Working with colour: Purple living room ideas

Johannes van Graan Johannes van Graan
Bedroom, Pixers Pixers Tropical style bedroom
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Those striking, rich tints in-between crimson and violet have many names, but collectively they are known as ‘purple’ – and there’s no ignoring any of them. 

Many moons ago, the Phoenicians were the only ones who knew the secret of dying fabrics purple. If you wanted to share in that deep shade of purple (called ‘Tyrian’), you had to trade with them. Thus, purple was already labelled a royal colour in ancient times, associated with status and chosen to adorn the Roman emperors’ togas. 

In modern days, purple still retains some of its regal status and is strongly associated with plush furnishings and opulent designs. Which is why we thought it a great idea to churn out some purple living room ideas, seeing as the living room is one of the most sociable spaces in any home.

Plus, if you get this intricate colour right in your main living space, then your guests are sure to deem you a genius when it comes to interior design!

1. Purple living room ideas: The darker tints

The deepest of the deep purples (wine, eggplant, etc.) are ideal for striking a serious and formal note, and are best used boldly (with commitment). To really make these dark, broody hues work in your living room, do something striking – such as splashing it on all four walls or a set of built-ins. 

And to make your living room seem more cosier and conversation-friendly while still striking a lavish look, simply go a few tones lighter, bringing those tints down to, say, sangria or mulberry.

​2. Purple living room ideas: Coordinating colours

Purple is available in a wealth of different tints, yet they all flow well together when it comes to interior design. This is especially helpful for the living room, allowing you to achieve a coordinated look without too much experimenting with colour swatches. 

To highlight your living room’s purple walls, drapes and carpets/rugs, add plenty of whites, plus a touch of silver sparkle. This will help it from seeming too dark and oppressing. 

We suggest picking a wall or wall feature (like a chimney breast) for an accent piece, with patterned wallpaper to ensure contrast against your painted purple walls. Go darker for the carpet and rugs, and lighter for your soft furnishings and upholstery.

​3. Purple living room ideas: Feng Shuing your space

When it comes to purple, the Feng Shui masters advise moderation. Purple is a very high vibration colour; thus, it’s best to bring it into your home with various décor pieces (from your scatter cushions right through to your wall art) instead of wall colour. 

Apart from the living room, Feng Shui tells us that the best spaces to use purple are healing rooms and meditation areas.

4. Purple living room ideas: Accents

If a purple wall is a no-no, bring that unforgettable hue in through accents in your living room. Window treatments, area rugs, and flowers in a vase are only some of the elements which can flaunt a mauve, a plum, some magenta, or one of the other purple tints. Plus, accents allow you to control exactly how much purple you bring into the space. 

homify hint: If you’re struggling to use purple in your living room, tone it down. Pick two features which can flaunt some purple, and the rest of the room’s design will fall into place. For example, plop a purple sofa in the living room, and let it match with the striking violet tints in one of the paintings.

5. Purple living room ideas: Bringing in the neutrals

If you really want to bring on the purple in your living room, matching various shades of it is the best way. And the best way to let the purples stand out on their own is to mix in some neutrals for balance, like whites, beiges, black and grey. 

To introduce a strong batch of character, bring in various textures with those different purple hues. We’re talking silk cushions on the sofa, a hand-woven rug under the coffee table, heavy drapes in front of the windows, etc. Let them all flaunt various shades of purple or patterns that include purple. This will highlight your living room’s contrast and keep the design from looking too “safe”.

​6. Purple living room ideas: Surprising contrasts

Purple is unique in the sense that it can work with shades which many would deem as “clashing”. A neon green couch paired with rich purple wallpaper might sound like a Disney film, yet it just works in the modern design realm. And try warming up your cool colour scheme of greys and purples with a very bright orange. 

True yellows and reds only work in small doses. But if you want to bring in purple, make sure that yellow or red is kept pastel or muted in shade. 

homify hint: Don’t use solid contrasting colours on large area rugs or window treatments; instead, go for small touches of a bright orange or green in a more calmly patterned curtain or rug.

​7. Purple living room ideas: Using Pantone’s Colour of the year

Ultra Violet (PANTONE 18-3838) has been voted 2018’s colour of the year, and here’s how to work it into your living room the right, stylish way. 

• Soften it with other purples, pinks and blues. Lilac, blush and mauve are of the same colour family, and pairing these shades up with the boldness of Ultra Violet is the best way to make your living room’s purple scheme work.  

• Embrace a moody theme. To make Ultra Violet change your living room into a dark, moody and somewhat romantic space, bring in other supersaturated dark colours and rich fabrics. We’re talking leather, velvet, and dark-coloured woods – the effect will be unforgettable!

Same room, different colour. Let’s get inspired by Working with colour: Grey living room ideas.

How would you bring purple into your living room – with small accent pieces, or a fabulous purple explosion?

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