CREATING a cosy living room to chill out in after a hard day’s work starts with the colour of your walls. But with so much choice from manufacturers, it can seem an overwhelming task. Even choosing the tester paint pots can be a challenge. To make your life a little less stressed, the team at Where Saint’s Go decided to put together this simple guide on choosing the best paint colour for a cosier living room.

For a warm feel, don’t be afraid to experiment with reds and yellows. Homey, earth tones also work well, while blues and pale greys have a soothing effect. It is always a good idea to start with a blank canvas, so give the walls two coats of plain white emulsion. Then try testers from our seven favourite colours below.

SEVEN BEST PAINT COLOURS

1 CREAMY WHITE. Choosing the right shade of white can transform a living room and creates the perfect cosy backdrop. A pure white can seem as cold as Santa’s beard on Christmas Eve but opting for a cream or chalky tone will give a living room the right balance of cosy and clean.

London interior designer Catherine Wilman has a favourite creamy white she uses time and time again - and we love it too: Paint & Paper Library’s Slate 1. This off-white paint has a cooling grey base and comes in several finishes including pure matt emulsion and architectural matt. Perfect for a contemporary scheme.

2 MAJOR GREY. People have been using grey in their homes for centuries, so it is a tried and tested option if you want something stronger than a creamy white. We must admit, when we first thought of using grey it reminded us of the John Major puppet on Spitting Image back in the 1980s – drab and boring. But after experimenting we found that getting the right shade can make your living room appear cosy, larger and act as a great backdrop for your furniture and flooring.

A warm grey paint with blue tones can be used against any off-white neutral colour scheme. We love Paint & Paper Library’s Tablecloth - just the right shade to create that cosy vibe for nights watching your favourite TV shows. 

3 ROYAL PURPLE. OK, so lots of villains in Marvel comic books wear purple. But there is nothing evil about using this bold colour in your home. It has been a sign of status among kings and queens since Roman days. Its rich dark tones can make a room appear both sumptuous and sophisticated – yet warm and intimate.

The rich Dulux Heather Climb paint, available at B&Q, is perfect for cosy winter nights - and the hue feels cool in the summer months.

4 THEATRE RED. Red is linked to heightened emotions, passion, joy and playfulness. But why is this a great colour for a cosy living? The answer: it will close-in the walls, creating a cosy feeling. Movie theatres often use red because human eyes are less sensitive to the colour, making the room appear darker and providing contrast for the cinematic screen. Warm reds are popular because they maintain the dark feel yet maintain style. If you are brave enough, try painting all the living room walls in this rich colour. But if you are not yet ready for such a bold move, try using warm red on a feature wall.

We love Little Green’s Theatre Red (192). The cinema-like feel will add drama to any room. Just don’t forget to turn down the lights, sit back. . . and share the popcorn!

5 GREEN IS GOOD. Don’t think green is too dark for your living room walls. It is soothing and can make a gentle statement. Create a natural, earthy vibe in your home with a muted green paint. If you want a more dramatic feel, embrace muted green. And a softer hue such as mint will add tranquillity. For a hint of elegance, Dulux Graceful Green matt emulsion is a wonderful colour to work. It looks great against muted blues and purples and works well with neutral tones and rich browns. 

6 MELLOW YELLOW. Yellow looks great on the outside of house – but it also brightens up a dull room on the inside and gives the appearance of more space. If your living room is smaller than you would like, paint it yellow and combine it with whites and earthy tones. Mustard yellow is the best shade for a cosy, peaceful glow. It works brilliantly with wooden furniture, and mixes well with browns and greys.

The shade that hits the spot for us is Paint & Paper Library’s Aeoli. A classic.