The Best Lilac and Purple Paint Shades for Modern Interiors

By Emily Harnasz

When you think of lilac, does your mind go straight to something bold and dramatic like the gilded state rooms of historical royalty, or maybe something sweet and nostalgic, like memories of your childhood bedroom plastered in Groovy Chick merch? The truth is, lilac (or purple, if you prefer) is far more versatile than it's given credit for. 

Purple’s had a bit of a tough time in recent years, often typecast in kids’ bedrooms, Y2K-style beauty salons, or overly themed medieval spaces. But we’re here to change the narrative. Today’s lilacs and purples are cooler, softer and refreshingly versatile, perfect for everything from minimalist living rooms to serene bedrooms and modern, design-led kitchens.


The colour lilac can bring a plethora of feelings to any personality and any space too, and our design-led lilac paint colour palette is here to guarantee that no wall will be left unhappy.

What Is Lilac? Understanding the Modern Purple Palette.

Let’s start with the basics: what is the colour lilac? At its core, purple is made by mixing red and blue, but the exact shade you get depends on the balance between the two. More red gives you a warmer, magenta-leaning purple and more blue creates a cooler, violet tone. Then, you can add white, black or grey to tweak the lightness, depth, or softness — that’s how you get everything from pale lilac to deep plum or dusty mauve. And here at YesColours, we think we’ve covered all bases.

 

Soft and Muted Lilacs for a Calmer Colour Scheme.

Our Graceful Lilac, Dirty Lilac and Nostalgic Lilac paint colours are our more muted purples, perfect for colour drenching on all surfaces and creating a soft and sophisticated colour scheme without feeling saccharine. These are for the neutral lovers, the laid back folk who love the peaceful side of life. 

 

Our Graceful Lilac paint colour is a delicate pale muted lilac hue with slightly cooler tones — the perfect lilac choice for kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms and hallways.

Playful Lilac Paint Colours for Joyful Interiors.

But, if sweet is exactly what you're after, look no further than our whimsical Fresh Lilac, Joyful Lilac and Friendly Lilac paint colours. These purple offerings bring a playful energy to modern interiors that feels like a completely unexpected spin on colour pops. These lilac paint colours are the ones for playrooms, kids bedrooms, lively offices or even bold kitchen cabinets. They adore a dynamic, complementary colour pairing with colours such as yellows, greens and peaches to create a full-force dopamine hit you just cannot get enough of. It’s Groovy Chick 2.0.

 

The YesColours Joyful Lilac paint colour is a bright and energetic blend of blue and magenta, tinted with a little bit of white for a softer, yet still joyful colour vibe.


Deep Lilac Shades for Cosy, Grown-Up Spaces.

If you’re more into the deep and moody side of purple, our more pigmented lilac paint shades like Passionate Lilac and Secluded Lilac are the ones for you. Think grown up living rooms, cosy bedrooms, or even inviting and cocooning dining rooms. Wherever they go, these hues bring a sense of grounding and luxury that only a rich purple can bring.

 

Perhaps the darkest, richest lilac paint colour in our palette, Secluded Lilac is a muted dusky lilac hue with red undertones — the perfect colour choice for a cocooning bedroom design.


Why Purple Paint Works Beautifully in Modern Homes.

As you can see, the power of purple is undeniable. Long associated with creativity, royalty and spirituality, it’s the perfect choice for spaces that feel both grounded and imaginative. So why not lean into its magic? Explore our dreamy collection of lilac paint colours and let your next home project be a little more playful, a little more you. You know you want to.

And, in case you still need some help with choosing the paint colours for your space, feel free to book a colour consultation with us and we’ll sort your colour puzzle in no time. Free option is available too!

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