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Design & decor

Two-colour combinations for the living room

Repainting your walls is a surefire way to refresh your home, even without redecorating. If you plan to refresh your space, explore a modern two-colour combination for your living room walls, from a neutral monochromatic palette and complementary shades to adventurous bright shades and bold hues. 

You’ll spend time with these colours for years to come, so they should feel right to you as a homeowner. In this blog post, we’ll go through 11 two-colour combination ideas to consider for your next living room redesign.

11 two-colour combinations for your living room

1. Keep it cosy with warm beige and brown

Beige and brown living room with open space / Source: iStock

Who said a neutral colour palette had to be boring? If you already have beige walls, this colour combination is a good jumping-off point. Go for a pop of brown paint on an accent wall or trimmings. Then, add some brown furniture and a pop of white decor. Your beige, brown and white living room will still feel familiar but definitely elevated. 

2. Jazz it up with a monochromatic colour combination

You don’t need to go wild with your new two-colour living room. A monochromatic palette means all you need to do is choose a shade lighter or darker than your current colour, then experiment with it on your ceiling, trim, or accent wall. Some colour combinations you could consider are light pink and fuschia, pastel yellow and cream, or sky blue and navy blue.

Thinking of starting small with just the trim or an accent wall? It’s best to assess if you can DIY the painting job or if you should leave the painting to the pros.

3. Relax your eyes with cream and green

Green is always easy on the eyes, and cream and green rooms give off an elegant and refreshing ambience. It introduces a tranquil vibe to a space–something you will love coming home to. 

Forest green, grass green, sage green and even olive green are great options to combine with a cream colour. If you like the idea of nature inside your house, you could get some indoor plants as part of your redecoration plans.

4. Go bold with black and white

Black and white living room with wood and grey tiling accents / Source: iStock

You can opt for all-black walls and a white ceiling for a classic touch or have just one black accent wall for a pop of colour. You can even emphasise the eye-catching contrast through your decor. 

5. Soften the room with pastels and white

Pastel pink and sky blue aren’t just for the nursery. Using this wall colour combination for your living room will add appeal and even a whimsical feel to your space. You could even add white furniture or decor to make the room bright and airy. 

6. Add a touch of luxe with metallics and white walls

Just the right shade of gold or silver can give your living room the extra pizazz it’s missing. And don’t worry; just because there’s metal doesn’t mean it has to be ornate and old-fashioned. This colour combination is a step up from white and neutrals and will impress your guests. 

7. Keep it crisp with navy blue and white

Living room with navy blue walls and white curtains / Source: iStock

Navy blue and white is a colour combination you can’t go wrong with. It’s classic, elegant, and perfect for a coastal vibe. You can start small and highlight blue walls, blue sofa, or blue curtains and white ceilings with off-white window treatments. 

8. Make it visually interesting with dark teal and blush pink

If pastels and muted colours aren’t your thing, consider the darker teal and pink shades. 

For instance, a dark teal wall can add a dramatic look to a living room, while a pink couch and decor items can soften the look and add a hint of brightness. Tie this colour combination with the right interior design elements, such as window treatments, an area rug, or wall art.

9. Go extra-colourful with tangerine and pink

Two bold and bright colours in one room can work! When done right, this wall colour combination or wall and furniture scheme will bring warmth and cheerfulness to your living room. Add some contemporary furniture, and your vibrant sitting area is all set.

10. Try warm grey and orange for an ultra-modern feel

Modern interior design with orange wall and grey accents / Source: iStock

Don’t knock this colour scheme until you’ve checked it out. When you find just the right shade of orange, you’ve got an out-of-the-box combination that’s stylish. 

You’d be surprised at how orange can bring warmth to your space and make it inviting without being garish and how grey becomes strikingly elegant. Not a fan of orange? Swap it out for brownish-orange hues blue.

11. Push the limit with purple and brown

Dark purple and brown is a colour combination that comes together surprisingly well. This is because brown is derived from yellow, which sits opposite purple on the colour wheel. Purple livens up neutral brown, while brown “grounds” the rather eclectic purple. If your living room has wood accents, this combo might be the one to try. 

