Our Living Room Refresh: From White Walls to Moody Green

I can’t believe I never shared this last year! We’ve lived with our green living room for almost a year now, and every time I walk in there, I think to myself, “Why did we wait so long to paint?!”

Sometimes, the simplest changes have the biggest impact. So as a backstory, last year, we decided to give our living room a little refresh. Not a full renovation, and we didn’t even buy any new piecse of furniture. The only thing we did was put a new coat of paint on the walls. We went from plain white walls to a moody, smoky green called Smoke Bush by Benjamin Moore, and it truly feels like an entirely new space. The trim around the doors and the windows stand out so much more now, and the entire space feels cozy, warm, and inviting.

It feels like home.

What I love about this change is that we didn’t have to overhaul anything. The furniture stayed the same, our rug, lamps, and curtains all stayed right where they were. We even brought in three new pieces of art from another room in the house. No expensive upgrades or major projects, just a fresh coat of paint and a little rearranging of art.

As a refresher, here is what the living room looked like when it was painted white:

And at night:

It wasn’t bad before, and we actually loved it for a few years. But as time went on, we both started craving more color and a sense of coziness that only a moody color could bring.

The difference is subtle but undeniable. Smoke Bush gives the room depth and warmth, making it feel cozier and more inviting. It’s the kind of color that makes you want to curl up on the sofa with a blanket, sip a cup of coffee, or just linger a little longer. The white walls always felt bright and clean, but now the room has character and a sense of calm that we didn’t know it was missing.

It’s also proof that sometimes, you don’t need to spend a lot or do a lot to create a big change. A single thoughtful update, like a paint color, can transform a space entirely.

If you’re looking for a quick, affordable way to make your home feel cozier, I’d definitely recommend experimenting with a moody wall color. For us, Smoke Bush was the perfect choice, and the impact has lasted long after the paint dried.