skip to main content

Paint Home Decorating Design Dilemma

Should I do white walls with dark grey accent walls?

11 months ago

I’m trying to decide on the paint for my modern NY apartment. I just installed the floors which are a light grey, with little to no beige. My lights are 3000k recessed LED lights. My kitchen is going to be white cabinets with black base and white countertops. I really want to do a couple dark accent walls for TV and artwork. I’m not sure if painting the rest of the walls white is amateur (?). I would do a white with a hint of grey just to separate it from the white baseboards and crown molding.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

ryburns26
11 months ago
SW Mindful Gray in flat on all walls and SW Extra White in semi-gloss for all your trim. No need to close in the space with a dark accent wall.
graywings123
11 months ago
Posters here don't like accent walls.

Personally, I like a dark/darkish wall behind a TV.
Related Discussions
I have pediment gray on my walls would like to know what colors would look good on accent wall
Q
Comments (4)
So many colors could go with gray! First, what are you using the room for and what accessories will you be using. Bright neon green is an option, burnt orange, turquoise or blue, light beige. It might be easiest to decide on your furnishings 1st. If you choose really large photography or artwork, you might just use it for your color or some other artwork. You could even get wooden stretcher frames x 3 and stretch colorful fabric around them - staple and walla - you have your colors.They could be framed in white or not at all. If you would like to look at photography go to Etsy.com and use their search engine. I have a photography shop there. It is nancyhehmann. There are also people who sell wall decals that are very decorative and fun! So many options.
...See More
What color of wall should i go? I have two dark gray chairs and a ligh
Q
Comments (2)
It’s counter-intuitive, I know, since painting the room is often the first aspect of the overall design to be completed. But, selecting the color of the paint is the last step to pulling together a design scheme. You’ve all visited a paint store so you know just how many color choices are available. If you’ve decided that you want to use your favorite color, let say green, in your room, you’ll have hundreds, if not thousands of hues of green from which to select. But when you are selecting the fabrics for the furnishing and window treatments you’ll only have a handful of options that coordinate and that meet your needs for pattern, ware-ability, texture and finish. So, select fabrics for some pillows, rug or window treatments first, and then select the perfect color paint to enhance the overall room design.
...See More
Gray walls, dark wood floor what color should be our couches?
Q
Comments (12)
Hi Anne, Looks like you are off to a good start! you might want to consider more contrast like this sofa: http://www.zgallerie.com/p-12491-vapor-sectional-2-piece.aspx I would also change the direction of the rug so that the side line of the rug actually follows the line of the fireplace, thus making it off centered to the sofa. It is okay and will make it more visually interesting. Then I would add two chairs like these, they will pull in the color from the painting and a little modern twist. http://www.jonathanadler.com/goldfinger-chair/21086.html#start=8 These might be a couple of good throw pillows for the grey sofa found here on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/products/leilani-ikat-blue-denim-pillow-20x20-prvw-vr~41609469 Good luck you have such a great start! and BTW i do not sell here on Houzz or work for the vendor that I suggested. xo - Michele
...See More
Should I go all white or keep accent wall dark?
Q
Comments (10)
there is also no clear stopping points on the side edges, unless you repaint the charcoal to the left wall. if you don't include the doorways to the corners, all you are doing is highlighting that the fireplace isnt centered on the wall. i do think the charcoal is handsome, i hope you have some of the paint left to repaint the left corner. and the white heating vent.
...See More
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
11 months ago
I would need to see more of the space and the furniture and IMO you need 4000K bulbs if you are planning on white walls anywhere.
houssaon
11 months ago
I think a dark wall for art and the TV would look good.

The first photo is Kendall Charcoal, which I really like.

Use a matte finish on the walls for durability and washability. Satin on any trim. Flat on the ceiling. Expect to do three coats to get a dark color.
office with a view · More Info

Villa Nirvana · More Info

Contemporary Family Room · More Info
Gcubed
11 months ago
How much light do you get (windows are facing east? west? north? south?)? Is that large/long wall going to be the TV wall? I think with proper natural light and lighting, a dark wall can work, but otherwise I would stick with a subtle color difference between wall/trim in a NYC apartment.

Related Stories

Just One Wall: When the Accent Wall Works

DECORATING GUIDES The Case for the Anti-Accent Wall

By Annie Thornton

Go ahead, paint everything the same color (even the trim)

REMODELING GUIDES 11 Reasons to Love Wall-to-Wall Carpeting Again

By Judith Taylor Designs

Is it time to kick the hard stuff? Your feet, wallet and downstairs neighbors may be nodding

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Geometric Tile Wall in a White Kitchen

By Cathy Rebecca

Skylights, bifold doors, white walls and dark cabinets star in this light-filled kitchen addition

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS A Wall Comes Down in This Wood-and-White Kitchen

By Camille LeFevre

A dark, dated kitchen in Cleveland is transformed into a farmhouse kitchen that flows into the adjacent family room

WHITE KITCHENS New This Week: 3 Kitchens Rock a Gray-and-White Palette

By Mitchell Parker

White cabinets with gray walls or accents provide a soothing foundation with a lot of potential for elegance

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Walls: Dry-Stacked Stone Walls Keep Their Place in the Garden

By Olander Garden Design

See an ancient building technique that’s held stone walls together without mortar for centuries

COLOR 9 Dark Wall Colors to Suit Your Mood

By Becky Harris

Tired of light and airy? Try dark and moody for a change; you may be surprised by the moods these colors inspire

COLOR Why Accent Walls Are Here to Stay

By Jennifer Ott Design

Trendy or not, feature walls are a design element that endures

REMODELING GUIDES Design Dilemma: How Do I Modernize My Cedar Walls?

8 Ways to Give Wood Walls a More Contemporary Look

Sponsored

Lauten Construction

12 Reviews

Loudoun County Custom Design-Build Firm | Best of Houzz 2015-2017

More Discussions

Do I need to seal exterior paint that will be used outside?

14

Help!! Confused about white paint choices.

60

Need paint ideas

2

wall color dark teal rug..help..paint sale ends today

6

Cabinet color that compliments Ocean Beige quartzite

2