FT NEWS
Picking a paint colour for the living room can turn out to be a hand-wringing experience, especially when it is short on square footage. While you know the indisputable fact that light, neutral shades open up a space, a part of you wants to walk on the wild side and experiment with dark blues, greens and maybe even black. Here, we pick five colours that cover the spectrum from light to dark and show you how each of these colours has the ability to transform a small living room.
1. White
Pure white, oddly enough, is actually not used as much as one thinks. Some whites reflect tones of blue, some are pink, some are green, but this is just white in its purest form, without any tint. Yet it’s not stark or clinically sterile; the all-white scheme, in fact, adds to its cool and airy look. White reflects light, making walls and boundaries disappear, so a small space seems larger.
A perfectly neutral cream (without yellow undertones), is the go-to colour for most homeowners. The colour keeps a small living room open and bright, and looks beautiful against hardwoods and other natural materials. Cream is considered ‘safe’ as it is the perfect backdrop for any other colours and any décor. Layer it with different hues of cream…
While a bright sunshine yellow may be a tad too bright for most people, a softer yellow can brighten up a dull living room infinitely. Yellow is a warm, versatile colour that can look great with other shades of its own family, or…
Be brave and go dark in small spaces – you’d be pleasantly surprised to find out that a darker colour can add depth by dissolving the edges of a small room. Grey is sharp and suave, yet cosy and chic. Pair it with crisp white mouldings and bright furnishings for a bit of colour relief.
The closest rival to grey would be indigo – it is designer-dark, moody and sensual. It makes a small space feel cosy, enveloping you in its warmth. If the blue is too dark for you, bring in some relief by way of lighter furnishings.
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