Mindy Kaling's surprising wall paint color creates 'warmth and cohesion' in her living room

As Mindy Lahiri in The Mindy Project, actor, writer, and director Mindy Kaling is known as a performer who can put on a cheery disposition. It makes sense, then, that the multi-hyphenate opts for sunny and bright hues in her home, bringing a sense of joy and vibrance to her walls.

Case in point: the star recently shared a photo of her living room on her Instagram page, and we couldn't help but admire the impossible-to-miss way she decorates with orange, painting her walls in the vibrant shade. While the color may not be the most frequently used interior paint color, the rich sunset hue pairs perfectly with a blue, patterned rug, antique wall sconce, and wood chest of drawers. All contribute to a bohemian feel in the space.

We firmly believe that bright paint ideas can be just as versatile as their neutral counterparts, and orange is no exception. With its range of shades and reminiscence of the natural world, it is an incredibly adaptable color in the home – and experts agree.

'With a multitude of colors that go with orange, the hue holds connotations of warmth and symbolizes good health – just what you want to turn a house into a home,' says Lisa Cooper, head of product at Thomas Sanderson. 'Orange is often associated with fire and nature, so you can create warmth and cohesion in your home by tapping into earthy tones as complementary colors, like soft browns, grayish blues, and forest greens.'

We can see that Kaling has opted for some of these flattering shades, with her blue rug and brown cabinets contributing to the overall warmth of the room.

For those who want to infuse a space with orange, but don't want to commit to painting an entire wall, there are alternative options that will provide just as much of a pop, with lower stakes.

'Choosing orange window dressings is a great way to inject that punch of colour into a space, without painting all of the walls,' Sanderson explains. 'Match orange accessories, like cushions, towels or even fresh flowers with an orange window dressing for a playful look.'

Additionally, consider an adjacent color with ancient roots, which is more subdued than a traditional orange but equally as striking.

'If a vibrant orange isn’t to your taste, why not add some terracotta instead,' Sanderson suggests. 'Terracotta pairs perfectly with blush pink and plenty of patterns. Give neutral walls a wash of warm terracotta and add some green plants to purify your dreamy bedroom.'

Shop the Orange Edit

Overall, we recommend incorporating orange into spaces that could benefit from some color, whether through an accent, furnishing, or even wall paint. We recommend opting for a rich, desert-inspired shade to achieve a bohemian appearance like Kaling's; however, bright shades work great in spaces with a retro look.

If you need inspiration, look no further than Mindy Kaling's living room.