We also need to decorate / wall art, but we wanted to nail down a color. any suggestions on accent colors for a baby boy's room? We were thinking maybe stained brown wall art for contrast. not sure which accent colors to use- maybe browns? we aren't very good at this!

My wife also doesn't want to go any darker- lighter if anything.

I thought about possibly doing the wall color in the trim color to brighten it up.

I can't recommend a wall color, but with what you have, I think a little cheery yellow would be nice. Rather than the blinds, you could think about Roman shades. They, along with an area rug will add some softness.

A few ideas for you featuring gray and yellow (and a bit of blue):

I actually really like the wall color, it’s monotone and really looks put together. I agree yellow would be a nice accent color, maybe white as well, and I love the idea of a Roman shade.

Benjamin Moore Gray owl is a very popular color, but does tend to read blue in some light. If you want more of a warm gray instead of the cool gray of Gray owl, try BM classic gray. It is more of a griege (beige/gray combo), and much warmer than what you currently have.

A cream would have looked warmer and coordinated better with the floors, but since you have all gray furniture now, I would leave the walls as they are. If you go lighter on the walls, you lose the contrast to your trim. If you go darker on the walls, they will be the same color as the furniture. What you need is bright, high contrast artwork. White frames and colorful images. Babies like high contrasts. You can accent with blue, green, or yellow. Then repaint in two or three years when the space becomes a boys bedroom rather than a nursery, and you want to add more personality to the room.

I agree with Calidesign. Gray to me is very depressing.

I agree that you dont need to change the wall color. you have a very neutral base, but now you just need to add accents. no more greybis necessary in anything you bring in from now. I would consider something unique on the ceiling, it could be another paint color, possibly a blue or yellow. I would also find a fun ceiling light fixturer. You could also consider a fun mural or wallpaper on one wall. a few ideas below.

Modern Nursery · More Info

Holland Project · More Info

Pattern Play Nursery · More Info

Congratulations on the baby! If it’s a boy, why not a soft blue/green?

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We have this colour throughout our home and depending on what other accent colours are in the space it feels differently. I love it when there are blues, burnt orange/yellows, and greens. I think if you add some art to the room and drapes it will dramatically change it.

Thank you for all the suggestions and advice! Those are some great ideas. A few things the mommy to be is looking for. She wants to incorporate navy blue, white and stained wood. Simple décor. Shelves for books, some mountain themed décor above the crib, and on the other walls- maybe a few pictures. She doesn't want a whole lot of other color, at least for now-

We have a lot of coastal blues and greens on the walls in 5 rooms in the house already so she doesn't want to go that route.

We thought about doing chair rail (probably without wainscoting) and either painting the lower half the trim color to make the furniture pop and the top darker- but not sure how that will look. We have none of that elsewhere in the house and its a new home so it might look out of place.

It's not out of the question yet.

Most of the suggestions, like the vinyl prints, colors etc, will probably be incorporated in the play room.

We have until the summer before the baby comes so we have time to pick a color.

I have tried a bunch more colors in the gray family for samples without much luck.

I repainted one wall the Classic Grey, as I had another suggestion for that.

It's still kind of light- as mentioned, not a lot of contrast with the trim when going light.

Even winds breath looked like a cream against everything.

I am debating whether or not to paint the whole room white and start from scratch haha.

I even swapped out the light bulbs for different color whites to see if that would help.

I can attach some pictures of that one wall painted Classic grey- the other walls are still the gray owl. its very hard to see in the picture- but it is still light.

We have coastal fog throughout the main part of the house and that looks good with the trim and the furniture. Perhaps a lighter version of that.

A few other people have suggested changing the trim.

The trim was all sprayed with advance and has a smooth candy finish- no way I could make it look that nice if I re-did it with a new trim color in that room. That's a last resort if we cant find a color but I am determined we can come up with something, even if I have to paint it 10 times.

I think it would look awful If that trim had a different trim color there than the rest of the house.

It sounds like you want to paint the walls again. Is there a reason you want to go with another gray color for the baby's room? If you are looking for another gray, just stay with what you have and accessorize with the colors your wife mentioned: navy and white with wood accents. That should brighten it up.

If you want to paint the walls again because you want to get away from the monotone look, go for the creamy whites. That way you have a great base on which to accessorize.

You don't need to repaint the walls. The navy and white accents will add everything you need for a couple of years. Save your time, energy and money for other things. Wait on the bookshelves so you can get a sturdy low one, accessible to your child as they grow.. For now, just keep the books on top of the small dresser.