Cream is a wonderful and diverse colour option for your living room, and in this article, we explore all the ways in which you can use it to create your own sanctuary. From neutral schemes to pop of colour, cream can serve as your canvas colour on your walls, or as an accent colour to break up the room in a subtle way.
In this article…
- 7 ways you can use cream in your living room
- 4 colour mood boards to help you style your lounge
- FAQs
7 ways to style a cream living room
In this section, we share 7 ways that you can use cream in your living room to see what ways are possible when it comes to planning your next decorating project.
1. Use cream rugs and cushions to break up white walls of your living room
Cream living room by @life_downthelane on Instagram
Using cream rugs and cushions to break up white walls in a living room is a brilliant design choice that adds warmth and character to the space, just like you can see in the design above. White walls can create a bright and airy ambience, but they may also risk feeling too stark and cold. By introducing cream-colored rugs and cushions, you strike a perfect balance between freshness and coziness.
The cream tones bring a subtle touch of colour, softening the overall look while still maintaining the room’s brightness. Rugs provide a plush and inviting feel,while cushions, strategically placed on sofas or chairs, add a sense of texture and visual interest. This makes the room feel more inviting and homey.
2. Break up an all-cream living room with texture
Cream living room by @janaj.interiors on Instagram
In an all-cream living room, incorporating texture becomes a game-changer that adds depth and visual interest to the space. While a monochromatic palette can evoke a serene and elegant vibe, it runs the risk of appearing flat and uninspired without some variation. Introducing different textures can work wonders in breaking up uniformity.
A great way to do this is to add decorative items. As you can see from the design above, the statement marble coffee table adds instant style and texture to the space with just one piece of well-designed furniture. Other ways to infuse texture are through ceramic vases, carved wooden accents, or patterned cushions that introduce tactile interest, turning the living room into a delightful sensory experience.
3. How to use cream in a small living room
Image by @nordichome.wales on Instagram
Layering creams in a small living room is a clever design strategy that can transform the space into a cozy and visually appealing sanctuary. In a limited area, using creams in various shades and textures adds depth and sophistication without overwhelming the room.
Begin with a neutral cream tone as your base colour for the walls, and larger furniture pieces to create an airy and light atmosphere. Then, layer in slightly different cream hues through decorative elements like curtains, cushions, and rugs. Opt for a mix of fabrics like linen, velvet, and faux fur to introduce a tactile dimension.
A quick tip: Maximize the use of mirrors to reflect light and create an illusion of more space. By thoughtfully layering creams in a small living room, you achieve a harmonious and inviting environment that feels effortlessly chic and comfortably intimate.
4. Using dark cream for a large living room
Cream living room by @interiorsbysteveng on Instagram
Using dark creams in a large living room is a fantastic way to infuse a sense of richness and sophistication. Dark cream tones provide a warm and inviting ambience, while still maintaining a light and airy feel. Opting for deeper cream hues on the walls or as the dominant colour for larger furniture pieces anchors the room, which can make a large room feel snug. To prevent your space from feeling too heavy, complement dark creams with lighter accents, such as cream throw pillows, curtains, or artwork. Incorporating ample lighting, both natural and artificial, will help brighten up the room and prevent it from feeling too dim.
5. Make your cream living room stand out with a statement fireplace and alcoves
Cream living room by @_homeonthecorner_ on Instagram
Using cream in a living room with a statement fireplace and alcove shelving is a brilliant approach that combines elegance and practicality. The cream colour scheme provides a versatile and neutral backdrop, allowing the fireplace and alcove shelving to shine as distinctive features in the room. The fireplace becomes an eye-catching focal point, exuding warmth and charm, while the alcove shelving offers functional storage and display space for cherished items or decorative pieces, as you can see in the beautiful design above.
To enhance the overall aesthetic, consider incorporating cream accents in the form of art, textiles, or decorative accessories that complement both the fireplace and shelving. This thoughtful integration of cream tones, statement fireplace, and alcove shelving creates a well-balanced and visually captivating living room that effortlessly blends style with purpose.
6. Play around with dark furniture to add contrast to a cream living room
Cream living room by www.lux-decor.com
Using dark furniture can add a striking contrast to the soft, neutral backdrop of a cream living room. The dark furniture pieces, such as a moss green sofa, patterned rug, or dark fireplace feature (as pictured above), create a bold and dramatic focal point against the cream surroundings. This contrast not only adds visual interest but also infuses a sense of depth and dimension to the room.
