If you’ve ever wanted to go bold in a living room, I highly recommend painting the walls Hale Navy. It’s a rich, beautiful shade that reads both regal and inviting—stately yet cozy.
I hadn’t planned to tackle the living room this season—other rooms were on my priority list—but the curtains for my office makeover have taken longer than expected, so I jumped into the living room while waiting. The room is already more than halfway finished, and I want to share the process in order. Let’s begin with the mood board and overall plan for this navy living room.
Faux Wandering Variegated Tradescantia Plant | Let’s Stay In Sign (similar) | Wood Curtain Rod | White Curtains | Vintage-Style Navy Rug | Sectional Sofa (PB Comfort, Twill Fabric, Parchment) | Palna Pillow Cover | Midnight Blue Linen Pillow Cover | Animal Print Pillow Cover | Large Wicker Basket | Wood Framed Mirror | Faux Pothos Plant | Gallery Frame | White & Brass Lamps | Brass Turtle | Faux Potted Fittonia Plant | Starburst Frame | Wooden Beads with Tassel | Faux Potted Variegated Spider Plant | Console Table | Console Table Baskets
Do you want to learn how to create your own design mood board? Click here!
This living room is smaller than our previous space, which had very high ceilings and an open floor plan. Here, the room feels a bit more closed off but still airy thanks to 9-foot ceilings, a stunning wall of windows, built-in bookshelves, and two large doors on the remaining walls. The white trim and natural light help preserve an open, bright feeling even with a deeper wall color.
Given the abundance of windows, built-ins, and open doorways, it felt like the perfect canvas for a bold wall color. Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy has long been one of my favorites, and I used it to create a navy living room that feels dramatic and warm at the same time.
The palette for the room is simple: white, navy, and wood tones. It leans coastal but remains versatile enough for a home in northern Alabama—classic, layered, and comfortable.
The Furniture We Brought With Us
Most of the key furniture pieces were moved from our old home and fit into the vision board I shared. Below are a few snapshots of how the room looked right after we moved in and before the full makeover took shape.
We actually purchased the PB Comfort sectional before we ever toured this house, so I was thrilled when it fit perfectly. The vintage-style navy rug pairs nicely with the sectional, and the Everett console table and beachcomber baskets behind the sofa continue to anchor the space.
I plan to remove the blinds and install crisp white curtains from IKEA along the window wall. Even when open, the blinds feel like a barrier to light and to the private wooded view beyond our screened-in porch. Removing them will create a cleaner connection between the living room and the outdoors.
I’ll eventually replace the ceiling fan with something more stylistically aligned with the room, but it will remain for now. I also plan to change the TV cabinet on the right side of the fireplace so it mirrors the bookshelf on the left—since the TV sits above the mantel, a full cabinet isn’t necessary.
For now, the remaining work centers on painting the walls navy, adding thoughtfully chosen accessories, creating a gallery wall, and finishing the built-ins. Future purchases will include a new ceiling fan, a coffee table, and two swivel chairs to replace the current leather chair.
For Right Now, I’m Going To:
- Paint the walls Hale Navy
- Remove the blinds
- Install white curtains
- Create a gallery wall behind the sofa
- Style and decorate the bookshelves
- Mount the TV above the mantel
- Add lamps and decor to the console table behind the sofa
- Hang a mirror and finish decor on the back wall console
Phase 2 Plans
There are additional updates I’d love to make, but they’ll wait until the budget allows. I want to get the room to a natural stopping point, then move on to the dining room and my daughters’ bedroom. These Phase 2 items will likely happen next year:
- Replace the ceiling fan with one that better fits the aesthetic
- Build or buy a coffee table
- Add two swivel chairs in place of the leather chair
- Add art to the wall to the right of the mantel
- Introduce end tables for the sofa
- Paint the built-in cabinets and trim Simply White to tie the room together
That’s the plan for our navy blue living room. It’s quickly becoming my favorite room in the house, which surprised me at first. I worried it wouldn’t feel as enjoyable as our previous living room, but the combination of the view from the sofa, the built-ins, and the cozy, enveloping color has made it a space we truly love.
We spend a lot of time in the room as a family, so it’s important that it’s comfortable and welcoming. I can’t wait to share the finished blue walls—they’re already stunning and have transformed the room’s mood.
Do you love your living room? If not, what would you change?
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If you enjoy living room makeovers and styling ideas, check the blog for posts on bookshelf styling, mantel decor with a TV above it, affordable dining chairs, and seasonal decorating tips. These articles cover practical styling formulas, budget-friendly furniture recommendations, and step-by-step project guides to help you refresh your home.