30 Best Living Room Paint Colors for an Inviting Space

A mid-century modern style living room with bright, white-painted walls and vaulted ceiling, and a black paneled accent wall, built-in cabinet and fireplace, and large screen tv. A mid-century modern style living room with bright, white-painted walls and vaulted ceiling, and a black paneled accent wall, built-in cabinet and fireplace, and large screen tv.

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.

Follow along for expert advice on choosing the best paint for living rooms, living room color schemes, colorful living room looks we love, and more!

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.

A sunlit living room with a taupe-painted accent wall, white wood beamed vaulted ceiling, a white door and modern style furnishings. A sunlit living room with a taupe-painted accent wall, white wood beamed vaulted ceiling, a white door and modern style furnishings.

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:

Sun cascading into a light blue and white painted living room with a dark gray sectional sofa and colorful pillows, open to a light blue hallway wall with a mounted bookcase and framed artwork. Sun cascading into a light blue and white painted living room with a dark gray sectional sofa and colorful pillows, open to a light blue hallway wall with a mounted bookcase and framed artwork.

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:

A bright, open living room area with black accent walls and door, a white vaulted ceiling and walls, modern furniture, and a light blue door at the end of a hallway. A bright, open living room area with black accent walls and door, a white vaulted ceiling and walls, modern furniture, and a light blue door at the end of a hallway.

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:

A bright, modern living room with light violet painted walls and accent wall over the fireplace, white shiplap walls and ceiling, a dark brown ceiling beam, navy sofa and purple egg chair. A bright, modern living room with light violet painted walls and accent wall over the fireplace, white shiplap walls and ceiling, a dark brown ceiling beam, navy sofa and purple egg chair.

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:

A fun, retro-style living room with a blue-gray painted wall, white trim, a brown leather couch, and two orange tables. A fun, retro-style living room with a blue-gray painted wall, white trim, a brown leather couch, and two orange tables.

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:

A comfy living room with dark, rich blue painted walls, white ceiling and trim, a multi-colored wrap-around sofa with blue pillows, modern white tables, and a seagrass rug. A comfy living room with dark, rich blue painted walls, white ceiling and trim, a multi-colored wrap-around sofa with blue pillows, modern white tables, and a seagrass rug.

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.

Stunning dark navy blue painted walls and door, and tall center window are backdrop to this inviting living room space with a turquoise sofa, long wood table, and two leather chairs. Stunning dark navy blue painted walls and door, and tall center window are backdrop to this inviting living room space with a turquoise sofa, long wood table, and two leather chairs.

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:

A cozy corner of a room with dark teal-blue painted walls and working fireplace mantel, a teal ceiling and crown molding, two brown leather chairs, a blue plaid rug, and the edge of a green door. A cozy corner of a room with dark teal-blue painted walls and working fireplace mantel, a teal ceiling and crown molding, two brown leather chairs, a blue plaid rug, and the edge of a green door.

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.

A bright loft living room painted in the same white hue using different sheens with a world map over modern wall-set cabinetry, a leather butterfly chair, a wood cocktail table with black candles, and several planters. A bright loft living room painted in the same white hue using different sheens with a world map over modern wall-set cabinetry, a leather butterfly chair, a wood cocktail table with black candles, and several planters.

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:

An airy, loft style living room with a white painted wall and ceiling with exposed pipes, a white and yellow accent wall with tall windows, and gray, yellow, and wood modern furnishings. An airy, loft style living room with a white painted wall and ceiling with exposed pipes, a white and yellow accent wall with tall windows, and gray, yellow, and wood modern furnishings.

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:

A cozy, sunlit living room with white-painted walls, a dark green ceiling and trim, leather chairs and printed rug, a wood mantel, window trim and door. A cozy, sunlit living room with white-painted walls, a dark green ceiling and trim, leather chairs and printed rug, a wood mantel, window trim and door.

