Small living room colour schemes – 12 ways to make your lounge look bigger and more stylish

A large living room is a luxury many of us are not quite so lucky to have access to, given that most UK flats and houses alike are notorious for their small-scale living spaces (and rooms in general). But thankfully, we have colour to turn to and help make a tiny lounge appear larger – or alternatively, you can lean into the petite nature of the room and make it cosy but stylish with the right choice of small living room colour schemes.

When it comes to colour, small living room ideas can be tricky because you don’t want to pick the wrong shade by mistake and end up with a lounge that looks even smaller than it already is. But get it right and it can completely transform your living space for the better – and that’s where our colour expert-approved tips come in.

Whether you like a splash of bold colour, a moody aesthetic or prefer a clean, uncluttered look, there’s something for every owner of a small living room in this colourful guide.

Small living room colour schemes

Just because you’re dealing with a small space doesn’t mean your living room colour scheme has to be overly safe or boring. There’s a place for fun, playfulness and experimentation even in a tiny lounge.

‘Many people opt for bright white in small rooms to create a sense of space, but this can sometimes result in a cold, uninviting feel,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.

Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi, adds, ‘Colour plays a key role in altering our perceptions of a space.’ So best make the most of it!

1. Go for nature-inspired darker shades

It might feel a bit counterintuitive to go for dark shades in a small space – after all, it goes against everything else that’s been drilled into us for years which is dark colours make things look smaller, while light shades expand. And while as a blanket statement, this is largely true, there are also exceptions to this.

‘To embrace the cosiness, you’d want to pick a darker colour,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux. ‘A deep green like Pine Needle or blue like Indigo Shade create an inviting space to snuggle up on the sofa without feeling enclosed because these colours mirror nature, so they feel familiar.’

2. Use two tones of the same colour

Also known as double drenching - the slightly more evolved form of colour drenching - using two tones of the same colour creates depth in a room which is perfect for a small space like a tiny living room.

‘The more recent trend, double drenching, takes a step further by enveloping the entire room in colour, but instead of using just one shade, two or more related colours are applied to all surfaces. This subtle blending of related colours adds depth and dimension to the room, creating a cocooning, welcoming atmosphere,’ Ruth at Little Greene says.

Marianne at Dulux continues, ‘An option for a small living room is to use two tones of the same colour. Village Maze and Fresh Artichoke are two separate shades of green, but by focusing on one colour group, the room will still have interest from the different tones but simplistic enough that it won’t overwhelm the small space. Simplicity helps to keep a room feeling calm and relaxed.’

3. Give your lounge an unexpected twist with purple

Purple is this year’s unexpected colour trend which hasn’t been this big ever since the 90s and early 2000s. And another surprising layer to this home decor trend is that it works well in small living spaces. Who knew?!

‘Purple is having a moment at the minute, which definitely works for small living rooms because it’s the colour will the smallest wavelength so feels further away. Plus, purple isn’t a typical colour you see every day, so it brings intrigue and surprise and delight with it,’ Marianne at Dulux says.

Lucy at Arighi Bianchi agrees, ‘Vibrant shades like purple may actually work better in smaller spaces, giving a pop of colour without overwhelming the whole house.’

4. Colour drench with warm yellow

Colour drenching - which is essentially a way of covering all surfaces of a room in the same colour and which by now probably needs no introduction - has been one of the biggest paint trends and one of the most popular approaches to using colour in interiors. And while it might seem scary to cover everything in the same shade when it comes to a small space, it actually works well. But if you’re stuck for the right colour to go for when colour drenching your petite lounge, Marianne from Dulux recommends a bold, sunny approach.

‘Colour drenching a small room will make for a cocoon feel – and who wouldn’t want that while watching TV or having a cosy night in. I’d go for a warm, sunset yellow like California Days because it won’t make you feel too enclosed but at the same time it won’t make the room feel cold,’ she says.

5. Opt for on-trend earthy tones

Whether you want to blame it on Pantone’s colour of the year for 2025, Mocha Mousse or not, cosy, earthy shades are in. And the likes of muted browns (like Mocha Mousse) or soft terracottas can work in a small lounge in order to create cosy living room vibes.

