Teal is a versatile color that can complement a variety of shades in a living room. When decorating a living room with teal accents, it’s important to consider the undertones of the teal as well as the size of the space. Here are some quick tips on choosing living room colors that go well with teal:
Warm undertones
If your teal has warm golden or green undertones, pair it with other warm hues like:
- Browns – from light tan to dark chocolate brown
- Yellows – from pale yellow to mustard
- Oranges – try burnt orange or terra cotta
- Greens – olives, sages, or mossy greens
These warm shades will accentuate the warmth in the teal. Warm neutrals like beige, sand, and light wood tones also work well.
Cool undertones
If your teal leans towards cooler shades with blue undertones, match it with other cool colors like:
- Grays – go for icy grays or charcoal
- Blues – from sky blue to navy
- Purples – pale lilacs to deep jewel tones
- Greens – seafoam greens or grayish sage greens
Cooler neutrals like gray, white, and silver complement these undertones. Black makes a dramatic contrast against cool teal.
Bright vs. muted
The brightness or mutedness of the teal also impacts what colors work well with it. A vivid, saturated teal pops against more muted shades. Try pairing bright teal with:
- Muted grays, taupes, and tans
- Dusty blue
- Muted sage green
- Brick red
- Mustard yellow
A more muted, grayish teal looks more sophisticated against other muted colors like:
- Heathered grays
- Dusty pink
- Lavender
- Seafoam green
Light vs. dark
The lightness or darkness of the teal hue also impacts the color pairings:
- Dark teal pops against light neutrals like white, ivory, tan, or light gray.
- Light teal looks airy with darker shades like charcoal, black, navy, or chocolate brown.
Complementary colors
Colors opposite teal on the color wheel are great complements. These include:
- Coral
- Salmon
- Peach
- Brick red
- Burnt orange
A touch of a complementary color brings visual interest through contrast.
Analogous colors
Analogous colors next to teal on the color wheel also complement it beautifully. Try:
- Forest greens
- Limes
- Emerald greens
- Turquoise
- Aquas
Analogous colors create a coherent, harmonious look.
Neutrals
Crisp whites, warm creams, weathered wood and elegant grays beautifully balance the vibrancy of teal. Try:
- Crisp whites
- Ivory or cream
- Light oak wood tones
- Dove gray
- Charcoal gray
Neutrals allow teal to take center stage while grounding the space.
Metallics
Metallic accents like copper, brass, silver and gold glow against teal. This creates an elegant, glamorous look. Try:
- Polished copper
- Brushed brass
- Champagne gold
- Silver
- Pewter
Large Spaces vs. Small Spaces
The size of the living room also impacts the best color combinations:
- In large living rooms, use teal abundantly as a dramatic focal color against neutrals.
- In medium sized living rooms, use teal strategically in one furniture piece or wall to add vibrancy.
- In small living rooms, use teal sparingly as accents against lighter background colors to keep the space feeling open.
Best Living Room Color Combinations with Teal
Here are some recommended living room color palettes that use teal elegantly:
| Color Palette | Description |
|---|---|
| Teal, light oak, white | Crisp and beachy |
| Teal, navy, tan | Nautical chic |
| Teal, light gray, black | Urban modern |
| Teal, terracotta, mustard | Warm and earthy |
| Teal, seafoam, lime | Tropical punch |
| Teal, rose gold, blush | Feminine and glam |
| Teal, charcoal, cream | Elegant sophistication |
Tips for Decorating with Teal
Here are some extra tips for beautifully incorporating teal throughout your living room:
- Use teal on accent walls or in artwork for bold pops of color.
- Upholster one furniture piece in teal velvet or linen for a luxe statement.
- Bring in teal via throw pillows, area rugs and accessories for affordable pops of color.
- Pair glossy teal vases with soft textured neutral pillows and rugs for contrast.
- Incorporate teal in geometric patterns on curtains or furniture for visual interest.
- Paint the shelves in a teal bookcase for a customized focal point.
- Add teal drips or splatters to plain vases and lamps with paint pens.
Conclusion
Teal is a vibrant, eye-catching color that pairs beautifully with a wide range of colors from neutrals to bold saturated hues. Consider the undertones, brightness, and shade of teal along with the size of the space when choosing complementary colors. Incorporate teal thoughtfully throughout the living room in accents, artwork, walls, furniture pieces and accessories for a polished, pulled-together look. With the right color combinations, teal can create living rooms that are sophisticated, relaxing, modern and visually interesting.
