living room basics
styling your living space
the deal with dens
the art of arranging
color 101

In this Spanish-style home’s living room, an informed decision was made to make the fireplace the focal point. The placement of furniture around the hearth creates a cozy environment for conversation and allows the modern flourishes to feel friendly.

the living room is your most public area. It’s where you meet and greet company and lounge and watch TV with friends, and it’s also where you do most of your entertaining, which includes serving food and, yes, even drinks.

As such it is center stage for your personal design sensibilities. Creating the ultimate “live”-able space means combining comfort and flexibility with an imaginative design. Your living room’s décor must serve a dual purpose of both welcoming outsiders and providing a private and personal space for you. You want a floor plan and furnishings that are sensibly stylish, comfortable, and adaptable to your well–rounded and often unpredictable lifestyle.

This space will also need to be personalized through decorative display. You showcase your talents, interests, history, and possibly your future in the living room. The items you put on view give people a glimpse of your style and a sense of who you are.

The wood-framed glass panes of the door tie the entryway to the adjacent living room’s wood floors and brown couch. A quirky white terra-cotta horse is a whimsical touch.

The L-shaped couch and facing armchairs make the marble coffee table the focal point of the room.

living room basics

Every room needs a focal point, something that grabs your eye and holds your attention. Maybe it’s a bay window, a piece of artwork, a sofa, or a TV. Whatever you decide, make sure to organize your space around it. Keep this central focus in mind when it comes time to design a new living room, or even just update the one you have. Begin to group your other elements, such as chairs, lighting, and accessories, around your focal point.

Casting Your Couch

Consider how you will utilize this space. Will your friends be lounging in the room when they are over? Many of the activities that take place in this room involve sitting, so the best place to begin is with the main seating surface: the couch.

Couch style and size are obvious considerations. Do you want your couch to be the star of the show or recede from the spotlight? You can build more versatility into your living space by keeping your couch neutral. That doesn’t have to mean beige or brown, though those colors—plus black, gray, blue, and shades of white—are classic. A hit of color is great; just avoid wild patterns that dictate design a little too much.

Look for traditional shapes such as those with simple squared-off arms, basic cushions (that you can flip over if you and Merlot don’t mix well), and nickel-plated tubular steel legs or sedate skirts; nothing too far out for the foundation of the room.

In this rectangular living room, an armless sofa is the perfect space-saving solution. A trio of recycled wooden coffee tables balances the long but narrow space.

Your couch will have a ripple effect on the rest of the room. A good rule: Be bolder with smaller furniture items, such as end tables, accent chairs, and scatter rugs, which can be upgraded more often than your couch.

If your couch is more “interior design magazine” (think a French provincial–style sofa updated with funky fuchsia fabric and gilded legs), then it will be a focal point, so counteract it with some milder pieces—knowing that updating the overall look of the room will not be as easy or economical.

Seating Yourself

What about all the other seating? In its simplest form, you need a side chair. We like the idea of a pair that complements your couch’s look but isn’t necessarily part of a “set.” Beyond that, some convertible seating such as stools and ottomans is ideal.

The size of your sofa will dictate the size of the rest of your seating. A big couch demands larger pieces to keep your scale intact. If you supersize your sofa, don’t pair it with spindly chairs and a dinky coffee table.

In a larger space, you might have a reading nook—an extra chair with a strategically placed task light and a small table—often near a window for natural light. If you have room for two armchairs, position them angled toward each other to create a more conversational grouping. This offshoot of the living room can be a spot for a couple to perch during a party, or can be drawn into the living area as extra seating for guests during a more intimate event.

The living room is a great place for pieces of furniture that might not have another home. This china cabinet gets new use as shelves for books, magazines, and display.

