comScore
CASACOR
Decoration

Here's how to choose the colors for your living room

Painting the walls is a quick and inexpensive way to revamp the décor of a room

By Nádia Simonelli

Submitted at Jan 20, 2025, 5:00 AM

08 min de leitura
Fernanda Milcent and Bruna Milcent - Milcent Arquitetura - Living Dialogues. Project for CASACOR Bahia 2024.

Fernanda Milcent and Bruna Milcent - Milcent Arquitetura - Living Dialogues. Project for CASACOR Bahia 2024. (Tarso Figueira)

Are you thinking of revamping the decor of your living room? Choosing a new color for the walls can be a good start. After all, painting is an interesting resource because it can change the atmosphere of the room quickly and doesn't require a huge investment. What's more, if you get tired of the color, it's not so difficult to change it after a while. But to make the right choice, we've prepared a step-by-step guide to choosing new colors for the living room. See below!

Step 1: Too much or too little space?


Leo Shehtman Arquitetura e Design - Dell Anno Global Living. Project for CASACOR São Paulo 2024.

Leo Shehtman Arquitetura e Design - Dell Anno Global Living. Project for CASACOR São Paulo 2024. (MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

The colors have a special power to create sensations in environments. The perception of the size of the space, for example, has to do with the tone you choose for the walls and ceiling of the living room. So, before deciding on the color, it's worth thinking about whether you want to visually create more or less space. If you have a small living room, a safe bet is to go for a light palette. This softer color family reflects the light that falls on the surface, creating a feeling of spaciousness. If the ceiling is low, a tip is to paint it one or two shades lighter than the walls to reinforce this effect. The opposite of this technique is true for rooms with ample space or high ceilings. In this case, it's worth opting for a ceiling that's a little darker than the walls to create a cozy atmosphere. Also remember that each color influences the mood of the room, for example, red brings energy and passion, while blue or green, a relaxing atmosphere. But we'll talk more about this in the next step.

Step 2: What atmosphere do you want to create?


Casa Arquitetura - Estúdio Botânico. Project for CASACOR Pernambuco 2024.

Casa Arquitetura - Estúdio Botânico. Project for CASACOR Pernambuco 2024. (Walter Dias/CASACOR)

When thinking about decorating the living room, take into account the atmosphere you want to create. Remember that the living room is a space with multiple functions, used both for receiving friends and for moments of rest and relaxation. In addition, as it is a social environment, it is interesting to imprint a personal style on the décor to create something unique.
Although the internet is an endless and wonderful source of inspiration and references, don't forget to pay attention to the details of your living room. Sit quietly and feel the space. What makes you feel good there? Do you want a quiet place where you can retreat? Do you want to create a striking decoration? Or do you mainly want to create a feeling of freshness? Every desire requires a color.

Pass0 3: Evaluate the colors of furniture and objects


Mariana Leão Architects - Hogar. Project for CASACOR Bahia 2024.

Mariana Leão Arquitetos - Hogar. Projeto da CASACOR Bahia 2024. (Gabriela Daltro/CASACOR)

If the idea is to renovate the decor only by painting the walls, take into account the colors of the furniture and objects that already exist in the space. Try to put together a harmonious chromatic palette in the living room, combining the new tone of the walls with the sofa, armchairs, bookcases and other pieces. You can choose a monochromatic aesthetic, working with different intensities of the same color, or compose a palette of colors that complement each other.

Step 4: Test before you buy paint!


Beta Arquitetura - Casa Darya. Project for CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2024.

Beta Arquitetura - Casa Darya. Project for CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2024. (MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

In this step, technology can be a great ally. Nowadays, there are tools to help you choose the ideal paint color and avoid future regrets. So don't buy a can of paint before doing some testing. The vast majority of brands offer virtual tests, where you can even upload a photo of your living room and test the color combinations at will. But be aware that although apps and websites are a great tool, paint usually has a different effect when applied to the wall - the lighting in the room also has a big influence on this perception. Therefore, if after these tests you still have doubts, the recommendation is to paint a piece of your wall with a color tester for a better evaluation. Some brands offer small packets of paint samples to use in these tests.

Step 5: Dare!


Júnior Ordoñez - Gazebo Mangará. Project by CASACOR Sergipe 2024.

Júnior Ordoñez - Gazebo Mangará. CASACOR Sergipe 2024 project. (Gabriela Daltro/CASACOR)

Finally, take advantage of this opportunity to rest and get out of your comfort zone. After all, paint brands offer so many color options, so why not allow yourself to go a little outside the basics? If the result doesn't turn out as you'd hoped, it's not the end of the world. Just choose a new color and paint the walls again.