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What color should I paint my living room if my furniture is brown?

What color should I paint my living room if my furniture is brown?

When choosing a paint color for your living room, it’s important to consider the existing furniture and decor. Brown furniture is a popular choice for living rooms due to its warm, natural look. If your living room furniture is mostly brown, you’ll want to select a wall color that complements the brown tones. The right paint color can really make your brown furniture pop while also creating a cohesive, put-together look for the space.

Factors to Consider

Here are some key factors to take into account when selecting a paint color for a living room with brown furniture:

– Undertones of the brown – Is your furniture a cool chocolate brown or a warm, reddish brown? The undertones will impact which colors look best.

– Variations in the brown – Does your furniture feature different wood tones and stains? If so, choose a versatile color that works with brown variation.

– Other colors in the space – Consider accent colors in pillows, rugs, and accessories. You’ll want a wall color that complements any other tones.

– Lighting – The room’s lighting will impact how the paint color appears. Opt for a versatile shade that looks good in natural and artificial light.

– Personal preference – While some colors may be more traditional, opt for a hue you’ll love seeing every day.

Best Paint Colors for Brown Furniture

Here are some of the best paint colors to consider for living rooms with brown furniture:

Neutrals

Neutrals like tans, taupes, grays, and ivory are always safe choices. They provide a subtle, complementary backdrop that allows the brown furniture to take center stage. Consider soft hues like:

– Greige – A sophisticated blend of gray and beige that provides a subtle contrast to brown.

– Fawn – A light tan or pale grayish brown that elegantly complements brown tones.

– Charcoal – A rich, smokey gray that makes brown furniture really stand out.

Earth Tones

Natural, earthy hues are a perfect pairing for brown furniture. They create a cozy, organic look. Great options include:

– Sand – A warm, peachy neutral that brightens up brown furniture.

– Clay – A reddish-brown shade that ties into the reddish tones in wood.

– Olive – A natural green tone that contrasts and complements brown in an earthy way.

Blues

From pale sky blue to dramatic navy, different shades of blue balance out brown furniture nicely. Consider hues like:

– Baby blue – A light, airy blue that contrasts brown while still feeling soft.

– Denim – Classic and versatile; a no-fail pairing with brown.

– Cobalt – A bright, saturated blue that makes the brown feel richer.

Color Paint Brand Specific Shade
Greige Behr Silver Drop HDC-MD-11
Fawn Benjamin Moore Clay Beige 1138
Charcoal Sherwin Williams Peppercorn SW 7674
Sand Valspar Enchanted Eve 5007-2A
Clay Behr Rusted Clay PPU11-13
Olive Valspar Grape Leaf Green 6008-7A
Baby Blue Behr Sweet Lilac UL220B
Denim Sherwin Williams Online SW 6244
Cobalt Benjamin Moore Morning Sky 2062-60

Tips for Choosing Paint Colors

Here are some handy tips to guide you in selecting the perfect living room paint color for your brown furniture:

– Grab paint swatches in colors you’re considering and view them in the room. Colors look different on the wall than on a small swatch.

– Purchase sample sizes of paint and test colors out on the walls. Paint a large piece of poster board if you can’t paint the actual wall.

– Look at color pairings in furniture stores and model homes with brown furniture similar to yours. This can provide inspiration.

– If you’re overwhelmed by options, stick with a safe neutral like gray or tan. Add color through interchangeable accents instead of paint.

– Don’t be afraid to take some risks! Brown furniture works well with bold, saturated hues if done right.

Achieving Cohesion

In addition to choosing a complementary wall color, there are other ways to pull your living room with brown furniture together into a cohesive space:

– Incorporate brown tones from the furniture into decor items like throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork. Repeating colors creates flow.

– Add warm metals like bronze, gold, and copper to echo the tones found in brown wood. Cool metals like silver and chrome create more contrast.

– Layer on textures like woods, leather, velvet, wool, and linen that feel natural with brown furniture. Avoid slick synthetics.

– Vary shades of your brown furniture for visual interest. Distress new pieces or re-stain some lighter.

– Avoid busyness and clutter. Brown furniture feels cozy and inviting with ample breathing room.

Conclusion

The living room is meant to be a space where you can relax, unwind, and connect with loved ones. As the central hub and heart of a home, it deserves special attention when it comes to design. Taking the time to find the perfect wall color for your brown furniture will help create a put-together, peaceful ambiance you’ll love coming home to.

When considering paint colors, focus on finding a hue that works well with the specific undertones in your brown furniture. Earth tones, neutrals, and some shades of blue tend to be great options. Be bold or play it safe, but make sure you love the color. Test out samples, utilize inspiration sources, and create cohesion through decor items and textures. With the right paint color choice, your brown furniture will become the stylish focal point it’s meant to be.