Comfortable Spaces to Live In: Cosy Living Room Colour Schemes
Use colour and pattern to create a soothing haven. Informal, comforting spaces are perfect for relaxing in and after-supper entertaining – or for those who crave peace and quiet for down-time in the evening. With these distinct ideas in mind, choosing the right cosy living room colours much depends on what the room is going to be used for and your own definition of cosy.
Brilliantly Bold: Embrace Colour Drenching with Darker Shades
Create a cosy, comfortable atmosphere by colour drenching across multiple walls and surfaces. Choose a single rich neutral shade to apply on walls, woodwork and even furniture. Use accessories to complement or contrast with your scheme as you prefer.
Affogato, a rich brown from our Sweet Treats collection, will infuse elegance into a living space. This earthy brown shade pairs beautifully with dark furniture, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
“Dark colours like ‘Chocolate Colour’ make a real statement when used all-over, as they have an innate warmth that makes a space inviting and enveloping without feeling imposing”
Read our complete guide to colour drenchingThe Calm Zone: Use Neutral Tones for a Calm Living Room
Neutral paint colours set the scene for harmony and tranquillity. Muted tones reflect nature at its purest and these gentle tones can warm cooler spaces and breathe light into darker rooms. Plan a warm scheme by selecting a mid-tone, like Lute 317, from our Stone capsule collection or Stock 37. Paint all walls in these neutral shades and allow your coffee table or fireplace to become the focal point amidst a calm scheme.
Paint the ceiling and woodwork in Clay Pale 152 to keep it looking crisp and add natural furnishings like side tables with bare wood elements. Add focus to the scheme with large panels in Scullery 318 for a contemporary scheme. Alternatively, for a cool neutral palette, paint walls in French Grey Dark 163 - a cosy grey paint colour, ideal for keeping it simple alongside white furniture.
Discover more neutral inspirationDark and Mysterious: Choose Dark Paint Colours for Maximum Cosiness
The fathomless depths of dark paint colours teamed with the extremely low-sheen Absolute Matt finish create an instant feeling of cosiness and more than a nod to the grandeur of historical homes. Woodwork painted in the same colour as the walls and the addition of panelling enhance this effortlessly opulent scheme and provide a beautiful foil for displaying art works or heirloom treasures.
Pompeian Ash 293, Puck 298, Sage Green 80 and Dark Lead Colour 118 are ideal choices. These rich tones are a testament to the fact that, far from cold or stark, grey paint can be used to create a warm, cosy grey living room.
Joyful Brights: Use Colour Highlights for a vibrant Living Room
For a playful take on cosiness, keep everything else simple and let the walls do the talking. Paint walls in Middle Buff 122 and Hammock 38 and pair with contrasting furniture to enliven a featureless room and add warmth.
Or, add cheerful personality to a blank canvas by choosing the Clutterbuck wallpaper in the lively Lodge colourway, which has the appearance of woven fabric. Paint below the dado rail in Sage & Onions 228 to bring the walls towards you and create comforting depth to this jubilant scheme. Cosy living room colours needn’t always be deep or dark.
Bring the outside in: Use Natural Prints for a Tranquil Living Space
For reading rooms and spaces designed for contemplation, the whimsical, dream-like forest in the Pines wallpaper combined with walls painted in Normandy Grey 79 helps clear your head from the day. Layer generous sofas in sumptuous cushions, throws and soft furnishings, and settle down with your thoughts, enshrouded by this cosy grey paint and wallpaper combination.
Likewise, green hues calm the mind. Bring nature inside with Baluster 321 paint on all walls and woodwork. Include radiators, in the Intelligent Eggshell finish, for a seamless, tranquil scheme. Either keep furniture tonal to further enhance the tranquillity or add in hints of warmer tones for a contemporary finish, such as Atomic Red 190.
Discover more ways to bring the outside in with paint and wallpaper.
Autumnal Comforts: Make Your Living Room Feel like a Cosy Autumn Evening
There is something reassuringly comforting to be found in the emergence of autumn. Nights draw in, nature deepens its colours and more time is spent inside our beautiful homes. Use autumnal hues as your starting point for a scheme with inherent cosiness.
Wallpaper chimney breasts in New Bond Street - Hide and paint alcoves in Chocolate Colour 124 to add delicious depth and accentuate shadows. Alternatively, paint walls in the warming Adventurer 7 for an all-over glow. Choosing furniture in burnt oranges and mustard colours creates a warm , complementary finish - pair with a fireplace painted in the muted Sage Green 80.
Browse our paint collection online or order a complimentary colour card to help you choose the perfect living room colours for your home.