A stack of sturdy coffee table books makes an unexpected side table.

living room layouts

U-Shaped Plan

• Great for mismatched pieces such as an armchair, an ottoman, and a couch

• Creates better traffic flow because furniture is placed farther away

• Tends to feel more formal

L-Shaped Plan

• Great for sectional furniture

• Feels cozy

• Works when hosting many guests

Diagonal Plan

• Great for square spaces because it takes the “edge” away

• Works well with lots of guests

• Can seem off-kilter if the furniture doesn’t have consistent shape

Facing Plan

• Great for conversation

• Can feel formal or cozy depending on accents

• Is limiting in terms of expanding seating

The glass top of this Noguchi coffee table makes the L-shaped layout appear bigger.

A chair in the corner of a room can create a very private space. Personalize Eero’s egg chair by layering pillows in contrasting textures.

five famous chairs

Barcelona Chair

Mies van der Rohe

1929

Womb Chair

Eero Saarinen

1948

Diamond Chair

Harry Bertoia

1952

Eames Lounger and Ottoman

Charles and Ray Eames

1956

Panton Chair

Verner Panton

1960

Two modern microfiber chairs in powder blue placed away from the couch create a conversation corner.

The clean shape of a contemporary canvas-upholstered wing chair accented with a graphic pillow and rug updates an early-twentieth-century brownstone’s interior.

armchairs and sofas

shapes and terms

Sectional

A sofa made in sections that push up against each other and usually have ends with arms. Add or take away seating easily.

Love Seat

A small sofa or sofa sleeper designed for two people (smooching optional).

Settee

An early form of the modern sofa. Originally a long, ornately carved eighteenth-century seat or bench with a high back, open arms, and four to six legs.

Banquette

A fully upholstered bench or settee made to fit into a particular space. Often seen in restaurants.

Camelback

A sofa characterized by a large central hump on the back.

Deacon’s Bench

Traditionally used in a church, the bench seen in some older homes is narrow and not comfortable.

Chaise Longue

French for “long chair”; basically a small couch with a chair back and one or two arms. Made famous in the boudoir, but modern versions are often in the living room.

Bergère

A French-style upholstered armchair with a wooden frame.

Slipper Chair

An upholstered chair with slender proportions and no arms. Comfortable and takes up less space than a regular upholstered chair.

Fiddleback Chair

A chair splat or back center shaped like a violin.

Wing Chair

An upholstered armchair that’s on legs with a high back and wings along the sides.

Barrel Chair

Shaped to look like the original version made from half of a wine barrel. The back may be upholstered. Seat has a loose cushion.

Natural elements like plants, branches, and pillows with botanical prints give this space an airy and comfy feel.

Surface Savvy

Everyone needs a place to put things down, right? Coffee tables are essential to tie a seating arrangement together. Sit down and try out the distance to your coffee table, making sure you don’t have to lean too far forward to reach drinks, and try to leave 1 to 3 feet of leg room between the table and the seat.

There is no ideal coffee table height. It’s personal preference, though one that’s about 21 inches high is easier to dine on. Remember that a coffee table that’s too much higher than the seat of the couch will look out of place. Keep end tables around the same height (about 24 inches) and depth (usually 15 inches) as the arms of the sofa or chair next to it. A couple of inches above or below is fine, but end tables that are, say, 5 inches higher or lower will be awkward for guests to use while seated.

Material is important to keep in mind. Transparent tables or those made of glass or acrylic can make a tight space look and feel bigger. Heavy materials can make a space seem quite serious, particularly when items surrounding the table are lighter in hue or material type.

This coffee table is perfectly positioned from the couch in distance and height.

simple space solutions

Create zones

Give each area of the space a purpose. Place two chairs facing away from a fireplace to allow the area to multitask.

Define the space

Area rugs are a classic choice for defining space, but large plants or shelves work, too.

Transition flooring

If budget allows, using tile or stone in certain areas of your space can make the space more intimate.

Group your furniture

Too many stand-alone objects cause the space to look jumbled and messy. Aim to arrange at least two pieces together: an end table next to a sofa or a tall floor lamp next to a chair.

