Two Color Combos to Brighten Your Living Room

Looking to add some extra oomph to your living room? Consider incorporating a two-color combination. Using two colors in your living room decor is an easy yet highly effective way to create a visually appealing space that reflects your personal style.

But with so many potential color combinations out there, how do you choose the right scheme? Follow these tips on selecting complementary hues, figuring out placement, creating focal points, and more to design a fabulous two-tone living room.

Choosing the Right Two Color Combination

Start by considering the size and lighting of your living room. Is it a large, airy space with plenty of natural light? Or an intimate, dimly-lit corner room? This will help determine if you should opt for soft neutrals or bold, dramatic colors. Analyze how different color combinations look against your existing decor and furniture as well.

Complementary Colors

Complementary colors sit opposite one another on the color wheel, creating high contrast. Classic color pairs like blue and orange or red and green have vibrant visual impact. Just beware going overboard with super saturated hues.

Analogous Colors

These colors fall side-by-side on the wheel for harmonious combinations like peach and yellow or blue and purple. The subtle contrast adds energy while keeping things soothing.

Triadic Colors

Triadic palettes use three colors equally spaced on the wheel for maximum vibrance. Options like red, yellow, and blue or green, purple, and orange pack a visual punch.

Neutrals with Pops of Color

For a flexible, livable scheme, choose a neutral base of white, black, grey, tan, or wood tones then layer in "pops" of brighter accent colors through decor items like throw pillows, art, flowers, and more to customize the look over time.

Best Color Pairs for Living Rooms

Blue and Yellow

This cheerful combo balances stimulating yellow against tranquil blue for a bright, welcoming living room evoking sunny skies. Use cornflower or teal blue with golden yellow.

Green and Magenta

Vibrant green and hot pinkish-purple put an eclectic, modern twist on complementary colors. The lush, nature-inspired green offsets the playful pop of magenta.

Red and Blue

Classic and classy, the dynamic contrast between a true red and rich navy blue makes a dramatic style statement. Add metallic accents for extra glam.

Neutrals and Pastels

For laid-back refinement, pair soft greys, cream, or tan with airy pastel pink, green, yellow or blue. This elegant combo works with both modern and traditional decors.

Where to Apply the Two Colors

Walls, Accent Walls and Trims

Paint is an obvious yet easy way to implement both colors, whether on full walls, a single bold accent wall, or contrasting trims. But don't stop there! Consider adding wallpaper, paneling or wainscoting trim in one color against painted walls in the second hue.

Furniture Pieces and Built-Ins

Upholstery, case goods, cabinets, bookshelves and more make perfect vehicles to work in both your colors through fabrics, finishes or paint. Try pairing a vivid blue sofa against neutral walls and golden built-in cabinetry.

Rugs, Pillows, Curtains and Blankets

Some of the fastest, most affordable ways to incorporate both accent colors is through moveable textiles. Choose jersey cotton blankets in azure blue, silk pillows in marigold yellow, embroidered sheer curtains in soft mint and jute rugs in shades of cream.

Art, Mirrors, Flowers and More

Additional decor selections like floral arrangements, ceramic vases, framed prints, mirrors, candles and objets d'art offer simple yet impactful ways to dot both colors around the living room. Try matching painted frames to furniture finishes.

Design Considerations for Two Color Schemes

Lighting

Evaluate how both colors look under different lighting. Cool blue and grey can read dreary in dim light yet vibrant beside sunny windows. Likewise, bold red and orange depend heavily on ample illumination to avoid feeling dark and dramatic.

Flooring

Lighter wooden floors or neutral wall-to-wall carpeting helps ground vivid paint colors without competing. But don't be afraid to lay down an area rug featuring both accent colors to tie the whole room together.

Woodwork

For rooms with existing wood trims, cabinetry or paneling, select accent colors that complement the oak, cherry or pine rather than clashing. Or update the woodwork with fresh paint or stain that coordinates better.

Permanent Elements

If your living room contains any permanent architectural elements you don't wish to refinish or recover, such as brick, stone or concrete fireplaces, make sure your two colors work alongside these fixed focal points instead of fighting them.

Tips for Executing a Two Tone Living Room

Add Texture and Patterns

Incorporate captivating textures like nubby wool throws, smooth velvet pillows or metallic ceramic table lamps along with varied prints and grains visible in wallpaper, area rugs, drapery and upholstery.

Repeat Colors Throughout the Space

Echo both colors in different applications, like aqua walls, navy blue occasional chairs and mirrors with seafoam frames tied together with creamy neutral furniture and pale wood floors.

Use a Balanced Color Ratio

Keep one color dominant by using it ~60% of the time, the second color ~30% of the time and neutral tones for the remaining 10% so the scheme feels harmonious. The 60-30-10 guideline prevents clashing.

Layer Tones, Tints and Shades

Avoid flat blocks of color. Create subtle depth by incorporating lighter tints and darker shades of both colors, like soft sage walls, emerald curtains and chartreuse ceramic table decor grounded in neutral furniture.

Test Colors First

Buy a few quarts of your top color contenders and paint large swatches on walls to view true color undertones under both natural and artificial light at different times of day. You may be surprised at how lighting impacts your perception.

Focal Point Ideas

Painted Accent Wall

Make one wall the bold star using intense color. Deep navy blue makes an elegant, moody statement. Vibrant lime green awakens modern energy. Keep surrounding walls, ceiling and trims neutral.

Colorful Furniture as Art

Dramatic color doesn't require gallons of paint. Upholster a curvaceous occasional chair or sofa in bright crimson or sapphire faux leather. Play up the sculptural quality against soft contrasting walls and textiles.

Use vibrant wallpaper as artwork by covering one focal wall or a geometric recess. Try glossy lacquered grasscloth, ombre damask prints or textural woven cork to draw the eye.

By thoughtfully selecting two versatile colors, strategically placing them throughout your living space using textural accents and varied shades to add interest, you can easily create a sophisticated, inviting living room with the colorful, creative style you love.