Living rooms tend to serve multiple functions in the modern home. It is the symbolic center of the home; it is also a place of privacy and retreat, as well as a common space for family and entertainment. Choosing the right color of paint for this all-important room often involves striking a balance between what speaks to your unique personal tastes and the style of your home’s decor, versus something that best suits the needs and function of the space.

Navy blue is a surprisingly warm, versatile and elegant shade that has been spotted by many trend experts as a breakthrough neutral color for home decor in 2012. And no, “neutral” was no typo, because as you will see, navy plays well with a broad range of colors and any style of home – classic, contemporary or modern .

Navy adds depth to walls and makes small living rooms appear larger. Paired with white ceilings and metallic gold accents, navy gives a timeless, regal feel to a room .

Even thrown into a mix of “industrial-meets-retro chic,” navy anchors this confluence of styles with classic appeal.

Whoever said navy is humorless color was obviously mistaken. Inviting, interesting and no stranger to a whimsy, navy is highly adaptable shade .

If you’re interested in making this intriguing shade of blue a part of your living room colors, try a selection from our Behr Ultra or Behr Premium Plus paints.