Style similarly

Use accent pieces like pillows and window treatments in similar colors and styles to give the space a cohesive feel without being too matchy.

This massive loft space gets sectioned off beautifully with a U-shaped setup. Unified accents pull the room together. Pillows in mandarin orange and a porcelain vase filled with pumpkin-colored blooms give the room a styled look without appearing overdone.

This mix of mid-century modern furniture grouped around a circular table is a unique take on a facing layout. Pattern and texture keep the Le Corbusier cushion basket furnishings from looking too stiff.

A palette of greens—from apple to emerald—is a chic way to tie a room together like the living room in this ranch-style home. A portrait of the household pet puts a unique stamp on the space.

styling your living space

Once you’ve mapped out your layout, it’s time to channel your inner stylist to add a personal touch to the place. Living with color is not just about painting the walls your favorite blue hue, but also about really considering how different shades in the same family will interact with one another. Start with one dominant color and then build onto it with other tones within that palette. Remember, color should be personal and should be more than a shade that surrounds you. It should be something that excites you or soothes your senses. Without the intricate details of color, lighting, texture, and unique objects, your living room could be the setup in any department store. Time to take it up a notch.

Warm Up Your Space

The way most people add color is through accessories such as pillows, throws, lamps, and rugs. Obviously, palette is a personal choice, but when it comes to living rooms, your strategy should be to shoot for both chic and cozy. Aim to keep these accents inexpensive so you can change your style with the seasons (or any other time you feel the need).

Limit yourself to four colors, with one being a neutral, and add one pattern. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a toile or floral pattern à la Grandma. It can be graphic or abstract or just something at an unusual scale. Pattern can even come from a photograph of your favorite shoe printed on fabric. Think multiples of pillows. Throws placed strategically on anything from an ottoman to the back of the couch work well. Just don’t over-throw it. One or two per room is plenty.

And don’t forget about your walls! Artwork is the most quirky, individual way to add a personal touch to your living area. Mirrors can also be used like artwork to bring dimension and brightness to a room and make a small space appear larger. Frames of any type can be unobtrusive and uniform or a decorative element all on their own. Wall art should be the final step in styling your space; hang pictures only once you’ve determined a layout and all of the furniture is in place. We have said that design rules are meant to be broken, but in the case of hanging pictures, disregarding this rule can be risky (and involve spackle). There is little margin for error—art placed too high or low, too close together or too far apart, will look off-kilter and detract from the room’s wow factor. For more on displaying art, see “The Art of Arranging.”

The retro pattern of this hand-painted mural ties it to the vintage chair and three-drawer table.

Textures and Patterns

True, texture is often tactile, but it far surpasses the idea of something rough or smooth. It has to do with forming a relationship between layers. Texture adds depth to a space. And there are so many elements that you can use to accomplish this in your room. Lay a soft and fluffy shag rug over wall-to-wall carpeting. Paint two walls of a room a light shade of blue and wallpaper the others with a chocolate lattice print. Hang a hand-knit chunky throw blanket over an oversized tweed armchair. These different textures and materials add a certain twist that has already been initiated by color. Believe it or not, it will take your room to an elevated level.

The variety of carefully selected items in this couple’s room lends it an eclectic charm. Ochre yellow–washed walls add a warm backdrop for the black-and-white graphic printed chair, bright floral pillows, and Spanish bull horns.

blending styles

Good design is about combining styles that work for everyone in the house.

Color. If you love a color that the other inhabitant hates, then you need to learn to compromise by adding accessories in that hue.

• Pattern. Go graphic with stripes and dots instead of florals.

• Furniture. Merging large pieces of furniture can be tricky. Try using slipcovers or a coat of paint you both can live with.

• Art. Unify individual pieces by putting them in coordinating frames.

• Collectibles. These are perfect for personalizing—not taking over—a space.

Lacy wall stickers create an interesting and dynamic mural. They’re also a good way to introduce fresh color that speaks to a blended style.

