Not everyone wants to design a living room over and over again. While there are some who wouldn’t mind picking out paints and fabrics every few months—either because of their careers or hobbies—the vast majority of us would much rather wait years between home updates. Sure, passing trends may be tempting to emulate, but the overarching goal is usually to create a living room with timeless appeal. The only problem? You have to know how to pick and choose components with staying power.

If you’re hoping to design a living room that looks good now and in the future, the strongest element for success may come down to the paint color. After all, the shade you choose for the walls will impact nearly every other detail, from the ideal sofa to the best artwork. To help you feel confident in yo

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