Popular Living Room Color Trends
Want to work some magic on your living room? Picking the right colors can have a huge impact—you’ll be surprised how much a fresh coat of paint can do! Let’s get the lowdown on the buzziest color trends of 2021 and how using earthy tones can totally transform your space.
2021 Top Color Choices
Green’s the word this year, folks. Imagine lush forests and serene meadows—nature is calling, and your living room is picking up. This chill color plays nicely with soft neutrals, clean whites, and grounded shades like grays, browns, and blues (BHG). Adding green not only makes your space a breath of fresh air but also brings the peaceful vibe of the great outdoors right into your cozy home.
Embracing Earthy Tones
This year, it’s all about the soothing neutrals—think hazelnut, mint green, mushroom, and golden yellow instead of the old standby grays and beiges. These comfy, versatile colors are great if you’re going for anything from a modern farmhouse look to a mid-century modern vibe (Spacejoy).
Want to go full trendsetter? Try out a feature wall, or sprinkle in some accent pieces, maybe even add some furniture that pops with these earthy tones. Mixing and matching these shades and textures can give you that picture-perfect living room you’re dreaming of.
By tapping into 2021’s hottest color choices and earthy shades, your living room can feel as welcoming as an old friend. Whether you’re into a soothing green haven or a snug blend of neutrals, these cool shades promise to inspire your living space makeover. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our article on living room paint color ideas.
Creating Mood with Colors
Think of colors as the silent whisperers of your space, the unsung heroes behind a room’s vibe. They shape how you feel the minute you step into a room. So, what mood are you looking to set? By tuning into color psychology, you can control the mood of your pad with a simple brush stroke. Slam a vibrant red on an accent wall, and you’ve got yourself a room full of energy and buzzing chatter. Or, dress the walls in calming blues to invite tranquility and relaxation into your lounge space.
Understanding Color Connections
Colors are clever mood-makers because they mess with your heartstrings. Reds, oranges, and yellows wrap you up in warmth and comfort, creating hot social spots. Meanwhile, blues and greens sway more towards the chill and peaceful side, perfect when you’re looking to kick back and relax. Play around with different colors in your living areas, and you’ll not only show off your personality but also enjoy a living space that truly vibes with how you like to live.
Lighting’s Shifty Influence
Let’s chat light—because it’s got its own magic touch. Sunlight, in all its glory, beams straight through your window and highlights the brilliance of your color choices. Flip on that switch for artificial light, though, and things may look a little different. When picking paint colors, don’t just think colors—think light and how much of it your room gets. Light colors can trick the eye, making cozy nooks feel more expansive, while deep shades create intimate, tucked-away spaces. If you’re channeling airy openness, lean into lighter shades. Want snugness and warmth? Darker hues are your go-to.
When plotting your living room’s color escapade, play detective—spy on how different shades pal around with the sun and your lamp army. Once you’re clued in, you can morph your space into a spot that’s not just pretty but wholly in tune with your style and what makes you tick.
Enhancing Natural Light
You want to spruce up your living room, yeah? Picking the right color can change everything, especially when it plays nice with that good ol’ natural sunlight. By choosing just the right colors for your walls, you can make a space that’s both bright and welcoming. Here’s how you can make the most of natural light, particularly if you’re dealing with north-facing and east-facing rooms.
Maximizing North-Facing Rooms
If your room looks north, you might notice it catching cooler light all day long. To keep these spaces from feeling like the inside of your grandma’s cold attic, skip the colors that have grayish, bluish, greenish, or lavender-ish vibes. Those shades can make things look kinda dull. Instead, go for warm colors – they bring a comfy, sunny glow that everyone loves.
Think about trying colors like Malted Milk, Sourdough, or Brick Dust. These choices will help your north-facing room feel cozy and lively, even when the sun isn’t blazing in. With the right colors, your room can become a warm little getaway that’s both stylish and snug.
