Living Room Color Schemes

It can be easily said that a living room is one of the most important rooms in your house. After all, it is this room that creates a lasting first impression on everyone who enters your home. This is the room that should reflect your taste and style. The most important ingredient in living room decorating is color. The right living room color schemes can turn the room from drab to fab! If you are tired of looking at the same color in your living room, then it's time to pick up that paint brush and be creative!

How to Choose a Color Scheme for Living Rooms

Color is the most effective way of creating a mood for any room. While choosing a color scheme for living rooms as part of your interior painting, it is important to choose one which is stylish but practical. For example, if you select white for your living room, then you cannot expect it to be easy to maintain (especially if you have children!) To pick out living room color schemes, there are three options:

• Use one color, but varying shades of that color throughout the room
• Use two or more colors that are similar to each other, or complement each other, to give a tranquil and warm feeling to the room.
• Use two contrasting colors. This kind of a look makes the room vibrant and alive.

Once you have selected the kind of color scheme you want, it will be easier to choose living room color combinations. Besides just choosing colors that you like, you can also try and understand the psychology of colors for creating a warm and inviting feeling. The following are a few decorating ideas for living room color schemes:

Red: One of the most popular colors for living room design ideas is red. It gives a feeling of intimacy and warmth. It is best if you use red for one wall, as using it everywhere can make the room look over the top. For the other walls of the room, go for lighter shades like cream or beige.

Orange: Like red, orange is a very bright color which makes a person feel right at home. Using shades of orange in living room color schemes brightens up the room, making one feel welcomed. If you are going for this color, then your furniture and accessories should be of neutral colors. Another option of living room color designs is using orange color only in accessories, and using black or white for the walls.

Blue: Blue is a tranquil color which brings elegance into your home. Light shades of blue are best for smaller living rooms, as they make them appear larger. You can play around with various shades of blue, like pastel blue, Mediterranean azure, turquoise, navy etc. Turquoise looks great with bold jewels and a contemporary living room furniture design, though it might not be the best choice for a traditional decor.

Green: Bright green is used very often in color schemes for living room these days. It is easy to play around with, and looks great when paired with neutrals and deep browns. Again, it's best if you use green only in accents, and not for everything in the room! You can use different shades of green, like mint, olive and exotic jade for a feel of fresh and airy spring time living room color themes. Read more on living room designs and ideas.

Shades of White and Gray: If you want living room color schemes which ooze of class and sophistication, then using white and gray in your home decor is a great choice. But this does not mean that you have to use only these shades throughout. Play around with shades like blue and warm gold tones in the upholstery, table cloths, accessories etc. But remember that white is not the best choice for maintenance!

Read more on:

• How to Paint Interiors: Choosing the Color Combinations
• Choosing Interior Paint Colors for Your Home

These were just a few living room color scheme ideas. While choosing a color scheme, you have to take into consideration your personality and style. Also, before making a decision, it is best if you get a sample of the living room color paint and apply it on a small portion of the wall to get an idea of how it will look. After all, it is a huge investment and you don't want to be stuck with a color you don't like! Choosing the right living room color schemes can definitely add panache to the room and can be a reflection of who you are. As Hans Hoffman rightly said "It is not the form that dictates the color, but the color that brings out the form"!