Add mirror ,glass ,lighting and lots of texture

HI --- Looks like it 's starting to be a beautiful room . You are judging the unfinished room . Once you get the furniture in and your lamps etc. it will be fine . It's a lovely grey and I don't think it looks too dark . I think it looks rich .

You could paint the long wall a lighter grey if you are really finding it too dark. You can also have the living room one shade lighter, as the whole floor doesn't have to be the same color, or wallpaper the long wall. Easy fixes are a large mirror, good lighting, light color area rug and accent pillows. I would wait until room is complete with furniture before making any decisions on drapery or different wall color and I would buy funiture you love vs how it may lighten the room, but mirrored furniture and glass give a lighter feel in a room.
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This room is taken at night without furnishings and curtains. I think you may fe jumping the gun. This can be a great neutral colour. I suggest you ensure you have warm and lots of lighting....

ASVInteriors, you are right....the picture was taken at night. However, does anyone have a suggestion for what color pallet I should aim for when selecting the furniture and drapes? The mirror and lights are great suggestions!

HI -- Find a sofa that is as close to the wall color as possible , then two lounge /accent chairs with exposed legs with either dark or light wood or painted white with a lighter and or printed or textured fabric. A glass and metal coffee table - two end tables in light or dark wood and possibly white marble tops . Add in some bright metals such as the new gold's or chrome for table bases or pedestal bases or for lamp bases . Have lots of light greys with some vibrant accent color . Light or white drapes and a bit of glitter/metallics in some items such as mirror's to keep the light moving and the room will never appear dark or lifeless .

You can go for beige or pale greige for a muted palette. Or a cream palette. For contrast you might want a mustard yellow or strong orange depending on how you want to pump up the room. Work with texture as well, velvet satin, silk, laquer. Shag rugs or Mongolian sheep wool cushions

What will be on your floor? That will also have an effect on the amount of light in your room. That reddish floor covering sucks up light.
The wall colour is beautiful. But if you really don't like it, now is the time to paint it another colour.

Beige and white or a very light grey couch. Beige drapery and rugs work well with grey. Glass and mirrored pieces, light distressed wood or module light and airy pieces. houzz=]; houzz=]; [houzz=]; [houzz=]

Thanks, everyone. This is all very helpful. I thought I'd have to get white furniture and who wants to keep that clean?! The hardwood floors are very dark brown. I've uploaded a picture from the manufacturer's website. I like the light grey couch and a pop of color idea....also the light colored rug might be just what I need to bring some life to the room. Again, thanks everyone. I really appreciate it. Please do let me know if you have other ideas that I should consider.

Hi free, here's my pick. Hope ya like it! : ) Good luck!

Sorry, just saw you don't want light furniture. The hunt continues. : )

Zazfuzzroc, I actually love that room. I'm Okay with light furniture....I just don't want all white! Thanks for sharing!

Free, no problem, it takes my mind off my post. :D I'll still look for more, options are good.

lots of silver bling and cut glass.

Don't know if this is any help, but I like the furniture. : ) Oh and if you want great advice NATALIE is the one to go to.

Thanks, Natalie. I don't plan to do an accent wall. It will be all or nothing. If I keep with this shade, what color drapes and kind of tables do you recommend? I was thinking a light grey couch, but I wouldn't know what to do with the chairs because I don't want it to be too matchy matchy. Thanks for the help.

Add one wall in a lighter color to off set the wall. The color that you pick the area rug should match

Chairs can be any color you want. Just put the lighter gray on the chairs in the form of a throw or accent pillows. Play with texture. Don't forget you will most likely have lamps on end tables, which will brighten the space as well. Mirrors will make the space seem larger, as well as reflect any light, making it brighter as well. Colors that pair well with gray: burnt orange, yellow, and blues. It is a neutral though, so just about any accent color will do. Good Luck!

Something like this. Here orange was used, but any accent color can be incorporated. ART-BIG ART plays an important role in this space. Notice how the furniture just fades into the wall color? That's the idea... CheerS!
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It will be beautiful! Love the floor you chose. It will reflect light. Will make a huge difference to what you see now.

I've seen a grey room with a light lavender shade accent wall and darker violet lamps to complement the wall. Also shades of blue and green pillows on the sofa?

Here's how the room turned out....I'll incorporate many of your suggestions and post another photo of the final room (or perhaps asking for more help, lol)

♥♥♥ it freechels!!! Keep us updated---Have Fun! :)

HI -- It is absolutely beautiful .... I'm envious !!

Gorgeous!! Did you happen to mention what color/brand of gray paint that was used??? I love it.

Thanks, everyone! I'm glad I listened to you all to wait to see it finished before having it repainted a lighter shade. Beth, I'm not sure--I will ask my contractor and report back.

If possible I would love to see it...but so far it looks pretty nice....Ivory would be great for the window treatments....Call us and we can come out or we can work with you long distance...

OMG @freechels your home So beautiful. It looks absolutely perfect. :)

Here are my picks for curtain ideas.

Chairs, pillows and sofa ideas. bright and fun or elegant and sophisticated.

Check our our loose lay vinyl

ChoicezPlusflooring,,,really?? she already posted her flooring. why oh why are you pimping your vinyl in a grody bathroom setting?? At least get a pic of a room thats done (i.e., clean walls and baseboards)

same predicament with my wall colour

Did anybody happen to have the paint color?

Vanessa, paint colors for what? this post is 9 yrs old.

start a new post w/the photo of the color you want to know. no one is going to see your comment unless they've commented here