I recently wrote a guide to how to begin adding color to a space in the hopes that I would inspire you to make a few updates at your house.
To show you a real-life example of this in action, I thought it would be helpful to look at a classic living room setup. I’ll walk you through our living room and break down each piece so that you can appreciate the role it plays in the larger design.
start with colors
Y’all know I like a lot of color, so it should come as no surprise that my first task in a room is to decide a color scheme.
Here’s our color palette for reference– I’ll pull colors from it as I detail each step of decorating our living room.
My goal with a room is to add each color in the palette in some way. Maybe it’s just a small touch– a picture frame or a book– but all of the small touches together add up. I’ll show you the process of how I did this to the living room.
Truly, one of the most helpful things I have done so far in our home decor journey is to set a color palette for our house. It may sound silly, but it really does guide all of my interior decisions.
Wall color
My first step when redecorating our living room was to paint the walls. I chose the neutral (Off White) from my color palette to give a blank canvas to work from. This color has a slightly yellow undertone and gives the walls a warm, “antique” feel.
If you prefer a truer white (but not a white white!) you might want to consider an alternative, like Farrow & Ball’s School House White.
Quick note: if you are going big with yellow, consider using India Yellow and Matchstick. I love this combination!
Trim color
After painting the walls Off White, I chose a color from the palette for the trim. I love painting trim because it’s a great way to add color without overwhelming the space.
I landed on the green by a process of elimination, but it’s also my favorite color of the bunch!
I felt like the yellow and orange were too bold for the trim, and the pink was too light. That left blue and green. Of the two, I especially loved the green so that’s what I went with.
And if that sounds like I didn’t put much thought into it—I really didn’t!
That’s the beauty of working with a small, pre-selected color palette– I’ve already done the hard work of exploring and choosing my colors. This is a perfect example of how a color palette truly simplifies the design process.
Textiles & Decor
After establishing the main colors on the walls and trim, I turned my attention to smaller pieces of decor.
If you look at the photo above of the living room, you’ll see a mix of blues, greens, yellows and oranges. Oh hey, that’s the color palette at work!
Pillows
Since I already had a neutral couch, I knew I needed to really lean into color with the pillows. I chose the boldest options from the color palette: the vibrant yellow and orange.
And I didn’t hold back with dull, muted versions; I went straight for bright, impactful pillows.
Blanket
I also brought in color with a blanket draped over the back of the couch. Not only does this give a living room a relaxed and lived-in look, but it’s a great place to bring in several colors.
Opt for a patterned one that features several colors from your palette.
Let’s Chat Artwork!
If you want a colorful home, don’t forget the artwork! I’m always surprised to see so many empty walls in Zillow listings. It seems many people don’t realize what a huge impact art can have on a space.
The artwork in our living room is pretty simple– thrifted watercolor of flowers, a print with an India Yellow frame and a photo of Alex’s great grandparents cows!
If you analyze the image of the art, you’ll see the oval flower piece incorporates several of our colors. The yellow, red and pink really stand out.
The pieces next to it aren’t really colorful, but the flowers are so large and colorful that it doesn’t really matter. I echoed the yellow from the floral watercolor by painting the square frame India Yellow.
Though not pictured, I do want to point out that we also have a few embroidered floral pieces in the room. Etsy is a great place to look for these if you aren’t into thrifting.
Deciding On Art
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with art decisions, but don’t feel like you need to spend countless hours searching for the “perfect” piece. Just find something you love and that makes you smile.
And this is probably obvious, but if you want a colorful room, look for a piece that incorporates several of the colors you’re already using. This goes back to my oval flower example above.
I personally have a mix of thrifted art, prints, embroidered pieces, and my kids’ artwork. I like to buy pieces when I see them and figure out where they go later. I’ve found it’s much easier to buy what you love and find a spot for it than to search for a specific piece to fill an empty space.
Need a little inspiration? I’ve put together a list of some colorful and whimsical prints that I love.
Gallery Walls
While we’re on the subject of art…
One of my favorite ways to display art is with a gallery wall. Whether it’s a small collection of three pieces or an entire wall filled with art, it’s a great way to showcase your style.
If you need some help, check out my guide to building a gallery wall for tips and tricks. Opt for a patterned one that features several colors from your palette.
Love that frame around the TV? We have a DIY tutorial for it if you’re feeling handy!
A Note On Frames
While professionally framed art is beautiful, it’s not always in the budget. Plus, it’s fun to mix and match frames to create a unique look.
I like to find frames at thrift shops and give them a new life with a splash of paint. If a frame isn’t the right size for your piece, you can use a wallpaper sample as a mat to make it fit.
Sample Pots Of Paint
One of my favorite ways to update frames is with Farrow & Ball sample pots. I’ve used their India Yellow paint throughout our house and have only ever needed two sample cans of that color.
At around $8 each with free shipping, they’re an affordable way to add color. What’s more, their samples are made with real paint formula, which isn’t always the case with other companies.
The Bug LampShade + Blue Base
Everyone loves this lampshade so I think it deserves a moment to shine.
I bought the bug lampshade on a whim. I didn’t know where I’d put it, but I knew the quirky bugs were a must-have for our home. The perfect, unexpected detail!
The lampshade didn’t come with a base, but I happened to have an unused black one. I looked at my trusty color palette and chose Oval Room Blue for the base.
Honestly, I think any color from the palette would have worked. I probably wouldn’t have used green, since the room’s trim & the shade were already green, but yellow, red, and pink would have also looked great.
Basically, what I’m try to say is– don’t overthink it! Have fun! There is no right way.
Coffee Table Decor
And one last thing: when you’re decorating your living room, the coffee table is a fantastic spot to add a pop of color.
You’ll see mine features books alongside a tray and a vase of flowers. I like having several stacks of books because it gives a very casual, lived-in feel. Don’t forget a few cute (and practical) coasters!
I truly love decorating with books. It not only looks great but also gives your guests something fun to look through. Plus, it’s the perfect place to bring your personality into the design.
If you’re a traveler, pick out books about your favorite places or bucket-list destinations. If you love to cook, use cookbooks to showcase your passion.
But! Don’t forget to use the color palette when making these decisions.
I promise you can find colorful books in the subject you want to feature. I wanted to bring more pink from my palette into the space, so I opted for a pink vase and made sure to include a pink book. It’s as simple as it sounds!!!
And with that, we’ve walked through how a cohesive color palette can guide you in decorating a living room from top to bottom.
By starting with a carefully chosen set of colors and applying them strategically to your walls, trim, textiles, art, and even the smallest details like a lampshade base, you can create a space that feels intentional and full of personality.
The best part? This approach takes the guesswork out of design. You’re not just adding random splashes of color; you’re building a thoughtful, layered design that feels complete.
The colors echo each other throughout the room, creating a sense of harmony that is both calming and visually interesting. Plus, if you love the colors you picked, I promise it will bring so much joy!
Ready to find your own perfect color palette and start decorating? Check out my guide to building a color palette using a piece of art!