Mix in heirloom pieces like an ornate table and a tapestry pillow to personalize and style the room. The Bert Stern photo is a standout focal point.

Add Some Oxygen

Plants have an instant charm that brings life to your room. They’re also a wallet-friendly way to add style to your space. Always get rid of the original planters and repot the plants in pretty ceramic, glass, or resin pots, or hide them inside vessels you already have—baskets, bronze buckets—that fit in with the colors and textures of the room.

Odd numbers of plants work best. Try a grouping of three different plants with contrasting leaves, size, and height, placing the tallest at the rear. For a more modern look, use three of the same plant in a triangle or evenly spaced in a row. The right scale and arrangement are essential; just remember to keep all plants off coffee tables or from obstructing views.

Untie the Tube

You have a giant TV. So what? You’ll just have to work a little harder to make your 50-inch monster fit into the room. Decorate around the TV. Flat-panels and projection TVs, while massive, have really saved many a design snob from hari-kari. Their ability to recede into a room can free you to innovate with your living room. A hinged arm replaces a TV cart—which all seem to be so offensively ugly. If you have the benefit of a flattie, don’t hate it, embrace it. Try to position your TV so it’s not the first thing you see when you walk into the room.

Some books and an African violet plant perched next to it immediately warm up the TV area. Or, store the DVD collection in designer albums you won’t be embarrassed to leave out. When it comes to all the components, neatly stack them and make sure all wires are tucked behind. Even better, find a receptacle to put them in. It is possible to keep your decorative charm and keep up with the latest technology.

This spacious loft incorporates structural beams into a built-in shelving unit that nestles a flat-screen TV. Natural wood elements keep the space from looking too sterile.

easy living room updates

Change a lamp shade

A shade in a different color, material, or shape will instantly give your room a new glow.

Change your pillows

Adding or swapping out throw pillows can make tired furniture look new again. Try changing them seasonally.

Try a slipcover

Slipcover your furniture. It’s like buying a new couch without the commitment (or the hefty price tag!).

Add a rug

Since the floor is 30 percent of what you see in a room, change it up by adding a colorful rug.

Rethink your walls

Add molding to bare walls, or paint them. For even less commitment, paint one wall a bold color and add a focal point, like a funky clock.

Switch out photos

Swap out black-and-white photos for colored candids to get a totally different feel on your mantel. Replace snapshots from past holidays for a seasonal quick fix.

This sun-drenched den can handle soft brown walls. White accents such as this rug and cube bookshelf mirror the window’s white panes and add brightness after dark.

the deal with dens


Live in it

A den cries for total comfort. Since it’s a room for watching, lounging, and playing, it can be more relaxed than the formal living room.

Make it fun

Use it as a space to entertain company, and fill the room with board games and other fun details.

Furnish it

In terms of essentials, the den is similar to your living room: a cluster of seating, some surfaces, and light. Design-wise, consider the den the living room’s casual cousin.

Style the space

This is a great place to experiment with color. Paint the walls a bold, exciting hue. Display random collections or memorabilia that doesn’t seem to have a home anywhere else.

Store your stuff

Shelves, attractive bins, baskets—they all work well in this space. Since you’ll probably be storing a lot of stuff in this room, consider ottomans, which can also serve as a hidden storage space and provide extra seating!

Add some seating

Aim to keep this a versatile space equipped to entertain two or ten. For a crowd, toss some oversized pillows on the floor for additional seating.

Think extras

You wouldn’t dream of putting an extra fridge in your living room, but a mini in the den with diet sodas and beer chilling doesn’t sound too bad, right? What about splurging on a wet bar? With running water at hand, you can entertain in this room without dashing to the kitchen.


 

how big should your TV be?

