Rental homes

Living room Colour Palette for Rental homes

Choose colour against the surfaces that will stay. Test it on a large sample at the room's brightest and darkest points.

Explore the ideas
Living room with a television wall, wood shelving and a glass partition
Living room inspiration: media storage beside a glazed divider.

Compare the options

Set the brief
Collect samples of permanent finishes, upholstery and hardware before picking a paint or laminate.
Compare
Assign a background colour, one wayfinding or feature colour, and contrast where people need to distinguish edges.
Before buying
Check painted or laminated samples vertically beside the same light source the finished room will use.
Worked example

A north-facing lounge makes a cool gray sofa and wall paint appear flat through the day.

Test large paint and textile samples in morning and evening light, keeping the permanent floor visible beside them.

How to test it

Compare the samples in daylight and artificial light, and check that handles and door edges remain easy to distinguish.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Use a modular seating group and keep the route between entry and windows open.
Detail
Add rugs and floor lamps to define zones without changing walls or ceiling fixtures.
Trade-off
Smaller modular pieces move easily but may feel less cohesive as a set.
  • Measure furniture against doorways
  • Check outlets and lighting positions
Living room arranged with an L-shaped sofa and wall shelving
Living room inspiration: seating grouped around a shared focal point.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Open living and dining area with a wood partition and television unit
Living room inspiration: a visual boundary between shared zones.
Living room with green and rust-colored seating around a low coffee table
Living room inspiration: conversation seating with a clear central table.

Related design guides

Talk to a Designer