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:

A light green-painted living room wall with beautiful white crown molding, shutters, trim and fireplace mantel, two rattan chairs with white cushions, and tall green palm leaves in a vase. A light green-painted living room wall with beautiful white crown molding, shutters, trim and fireplace mantel, two rattan chairs with white cushions, and tall green palm leaves in a vase.

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:

A neutral two-tone painted living room with a greige wall, an off-white ceiling, and a dog sitting on a white settee in front of a marble fireplace. A neutral two-tone painted living room with a greige wall, an off-white ceiling, and a dog sitting on a white settee in front of a marble fireplace.

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:

A bright open, white-painted mezzanine style living room with modern white and wood furnishings, a hanging light fixture, and dark brown and gray far walls. A bright open, white-painted mezzanine style living room with modern white and wood furnishings, a hanging light fixture, and dark brown and gray far walls.

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:

Pretty light violet-painted corner walls, white crown molding, trim and fireplace mantel with modern artwork and purple vases, and a white hallway door on the left. Pretty light violet-painted corner walls, white crown molding, trim and fireplace mantel with modern artwork and purple vases, and a white hallway door on the left.

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:

A room with a two-toned white and green painted wall, a white ceiling, and green fireplace mantel, wood flooring and two windows. A room with a two-toned white and green painted wall, a white ceiling, and green fireplace mantel, wood flooring and two windows.

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.
An inviting, sunlit, white-painted living room with a comfy white sofa and two chairs, and a stone top table with a potted plant. An inviting, sunlit, white-painted living room with a comfy white sofa and two chairs, and a stone top table with a potted plant.

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:

An elegant and relaxing monochromatic living room with rich, green painted walls and open French doors, green velvet sofas, a wood bureau with lamps, and wood beamed ceiling. An elegant and relaxing monochromatic living room with rich, green painted walls and open French doors, green velvet sofas, a wood bureau with lamps, and wood beamed ceiling.

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:

A modern neutral palette living room with high wood paneled ceiling painted in a dramatic gray. A modern neutral palette living room with high wood paneled ceiling painted in a dramatic gray.

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.

A comfortable sitting area with soft, neutral tones, shiplap walls, a light gray-painted beadboard ceiling and trim, a light-sage green dresser under two windows, and a yellow leather chair. A comfortable sitting area with soft, neutral tones, shiplap walls, a light gray-painted beadboard ceiling and trim, a light-sage green dresser under two windows, and a yellow leather chair.

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:

A white-painted living room with vaulted ceiling, fireplace, modern furniture, layered orange and red area rugs, and black French doors. A white-painted living room with vaulted ceiling, fireplace, modern furniture, layered orange and red area rugs, and black French doors.

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:

An all-blue painted living room with blue club chairs and built in shelving. An all-blue painted living room with blue club chairs and built in shelving.

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:

A serene living room with a greige-painted upper wall, white lower wall, mantel, and molding, a mirror, clay vase, and wood chairs on a white rug. A serene living room with a greige-painted upper wall, white lower wall, mantel, and molding, a mirror, clay vase, and wood chairs on a white rug.

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:

This corner living room space features a beautiful off-white painted adobe style fireplace, off-white walls, a modern metal chair, dark wood plantation shutters, and a dark wood beamed ceiling. This corner living room space features a beautiful off-white painted adobe style fireplace, off-white walls, a modern metal chair, dark wood plantation shutters, and a dark wood beamed ceiling.

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.

A rich, brown-painted living room with framed artwork and mirror, a loveseat and settee, off-white trim, and a soft pink ceiling. A rich, brown-painted living room with framed artwork and mirror, a loveseat and settee, off-white trim, and a soft pink ceiling.

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:

A cozy living room with deep taupe-painted walls, trim, and low built-in bookcase, two white chairs with zebra print pillows, and a white ceiling with wood beams. A cozy living room with deep taupe-painted walls, trim, and low built-in bookcase, two white chairs with zebra print pillows, and a white ceiling with wood beams.

