Besides the oak what other colors are your furniture? Do you have a rug?

As you can see the darker blue above the stairs, you will have to take that into consideration for your wall color choice. It is a large space and many angular walls etc. I always suggest to choose you wall color last..after you have all furnishings..especially rugs. I would also suggest you shop for an inexpensive larger rug for your seating area..lighter multi colors, lots of pattern as it will not show soil easily..an inexpensive olefin rug, easy to clean. From that, choose colors for the walls..I would choose several colors have them just end at a corner or any break in the walls. Use the various colors to define different areas of usage.

How about lime green? (Not neon green.) Works well with grey and black. Add pillows with that shade for the sofas. Select several shades that may work. Paint samples in 18 inch squares on the wall. The light changes during the day. Live with these for a day or so. Choose your favorite!

I suggest going with one of the gray/brown tones in the tile. Keeping the walls and floor unified with a neutral color will coordinate with most all furnishings and will highlight your chalkboard wall. You can bring in color with art and accessories.

Here are some ideas

Shaker Beige, Ben Moore

What about a grey? We were thinking of going with a Benjamin Moore Sea Haze.... Its a gray with a hint of green. Then we like the shag zebra rug or a neon shag rug... Pink or purple?

Keitha what color is that first picture? Like a lot! Also like the beige...

I understood u were trying to avoid more grey..but I think grey would work also.

Sorry not really sure what the color is but I like it too!

Any more paint suggestions anyone? Hae to buy the paint tomorrow and we at still lost....we bought a nlack and white zebra rug to go n the basement.

How about something different Vienna green or lime green and one whole wall in chalkboard paint the black and green would compliment each other .c2 paint has a color called kazoo its a greenish yellow color .

We were thinking like a greyish olive color maybe...

Tan would be a very nice color for the walls and won't look dirty.

I am in the same position but have more time to decide. I have been looking at Sherwin Williams samples and leaning towards a green too. Check out the color cargo pants or sedate gray. They both have some olive green & gray coloring. Good luck. Like to hear what you decide to go with & pictures too!

BM revere pewter would work very well. A great neutral that changes colour in different lighting so you don't tire of it

ReMax: is that a gray or brown? Thanks.

It's a soft gray with a slight green undertone. Used it in our last basement and loved it. On upper levels with lots of sunlight, you don't see the slight green tinge. It's a very popular neutral

I love Ben Moore HC-172. It is very neutral gray that is not too cool. Not too dark for an enclosed basement. It reflects light well and is good with warmer tones as well as cooler tones. Great for a space that is connected to other rooms i.e. a foyer.

BM Revere Pewter or Edgecomb Gray

With that floor, and the light challenges of a basement, you just need a light warm neutral that is proven. Something with yellow undertones - here's what will be perfect with oak and that floor -
SW6113 Interactive Cream from Sherwin-Williams
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6113-interactive-cream/
it will look great with the oak - if you need a lighter color for the ceiling beam, try the one shade up biscuit
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6112-biscuit/

You can shuffle off / bring blue and gray down here to play with it, but it will add instant warmth. The perfect warm neutral.

Use the triangle under the stair back to the closet doors under the soffit for your blackboard paint area.

Don't discount your opinion...... you can do many kid friendly options with a color on the walls like you have explored.........(and it makes for easy changes down the road when they outgrow them as well.)

Here is an update.....we looked at the revere pewter but not sure. We painted a sample of the sea haze (darker color) and sea haze w/ only 50% mix.....any comments??? Painters are here tomorrow morning...ah!

sea haze on right of pic?

Yes

The color on the left. The gray is too similar to the floor. I think a little contrast would be nice. U could always do gray accessories.

Not sure I like the tone of the one on the left...hard to tell without seeing it next to more of the room.

Which one do u like?

Going for one on left I think....put on a second coat and it darkened...

Another photo

Just put in the oak cabinets.....

Are you sure you want something that dark for the basement? Do you have a lot of lighting? The one on the left is better than the one on the right. I'm the latecomer who suggested interactive cream - it is a buff with yellow undertones.

We have 16 - 6" 65w high hats in the basement so it is pretty bright for a basement. I thought yellow but couldn't find one that we liked....most colors in the rest of the house are greys, blues or greens. I would like to bring in some bright colored art and pillows, etc. we didn't really like the tans or creams. 7 hours until the painters are here.

Finding a good yellow is tough, and this one is special. Sorry for being a latecomer. Good luck!

I love love creamy yellows too, but was unable to find one I liked on my

Loft and hall walls that looked good in every lt.. So we went with gray:) love yellow but definitely tough to find the perfect one.

Cream white and Sherwood Tan alternation.

Would like to see a finished photo!

Just finished painting.....we went with BM Sea Haze at 50% color...the blackboard paint separates the kids area from the tv area.

Nice choice! I never thought to have paint mixed at 50%. Enjoy your new space.

A little more progress....slowly getting there! We are thinking about pouring a concrete countertop on the oak cabinets. Has anyone ever done this themselves? It doesn't look too hard.