Whether to match furniture to wall color is an age-old decorating dilemma. On one hand, uniform color schemes promote harmony and continuity. On the other, too much sameness can feel boring and flat. As with most design choices, there are pros and cons to consider when deciding if furniture should share a hue with its surroundings.
Pros of Matching Furniture to Walls
Creates a Unified Look
One of the biggest advantages to picking furniture in the same color family as walls is that it creates a seamless, blended aesthetic. When furniture pieces “disappear” into the backdrop of a room, it minimizes visual clutter and makes the space appear tidy and serene. This unified appearance is especially desirable in open floor plan homes where the living room flows into the kitchen and dining area. Keeping the color scheme cohesive from one room to the next establishes harmony.
Makes Rooms Feel Larger
Matching furniture to walls can actually make a room feel more spacious. Our eyes perceive a continuous expanse of color as appearing larger than disjointed hues. Think of it like an optical illusion – having one fluid color scheme tricks the eye into seeing expanded dimensions. This effect is particularly useful for small rooms, but works in larger spaces as well.
Easy to Coordinate
Deciding on accent pieces, artwork, and accessories gets much simpler when furniture matches the wall color. There are no clashing undertones to worry about and any patterns or textures will effortlessly coordinate. The result is a room that “goes together” with minimal effort. It takes the guesswork out of pulling a cohesive look together.
Cons of Matching Furniture to Walls
Can Feel Flat and Boring
Too much of a good thing can end up feeling bland. When every surface in a room shares the exact same color, the overall effect may end up monotonous. Unless you are meticulous about texture and dimension, the space could come across as flat. We all appreciate some contrast and points of interest to engage the eye. An entire room in the same color scheme can almost fade into the background.
Makes Updating Difficult
Redecorating gets more complicated when furniture matches the walls. If you opt for a new wall color, your existing furniture may clash. Conversely, if you purchase a new furniture piece in a different hue it can look out of place. Since most people update their décor in phases over many years, having furnishings in the exact wall color makes quick upgrades nearly impossible without a complete overhaul.
Can Look Dated
Certain color pairings look fresh today but may not stand the test of time. Remember avocado appliances in the 1970s? What about the pink and gray craze in the early 2000s? When furniture exactly matches the wall color, it immediately dates to that moment in history. If you have an eclectic style that mixes antique, vintage and modern pieces this can be especially problematic. The older items will always look “wrong” against the perfectly matched backdrop.
Tips for Coordinating Furniture with Wall Color
If you want to coordinate furniture with paint color without going overboard into full-on matchy-matchy territory, here are some guidelines to follow:
Repeat a Common Color
Look for a shared color between furniture and walls but don’t make them identical. For example, pair a sage green sofa with celadon walls or team cherry wood furnishings with terra cotta paint. This creates coherence without the uniformity.
Echo a Similar Tone
Work within analogous color families that are beside each other on the color wheel. Adjacent hues have enough distinction to avoid looking flat. For instance, place cobalt blue chairs against a seafoam green wall or position golden oak dressers against buttercream walls. The tones work together while retaining some contrast.
Introduce Another Color
Incorporate a third color that relates to both the walls and furniture. Adding another element prevents the space from appearing one-dimensional. Try a mossy green sofa against olive walls with throw pillows in deep emerald. The third color ties everything together. Just be sure to use it sparingly so it doesn’t clash.
Incorporate Neutrals
Natural textures like wood, rattan, linen and leather tend to work with any wall color. Keep furniture neutral while adding pops of color through changeable accessories like toss pillows and throw blankets. A chunky woven jute rug can also harmonize furniture with painted walls through its visual weight and texture.
Mix Finishes
Vary finishes and materials between furniture and walls to add dimension. Consider a high-gloss lacquered credenza against matte walls or a nubby linen sofa set against smooth drywall. Just ensure the colors relate – like sheen navy paired with flat navy. The variation in light reflection prevents a flat appearance.
How Lighting Affects the Equation
Something that is seldom discussed when addressing furniture-wall color coordination is the huge impact lighting has on how colors are perceived. A color that matches perfectly in daylight can look all wrong in warmer, yellow incandescent light. Meanwhile, cool LED lights can drain the richness from certain hues. It’s important to view your palette in the lighting conditions it will actually be used in.
The intensity and location of light sources also influence color. A vibrant paint color can appear muted in a dark, shadowy area of a room. Bright sun streaming through windows can wash colors out. To get the most accurate sense of a color relationship, be sure to view it under the proper lighting conditions. If possible, paint color swatches directly onto the wall and move furnishings into place before fully committing.
When to Match Furniture to Walls
As we’ve explored, there are pros and cons to matching furniture to wall color. Here are a few instances when taking a matched approach works best:
- Small rooms: A tight, continuous color scheme makes spaces appear larger.
- Open floor plans: Matching furniture to walls maintains continuity between openly connected rooms.
- Minimalist spaces: With fewer furnishings, those present take on greater visual weight and should relate to the background.
- High traffic family zones: Matching background colors minimizes the appearance of scuffs and wear.
- Those seeking an orderly look: Uniform color schemes appear neat and coordinated.
And here are times when you may want to avoid a total match:
- Those with an eclectic style: Mixing finishes and periods works best against a neutral backdrop.
- Spaces you redecorate frequently: Matching makes it hard to incorporate new pieces.
- Rooms with little natural light: Dark, matching colors can make the space feel dreary and closed in.
- Personal preference for contrast: Some simply don’t like a fully matched aesthetic.
As with any design choice, there is no definitive right or wrong answer. Room purpose, architecture and personal style should all weigh into color decisions.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, whether to match furniture to wall color comes down to individual preference and the overall look you hope to achieve. If aiming for a soothing, expansive feel, pulling colors directly from walls is likely the way to go. But if your style trends colorful, eclectic and full of contrast, maintaining some separation between furnishings and their backdrop is best.
Most designers recommend finding a middle ground – relate shades in the same family but don’t make them identical. This allows furniture and walls to complement one another without blending entirely. Whatever you choose, just be sure colors and finishes create the mood and style you seek. Consistency with furnishings, lighting and accents helps tie the look together. Trust your instincts and interpret trends to suit your personal vision. And if you make a choice you later regret, a new coat of paint or slipcover can work wonders!
