Software
Houzz Logo Print
shauna_gallenberg

Accent color help!

Hello! I need help deciding on which accent color and overall “theme” would look best with our living room. The walls will be painted BM “Simply White” and the honey oak trim will be staying . With that, I cannot decide if I should throw in pops of blues and go with a more rustic nautical feel, or if I should do more of a greenery scheme , such as silver dollar eucalyptus or olive branches in a vase on coffee table etc. I don’t want to date the honey oak more then what it already is so I went with the industrial, farmhouse route .

Comments (14)

  • 7 years ago

    Here is the perfect color

    CreateGirl: Color Time - In Your Eyes Benjamin Moore · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    I shouldn’t say “theme”... I more so mean which accent color to incorporate aside the black ,white ,grey and orange (wood tones)... if I should do some greenery stems or add some blue accent pillows etc

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Yes Add greenery to the room. Plants will add dimension, life and color. Their leaves add a visual texture.

    Add an accent color if you are craving color, While Blue will compliment the warm wood tones, a solid dark blue will get lost on the dark couch.

    i agree, find another home for the big clock. Wall art! Find wall art you love and pull colors from it..... Or choose neutral wall art and use pillows with textures . Example- If you DIY - use an ivory sweater and turn it into a pillow or "sweater sleeve" for a glass vase full of flowers or greens?

    Find it hard to commit to a specific look or color? Keep it neutral and use color accents or frame prints of art work and swap when you want. Buy large framed clearance wall art from Kirklands or other. Remove their "art" and reframe with colorful ikat prints (for example- by Chariklia Zarris, who has neutrals, as well..) You'll need pliers to remove wood staples and a staple gun for reframing with your pics.

    https://www.framedart.com/ShowSearch.aspx?s=Zarris%20Ikat%20&filter=000000,g7759

    https://www.framedart.com/zarris/blueberry-blossoms-i-print-696258.htm

    Or look for related images that speak to you. Maybe you have an old family photo that would look great enlarged- e.g. your sweet gma riding a lawn tractor. Print to a poster size. Example:


    Wall art ideas · More Info



    Wall art ideas · More Info



    Wall art ideas · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    I like the pot of branches you show. Personally, I would use some warmer colors. Both blue and green are cool colors.


    Courtyard Residence Living Room · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    Not a pro. You don't have to chose just one accent color. You can have both a lighter blue and green. For example, here is a pillow from Target that has blue, green and brown in it. And it has a nice crisp white background to go with your curtains.


    https://www.target.com/p/cool-floral-throw-pillow-blue-green-threshold-153/-/A-17163378


    I tend to find one piece I really like and decorate around it. I picked the accent colors for my family room around a printed embroidered throw pillow that I loved. I then bought some solid pillows that were the same colors. Many people find a great piece of art and go with that.


    I agree that the wall color you already have is nice. I don't think I would change it to anything lighter.

  • 7 years ago

    I like your idea of white walls. But I wouldn't be adding "pops of colour". If you were to paint out the honey oak trim, then you could add more colour. But you're keeping honey oak as is and that is another colour element you have to consider. You've got enough going on with colour, white, navy, black, brown. Your drapery panels are too skimpy & should be double the fullness. They are also in dire need of hemming.

  • 7 years ago

    Really hate that drapes dragging on the floor fad and hope its over. Otherwise, you have a pleasant space.


    Would either raise the rod or hem the drapes so they panels are not quite touching the floor. Would also add white sheers between the panels.


    Like your rug but if there are no chairs on the end where the individual taking the pic was standing, you might consider turning it the other way, even putting the entire sofa(s) on the rug if that makes it more centered.


    If you use the afghan on chilly winter nights, you could move the rack displaying it to the corner left of the three windows so it would still be convenient; otherwise, consider storing it elsewhere. You could add a shallow drawer curio cabinet with glass doors there instead and what you put in the cabinet next to the glass (visible) could affect the mood of the room. You could change that effect by changing the content of the cabinet or just the arrangement of the content of it..


    Like the uncluttered look of your tables and choice of lamp. Great looking coffee table but, for me, it would be a knee knocker and I'd probably want to round the corners


    Rather than change the color of the wall, which I believe goes well with the attractive classic oak trim, have you considered painting the metal art your favorite dark or bright bold color? Red or Cobalt blue or emerald green or bright sunny yellow.

  • PRO
    7 years ago


    I see a deep charcoal color with the flooring, windows and rug. Pillows to add texture and floor lamp in corner. Move end table on other side of loveseat in front of window if measurements work.

  • 7 years ago

    I like the idea of warmer pops of color...but otherwise keeping it all fairly neutral ... thoughts on yellow throw blanket and throw pillow?

  • 7 years ago

    Throw pillow

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Like the throw as it has texture as well.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks for all the advice ! I moved giant clock to our dining room and am now on search for another , more proportionate piece . Also, will be hemming the curtains (haha) and sticking with a more neutral color pallet was the overwhelming wood tones already add enough color, thanks much !

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Can you buy more panels to make it fuller before you hem draperies?