Peyton Wolff
Join our newsletter Name: Your Email Address Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Thank you for signing up to Realhomes. 'Timeless living room schemes are all about using soft, natural colors such as stone-based hues and neutrals to create an elegant, calming space,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene (opens in new tab)
Beige is so flexible as it really does go with most colors – take this pastel green as an example, it's restful and elegant whilst adding a contemporary edge.
When it comes to window treatment ideas, ditch the bland blinds and opt for a stylized floral instead, it will give your space a punchy look and you can use the same design for cushions too. Clashing patterns have been a trend for the last few years, and to make them work you need to link them by one single color, in the case of this ILIV (opens in new tab) living room, the background is off-white in all of the prints, so that's the common thread. 'These warmer neutrals can be incorporated into both contemporary and traditional homes, with the option to go quite bold or to keep a soft, pared-back design.
The use of stone is not a return to beige, greige, or even magnolia, but a new way of using warmer, natural shades in the home to create schemes with longevity.' In addition to individual pieces, blush as a base color is increasing in popularity, with many homeowners now looking to pair their beige upholstery, natural wood furniture and neutral accessories with this versatile and on-trend hue,' explains Rob Ellis, head of design at dwell (opens in new tab).
Also, note the lovely boucle armchair – another on-trend addition to your living room and it fits perfectly into a beige scheme. Adding color in the rug helps balance the space since the rug covers a larger area than, say, smaller doses of color from accent elements like pillows or art- which can fall flat in a larger space,' says Janelle Burns, lead interior designer at Maestri Studio (opens in new tab).
Keep the rest of the scheme neutral so the rug stands out – a white living room idea is ideal teamed with a stone couch, it's a good way to use beige without it being the main color. This living room is painted in Mylands Egerton Place No.297 (opens in new tab), it's a mushroom shade that includes umber and a hint of red.
For a more modern look paint the architectural details in the same shade as the walls plus the bookcase, then use white for the ceiling, skirtings and accessories. We love the pop of the Dino floor lamp (opens in new tab) by Gong that looks striking against the wall color, use beige drapes for contrast and pick a matching rug.
The coral pillows add an extra color layer and tie in beautifully with the wood that's used throughout this contemporary space.
Then, lighten up your walls with a pinky beige to create a fabulous contrast, and use your accessories like this striking shaped Flute trio floor lamp by Gong (opens in new tab) to carry on the light and dark theme.
Other colors to consider that would work with beige living room ideas are turmeric, blush, sage green, and other neutral shades like ochre and tan. 'Beige living rooms provide the perfect canvas for a bold personality to shine in a way that isn't overwhelming.
Pillows with bright pops of color and other bold furniture like side tables and lamps don't feel crowded or overpowering in the space. Multiple colors look great in one space and be brave – bold prints and patterns work really well within beige living rooms. 'The layering of materials, colors, and shapes all amount to give your interiors an overall texture which can define the look and feel of a space.
Glossy surfaces like polished chrome, shiny marble, and smooth leather all in tonal shades give a room a sleek, modern texture.'
'For a more multi-layered look, tactile weaves look amazing when layered against the luxurious feel of faux shagreen or rough-hewn timber to give a room some depth and sense of history.' The key is balance, have plain walls, and choose a carpet in a shade of beige – oatmeal or fawn for example, and then add in some pattern with an upholstered couch, pillows, and artwork.
Use some plains that are textured to create balance, like this rug, drapes, and side table, and mix in some apple green as it looks great with beige tones and yellow. We now want to channel that feeling in our home too, with warm, cozy shades inspired by the natural world,' says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown (opens in new tab). 'A tonal palette consisting of a spectrum of tan and off white can be greatly enhanced by the unique pairing of materials. It really depends on the feeling you're going for and the statement you wish to make....beige is great if you want a calming space, or if you want to balance really strong elements that you want to stand out- like bold statement art or a vibrant and heavily-patterned rug,' says Janelle Burns, lead interior designer at Maestri Studio (opens in new tab). 'Adding in pattern or contemporary lamps and art can take a beige space from blah to thoughtfully curated,' advises Janelle. 'To modernize a beige living room you can incorporate greenery to continue the neutral and natural feeling for a peaceful space.'
