Selecting the best color for your living room walls can be intimidating, especially with so many stunning choices available. Whether you’re going for dark and dramatic or light and airy, the color you choose can completely change the vibe of your space. Over the years, Henry and I have tried all kinds of shades in our home builds and remodels, and I’m sharing some of our favorite picks to help you find just the right one for your living room. Here are six options that cover everything from moody to neutral, including some of the most timeless colors that will elevate any living room!
How to Find the Best Color for Living Room Walls
Finding the best color for living room walls starts with thinking about the mood you want to create. Consider how much natural light the room gets, as this will impact how colors appear throughout the day. If your living room is bright and airy, you might lean toward light, neutral tones to enhance the openness.
For a cozier, more intimate space, darker shades can add depth and warmth. Take into account your furniture and decor—do you want the walls to blend in or stand out? Testing a few paint samples on your walls can help you see how the colors look in different lighting and make sure they fit with the overall feel of your home.
What Paint Sheen Do I Use on My Living Room Walls?
Choosing the right paint sheen for your living room walls is just as important as picking the color. For living rooms, a satin or eggshell finish is often the best choice. Both provide a nice balance between durability and a soft, subtle shine that can enhance the color without being too reflective. Satin is slightly more durable and easier to clean, making it ideal if you have kids or pets, while eggshell has a more matte appearance that gives a smooth, elegant finish. If you want a little more texture and depth, satin is a great option, but eggshell works well if you’re after a more understated, classic look. Avoid high-gloss sheens, as they can be too shiny for large wall areas.
A Dark and Moody Sherwin Williams InkWell
If you’re after a bold, dramatic look, Sherwin Williams’ Inkwell is an incredible choice. It’s a deep, inky navy with subtle black undertones that gives any room a cozy, enveloping feel. This color is perfect if you want your living room to feel both intimate and sophisticated. Paired with soft lighting and warm-toned furniture, Inkwell creates a space that feels luxe and unique.
We used Inkwell in our home office, and it completely transformed the room into a snug, inspiring retreat. At first, I worried it might feel too dark, but with white trim and natural wood accents, it became one of our favorite spaces to spend time in. If you’re thinking about a moody living room that doubles as a library or reading room, Inkwell is the perfect choice for a rich, inviting vibe.
A Light and Airy Color: Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for something bright and fresh, Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore is a fantastic choice. Don’t let the name fool you—this color feels more like a soft, warm off-white in most rooms. It’s one of those colors that bounces light around beautifully, making your living room feel bigger and more open.
Classic Gray instantly brightens up a room, giving it a peaceful, airy quality that makes everything feel so much lighter and calmer. It’s a safe bet if you want something that’s subtle but still gives your walls a lovely hint of warmth.
A Neutral Color: Sherwin Williams’ Agreeable Gray
When it comes to neutrals, you can’t go wrong with Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams. This shade sits right in that perfect zone between gray and beige (or “greige” as many call it), which makes it incredibly versatile. Whether your living room decor leans more modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, Agreeable Gray just works.
We used it in the main living room of our old house, and it was so easy to build a color palette around. Whether we swapped out pillows or added different area rugs, everything seemed to flow effortlessly with this color as the backdrop. It’s the kind of neutral that lets your furniture and decor shine, while still adding some warmth to the room.
A Beige Color: Farrow & Ball’s Jitney
Jitney by Farrow & Ball is the dreamiest beige with a hint of earthy warmth. It’s inspired by sandy shores, and honestly, it brings that relaxing, coastal feel right into your living room. If you’re someone who loves the idea of a beige that doesn’t feel too traditional or stuffy, this is the perfect option.
Jitney is just soft enough to feel cozy without overwhelming the space, and it pairs beautifully with natural textures like wood, jute, and linen. It’s a winner if you want a warm, inviting space.
The Perfect White Color: Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster
If you’re a fan of crisp, clean white walls, you’re going to love Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. It’s one of those whites that isn’t too stark or cold, which is key when you want to create a welcoming atmosphere in a living room. There’s just the tiniest hint of warmth in Alabaster that makes it feel soft and soothing.
We’ve used this color in a few different spaces in our home, and it’s a true go-to for creating a blank canvas that still feels full of life. With Alabaster on the walls, you can go bold with your furniture and accessories, or keep things minimalist and serene. It’s that versatile.
A Creamier Color: Behr’s Swiss Coffee
For something that’s still neutral but a little creamier than your standard white, Behr’s Swiss Coffee is a beautiful option. It has just enough warmth to feel cozy, while still giving you that fresh, clean look that white paint offers. Swiss Coffee is perfect if you want a soft, timeless look without going full-on white.
Swiss Coffee is creamy but never yellow, making it a wonderful backdrop for any decor style. I’ve even considered repainting our living room in this color because it’s just so calming and easy to live with. It’s perfect for creating a warm, inviting living room that still feels bright.
Our Favorite Paint Tools
When it comes to DIY painting, having the right tools makes all the difference, and we’ve found a few favorites that we always reach for. Our go-to paint sprayer is the Graco Magnum X7 Airless Paint Sprayer, which gives a super smooth, even finish and makes painting large areas a breeze. It’s especially great for exterior projects or when you want a flawless coat on cabinets or furniture.
For rolling walls, we love using the Wooster Pro Roller. It holds a lot of paint, glides easily, and leaves a perfect, streak-free finish. And for those detailed areas, like trim or cutting in around the ceiling, the Purdy XL Brush is our favorite. It’s got great bristles that don’t shed and gives you the precision you need for clean, sharp lines. With these tools, any DIY paint project feels much more manageable and professional.
No matter which direction you’re leaning, whether it’s bold and dramatic or light and neutral, finding the best color for living room walls depends on the mood you want to create in your space. Each of these colors brings its own special feel, and I hope this list has given you some inspiration!
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