Different paint colored accent walls aren’t really a thing anymore....I can definitely see a great metallic patterned or even just heavily textured wallpaper on the FP wall though. From what I can see, you’ll need new window treatments, area rug, end tables, coffee tables, lamps etc. whew! That made me tired just typing it. What else do you like besides gray and modern?

Something like this for wallpaper

Wow, I like that first picture of the metallic! Would that cover the entire wall, including around fireplace? Would it be appear to be too “busy”? Thank you so much!

This is sort of my “inspiration” for the living room. But I’m trying to envision and make this work with my hardwood floors and couch/loveseat instead of a sectional.

Hi Brian,
a few comments and questions: will there be a tv in the room, if so where will you place it? that could determine if and where you should create a geometric or metallic pattern in the room (a 1 and 4 year old year old might also effect that decision). budget might determine whether you change color of floors, but the light oak that you have, does work well if you have gray walls and accents. Since you are a bit of a minimalist, put a touch of color in an area rug, and pillows. White trim and minimal color, such as gray and white geometric in a pair of simple window drapery, will complete your modern and minimalist look. Sherwin William's functional grey is tried and true color with oak wood. Hope that helps!

Thank you so much for the feedback, it’s very much appreciated! I already have a 55” TV mounted directly above the fireplace to keep it out of the way and seemed to take up the least amount of space. To the left of the fireplace is about 12” of wall then the entrance into the dining room, and kitchen to the left behind garage.

A problem that we see here often is that people try to finish a room with different tones of neutrals never realizing that neutrals can clash.

You can mix different neutral tones like warm oak floors and cool gray walls but you have to give the eye something that will help them flow together. It could be a rug with a pattern that mixes the two colors or carefully placed accessories and pillows.

So, that being said, it will make your life easier if you decide to base your decor on one tone or the other. Your floors are already warm and making them gray will be difficult.

Accessible beige by SW is a nice clean greige that works well with oak floors. You could go slightly darker with your floors. If the floors are too dark they show dirt easily.

Please, please no more gray! It will be a very dreary room.

...and you could probably find a metallic wall sculpture hanging thing that would include the gray metallic tones of your primary color scheme along with picking up the wood floor color, once you have settled the finish for that. A nice way to link in the wood color! Or -- if you find something you really like, and the warm color doesn't quite pick up the oak floor tones as you'd like, an artistically oriented friend could probably correct the color with a $2 bottle of acrylic paint from the craft store!

I expect there will be pops of color -- throw cushions, throw blankets, or other accessories -- Brian never said what he likes in terms of color. Our favorite colors have a way of infiltrating the neutral rooms we live in!

So many great ideas, thank you everyone! I’ve already been able to narrow down some things with the feedback thus far.

I’m really liking the Functional Gray by SW or perhaps a darker cool shade(?) on the walls w/ white trim. Deep textured area rug. Metallic style hanging decor on walls to increase texture. Will probably avoid metallic wallpaper to play it safe and keep the minimalist feel. Geometric patterned pillows. Still not sure whether to go darker or lighter on floor with Functional Gray on walls? And what color and style (solid vs textured) draperies for large window?

I like the appeal of indoor shrubs/plants/trees, so maybe a palm tree in the corner? Or is that too basic LOL