DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
Skip to content
ThatPainter
Benjamin Moore

10 Paint Colors to Consider for a Small Living Room

Ten paint colors from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams offer starting points for small living rooms, from light shades to more dramatic choices. Learn how room light, connected spaces, and sample testing can guide your pick.

By ThatPainter Team 4 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

There is no single paint color proven to make every small living room look larger. Light shades can create a brighter, airier impression, while deeper colors can make a compact room feel intimate and intentional. The ten options below are manufacturer-recommended colors selected to cover a range of moods and palettes—not a tested ranking. Choose by the room’s light, its connection to nearby spaces, and how samples look on your walls.

10 paint colors for a small living room

These candidates come from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams living-room and small-room guidance. They are grouped by the role they can play, not ranked; the manufacturers do not provide a controlled comparison proving one is best for a small room.

  1. White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore

    A light option named in Benjamin Moore’s small-room guidance for an airier effect. Consider it if you want a pale wall color and are also coordinating ceiling and trim.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  2. Pure White SW 7005 by Sherwin-Williams

    A white featured among Sherwin-Williams’ living-room expert picks. Compare it with the room’s trim, flooring, and furnishings rather than assuming every white will read alike.

    #1 Best Overall
    EZVALO Picture Light for Wall, Rechargeable 2400mAh Lights Wireless with IR Remote, 3 Color & Dimmable Magnetic 7.8'' LED Lights Display for Painting, Living Room, Gallery, Bedroom(Black-3P)
    • 2400mAh Rechargeable Battery: Say goodbye to battery swaps! Built-in 2400mAh battery offers 9 hours(highest brightness) of use. EZVALO 7.87'' wireless LED picture light charges in just 3.5 hours via USB-C. Use your power bank, phone charger, or laptop – always ready to light up your favorite art.
    • Small But Brighter Cordless Wall Light: Compared with others, our 7.87'' picture lights for wall are designed specifically for you can ensure full-frame coverage with vivid color rendering (CRI>90). It's perfect for painting, gallery, home, or wherever you want to brighten up your artwork.
    • Easy Installation in 2 Ways:We provide two installation methods for you, Screw Mount or Damage-Free Adhesive Tape. Convenient for you, perfect for renters and any living space. Easily detach for charging thanks to the magnetic mount.
    • Remote with 5 Timer & Memory Function: Our wall art lights can be controlled by remote anytime within 16ft, you can set a timer to automatically turn off the light at the time you want (15/30/60/90/120 minutes). The art lighting will remember your last setting—just power on and enjoy.
    • 3 Color Temperatures & 5 Brightness: This magnetic black painting light with 3 adjustable color temperatures and 5 brightness levels (2700K/4500K/6500K to choose from). You can also adjust light to set your mood and enhance the ambiance of the picture or illuminate framed photos. Experience the true beauty of your art with our meticulously designed picture light.
  3. Glass Slipper 1632 by Benjamin Moore

    Benjamin Moore lists this among its lighter, airier small-room options. It offers an alternative to a straightforward white while staying within the brand’s light-color shortlist.

  4. Cloud Nine 2144-60 by Benjamin Moore

    One of the light colors Benjamin Moore includes in its small-room guide. It is a candidate for readers who want to explore a pale shade beyond the brand’s named whites.

