enough, is actually not used as much as one thinks. Some whites reflect tones of blue, some are pink, some are green, but this is just white in its purest form, without any tint. Yet it’s not stark or clinically sterile; the all-white scheme, in fact, adds to its cool and airy look. White reflects light, making walls and boundaries disappear, so a small space seems larger.
Take a look at these white living rooms