This massive wall is treated to a grid of similar images, making a major impact. Evenly spacing the frames on all sides lends a museum quality.

the art of arranging

When creating a space, you must consider the relationships among all the elements in the room. Examine the architecture. Assess the furniture. Not every wall needs a picture or a grouping, so resist the urge to cover each surface. This common mistake can make a room look crowded or fussy, and prevent you from creating a focal point.

Some questions to ask when looking at your space: Which walls would benefit from a mirror? What style of art is most in tune with the existing color scheme, furniture, and accessories? Does the living room already have an architectural focal point or will a display serve this purpose? Don’t be afraid to embrace what drives you and reject items that don’t move you.

Color is the starting point for tying together this eclectic collection of knickknacks. A painted wall helps anchor what becomes a diorama.

Consider Scale

Keep proportion in mind to avoid an unbalanced look. Step back and take a good look at the space before making any changes. For example, when arranging photos, don’t stick a tiny framed picture over a massive sofa. You can use artwork to create an optical illusion—making a room seem bigger, the ceiling higher, a wall less narrow.

To make a ceiling soar, on a narrow wall, arrange two vertical columns of three frames (six total). If you have a cramped space, don’t get overwhelmed by large graphic prints on furniture. Opt instead for smaller prints or solids and save the bold geometrics for larger areas. And you might love chocolate brown for walls, but if you have a small space, think about light colors or white to make your room feel more spacious.

art terms glossary

Artist proof

A numbered print in addition to the quantity created for a limited edition.

Lithograph

The print created when an image is photographed and burned onto plates, which are then covered in the ink that is rolled onto a printing press.

Serigraph

A print made by pressing color through a fabric stencil.

Bigger art is better above this heavy stone hearth. This painting fills 75 percent of the mantel and is about the same height as the hearth, giving it balance.

Be Smart About Symmetry

Symmetry is about balanced proportions. A grid of images evenly spaced around a center point is the most basic example. If you like the gallery effect, hang a single row of three or four framed items.

There is artistic beauty to asymmetry as well. An asymmetrical arrangement—usually different-size frames hung at random on the wall—gives your living space a casual, spontaneous feel. This grouping works best with an odd number of art pieces. Hanging a grouping that is too small for the furniture under it is a common mistake. A small picture over a large sofa will look awkward. Add enough small pictures to cover a large enough area and you will be set.

Plan your arrangement so that it covers at least two thirds of the wall space over the furniture item in question. Make sure it is not wider than the furniture itself.

Here the principle of asymmetry takes shape. Two silkscreens are placed atop each other to allow both pieces to have visual impact. A Bertoia chair’s material is mimicked in the chrome bowl placed across from it.

framing basics

Mat

Keeps the image from touching the glass and getting damaged. Make sure it’s acid and lignin free. Alpha cellulose or cotton (rag) are best bets.

Size

Refers to the size of the art, not the mat.

Mount

The way the art is fixed to the backing. The mount ensures the picture’s stiffness. Sometimes backing is added for more support.

Glazing

Whatever covers/protects the image. Can be glass, acrylic, plastic, or Plexiglas. Glass is usually less expensive but heavier and breaks more easily. Unless you add a filter, it will give the art a green tint. Go for acrylic; it’s lightweight, it won’t shatter, and it’s more pure optically. It is susceptible to scratches and static, so you need to protect it when moving.

Dust seal

Protective brown paper at the back.

These adorable bird images carefully cut from a calendar make a great display. Four square frames lean on a shelf instead of being hung to allow art swaps without ruining the walls.

easy art ideas

Cut up a book

Use an old illustrated book and break the spine so you can get the whole page. Use an X-Acto knife to trim the pieces to the size you need. Surround each print with a mat to make it look special.

Stretch a canvas

Buy fabric stretchers and a cool piece of fabric (bright, bold prints look great). Stretch the fabric over the frame for an inexpensive large piece.

Blow up an image

Group some scraps of paper of the same color together or take a close-up photo of an object. Keep in mind the photo will need to have a minimum resolution of 1600 × 1200 pixels. Put it in a frame with a border of at least 2 inches.