Bring your vision to life with the right colour combination

Whether you go for a classic or modern two-colour combination for your living room, this paint job will have a big impact on your home’s ambience. As you choose a style and execute your painting plans, there are a lot of things to consider. Hiring a local painter can make the entire process easier for you.


FAQs on living room paint colour combinations

How do you pair colours in a living room?

Some ways to pair two colours are as follows:

  • Pairing complementary hues (e.g. blue and orange, purple and yellow)
  • Choosing shades and tints of one colour (e.g. a monochromatic palette)
  • Combining two warm tones or two cool tones (e.g. orange and brown, blue and green)
  • Pairing bold hues with a neutral colour (e.g. lime green and white, yellow and grey)
  • Pairing warmer tones with cooler tones (e.g. brown and blue)

To make your living room look its best, you’ll need an expert interior designer to guide you as you choose the right vibrant hues or neutrals that will work well together. It’s crucial that you understand the balance between shades and the effect each colour will have on your room before you have at it with a roller brush.

Do green and terracotta go together?

Yes, green and terracotta is a colour scheme that will work for a room. Together, they create an earthy, organic feel reminiscent of natural elements. You could even treat terracotta as neutral (like beige or brown) and combine it with pink, yellow, black, or brown hues.

What colours brighten a beige room?

Just about any colour combination can make a beige room bright! Add a touch of warmth with burnt orange or red; modernise the living room’s look with black or navy; or add a cheerful personality with sky blue. Beige is a neutral base that can anchor the look while letting you play around with small doses of bright colours.

Can you mix beige and white decor?

You can definitely mix beige and white decor. Clean white is great for balance and light, while beige adds the warmth necessary for a cosy living room. Colourful living room walls will definitely pop against this more neutral decorating colour scheme.

What colour of furniture goes well with cream living room walls?

Many colours pair well with cream, so it would depend on the other elements you’re working with. Hues of green, blue, red, grey, white, and even black will add some necessary colour to the neutral space of cream walls. You can also go for other neutrals and use brown wooden furniture. 

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Design & decor

Create a dramatic living room with a dark colour palette

While it’s common for homeowners to gravitate towards light and airy shades when decorating their living spaces, dark and cosy living rooms can infuse your space with a dramatic ambience. If you’re stumped on potential colour palettes for your living room space, keep scrolling!

In this guide, we’ll share some dark and cosy colour ideas for your living room and how dark-themed spaces can redefine your home’s atmosphere.

12 Dark and cosy colour ideas for the living room 

1. Elegant charcoal

Modern house interior with charcoal walls / Source: iStock

Black or charcoal are versatile colours that fit traditional and modern styles. Deep charcoal walls evoke a sense of sophistication and add drama and warmth to any living space. 

Charcoal walls create an intimate atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding and chatting. Just be sure to balance the darkness with plenty of light and cosy furnishings like plush sofas and warm textiles.

2. Get moody with navy

Navy blue is a rich shade that gives off a calm and serene ambience. This colour goes well with many colour themes and interior styles. Pair it with bright and muted shades, such as yellow and pink, and see the colours pop. 

Navy hues are easy to pair with other colours and can transcend trends. It can be a neutral shade that’s a lasting choice for your living room.

3. Enchanting dark greens

Luxurious interior with dark green walls / Source: iStock

Dark greens should be on your dark, cosy living room ideas inspiration board. These earthy shades bring calm and balance to your home, regardless of size.

These hues also give off the illusion that you’re connected to the outdoors. Combine it with neutral shades like cream and earthy tones, and you can create a warm and soothing space with it. It creates a warm climate when relaxing or hosting get-togethers with friends. 

4. Cosy shades of grey

Chic slate grey as the primary colour is a good option for modern living room ideas. Its timeless elegance, versatility in decorating style, and balanced contrast make it a perfect choice for those seeking elevated style and comfort. 

Greys provide a great backdrop that works seamlessly with different accent colours and furniture pieces. Use this to your advantage, and you can achieve a space that’s contemporary and inviting at the same time.

5. Get in the magic with midnight blue

Living room with sofa on an empty midnight blue wall background / Source: iStock

Painting your dark-themed living room midnight blue evokes luxury and moody allure. The colour works well for both dark and light wallpapers or furniture pieces, so it’s a versatile choice for a colour scheme. 

