Here’s the Best Way to Transform Your Living Room with Inviting Warm Colors

Did you know you could convert the dullest room into a warm, vibrant space with warm colors?

We recognize them for their ability to transform even the dullest spaces into cozy and intimate nests. Warm colors, in their various bright shades, are synonymous with happiness and vibrant energy.

We’re referring to the orange burst, the Sundance, the dollar red, and other similar color themes that have been used to turn numerous kitchens and living rooms into inviting spaces.

Not to be confused with cool colors: the blues and greens, and purples that speak of relaxation and calm. We’re talking about the colors that evoke a sense of energy and warmth in your living spaces, which will likely make anyone who enters your living room happy and relaxed. 

But our definition of warm colors doesn’t stop with just the fiery reds and oranges. If you’re not a fan of bright shades, you can still settle for subtler options, which are available in plenty. Still, feeling blank?

Let’s guide you through the different types of warm colors for the living room, plus factors to consider when selecting. 

What are Warm Colors?

In their varying shades and hues, red, yellow, and orange are classified as warm colors. Amber, gold, peach, pink, sienna, and coffee are perfect examples of warm color shades. 

In contrast, aqua, eggplant, emerald, cobalt, and teal are among the cooler guys. This is what the color wheel was trying to tell you back in grade school. And we’re here trying to refresh your memory. Okay, let’s take another look at these color themes.  

Types of Warm Colors to Add to Your Living Room

As we have indicated, warm colors are available in various hues, so forget about red, yellow, and orange for a moment. Let’s explore possible options for your living room.

First, there’s the Fields of Gold by Benjamin Moore, a sunny yet vibrant shade that, when added to your ceiling, will complement your cool, white walls. It’s also a perfect choice for pairing with a white-painted front door.

Next, we have Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams, which should be your default choice for open floor plans to make your room more inviting. Other options are listed below. 

1. Benjamin Moore Odessa Pink

The Odessa Pink, another hue by the iconic designer Benjamin Moore, is something you want to check out if you prefer to add some bedroom vibes to the living room.

We mentioned that warm colors are all about warmth, energy, and intimacy, right? So here is a nude and blushing color theme boasting a sensual aura found only in pink. 

If you’d rather keep this within the bedroom, there’s another close relative, the Pale Plaster pink, with its natural red undertones that are hard to mute.

You’ll love having this theme around your family room, especially if you combine it with grey undertones to create that earthy look. 

But pink is for those who want their rooms to evoke feminity as subtly as possible, and you can throw in some blushing options to complete the look.  

2. Warm Browns

Brown’s warmth is purely natural. It doesn’t evoke darkness as we’ve been made to imagine, neither is it the brooding type people think it is.

Morden brown color is, in reality, a shade of dark orange. The color wheel often depicts brown as a combination of primary and secondary colors, including red and yellow. 

It’s an ideal choice if you’re looking for something that will give your room a natural, organized feel and great aesthetics. It’s even more beautiful when paired with pink or neutral, cohesive undertones.  You can use it as a key accent in your furnishings or as the dominant color scheme throughout the room. 

3. Plum purple

What’s your take on the color purple? Would you prefer to have it in its bold, intense form or opt for a more subtle, plummy shade? Shades of plum will make your living room warmer and more inviting since it has red and blue undertones, evoking a dark yet sumptuous feel. This color is all about warmth, which we all yearn for in our living rooms. 

4. Sage

Finally, we have sage, which ideally belongs to the cooler color category thanks to its glaring green undertones. But there’s something about sage’s calming qualities that automatically evokes warmth, especially if paired with other subtle options.

By subtle, we mean high-quality yet not-so-loud finishings like hardwood floors, wooden windows, and similar architectural features. 

It can also blend beautifully with a rattan jute rug. Ultimately, the best colors to pair with sage are those you’d use with other shades of green. Here, pink and brown hues will bring out that coziness we all want in our living rooms. 

Factors to Consider When Selecting Warm Colors for the Living Room 

Now that we have shed light on the different types of warm colors that would fit in your living room, you may be eager to start experimenting right away. As avid DIYers and design enthusiasts, we understand the excitement.

