Software
Houzz Logo Print
18florence

Wall color makes me hate couches? Or couches make me hate wall color?

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Hi, all - I definitely have a dilemma. After much time and money spent on professional painting/plaster repair, new couches, carpet, etc., I am finding that I sort of hate the finished look. I was happy enough with the new color on the walls (BM Greenmount silk), but then the new furniture arrived, and now I'm finding that the look of these different elements together has me hating them all (my husband is going to kill me, lol!) What happened? The couches are covered in sort of a slate gray-blue velvet. Is my eye playing tricks on me? Or is the wall color causing the couches to read more blue? And, are the couches, in turn, causing the walls to read as more of an acid green? Help! And what can be done? Could I tone down whatever is causing this by painting the walls in BM camouflage? The lighting in this pic isn't great for showing the problem, but my slate couches are looking like a yucky royal blue against the now acid green-yellow of the walls What to do?!!! TIA



Comments (17)

  • 6 years ago

    It must be the lighting because I don't see acid green on the walls, they look like a soft yellow. Maybe take a daytime pic.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks for responding, ctlane! I've edited my post to include a pic with daytime lighting - hope this helps!

  • 6 years ago

    I don't see the acid tone in either of the pictures. My suggestion would be to tie the two colors together through new art (maybe instead of the large piece, you could get something that includes the color of the walls, sofa, and chair). and replace your white pillows to some that tie the wall color to the sofas (maybe a stripe?). It's hard to tell if the curtains are causing any issues...for sure, I'd scootch the sofa over so you can't see the bottom of the short set of curtains, and move the other sofa out a bit from the windows.

  • 6 years ago

    Great suggestions, Sammie, thanks! I'm realizing that the greenish cast that I am seeing in the wall color isn't necessarily translating to the photos...hoping my eyes will adjust over the next few days - failing that, I'm thinking of trying to tone down the yellow with an actual green. I am just not loving the look of these blue couches against yellow walls. Neither looks to me now as it did when it wasn't sharing space with the other!

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks, DLM2000-GW! Maybe I need to take a few more pictures to show what it is that I'm seeing? Yes, the walls are sort of a gold color that that I picked in hopes that it would tie in with the rug...

  • 6 years ago

    Walls and rug look great together on my screen, especially in the second pic.

  • 6 years ago

    Try different light bulbs.

  • 6 years ago

    I googled BM Greenmount silk, and while it looks yellowy-beige in some room photos, it definitely looks greenish in others, so I don't think you are imagining it. But I suspect the light more than the green is making the sofas look blue, so changing the wall paint might not improve that side of the equation. You could look for a wall color that is more pleasing to your eye than the blue. Moving to a more neutral beige (BM Manchester Tan, maybe) might be more pleasing to you. But since you probably don't want to immediately embark on repainting the room, definitely give it a bit of time to see if the combination grows on you.

    FWIW, I think the combination looks good in your photos, and would probably like it just as much if the photos were showing the "acid green" you are seeing. But then, my sofa is a greeinsh yellow and my walls are blue, so I may be biased.

  • 6 years ago

    Your room is gorgeous! I agree with the suggestion of trying different lightbulbs. And then give it some time.

    18florence thanked CLC
  • 6 years ago

    It may be that it's not what you imagined it would look like, but in the pics it's really, really lovely. I, too, would try changing light bulbs and also living with it for a while. As the seasons change and the outside light also changes, it could give the room a different look that pleases you more.

    18florence thanked Olychick
  • 6 years ago

    ok, definitely appreciating the suggestions to change the lighting - certainly easier and less disruptive than tearing things up to repaint! I will try different bulbs and see if I get used to the look of things over time...

  • 6 years ago

    I think your dog blends in very nicely with the room.

    18florence thanked oaktonmom
  • 6 years ago

    Try bulbs that are more daylight, and a lot less yellow. It will change the look of the room. Maybe will be such a difference that it will take you a couple of days to adjust to the new lighting.

  • 6 years ago

    I think the couches, rug, and wall color work well together. Something seems "off" with the window treatments and pillows, and the big picture over the sofa. On my monitor they look taupe.


  • 6 years ago

    The color of my rooms change with the seasons , it’s all about the quality of light, not the temperature outside since I live in a very mild climate. Perhaps it’s just that & your perception of the colors will change as we move toward Spring. I think it all looks good.

  • 6 years ago

    So interesting to think about the implications of lighting - I will definitely have to play around with different bulbs! Gracie01, the art is actually a 4 piece panel (antique, Chinese, gold w multicolor cherry blossoms, birds, etc) I agree that's not showing as such on the monitor. Pillows are gold in same fabric as chair on opposite wall. Second set of pillows has a creamy background with green-ish geometric pattern - again, absolutely agree it's not appearing that way at all through these pics. I'm realizing that part of my issue is that I never really wanted yellow walls to begin with, and sort of let the painter (whom I actually think is great) influence the decision to do this Greenmount Silk. I'd actually prefer something like a BM Gray Mirage at 50% or so...as it is, the blue against the yellow still looks garish to me. I don't want to change the window treatments, unfortunately, as they were custom made for this space, and price-y. I really appreciate all of the helpful suggestions!