1 Green
The ultimate in nature-inspired decoration, green is the most popular living room colour for 2023. "Some interior-savvy decorators are subtly blending green and natural tones into their interiors through the use of plants, timber and terracotta," says Ben White, design and trade expert at Swyft Home. "Others are opting for more dramatic green looks, combining green walls, with green velvet armchairs, sofas and accessories.”
2 Grey
"Grey is an incredibly versatile colour, forming an ideal base from which to expand your palette," says Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft Home . "Colours with a cool undertone (blues and other greys) will complement grey well while colours with warm undertones (terracotta or burgundy) will contrast the shade and bring a touch of warmth into the space."
3 Blue
"The popularity of blue interiors is likely linked to people wanting to bring more hints of the natural world into their homes," says Ben. "Blue is a calming and tranquil colour, perfect for deep thought and introspection. Since a lot of us now work from home more often, this makes it a great colour scheme for concentration."
4 Teal
Green-toned blues offer a bit more warmth than mid or light blues, an effect that can be further pronounced with the use of burnt orange or shades of reds. Teal is a particularly good choice if you tend to decorate with antiques as it sits so well with traditional woods such as mahogany or walnut.
5 Black
Despite being one of the boldest of design decisions, black living rooms proved more popular than classic white or cream in 2023. Decorating with black takes a bit more consideration than other colours, and we would always be inclined to use a matt off-black – one that leans towards graphite grey, or mixed with a softening blue.
6 Navy
Different shades of blue appeared three times in the list, with a deep and inky navy proving most popular. "Remember that muted blues complement a greater range of colours and create a more soothing mood. To create drama in the space, go for a deeper, rich blue. For a fresh and energetic space, try bright blue hues,” says Kelly.
7 Pink
A surprising seventh place, pinks require a keen design eye to avoid a sickly sweet outcome. Chalky and deep berry shades of pink work best on walls – primary pink can look overwhelming – and add sophisticated touches like a tweed or textured wool sofa, and a patterned rug.
8 White
A much maligned colour for parents and pet owners, but one that is hard to beat in a country living room. White can look stark or overly pristine, so mitigate this by introducing warming elements such as plain and painted wood, and a sumptuous off-white carpet.
9 Cream
Classic cream came in ninth place, perhaps indicative of a move away from neutrals. Cream certainly doesn't have to be plain however if you just consider it a base from which to build a more colourful palette – cream goes with just about anything, so there's no need to exercise caution.
10 Beige
The warmest neutral on our list, beige is a fabulous choice if you want a light but cocooning colour for your living room. Pale pastels may not be an instinctive colour pairing here, but we love how inviting these scheme looks.
11 Black and White
The only colour combination on our list, but a classic on at that. When designing a more traditional or country home, take your design cues from this Little Greene example and choose warmer whites and off-blacks.
12 Yellow
The most cheerful choice in the top 12, and a deceptively versatile one. Cooler variants of yellow with undertones of green look fresh and citrusy, whilst natural materials – like the wooden furniture, stone fireplace, and wool carpet shown here – prevent this living room from becoming too primary.