Adding colour to a living room can instantly change both the look and feel of this communal area of your home. Vibrant shades will create an uplifting, positive mood, while opting for soft, muted colours can give a space a calm and soothing atmosphere. Cool colours will help make a space appear light and bright, while warm colours have a more enveloping, welcoming feel.
Using block colour on walls will create the most impact, but if your room is a compact size, stick to using a strong shade on just one wall or a chimney breast to create a striking focal point. Similarly, a wallpaper in a vibrant shade can create a beautiful eye-catching feature, but might feel overwhelming used on every wall. If you’ve fallen in love with a wallpaper that’s way out of your budget, buy one roll, frame a panel of it and display it as a piece of art.
There’s no need to repaint fresh neutral walls if you don’t fancy a decorating project: changing the colour of furniture and soft furnishings is a quick and easy way to alter the mood of a room. Try Made.com for a patterned armchair to nicely compliment your scheme. Swapping curtains, cushions, rugs and throws for a new colourway will transform your living room in an instant for relatively little expense. Choosing a combination of colours for scatter cushions on your sofas is a simple way to add interest to your scheme, just be sure to choose colours that share the same tone, for example chalky pastels, muted neutrals, deep jewel shades or primary brights. Try John Lewis for a range of colourful cushions.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Statement wallpaper
Using a statement patterned wallpaper on one feature wall is a great way to add colour to your room without overpowering the space. Try using a patterned paper on the wall behind your sofa to frame it as the central feature of the room. Choose a design that picks out the colours of your furniture or accessories to help tie the scheme together.
Similar wallpaper
Wallpaperdirect
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Displaying frames
Create an impressive wall display in your living room by collecting a range of mismatched frames in different sizes and colours and show off your favourite prints.
Similar frames
Laura Ashley
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Patchwork throw
Jazz up a neutral sofa with a bright patterned throw and colourful mismatched cushions. Finish off the look with a patchwork pouffe.
Similar throw
Debenhams
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Accessories in complementary shades
Hide away clutter in storage boxes that match your living room's colour scheme. Use different shades of the same colour when picking accessories for your shelving.
Similar storage boxes
Dunelm Mill
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Statement armchair
Placing a bright armchair in the corner of your living room is a simple way to add a flash of colour. Team with a patchwork pouffe for an eclectic look.
Similar chair
Made.com
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Painted shelving
Make a statement with shelving by painting the wall behind a bright colour, like in this living room. It will completely transform neutral shelving into a fab storage area.
Similar paint
Homebase
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Colourful furniture
Adding colour doesn't mean you have to use the boldest and brightest shades. A simple piece of furniture, like a sideboard, painted in a complementary colour will add charm to a subtle neutral scheme.
Similar sideboard
Laura Ashley
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Tonal shades
Bring a colour pop to a darker scheme with cushions and throws in different shades of the same colour. Hot pinks and cherry reds are a fab combo.
Similar cushions
John Lewis
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Bright rug
Lay a statement rug to add a shot of colour to your living room. Choose a shade or pattern that ties in with your scheme.
Similar rug
Debenhams
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Woodland colours
Enjoy the fresh colours of the garden all year round by bringing tones of green into your living room. A leaf-print rug, vibrant green coffee table and leather sofa combine for a stunning look.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Eclectic pattern
Update your home with an eclectic mix of fabrics and materials. Layer pillows together for a luxurious look. Try Not On The High Street for a similar tropical throw.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Tropical accent colour
Pastel tones and vibrant accessories complement the dark fireplace. Fresh flowers, a blue lamp and pink wallpaper add to the interesting mix of colours and materials. For a range of pink wallpaper selections to brighten up your living room try John Lewis or Very.co.uk.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Large-scale pattern
Make a statement with bold wallpaper and block colours. The red sofa and dark blue rug add warmth to the scheme. To create this look try Made.com for a similar sofa and John Lewis for a dark rug.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Vibrant fabrics
An eye-catching rug and several bright cushions transform an otherwise bland room into a stylish retreat. For a range of bright cushions try Littlewoods.com.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Intense yellow
Vibrant yellow is a sure-fire way to make a statement in your living room. Paint is the easiest way to do this, but you can add another twist to the look with animal print fabrics. Find a zebra print chair at Not On The High Street to offset the yellow walls.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Sky blue walls
A mix of blue and white give this modern living room a coastal feel. Various shades of blue add depth to the scheme. Find a range of similar white coffee tables from Laura Ashley.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Red seating
Breathe life into your home with a combination of vibrant colours, such as green and red. Experiment by mixing different patterns, shapes and textures, on the blinds, flooring and soft furnishings. Touches of black will add a striking edge. Try Dunelm-Mill.com for a range of patterned blinds.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Multicoloured stripes
Give your living room a vibrant makeover with punchy, electric colours and eye-popping furniture. Pull one colour from the sofa pattern to use on the curtains, creating a strong and consistent look. Try Not On The High Street for a bright patchwork sofa.