  5. Hint of Pink 884 by Benjamin Moore

    Also listed in Benjamin Moore’s small-room light-color section. Test it against nearby materials and at different times of day before deciding whether it suits your palette.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
    Rank #2
    Framed Vintage Raccoon Wall Art, Moody Raccoon Canvas Prints, Funny Dark Academia Animal Poster, Classic Oil Painting Style Artwork, Whimsical Wall Decor for Living Room Bedroom Office 8x10in
    • Vintage Raccoon Wall Art: This framed artwork features a raccoon portrayed in a classic oil painting style, seated calmly at a wooden table with a contemplative posture. The deep green background, subdued lighting, and refined composition evoke a moody dark academia atmosphere with a subtle touch of humor
    • High-Resolution Canvas Print: Printed on premium canvas using high-definition techniques, the artwork delivers clear details, soft tonal transitions, and rich, layered colors. The dark greens and warm browns are well balanced, preserving the depth and elegance of a vintage oil painting aesthetic
    • Framed and Ready to Hang: Mounted on a sturdy wooden frame with pre-installed hanging hardware, this canvas arrives ready for immediate display. The durable frame provides reliable support while maintaining a clean and classic presentation
    • Dark Academia Style Wall Decor: Suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, studies, or home offices. The moody color palette and classic portrait-inspired composition complement dark academia, vintage, eclectic, and literary-inspired interiors, adding character and quiet charm to the space
    • Unique Gift for Animal Lovers: A distinctive gift for animal art lovers, dark academia fans, or anyone who appreciates whimsical vintage-style artwork. Suitable for housewarmings, birthdays, or seasonal occasions
  6. Palest Pistachio 2122-60 by Benjamin Moore

    A further light-color option named by Benjamin Moore for small rooms. Treat the name as a starting point, not a substitute for viewing the actual paint in your room.

  7. Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore

    Benjamin Moore includes this on its neutral living-room page. The manufacturer advises letting the room’s lighting inform neutral selection.

  8. Silver Strand SW 7057 by Sherwin-Williams

    A Sherwin-Williams living-room expert pick that gives you a named alternative to the whites and Benjamin Moore neutrals in this list.

    Rank #3
    Large Framed Neutral Abstract Wall Art for Living Room,Set of 3, 24x36 In
    • [Framed Wall Art]: Set of 3 large framed neutral abstract wall art, each measuring 24 x 36 inches. Each painting comes with a sturdy frame with a 1.38-inch frame thickness
    • [Canvas Art Wall Decor]: This set of abstract wall art is printed on waterproof canvas. Canvas enhances the visual effect of the picture, making the colors more saturated, so the painting remains vibrant over time and is resistant to fading or damage
    • [Neutral Wall Art]: This set of decorative paintings showcases a modern, minimalist abstract style with geometric shapes, lines and color blocks. Using neutral tones like black, white and beige - brown, it offers a calm, understated and high - end look. The classic color scheme is timeless. It suits living room, hallway, stair, bedroom, office and more
    • [Ready to Hang]: Each painting comes framed. Once received, you can easily hang it to decorate your beautiful home
    • [Gifting]: This contemporary abstract wall art is the ideal choice for home decoration, but also perfect for family and friends who are moving into a new house
  9. Aegean Teal 2136-40 by Benjamin Moore

    Benjamin Moore names this among other colors to consider for small living rooms. It is a more expressive choice than the light-color candidates; choose it for the mood you want, not as a way to guarantee a larger-looking room.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  10. French Beret 1610 by Benjamin Moore

    Another of Benjamin Moore’s suggested small-living-room colors. A deeper, more dramatic direction can be a deliberate design choice in a compact room rather than a failed attempt to make it feel bigger.

Will light paint make a small living room feel more open?

It can help create a brighter, airier impression, but it is not a requirement for a small room. Benjamin Moore says its light-color approach can visually heighten walls, particularly when the ceiling is painted a lighter shade or a slight variation of the wall color. That is qualitative guidance, not a measured guarantee of how much larger a room will appear.