‘Earthy tones and warm neutrals like terracotta, soft clay, and muted olive green, are currently trending for living rooms. These shades bring warmth and cosy sophistication to a space. While deeper tones can sometimes make a room feel smaller, they can work in a small living room if used strategically. For instance, pairing a rich terracotta with off-white trim or using olive green on just one feature wall can add depth without overwhelming the space. Soft, warm neutrals also complement natural textures like wood and linen, enhancing the sense of warmth and comfort,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.

6. Go for off-white over bright white

We love a white living room idea. But perhaps surprisingly enough, the cleanest and brightest of white shades should be reserved for larger spaces rather than small living rooms, according to experts.

‘Warm off-white often works better in small living rooms with low light as bright white can make the space feel bland and sallow. And it exaggerates shadows,’ says Mandy Rippon, product manager at Frenchic Paint.

Anjelica Delfino, paint and interiors expert from Valspar, adds, ‘Creamy colours such as Valspar’s Moonshot are the perfect paint colours to maximise your space, and going lighter on wall trims and mouldings make the walls appear further away too.’

7. Pick a pale pink

We've seen pink take off in the world of interiors, but rather than anything too bright, using a paler pink colour can create a serene feel – ideal if you're after small living room colour ideas that leave your room feeling calm.

'Whilst a room size is clearly what it is, there are a few little tips that can help you either maximise a space or play to the limitations by understanding the effects through colour and light,' says Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. 'Delicate earthy pinks like Setting Plaster or Pink Ground are friendly choices with an underlying warmth. You could also consider taking your wall colour onto the ceiling too, this helps blur the natural height of your walls with some soft colour saturation.'

Patrick O'Donnell

Patrick O'Donnell has worked for Farrow & Ball since 2012 as a colour consultant and international brand ambassador. In his role as brand ambassador, Patrick builds relationships with a huge portfolio of interior designers, listening to their needs, and advising them on how they can get the most out of our palette. After studying A-level History of Art, Patrick went on to complete an ISVA in Fine Art and Chattels at the University of Southampton, and then to study specialist paint decoration at the Leonard Pardon School in London.

8. Wrap your room in a deep colour

If you're worried about using deep, dramatic colours in a small living room in case it makes the space feel too dark, you might be surprised to know that it can actually create a really cosy feel. And, if you're still unsure, you could always them on just one wall, such as a fireplace wall or alcoves.

'I love to embrace a small room and create a dramatic and intimate interior, with intense cocooning colours. Use shades such as Mid Azure Green with Royal Navy skirting, deep green Puck or Jewel Beetle, which when paired with woodwork in Chocolate Colour creates a real design statement,' Ruth at Little Greene says.

9. Layer up neutrals

Light, bright living rooms needn't look bland – instead, use warm neutrals to create an interesting scheme that suits a small living room to a tee. Layer up fabrics, with rugs, cushions and window treatments, and use pattern and touchy-feely textures to add interest. This can seem like an expensive choice for small room, so it's worth checking out home decor discount codes to cut the costs here a little.

'Many opt to use bright white for small living room colour ideas with the aim of making the room appear larger, however, light neutrals used in a tonal scheme will have the same effect, while not appearing too stark,' Ruth at Little Greene says.

'If there's a lot of natural light in a small room, then using soft, light tones will make the room feel more spacious. Our colour scales collection is a wonderful solution for creating a light fresh space – French Grey Pale works beautifully alongside French Grey Dark and French Grey, for example, to create an elegant and welcoming living room scheme.'

10. Avoid too much red in a small space

Red is a beautiful, vibrant colour. But using too much of it in a confined space will likely overwhelm the room. Instead, opting for pops of red here and there in the form of accessories or a chair will look much better as per the viral unexpected red theory.

‘Red paint works well in many spaces, but a small room often isn’t one of them if you want it to feel larger. Cosier is what you will get,’ Mandy at Frenchic Paint explains.

