Smoky Lavender
Lavender can add a sophisticated flair to a living room if you choose the right shade. To showcase this living room’s unique features, designer Ashley DeLapp settled on a “modern alternative to basic gray.” DeLapp explains, “Highlighting the architectural details adds depth and drama while letting the room’s textures, layers, and furnishings take center stage.”
Try Behr Evening in Paris
Photo by: Megan Easterday/Easterday Creative
Timeless Blue
Benjamin Moore’s Van Courtland Blue brings a sense of balance to the neutral furnishings in this living room by designer Leah Hook of Gray Oak Studio. “It’s a gorgeous midtone that steps well outside the neutral zone without feeling dark or moody,” Hook says. “It’s a definitively blue color with subtle green and gray undertones that allow it to steer clear of divisive turquoise hues or youthful chambray shades.”
Try Benjamin Moore’s Van Courtland Blue
Photo by: Brooke DelRossi
Classic Off-White
According to designer Kate Hartman, a warm, off-white shade is a no-fail choice for a living room. She’s especially drawn to hues that have a chameleon-like nature. Her go-to? Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster. “This soft, warm off-white adapts beautifully to different lighting conditions and creates a calm, inviting foundation without reading stark or cold,” Hartman says.
Try Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster
Photo by: David Patterson; Stylist: Tawney Waldo
Soothing Gray
Believe it or not, the right gray can act as a neutral. For this living room, designer Rayman Boozer chose Benjamin Moore’s Pigeon Gray to balance the statement furniture and artwork. “It creates a lovely contrast during the day, but at night, it’s very calming—almost white,” says Boozer, the founder of Apartment 48.
Try Benjamin Moore’s Pigeon Gray
Photo by: Manu Rodriguez
Merlot
Up for going moody? Designer Ashley DeLapp picked a rich wine color to add visual interest to this setup. “It grounds the mix of bold patterns while adding depth, warmth, and undeniable presence,” DeLapp says. “It proves that dark walls don’t shrink a space—they give a depth you just can’t get from neutrals.”
Try Sherwin-Williams Blackberry
Photo by: Megan Easterday/Easterday Creative
Black and White
A black-and-white interior never gets old, according to designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt. “A crisp white keeps the room feeling open and light, while a deep black or near-black on windows, doors, or millwork adds depth and definition,” Cloud says.
Try Benjamin Moore’s Onyx and Super White
Photo by: Heather Ison
Rich Blue-Green
Olive Green
If you want to go neutral, designer Jessica Hobson suggests trying a warm olive green tone for an unexpected touch. “It works well with creams, browns, plums, and brass accents,” Hobson says. “It’s cozy in the winter with shorter days, but takes on a new energy in the spring as the light changes.”
Try Benjamin Moore’s Gloucester Sage
Photo by: Julia D’Agostino
Dramatic Blue
Ground a living room with a deep blue shade that designer Christine Schumacher says gives this particular layout an intimate feel. “The living room feels like its own world: a place reminiscent of a jazz club–perfect for hosting friends over drinks, but just as much a quiet retreat to read, listen to music, and unwind after a long day,” says Schumacher, founder of Localia Interiors.
Try Farrow & Ball Hague Blue
Photo by: Haute’Xposure
Rich Teal
When it comes to a statement-making paint color, don’t stop at the walls. Take a cue from designer Marie Cloud and cover the ceiling in a daring hue like green. To balance the striking design choice, she prefers to “keep the walls light and architectural details crisp.”
Try Sherwin-Williams’ Starboard
Photo by: Heather Ison
Rich Brown
Magenta Pink
Deep Blue-Gray
Peacock Blue
Charcoal Black
Olive Green
Golden Beige
Mist Green
Soft Blue-Gray
Teal Blue
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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