The sitting room in this vintage home is brought to life by mid-century modern velvet mustard chairs. Navy and mustard are two colors that will always vibe well together, so with that in mind, a blue and white striped area rug was chosen to lay just beneath the seating arrangement. Subtle nods to farmhouse décor are spread around the room as the finishing touch.
29 Revitalizing Living Room Color Ideas for a Modern Design
Written by
July 15, 2023
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Color is making its way back into our homes, and we absolutely live for it! As the living room is often the most frequented space in a home, the many living room color ideas that are on display here offer a unique taste of everything your living room could be and more. From deep and moody walls to colorful furniture pieces that make a clear statement, every aesthetic is showcased here.
Color revitalizes our lives, and what better place to implement our favorite palettes than in our cozy living spaces? Grab a paintbrush or a bright velvet lounge chair, because all colors of the rainbow are invited to this design party.
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The décor in this room speaks minimalism with the white walls, deep brown walls, and jute rug, but then the designer decided to implement a statement color in the form of blue velvet chairs. Accented by coral velvet pillows, furniture is a fabulous way to add color to a room without it being permanent. With a little buying, selling, and trading, these velvet blue chairs can be switched out seasonally.
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Blue-gray undertones cast a calming aura over this sitting room with a denim sofa, a gray ottoman, and a coordinating recliner. The modern elements include black paned windows and an adjustable standing lamp. The entire room is enveloped in this gloomy glow with the exception of bright white molding and a matching shelving unit that offer a lighter contrast to the remaining walls.
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An international-themed gallery wall is on display against a deep plum-purple wall. To the right side of the room is a white-painted brick fireplace that softens the heavy décor of the room. Plum is a unique color option because it is not present in very many spaces, but when done correctly it can make for a room that is enlightened and enviable, especially in an old-world interior.
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A soft beige palette inspires the neutral tone of this farmhouse living room. Gray, beige, and cream have all worked their way into the color palette, but specially curated for the space is a purple velvet lounge chair. The cool-toned metal flower baskets that hang on the way on either side of the chipped paint clock accentuate the dainty color of the statement chair. Neutral living rooms like these are ideal places to display focal point furniture pieces in brighter color tones.
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The cool essence of powdery light gray walls tranquilizes the aura of any interior space. This hallway with decorative farmhouse seating is covered in a light gray hue that travels throughout the corner spaces. Delicate black accents in the light fixture and wall art add a fine layer of depth to the hallway, accentuating the scope of the modern space.
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With a color as bold as slate gray, it is advantageous to utilize it on an accent wall that will not cloud the entire room. In this case, it was used to envelop a backless clock that stands out beautifully above a stone fireplace surround. The paint selection is complemented by light gray sofas, a black hutch, and beige décor.
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Because white furniture and walls can feel a tad white-washed, painting your living room walls in a sandy tan will instantly revitalize the space. Paired with a light brown linen couch and repurposed antique furniture, the look of the space will remain clean and airy but with added depth and interest. This color scheme works great in farmhouse-themed or coastal-inspired living rooms.
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Not quite deep enough to be greige or gray, the off-white paint color of this living room blends into the light gray area rug that rests beneath off-white furniture. The focal point of the room is a distressed fireplace mantel displaying an antique mirror. The subtle color ensures that the attention is drawn to the fireplace at the center of the room, the inspiration decorative element that inspires the aesthetic of the room.
10 of Vintage Gray Sitting Room

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- meetingmary
A purple-toned gray paint surrounds this vintage sitting room with an immaculate old brown door. Cream, brown, and gray modern furniture pair nicely with the deeper-looking paint, and the orange ottoman is an especially nice touch. In our modern decorative world, combining furniture pieces of various materials, shades, and textures is always a yes, especially with colorful walls.
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A basic theme that never goes out of style is creamy white walls with white molding. The bright white shuttered windows in the background of the photograph highlight the warmth of the walls. In the forefront is a light gray sofa with cream, blue, and gray pillows. Add in a classic clear glass lamp in you have yourself a living room that is serene, charming, and collected.
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On display is another timeless example of a black accent wall, but this time in a room with a Bohemian theme. The wall that frames the stairs is painted black and elevated by a beige and white abstract Southwestern art piece. Pampas leaves and straw baskets decorate a matching black coffee table, and a beige sofa with plush cream linens completes the look. Though this house is very traditional, the boho style still thrives in this American interior space.
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Pale gray paint coordinates with the off-white sofas in this seating area to create a cozy living room. In a space with a farmhouse theme, pale gray walls seamlessly blend into any décor because of their cooling nature against deeper brown wood. If you have any statement artwork or furniture that you’re looking to spotlight, a light gray like this will ensure that your important decorative elements steal the show.
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Greige, a relatively new paint color, has staked its claim on the walls of our living spaces. Because of its subtle mixture of tan and gray tints, there isn’t a piece of décor that it doesn’t match. Thriving in the farmhouse aesthetic, the greige walls in this room are complemented by deep gray sofas, reclaimed wood textures, and minimally invasive orange Fall decorations.