It’s easy to pair this shade in a living room with complementary dark or neutral shades and tones. Deep charcoal greys, matte blacks, and rich browns can serve as grounding elements, preventing the space from feeling overly heavy.

6. Feel like royalty with burgundy

This deep reddish-brown colour is an interesting choice when you decide to go for a dark-themed living room. It creates a moody space, and its deep and rich character adds a touch of luxury to a room.

Despite its boldness, burgundy pairs beautifully with a range of colours, from neutrals like beige, ivory, and grey to shades like blue and teal. Burgundy lets you create a colour palette that feels modern and cosy at the same time.

7. Elegant greys and eggshells

Monochromatic grey living room / Source: iStock

Eggshell tones and greys are refined yet not overpowering colours; it’s an adaptable, versatile colour that can work with most colour schemes. 

Both colour schemes serve as versatile backdrops for various decor styles. These hues help create a balanced palette that’s visually pleasing, and they work great with dark colours like deep blue, charcoal, or black, as well as neutral colours to build an airy and comforting ambience. 

8. Try out bold and charming crimson colours

If you’re thinking about a living area with deep red colours, try adding crimson into the space. Bold and attention-grabbing, this colour instantly injects chic modernity into your living space.

Crimson furniture pieces go along well with other colours and materials. They also work with neutral or darker tones like beige, grey, or white. Alternatively, you can create captivating contrasts by pairing crimson with deeper hues like navy blue or charcoal grey.

9. Dramatic brown for the perfect backdrop

Cosy living room with terracotta walls / Source: iStock

Brown, with its earthy tones, is the ultimate colour for those looking for natural warmth in their living room. Whether you choose light or dark brown shades, they bring a homey air to the room that stands the test of time.

The colour serves as a neutral foundation that allows for versatile decor and styling. Whether you prefer minimalist, rustic, or contemporary designs, brown brings a relaxing aura that adapts to your personal taste.

10. Play with ombre

Ombre walls in a dark-themed apartment can be a stunning and creative way to add depth, drama, and interest to your space. 

Opt to use the ombre technique on a feature wall. Start with a deep, dark colour at the bottom and gradually transition to a lighter shade towards the top to create a striking focal point.

You can also use furniture pieces that incorporate ombre in their design for visual interest. But if you insist on painting your walls ombre, you can paint it yourself or consult a painter.

11. Add warmth with deep gold hues

Dark-themed interior with gold accents / Source: iStock

Deep gold hues are opulent and timeless additions to a living space, perfect if you want to create a refined home with a gold touch. These can add a touch of glamour to the space without overwhelming it. You can use gold hue accents for furnishings or pieces that reflect light, such as throw pillows, curtains, or area rugs. 

12. Metallic copper comfort

Metallic copper colours create contrast, especially if it’s partnered with dark greys, blacks, greens, blues, plums, or brown backdrops. The metallic finish of copper brings sophistication to your nest. You can display this through various decor elements, such as lighting fixtures, coffee tables, or decorative accents, to infuse the space with a sense of opulence.

Embracing the dark side

The beauty and allure of dark interiors cannot be overstated. They can create atmospheres as inviting as lighter colours and hues in many ways. With their dark hue, rich warmth, and wide depth spectrum, the interior style possibilities they bring to the table are endless. 

Are you renovating your home or planning to do it in the future? Consider hiring a professional painter or interior designer to consult and do the work for you. With their expertise, they can bring your dark-themed living space to life! 


FAQs on dark colours for the living room

Is dark colour good for the living room?

Dark colours can be an excellent choice to add style and sophistication to a living room. Choosing the right dark shade depends on your preferences, the size and lighting of the room, and the atmosphere you want to create.

How do I make a living room cosy?

To make your living room cosy, focus on warm colours, comfortable seating, and layered textures. Use soft lighting, incorporate plants, and place throws and pillows to establish the mood for comfort. 

How to decorate a living room with dark walls?

You can achieve a balanced and inviting ambience by juxtaposing dark hues with light-coloured furniture and utilising layered lighting for a warm atmosphere. Use contrasting accessories and vibrant decor to create visual interest, and strategically place mirrors to reflect light and enhance spaciousness. 

If you’re unsure how to style a dark-themed space, consult an interior designer for expert advice.