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:

Sun streaming into a muted, brick red-painted living room with a wraparound window seat, southwestern style décor, and a wood beamed ceiling. Sun streaming into a muted, brick red-painted living room with a wraparound window seat, southwestern style décor, and a wood beamed ceiling.

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:

This traditional style living room features neutral tone painted walls with a peach hue, beautiful white decorative molding, open French doors, turquoise framed art over a white fireplace mantel, and two armchairs. This traditional style living room features neutral tone painted walls with a peach hue, beautiful white decorative molding, open French doors, turquoise framed art over a white fireplace mantel, and two armchairs.

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:

This bright, white-painted cottage living room has a relaxed, coastal vibe with blue and white stripe and slipcovered furniture, a vaulted ceiling, open French doors and screen doors. This bright, white-painted cottage living room has a relaxed, coastal vibe with blue and white stripe and slipcovered furniture, a vaulted ceiling, open French doors and screen doors.

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:

A contemporary living room with gray couch, a black-painted accent wall with built-in bookcase, a large screen television, and circular wooden coffee table. A contemporary living room with gray couch, a black-painted accent wall with built-in bookcase, a large screen television, and circular wooden coffee table.

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

A pretty light blue-green painted living room corner with light gray trim, multiple windows, and contemporary furniture. A pretty light blue-green painted living room corner with light gray trim, multiple windows, and contemporary furniture.

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.

A rich charcoal-brown painted living room space with contemporary furnishings and Teal drapes. A rich charcoal-brown painted living room space with contemporary furnishings and Teal drapes.

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.

A dark green painted living room corner with white trim, an orange chair, baskets, and a table with bottles and lamp, in front of a picture window. A dark green painted living room corner with white trim, an orange chair, baskets, and a table with bottles and lamp, in front of a picture window.

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.
An eclectic living room with a brown-painted wall behind a sofa, a white side wall, and animal print décor. An eclectic living room with a brown-painted wall behind a sofa, a white side wall, and animal print décor.

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.

A bright, cheerful periwinkle painted living room with a white side wall and trim, a large banquette sectional with a gray base, and three small tables. A bright, cheerful periwinkle painted living room with a white side wall and trim, a large banquette sectional with a gray base, and three small tables.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions


Q. How do I choose living room paint colors?

A. When it comes to choosing interior paint colors, 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. Once you’ve narrowed down your living room color options to a few, visit your locally owned store or shop online to purchase color samples to see how your selections look throughout the day when lighting is at different strengths.



Q. What are the best paint colors for living rooms?

A. Your living room is a blank canvas for any paint colors you choose to use. Neutrals, whites, and greiges are popular choices with homeowners, as they transition seamlessly from season to season and go well with most décor. For those that want a pop of color, bold blues, greens and purples make for an elegant statement, while reds, browns, and oranges help to warm the space while giving it a boost.



Q. What is the best paint for living rooms?

A. Not sure which paint to use for a living room? We suggest 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. When you want a living room paint that delivers breathtaking results, ultra-premium Aura® Interior is our choice for unparalleled color and stunning beauty that lasts. For a living room that sees a lot of traffic, Regal® Select Interior is the favorite paint for durability & washability that stands up to everyday wear and tear.



Q. What is the most popular color for a living room?

A. When it comes to paint colors for living rooms, neutral hues like gray and off-white remain popular with homeowners. Try White Dove OC-17, Revere Pewter HC-172, or Classic Gray OC-23 for a versatile backdrop that looks good with any décor.



Q. What colors make a living room cozy?

A. Classic neutrals, like Baby Fawn OC-15, bring relaxation and coziness to your living room by evoking hygge, the Scandinavian ethos of warmth, relaxation and connection.

For a darker hue that blankets your space like a hug, try a deep neutral like Iron Gate 1545, or a muted pine like Regent Green 2136-20. Add plush accents for an even more welcoming space.



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