There’s usually a lot going on in a living room, and not just in terms of activity. With all the furniture pieces, accessories and walls, it’s easy for things to get out of hand and look a bit muddled. Having a color scheme in mind will help guide you in your selections, resulting in a cohesive design that will look great and allow your mind — and body — to relax.
Here are 8 foolproof color combos to try from the most popular living room photos, as measured by the number of people who saved them to their Houzz ideabooks from January through March of this year.
8. Gray Walls and Furnishings + Wood Accent
If you’re going for a light and airy Scandinavian look, stick to cool gray walls and medium to dark gray furniture. Then bring a bit of warmth in with rich wood accents or a wood feature wall.
7. Gray Walls + White Trim + Black and White Furnishings
If a more dramatic, cosmopolitan Scandinavian look is what you seek, don’t stray from gray, black and white. Use a generous dose of gray for the big surfaces — walls, ceiling and floors — then choose white for the medium-size pieces, like your sofa, tables and fireplace surround. Next, don’t be squeamish with plenty of jet-black lines. Finally, for just a dollop of warmth, try including one or two small key pieces in brown or a wood tone.
6. Green and Tan Walls + Wood Accents
If you’ve got minimal furnishings and a water view to celebrate, you can’t go wrong with colors that complement that body of blue: green and brown. Try a super-pale green for an accent wall, then look to light tan walls and any opportunity to introduce wood. The floor and ceiling are good bets, but wood furniture will also get the job done.
Related: How to Work in Shades of Green to Your Interior Design
5. Tan and White Walls + Beige and Wood Furnishings
The previous examples might strike some of you as a bit too adventurous. Worry not. If you’re looking for a traditional, relaxing vibe, you can’t go wrong with this classic neutral scheme. Go with beige walls capped by white trim and white millwork. For seating, choose comfortable pieces in off-white or beige, and stick to woods with a rich, dark stain for things like tables and shelves.
4. White and Gray Walls + Gray Furnishings and Accents
Here’s another classic look; this one’s good for rooms with lots of natural light. Light gray walls with white trim and white millwork will help brighten the space even more, while furnishings in varying gray tones will ground the room and give it a casual yet polished air.
3. White Walls + Wood Trim + Black Details + Brown Furnishings
For a warm, modern Southwestern look, go for crisp white walls with warm wood trim. Then haul in brown leather furnishings, add some straight black details for a bit of sophistication and create balance with a few blue accessories.
Related: Try a Rustic Coffee Table
2. Blue Walls + White Trim + Gold Accents
To add a bit of playful character to a traditional-style room, consider painting your walls light blue with white trim, then bring in plenty of gold accents by way of fixtures and accessories, like a mirror. Mix in some wood pieces and a few additional blue accessories, and you’ll have a solid foundation for a laid-back yet fully decorated space.
1. Gray Walls + White Trim + Gray and Wood Furnishings
Finally, for an unfussy transitional look that is hard to mess up, stick to gray walls with white trim. For the large furnishings, like sofas and chairs, go with tones of gray. Then start pulling in rich wood accents and voilà, you’ve got a classic-looking yet worry-free and relaxing living room.
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