The dark furniture serves as an anchor, grounding the space and providing a sense of balance amidst the lighter cream elements.
7. Using cream in a living room with bay windows
Cream living room by @lifewith_emmajr on Instagram
Using cream walls and furniture in a living room with bay windows is a wonderful way to create a serene and inviting space that maximizes natural light and highlights the architectural beauty of the windows. Cream walls provide a soft and neutral backdrop that enhances the brightness of the room, allowing sunlight to fill the space and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
A quick tip: Consider placing the furniture strategically around the bay windows to take advantage of the views and create cozy reading nooks or relaxing spots, as you can see in the living room above.
8. Break up a cream living room with white panelling
Cream living room by @hanbury.living on Instagram
Using wall panelling to break up a cream living room is a great way to add depth and character to your walls. Furthermore, having half panelling behind your sofa adds visual interest to your space without needing to use lots of artwork to decorate your walls. We love the use of white wall panelling in the living room above, which is bold enough to give the room contrast, but still looks calming and blends in with the mix of creams used in the space.
Cream living room style boards to help you decorate your space
We’ve created cream living room style boards below, all of which feature a cream sofa. This is to give you an idea of the variety of ways that you can style a cream living room by introducing a secondary colour.
Want a personalised mood board for your living room? Get a free design board created by us here!
Does cream and grey go together in a living room?
Cream and grey are excellent colour pairings, as they are both calming and can create a really relaxing living room space. As you can see from the mood board below, we’ve opted to style cream with light grey through wallpaper and rugs to bring depth, and character without being over-the-top.
Your shopping list:
Fabb Furniture corner sofa – £899 (on sale at time of publishing)
Rugvista grey Mila rug – £189
Amazon cream curtains – £23.43
Lucie Annabel vintage grey pattern wallpaper – £62
Lick Beige 03 Eggshell paint – £45
Beliani coffee table – £289.99
Amazon cream donut vase – £16.99 (on sale at time of publishing)
Total = £1,525.41
Does cream and brown go together in a living room?
Cream and brown work well together to create a harmonious space. You can decide to pair your cream living room with light brown or dark brown accents. We’ve opted to show you how you can style a cream and dark brown living room for a bold and luxurious styled space. We’ve also incorporated gold accents through mirrors and furnishings which add reflective texture.
Your shopping list:
Fabb Furniture sofa – £1059 (on sale at time of publishing)
Dunelm brown curtains – £50
Olivia’s brown and gold nest tables – £865
Lamp and Light Direct vintage floor lamp – £179 (on sale at time of publishing)
Dunelm gold wall mirror – £80
Rugvista brown rug – £177 (on sale at time of publishing)
Total = £2,410
Does cream and blue go together in a living room?
Cream works well with blue as it can be used in many ways, from dark rich blues for a sophisticated look, to mid-blue for a zen space and with light-blue for a bright and airy living room. We’ve opted to show you how you could style your cream living room with a dark blue that has grey undertones. This is a great base colour as you can lighten up the living room using furniture, such as the woven shelving and coffee table and through lighting features, which gives the space a modern boho feel.
Fabb furniture sofa – £1098 (on sale at time of publishing)
Daals oak bookshelf – £209.99
Daals coffee table – £109.99
Wayfair geometric blue and cream rug – £209.99
La Redoute rattan flower pot – £80
Next rattan pendant light shade – £38
Amazon geometric fluffy pillow cases – £13.25
Lick Blue 06 The Establishment paint – £45
Total = £1,759.22
Does cream and black go together in a living room?
Cream and black are a perfect colour combo for a living room. We’ve created a cream and black living room mood board with an eclectic glam twist to show you how you can take two neutral colours and really mix them up to be something different. We’ve added gold accents to add a touch of glam to the space too!
Fabb corner sofa – £899 (on sale at time of publishing)
Wallpaper Shop art deco wallpaper – £20.95
Lick Black 04 Eggshell – £45
Lamp and Light palm floor lamp – £259
Maison Reves circular coffee table – £950
Dunelm vase – £15
Wayfair cream curtains – £26.99 (on sale at time of publishing)
Total = £2,215.94
Cream living room FAQs
Cream is a soft, pale off-white with a gentle hint of yellow. It’s such a warm and soothing shade that can really brighten up a space without being too stark. In interior design, cream is often used to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in a room. It’s versatile and works well with many different styles, so it’s definitely a go-to option for anyone. Of course, keep in mind that colour perception can be a bit subjective, but overall, cream adds that touch of elegance and comfort that’s hard to resist!