Frame a collection

Take something relatively flat such as cigar labels or matchbooks and place them in floating frames. A single frame with multiple items or several frames with single items work equally well.

stretch fabulous fabric

toolbox

iron
fabric
4 fabric stretchers
rubber hammer
staple gun

how to

1. Iron fabric and set aside.

2. Lay out stretchers. Do this on the floor and tap corners together with a rubber hammer.

3. Roll your fabric design down. Then put the frame on top of it.

4. Cut to size. Leave enough fabric to staple down to the frame.

5. Begin stapling. Start in the center on any side and use about three staples (2 inches apart) in each direction.

6. Pull the fabric. Make it as taut as you can (ask for help).

7. Move to the opposite edge. Repeat for all sides.

8. Fold at the corners. Fold the edges and staple one on top of the other. Cut off extra fabric.

photo hanging layouts

Line Them Up

Arrange all of your photos along a vertical line. This works well in a space with high ceilings or a very vertical structure like a beam.

Inside the Lines

Tape out a rectangular area that you’d like your photos to fill, and arrange them loosely within the borders of the box. This is an easy way to decorate an oddly shaped or narrow space.

Above and Below

Using a vertical line, arrange groups of photos above and below the line. Aim to cover about the same area above and below to avoid a top- or bottom-heavy arrangement.

The two walls of this library get two layouts—inside the line and above and below—creating a dynamic display. The red walls make the primarily black-and-white images pop.

Turn a wall into a family album. Staggered wall shelves holding framed photos and memorabilia from family members personalize the living area.

Create a visual reminder of your latest vacation. Add a color that works with your images (blue is great for travel).

Combine Art Objects

Bring together art and objects as a grouping. The thing to remember is to make sure scale and color complement each other.

For example, create an easy and appealing arrangement by displaying all black-and-white photographs together. But when it comes to the more vibrant prints, group them based on similar colors or themes. Unify the grouping by purchasing frames of similar size, color, and thickness. If you decide to mat, make sure to match the style as well. Mixing silver-plated frames with modern wooden ones will only pull the eye away from the artwork itself. Feel free to let your eclectic style flourish, and to show off your appreciation for abstract art and impressionism without limiting your room to being called “modern.” With artwork it’s easy to combine different periods of time, styles, and elements of design when you find similarities among them. Challenge yourself to do the unexpected.

creative display ideas

Stack it

Arrange items in stackable cubes. Play around with different shapes.

Group it

Display in groups of three. Try one photo and two three-dimensional objects.

Frame it

Use double-glass frames. They’re especially great for items like comic books.

Put it on the wall

Use a corner shelf set up high in an unexpected place, like a hallway.

Color coordinate

Add an invigorating punch to a solid white bookcase by covering your collection of mismatched novels in pretty patterns or one solid color paper.

The perfect arrangement is all about showcasing like objects with like. Even if they’re different shapes and colors, the collection is unified by theme. Sports memorabilia can be displayed in a creative corner setup. Seashells and nautical prints make a delicate mantel display.

Cube shelves create more storage (and display) than an ordinary entryway table would.

key display principles

1. Display items in odd-numbered arrangements. Groups of three and five create a modern look.

2. Combine objects of the same color. A hodgepodge of red items brings a striking focus onto a shelf.

3. Arrange like objects with like. Even if they’re different shapes and colors, the collection is unified.

4. Place in pairs. Two crystal candlesticks on one side of your mantel looks less rigid than one on each side.

Group a bunch of favorite jars and vases together to make a refreshing display. Stand modern-style jars in varying shapes in a straight line and fill with bamboo shoots and botanicals.

arranging basics

Triangular

When in doubt, arrange objects in a triangular shape. This works well with objects on top of the mantel. Start with your tallest object on one side and arrange the rest tallest to shortest. Triangles work when hanging objects on the wall, too. Hang one above the other two to create a collection.