But before you try anything, we want to clarify and share a few tips and pointers. Read through the following factors in using warm colors for the living room to inform your decisions in your next project. 

1. Create a statement wall 

Everyone congregates in your living room most of the time, so you want to create a really lasting impression by making it as inviting as possible. One of the best ways to achieve this is to make a bold statement by painting a unique color on the walls.

A good example is Emerald Glade, but there are no restrictions, so go ahead and try something you creatively believe is equally bold. 

However, this option is great for those with open-plan living rooms seeking to accentuate those spaces further. It’s also best paired with furniture featuring gold details for a luxurious look.

Alternatively, use neutral furniture themes if you want the attention to stay fixed on the wall. 

2. Consider darker colors

Just because we’re talking about warm colors doesn’t mean our living spaces should be filled with light and bright themes alone. No, even dark hues of blue and green can be just as energetic and inviting.

Try incorporating dark design details into your space, and you’ll be surprised how vibrant the outcome can be. 

3. Play with different hues and tones

If your living room has high ceilings, adding warm colors to your walls and ceilings will make the room cozy and calm. It also makes your ceiling appear low-hanging, adding to the coziness.

For example, you can compliment Moon Shimmer with something darker, such as Damson Dream, for a layered and complementary look. Use Summer Surprise to paint your ceiling, and you’re good to go.

4. Use the layered approach 

Bringing different elements to your room through layering is both creative and rewarding. Try using similar warm colors throughout the room, adding different touches to the walls, ceilings, furniture, and accessories. 

5. Upgrade your woodwork 

If you haven’t tried adding a warm color scheme to your woodwork, it’s about time you did and experienced the same coziness differently.

Your rustic mantlepiece or palette wood coffee table will surely look stunning in a Dulux Satinwood paint and create a rejuvenated statement throughout your entire space. 

6. Spruce up your bookshelves

How about adding character and intrigue to your bookshelf with high-quality, warm-colored shades? Darker tones work best here, providing the much-needed depth to bring out the entire character on your shelves. Accessorize it with a brighter shade to breathe light into the space. 

For inspiration, try using the Heart Wood, Floating Petal, and Heather Climb harmoniously to keep your lounge cozy yet full of character. Of course, you shouldn’t forget to line your bookshelf with lots of books and other sentimental accessories for a complete look. 

7. Turn attention to your furniture 

The good thing about warm colors is that you can create a bold statement in various areas of the room, not just the walls and ceilings. You can focus on those areas and let visitors admire your sofa or armchair much longer. 

All you must do is invest in colorful seats accessorized by high-quality pillows and throws. But investing, we’re not saying you should replace your existing furniture unless they’re in pretty bad shape and needs an immediate overhaul.

You can work with what you have by adding high-quality features and color schemes full of texture and pop. 

Decorating Your Living Room With Warm Colors 

According to design experts, the most creative way to decorate your living room with warm colors is to use subtle ones or cool options on walls and ceilings. This helps make the room look bigger and more spacious. Next, incorporate warm-colored details into the entire room. 

Ensure the finishes, fixtures, and accessories all feature warm color themes. Depending on your creativity level and taste, you can decorate your living room to fit any style, whether you use ochre, terra cotta, persimmon, or even mustard color options. 

Final Thoughts

A warm color scheme will make your lounge warmer and more inviting; that one is for sure. Choosing the best warm colors and complimenting them with neutral options will maintain the same cozy feel around your living spaces all year. 

From pale yellow to delicate pale pink, brown tints to orange shades, and vivid Cadillac red to plum purple, your options are endless. Whatever your choice, the goal is to keep the room comfortable and stylish.

Make sure the themes you use on walls, ceilings, and furniture blend in perfect harmony and stay cozy throughout. 

If you’ve never tried designing with warm colors, consider working with a professional who will guide you on the best hues to use in line with your tastes and style.

Your dream of creating a warm, peaceful retreat right inside your home starts when you go all warm, one color shade at a time.