Rank #4
Large Framed Black and White Abstract Wall Art for Living Room, 3 Piece
  • [Framed Wall art]: A set of 3 large contemporary minimalist black white and gold abstract wall art each 24x36 inches, 3 pieces totaling 36" H x 72" W. The sturdy 1.38-inch solid wood frames feature a sleek black finish that complements a variety of home decor styles
  • [Canvas Art Walll Decor]: Our art work made of waterproof and moisture-resistant canvas, easy to care for. The unique canvas enhances the visual effect and color saturation, ensuring the paintings remain vibrant
  • [As Great As The Picture]: This artwork combines classic black, white, and gold hues for a look that's both classic and trendy. Suitable for a variety of decorative styles, whether it is modern, simple or luxury style of home can be well matched, but also very suitable for the living room, corridor, stairwell, dining room, bedroom, lounge, meeting room, office wall decoration, Can add a unique decorative effect to the space
  • [Ready to Hang]: Each painting is framed for you. After receiving the painting, you can hang it up very easy and decorate pretty house
  • [Gifting] : This set of framed abstract canvas wall art is perfect for decorating your home or giving it to your relatives or friends when they move into a new home

Benjamin Moore also recommends bold and dramatic colors for small spaces. Decide whether your priority is an airy feeling or a more intimate, statement-making atmosphere; neither choice is universally right.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How should room light affect your choice?

Paint appearance depends on the room’s natural light and its direction. Benjamin Moore suggests cooler neutrals for rooms with southern or western exposure, and warmer hues for north- or east-facing rooms. Treat that as a starting point: the amount of daylight and the room’s artificial lighting also affect how a sample appears.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Do not choose a neutral by name alone. Benjamin Moore’s neutral living-room guidance specifically recommends taking lighting into account. View shortlisted colors in the room rather than relying only on a screen or a small printed reference.

Best Value
Large Framed Boho Black White Abstract Wall Art for Living Room, 24x36 In
  • [Framed Wall Art]: This large framed wall art set includes 3 pieces of boho modern neutral abstract artwork, each measuring 24 x 36 inches, with a total display size of 36"H x 72"W. Each piece features a sturdy 1.38-inch thick frame, adding depth and a premium look. The black and white geometric design creates a clean and stylish focal point for your living room, bedroom, office, or dining room
  • [Canvas Wall Art]: This canvas art wall decor features 2D printed artwork, not 3D textured or hand-painted. Made for everyday indoor display, the printed canvas offers clear details and lasting visual appeal. Slight color variations may occur due to different lighting and screen settings
  • [Black and White Wall Art]: This set of minimalist wall art featuring black and white tones with neutral abstract geometric elements, this wall art blends boho warmth with modern simplicity. The balanced color palette makes it easy to match different interiors, adding an elegant artistic touch to living room wall decor, bedroom wall decor, office wall decor, and dining room wall decor
  • [Ready to Hang]: Each canvas painting is already framed, making it easy to hang and display after arrival. This large 3 piece wall art set helps refresh your space with minimal effort and brings a more finished decorative look to your walls
  • [Wall Decor & Gift Idea]: This framed abstract wall art is a stylish choice for home decoration and a thoughtful gift for housewarmings, new homes, birthdays, and special occasions. Suitable for living room, bedroom, office, and dining room, it combines decorative value with a modern neutral aesthetic

How do you make the color work with adjoining rooms?

Look beyond the living-room walls. Compare a candidate with flooring, furniture, trim, and the colors visible in connected spaces. Benjamin Moore recommends using similar undertones to help colors flow through a small house. You do not need identical wall colors throughout; the goal is to avoid an abrupt relationship between rooms that can be seen together.

How to test paint before committing

  1. Shortlist a few candidates. Choose for the atmosphere you want, then narrow the options based on room orientation, daylight, and the colors of nearby finishes.

  2. Get physical samples. Benjamin Moore recommends sampling favorite hues; Sherwin-Williams offers color chips. Use the brands’ sample or chip options to compare actual colors.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  3. View them in the room over several days. Benjamin Moore advises living with samples for a few days and checking them under changing light. Notice how they look in daylight and with the room’s usual artificial lighting.

  4. Choose the color that works with the whole space. Consider its appearance on the wall alongside trim, furnishings, flooring, and colors in adjoining rooms—not just how it looks on a chip.

Manufacturer guidance and color references

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

More from the Paint Desk

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.