Centered

This common arrangement is known for its clean, classic look. The tallest object should be placed in the center and evenly surrounded on both sides. Try a tall decorative vase in between a collection of evenly stacked books.

Asymmetric

This arrangement is more modern, featuring objects of different heights and/or widths. Placing them on opposing sides of the mantel draws attention to their different shapes.

Symmetric

This arrangement places objects of equal height on the outside, with smaller items in the middle. Create this formal look by using two tall candlesticks on the edges and layering framed photographs in the middle.

basic principles

Primary colors

Blue, red, and yellow. Each is completely pure; when combined, they are the basis for every color in the spectrum.

Secondary colors

Created by mixing two primary colors, orange, green, and violet are on this team.

Tertiary colors

Made by combining either all three primary colors or one primary and one secondary. There are six tertiary colors: orange-red, orange-yellow, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.

Color wheel

A way of explaining the relationship between colors and why certain colors work better together. A useful decorating tool.

Complementary

Contrasting colors make up this scheme—those that sit directly across from each other on the color wheel (like blue and orange).

Neutral colors

These hues are colors, too! They are created when you mix two complementary colors together. Taupe, beige, and gray are just the beginning.

color schemes

Monotone

This scheme uses one color but doesn’t vary tints and shades and is based on one muted color, for example, gray, white, or beige.

Analogous

Based on the bordering colors on the color wheel, this scheme features a wider variety of colors, some contrasting and some not.

Monochromatic

This scheme is composed of variations of a single color, making the entire room a feature, since no specific object stands out.

White and Red

Pair a neutral tone with an energizing bright red in activity zones, like kitchens and family rooms.

Salmon and White

A calming and balancing combination. These relaxing hues suit living rooms and dining rooms well.

Light Yellow and Gray

This combo teams up for an urban feel. Charcoal gives the yellow a golden glow. Good for dining rooms.

White and Cream

Neutrals stand strong paired together. Lighting can change their tints, too. Ideal for bedrooms and baths.

Mocha and Baby Blue

Mixing light and dark is a modern approach to color. This match is perfect for dining rooms or dens.

Cream and Taupe

Neutrals are fresh and versatile. This blending gives a clean, crisp look. A smart choice for living rooms.

Periwinkle and White

Refreshing and soothing together, these colors create a restful, refreshing ambience. Try them in baths and bedrooms.

Baby Blue and Berry

A surprising, yet cozy, combo. The blue plays off the deep rosy shade for a warm touch in dining rooms or dens.

warm and cool

Warm colors—shades of yellow, red, orange, beige, and cream—stand out to the eye and act as energy boosters. (Think of the vivid colors of a sunset.) They’re stimulating, exciting, and fiery, and are perfect for social spaces like living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens to promote conversation.

Cool colors—the blues, blue-greens, grays, and violets on the spectrum—are soothing at their core (just like a clear sky or a calm sea). Because of their focusing power, cool colors are best for quiet spaces like bedrooms, offices, nurseries, and bathrooms. These shades are ideal for promoting deep and pensive thought.

change your space

Make it feel larger

Paint the walls a cool color. Hues like blue and green aren’t as embracing and evoke distance.

Make it seem smaller

Choose a dark, warm color; they are inviting, and help to enclose the space. Matte finishes minimize reflection.

Make it taller

Paint the ceiling a lighter color than the walls. Consider painting vertical stripes on the walls to give the illusion of height.

Lower the ceiling

Paint the ceiling a darker shade than the rest of the room. A horizontal element like a chair rail on the walls will keep the ceiling from feeling so high.

Transition better

Use color to create a smooth flow. For example, paint one room blue and then use that shade as an accent in the next room.

Maximize impact

Apply the 60-30-10 rule. The largest area of the room (usually the walls) gets 60 percent of the color. Rugs and window treatments get 30 percent. Accents like lamps get the remaining 10 percent.