Color Trends in the Living Room

Paint new life into your family room with the latest color collections from the industry.

By Jennifer Haupt

Bold Basics

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Vibrant hues against backdrops of deep black and bright white add an energetic, futuristic flair to your living room. "White is a great background color if you have artwork on the walls, because it doesn't overpower what you're trying to showcase," says Seattle-based designer Sonja Brisson.

Sherwin-Williams' Ralich Spak suggests adding just one or two bright accent colors to a black and white living room. Sherwin-Williams' Kinetic Contrast collection includes the assertive shades of Blue Gulfstream, Red Ablaze, Purple Juneberry, Gold Crest and Luau Green to play off the extremes of Bohemian Black and Extra White.

High Profile, one of the 2008 palettes designed by color forecaster Leatrice Eiseman for the Pantone Color Institute, uses classic shades of pristine white; ebony black; rich browns; silvery grays accented by Festive Fuchsia; royal Lilac; and glimmering gold and silver. "These color combinations combine techno with retro, mystical with modern," Eiseman explains. "They're perfect for people who want a bold, contemporary style."