Best Colours for a Small Living Room 

Looking for colour ideas for small living room projects? You've come to the right place. Decorating a small space is always a challenge, but you'll need to have your interior designer hat on when making over a living room.

After all, you'll be spending several hours a day here. It's the room that you relax in after a long day at work, the space where you socialise and entertain guests. Small living rooms can be difficult, but selecting a suitable colour palette isn't as challenging as you might think.

For small spaces, lighter colours tend to work best. However, you're not limited to off-whites and neutral shades. With a little creativity, you can turn a tiny room into something truly extraordinary.

Whether you're looking to make a room feel bigger or simply want to put your stamp on a space, it all starts with the right paint colour. Need some help selecting the right shade for your living space? Read on for everything you need to know about decorating a small living room.

Which Colours Make a Living Room Bigger? 

If you're looking to decorate a small room, this is the first question you're likely to ask. Lighter tones are the obvious choice for a living room space lacking in square footage. However, this doesn't mean you're limited to uninspired whites. 

Pastels and neutrals can also be used to great effect. What's more, off-white shades with subtle undertones can be a stylish option if you're looking for a stripped-back aesthetic. 

Ultimately, any colour that reflects natural light is a good choice for a small room. By adding a lighter paint colour to your living room walls, you can easily give the impression of more space. Although light tones reflect light well, you probably don't want to use the same shade throughout your space. 

To add character, experiment with warm tones that will make your living room more inviting. For something more dynamic, use a bold shade to pick out a feature wall. Just because square footage is at a premium, don't limit yourself when creating a living room to be proud of.

White 

If you're a fan of contemporary interiors, white is the way to go. If your room is lacking in floor space, white can open things up and make maximum use of bright light. 

It's also easy to coordinate with. For a more eye-catching interior, pair white walls with monochromatic furniture and accessories. If you prefer softer aesthetics, incorporate light-coloured furniture and wooden accents. 

Need some colour inspiration for your living room makeover? We've got plenty of premium whites for you to choose from. 

Our Arctic Fox S503 paint colour is a good option if you're looking for an alternative to solid white. This off-white shade will instantly make a room feel bigger, while its blue undertones leave you plenty of scope for incorporating accent colours. 

Looking for something with a bit more flavour? Paint your walls with Lotus F448 to give the illusion of space, then use complementary blue paints to bring out the icy undertones.

Grey

Grey paint doesn't have to be boring. In fact, it can serve as a sophisticated backdrop for living rooms lacking in square footage. 

The perfect colour choice for modern interiors, a grey palette is also incredibly versatile. It pairs well with natural accents like wood but also coordinates effortlessly with neutral tones. 

Searching for a superior wall colour? Our Paper F497 paint is an ideal choice. Use this one to coat walls in the same colour, then use a warmer shade to pick out room details like chimney breasts. 

If you're a fan of cool tones, you'll love Seagull F496. This understated neutral has subtle undertones of grey and blue, making it one of our most versatile paint colours. 

For something more subtle, go with Snowdrift L503. This off-white paint has beautifully balanced blue and grey undertones, making it perfect for reflecting light. 

Blue 

Small living rooms don't have to lack colour. In fact, even the tiniest space can utilise colour effectively. 

Want to air on the side of caution when decorating a small space? Blue shades are the way to go. If you stick with a subtle enough shade, blue can be very effective at bouncing around natural light. 

What's more, blue's an easy colour to coordinate with. Greys, whites and other neutrals always work well against a blue backdrop. If you're a big fan of blue, a tonal scheme that incorporates deep blue hues is another idea. 

Eager to get started? Glacier Y435 is a fine choice of wall colour. This pale blue can be used in place of white and teams well with grey upholstery, light wood flooring and natural accents. 

If you want to inject more colour into your space, Cumulus Y354 is something to consider. Although this is unmistakably a blue paint colour, it's light enough that it won't overwhelm a room. Keep things simple with light-coloured furniture, or make a statement with dark woods.

Green 

If you're looking for a more vibrant colour scheme for a small living room, a green colour palette will deliver. Muted shades work best for smaller spaces, so stick with subtle sage or forest green. 

Looking to keep things light? Go with Cucumber Y383 for walls. You can use this shade throughout a small living room, or add some character with the occasional colour pop. 

Aloe X381 is another superb choice if you're in the market for a green living space. Perfect for creating a tranquil space, it's light enough that it won't overwhelm smaller rooms. 

If you want to break things up a little, Taffeta F383 makes a fine complementary colour. Use this one to create subtle contrast where walls recede. Alternatively, use it for room accents like coving and door trims.

Pink

Many people avoid bolder colours when decorating a small living room. However, a warm colour can work wonders for a smaller living space. If you're looking to create a warm and inviting space, a pink colour palette is just the ticket. 

Milkshake Y411 might seem vibrant, but it's subtle enough for use in smaller living rooms. If you're tight on space, reserve this one for feature walls and offset the boldness with off-white shades. 

If you prefer purple hues, Empress X477 will appeal. This lavender-infused paint colour works well with pinks, but it also teams well with whites and neutrals. Used in moderation, it's a superb choice for smaller living rooms. 

Orange

Vibrant oranges and fiery shades are best avoided when decorating small living rooms. However, nothing is stopping you from introducing more muted orange shades to your living spaces. 

A paint colour like Abanico G313 makes the perfect alternative to crisp white. It's bright enough that it won't have any trouble reflecting light, while its vibrant undertones will bring bags of warmth to your interiors. 

Riviera Y406 is a more refined choice. Combining orange and pink undertones, it'll work well alongside accent colours from either family. If you're dealing with a particularly small living room, save this one for a feature wall.

If you're a fan of salmon pink paint shades, our Doll H405 paint colour should get your attention. Light enough that it can be used in the smallest of spaces, this versatile pink works well with neutral shades and classic whites.

Brown 

Brown colour palettes might seem a little rich for small living rooms, but you've plenty of options from our extensive range. Muted brown paints and earthy tones can make a small space feel cosy, rather than constricted. It's all about finding the right balance. 

Sandstone X463 is a particularly stylish choice. This eye-catching brown has undertones of grey and purple, giving you plenty of options when it comes to complementary colours and room accents. 

If you're seeking a more sophisticated shade, Gold Ore J462 will not disappoint. Use this as a central colour if the room has a lighter floor. Alternatively, use it to coat a feature wall and coordinate with more subtle neutrals. 

Desert V463 is a slightly darker option. If you're looking to create a more refined interior, this paint colour is the way to go. Coordinate with earthy tones and grey upholstery, then introduce a touch of luxury with gold accents from one of our metallic paints.

Yellow

Bumblebee yellow shades are a no-go for tiny living rooms. However, that doesn't mean you can't bring a little sunshine to smaller spaces. 

Lemonade H300 will give any living room an instant lift. With warm and airy undertones, this paint colour makes a fine fit for smaller rooms and works well alongside light grey and white. 

Cocoa Butter F392 should also appeal to anyone looking to brighten up a living room with limited square footage. Keep it simple with white accents or coordinate with a blush palette for maximum impact. 

If you're looking for the perfect colour complement for yellow walls, there's Sorbet F306. This subtle pink shade works well with smaller spaces and looks right at home alongside yellow walls and neutral upholstery.