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The springy appearance of this coffee table and sofa view is brought to life by pale yellow walls, an abstract blue canvas, and chinoiserie-printed pillows. The cheery pastels create a scene that is so sophisticated, even with the display of Easter-inspired décor like the bunny that rests in the coffee table tray beside three ceramic vases. This look can be replicated by finding artwork and pillows in light blue, greens, yellows, or pinks and meshing them with similar paint colors in your living space.
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A deep rug vintage rug sits under a tan leather couch, a round coffee table, and a wooden-armed chair. A collection of different cushions on the couch mirrors the gallery wall above the couch. A gold overhanging floor lamp gives the room a seventies vibe.
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This vintage boho living room design is a charming and eclectic space that blends elements of vintage décor with the free-spirited, bohemian style. The room features a mix of vintage furniture and décor pieces, such as distressed flooring, a wooden coffee table, a vintage rug with faded colors gold framed mirrors, and a brass chandelier. The color palette is typically muted and warm, with shades of brown, beige, and dusty rose. The overall effect is a cozy and inviting space that feels lived-in and full of character.
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Black and white art speaks volumes in this modern living room with contemporary lounge chairs and a statement tan leather sofa. The black accent wall acts as an elegant backdrop to the portraiture that adorns a skinny black shelf. In a coordinated effort, the ceiling molding, sofa, and lounge chairs exist in the same medium brown tone, a great way to mesh color themes across an entire room.
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As to not distract from the modern elements of this room, a bright white wall color was chosen to conspicuously lie behind contemporary wall sconces, a black hutch, and a farmhouse-inspired dining setup. Bright white walls are so versatile because they match every aesthetic and allow the homeowner full creative license to include any kind of furniture, light fixtures, or wall décor
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Fun is the inspirational word that motivated the décor in this living room. A fantastic tufted green velvet sofa complements the green walls that surrounds the entire living space. On the oriental floor rug are very light colors tones of beige and pink, surely the instrumental design element that encouraged the blush fireplace mantel. Overall the look is cheery, exciting, and feminine.
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If your aesthetic teeters on the verge of bold and bright, look no further than this glorious ceiling with black tray accent squares. Recessed lighting in the center of each black square illuminates the finish, casting a glorious glow on a medium-brown leather sofa. The ceiling pattern is coordinated with the black cabinets that frame the fireplace surround underneath light oak shelves.
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Grandmillenial décor, a modern spin on your typical grandmother’s style envelopes this living room. The pale yellow wall color is the perfect subtle backdrop to the regal cherry wood furniture, regal stripes, and ethereal artwork that fills the walls. Yellow, once an incredibly popular interior color, fits hand in hand with this aesthetic because of how it accentuates a classic and mature space.
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In a room with high ceilings, a color that is light and welcoming will always be an ideal design element. This creamy yellow sitting room is paired with off-white curtains, a statement deep brown hutch, and two blue lounge chairs. The blue chairs contribute a bright and cheery visual that gives the room interest and depth.
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The view of this graceful dining room hutch is accentuated by the rich, sunshine-colored yellow walls that lavishly elevate them. An English Country vibe is defined by traditional colors and patterns, and the antique décor on this table speaks to that truth. If you’re looking to draw attention to any of your vintage décor, a bright color like maroon, green, yellow, or blue works great with an English Country-Inspired theme.
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Multiple themes are working together in this French Coastal Cottage, and the look is achieved by the inspirational blue-gray walls that line the room. The decorative French hutch beside the crystal chandelier practically screams French décor, but nods to a coastal décor are subtly incorporated with the help of the purposeful blue-gray paint color, ocean blue glass, and starfish elements.
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The deep appearance of the moody teal wall behind a gray sofa inspires the abstract artwork surrounding the room. Contrasting patterned pillows and throws complement the framed design that hangs above the couch, creating an interesting and mature look. Using local artists or thrifted pillows and blankets for your décor is an easy way to create an original and personalized space. Dark paint is just the canvas that brings those elements to life.
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Shiplap is a common decorative element that shines on a fireplace surround. In this photograph, a slate gray color was chosen to deepen the tones of the room. White oak stands out perfectly against the deep finish as floating shelves frame both sides of the mantel with modern rustic décor.
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This living room boasts a stunning red-brick fireplace with a white mantel built against the green-and-white shiplap wall. The mantel is topped with rustic décor, including potted flowers and intricately designed framed photographs.
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Living rooms that use minimalist features do not need to be solely white. If you are looking for something that is a bit more visually interesting, white paint with pink undertones rests beautifully against tan wood flooring and décor. Gold accents in the form of a modern lamp stand, and a circular gold framed mirror bring out the pink tones of the wall color, in addition to the reclaimed wood mantel and basket wall that hangs on the fireplace.