‘Dark colours such as rich reds can make a room feel smaller as these hues absorb light rather than reflecting it, reducing the perception of space. Bold and intense colours can also overwhelm a room’s visual balance, making it feel more confined and less spacious,’ Chelsea from I Love Wallpaper warns.

11. Combine pastel shades

From sorbet shades of pistachio and soft strawberry to lemon and icy blue, combining a few of these different colours can give a pretty, feminine feel and create an on trend living room colour scheme. Or, you could keep these colours to your accessories and opt for a wall colour in a more neutral shade instead.

'Many people crave lightness and brightness in their home so an off-white, which has a pink, taupe or peach undertone will be both warming and light,' says Anna Hill, brand director at Fenwick & Tilbrook. 'Try Oyster or Driftwood shades and take the same colour across the ceiling, too, which will give a feeling of height to the room and open it up, as opposed to a white lid effect, which can happen with traditionally painted white ceilings.'

12. Turn to homely shades

Mid greens, blues, pinks and taupes are all great choices for small living room colour schemes, whether you're looking for period or modern small living room ideas.

'If your living room is small and only used in the evening for a bit of relaxing TV time, why not embrace the size and drape your living space in a truly snug, homely colour that really wraps its arms around you?' says Stephanie King at Dulux. 'Go for easy to live with colours the whole family can’t disagree with in the day, but which look amazing in dim, evening light.'

FAQs

What colour is best for a small living room?

'Whilst a room size is clearly what it is, there are a few little tips that can help you either maximise a space or play to the limitations by understanding the effects through colour and light,' says Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball. 'If your room is small but wonderfully lit, probably south or south-west facing, keep it fresh and simple with gently nuanced off-whites and neutrals.

Dulux's Stephanie King agrees: 'There are some beautiful, cosy griege neutrals that would work perfectly in a living room,' she says. 'My absolute favourite warmer neutral being Egyptian Cotton, as it just works for everything and with everything. It has an almost green undertone to it that counteracts some of the lilac undertones certain beige colours can get in certain lights. However, the best colour really does depend on how you use the living space and how you want your room to feel.

What colour makes a small room look bigger?

'This is the holy grail of questions!' says Stephanie King from Dulux. 'The best colour to make spaces feel bigger is a question we often receive from consumers and annoyingly, my answer is often “well, that depends” as there can be many variables within a room that can aid or hinder the feel of space. As a general rule though, light to mid-tone colours work best for making spaces feel larger and more airy.

'People often assume the only option is to go for a standard bright white, which could be a rash decision,' she continues. 'Very cool, crisp white can be stylish but also read as stark and clinical, which in a small space can leave it feeling a little pedestrian and cold. With this in mind, off-whites like Timeless, warmer vanilla whites such as Summer Linen and paler blush shades like Blush Pink are a much more welcoming addition to a space, for both your eyes and guests into your home.'

How do you add colour to a small living room?

'Think about different areas to use paint to add colour, such as the window frame, doors and skirting boards,' suggests Anna Hill at Fenwick & Tilbrook. 'Using a bolder colour on these areas can bring a wonderful pop of colour and draw the eye towards the edges of the room.'

It's also wise to take the architecture of the room into account when considering small living room colour ideas. 'Lighter tones cause the perception of the walls physically receding further away from you, as opposed to darker shades advancing towards you, so you can always play with colour across the walls of the space to use this to greatest effect,' says Stephanie King at Dulux.

'For example, if you have a living room with a protruding fireplace and you want to make it less obvious as a feature, consider painting it in a light, warm blue such a Coastal Grey. You may have a low-ish ceiling, so keep the colour of your ceiling light with an off-white shade such as Rocksalt, but take it down onto the top of the wall as well, almost as a mock picture rail. This will cause your eye to think the ceiling expanse above you is bigger than it really is. Remember, the ceiling is probably the largest portion of paintable space in the room, so don’t neglect it!'

Whichever colour scheme you choose, we’re sure it’s going to look great as long as you keep these tips in mind. Most importantly, never forget to have fun with it and enjoy yourself.