Utilizing East-Facing Light
East-facing rooms get a front-row seat to morning sunshine. To make the most of that early light, choose light and neutral paint that highlights the room’s bright feel. Something like duck-egg blue will really pop in the morning, giving off a fresh, exciting vibe.
And for a classic, clean look that carries through the day, try light gray. It’s a neutral that maintains the room’s airy feel without overshadowing the natural light. Adding these peaceful shades can create a calm and balanced setting that welcomes the sun from morning till night.
Understanding how different colors work with natural light can turn your living room into a bright and inviting haven. Whether you’re warming up a north-facing nook or showing off an east-facing area’s light, the right colors make all the difference. So, play around with a little soft white, off-white, light gray, and cool tones. They can turn your space into a cozy yet open-feeling sanctuary—and make your living room the shining star of your home.
Balancing Sunlight Exposure
Picking out those living room paint colors? Don’t just grab whatever pops off the shelf! How the sun creeps and peeks into your space matters more than you’d think. In these next few lines, we’ll chat about what works when southern sunshine floods your room and also how to make that western glow work for you.
Southern Room Color Choices
Southern exposure means your room is bathing in glorious sunlight most of the day. Cool, right? But hold on—your paint has to vibe with this light, not get drowned out. Light grays with blue tints or soft blues are smashing for keeping that extra sun warmth in check while still giving off a chill vibe. Those blues and grays are all about keeping things breezy without the glare (Paintzen).
But don’t feel boxed in by lighter shades. Even with snuggly southern rooms that have smaller windows, feel free to get a little dramatic. Throw in some rich reddish-purples or deep purple-grays. They’re like adding a subtle exclamation mark to your room without dimming your sunshine (Paintzen).
Amplifying Western Sunlight
Western sunlight—you know, that warm and comfy kind that shows up in the afternoon and kisses your space till dusk. To play nice with this kind of light, invite in colors that can dance with it. Geez, darker blues or accent walls with something like a Blue Danube can really make a room pop, adding depth and pulling your whole setup into this century (Spacejoy).
Got a thing for peace and serenity? Soft green shades, maybe olive as an accent, could be right up your alley. Those greens are soothing to the soul, the indoor equivalent of a yoga class, without all the stretching. Plus, they hug that western sun just perfectly, making your space both nature-kissed and relaxing (Spacejoy).
So, go on, give your living room a revamp by thinking smart about how light hits your space. Picking colors that sync with your room’s natural light can turn those four walls into an inviting retreat. Southern or western sunlight, when teamed with the right shades, transforms your living room into something that’s not just liveable but loveable.
Spatial Perception with Colors
The colors you choose for your living room can change the whole vibe, giving the space a makeover that feels just right. With a bit of color villainy here and a splash of hue heroism there, your room can go from drab to fab in a snap.
Creating Magical Space Illusions
Ever feel like your room’s walls are closing in on you? Lighter, cooler shades like soft blues, pale greens, or gentle grays can open things up, making the room seem larger. On the flip side, dark shades can cozy things up, or, um, shrink-wrap the room (ArchDaily).
A sneaky trick to stretch your space is to paint walls dark while flaunting a white ceiling. It’s like telling your eyes to look up, creating a bigger, breezier feel (ArchDaily).
Playing with Room Shapes
Wanna change how your room shakes and moves? Color contrast is the way. Paint your back wall and ceiling a deeper tone while keeping the sidelines lighter. This dance widens tight spots like hallways or narrow rooms, giving them some serious stretching exercises (ArchDaily).
Got a room that’s looooong and skinny? Darken the end walls and lighten up the back and top. This play on darkness and lightness helps bring everything together nicely without the room playing tug-of-war with itself.
When you get how colors play tricks on the mind, you’ll see your living space like never before—balanced and a pleasure to be in. Give those walls a new outfit, playing with color combos and painting styles, until your living room reflects just who you are. Set your canvas, paint away, and see your space come alive with personality and charm.