Liven Up Your Living Room With Bold Color Pairs

Are you looking to energize your living room with vibrant color? Combining two bold, contrasting colors is an easy way to instantly liven up the space. The bold color pairings add personality and make any room pop. With so many potential color combinations, the options are endless for creating an eye-catching color scheme.

We'll look at some best practices for combining the colors throughout the space. Finally, we'll highlight examples of popular bold color pairings and tips for decorating with them.

How to Pick Two Bold Colors for Your Living Room

When selecting two bold hues for your living room, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.

First, consider the size of the space. Smaller rooms can handle bolder color combinations than larger rooms. Darker colors also tend to make a space feel smaller and more enclosed. For a large living room, go for bright, saturated shades.

Next, look at the room's natural lighting. North-facing rooms may need brighter colors to compensate for the lack of sunlight. South-facing rooms with lots of light can handle deeper, darker shades.

Also coordinate new color choices with existing furniture and decor in the living room. For example, pull one or both colors from artwork, decorative accents, or upholstery fabrics. This allows you to repurpose items like throw pillows, area rugs, and lamp shades in the new color scheme.

Lastly, consider the overall mood and ambiance you want to achieve. A vibrant, energetic look calls for high contrast color pairs. For a cozy, relaxed feel, stick with lighter or muted shades. Earth tones like red and brown create a warm, inviting environment.

Best Practices for Combining Bold Living Room Colors

When putting together a bold color scheme, follow these best practices for seamlessly incorporating the shades throughout the space:

Use one color predominantly on the walls, and the other color for accents. Having one color serve as the main backdrop prevents clashing and offers visual separation. The accent color pops on furniture, throw pillows, rugs, and artwork while still looking pulled together.

Vary tones, shades, and tints of each color. Light and dark variations add depth and dimension. Soft tints of a bold color like robin's egg blue or blush pink tone down the brightness for a more layered, sophisticated look.

Repeat colors in different elements throughout the room. Echoing the two colors in your throw pillows, curtains, lampshade, and other decor creates continuity. The repetition builds cohesion between the two shades.

Add pops of a third color for extra interest. Black and white almost always look classic and timeless. Metallic accents like gold, silver, or copper lend a glamorous vibe. A third color works best for larger rooms that can handle the additional color.

Examples of Bold Color Pairings

Ready to get inspired? Here are some striking bold color combinations for livening up your living room:

Red and Purple

Both warm, invigorating colors, red and purple look rich and elegant when paired, especially against clean white trimwork. Use a true red and eggplant purple for high-impact drama.

Teal and Orange

This unexpected combo offers serious pop. The vibrant contrast creates fun, youthful energy. For a more relaxed vibe, try muted burnt orange and seafoam green.

Royal Blue and Chartreuse

This bold pairing feels fresh and current. Royal blue and chartreuse green provide an unexpected punch of color. This works well to jazz up a minimalist space.

Tips for Decorating With Bold Colors

When working bold colors into a living room design, keep these decorating tips in mind:

Start small with accents like pillows and throws to test out a color before committing to it. They're low risk and easily changeable.

Use plenty of neutral whites, tans, or greys on major furniture and walls to anchor the space. This allows the other colors to pop visually.

Incorporate metallic finishes and natural woods. The warmth balances out bold colors and prevents the space from feeling too busy.

Add layers of texture through fuzzy pillows, nubby rugs, and velvet drapes. Pairing bold colors with luxe tactile elements enhances the overall look.

If your living room needs an instant pick-me-up, introducing two bold color pairings is a fun, affordable option for transforming the space. Combining complementary hues with contrasting tones and textures throughout the furnishings and decor creates a vibrant, eye-catching look. With endless color combinations to explore, approach the process with an open mind. Don't be afraid to experiment with bold colors and patterns to liven up your living environment.