In a samll space I would paint even the chair rail all one color for the walls .

I agree with Patricia paint the whole room in the same cream/white color- trim and wainscoting in a semi gloss and eggshell in the same color on the walls. Add some detail to the wainscoting and that will make it look a lot better. Pictures From Woodsandivory.com

I'd paint the chair rail and the lower section the same Navajo White. Then find a really light beige for the upper portion. BM's French Canvas is a nice option.

Benjamin Moore’s silver satin is a nice light grey color that gives just a hint of contrast while keeping the room bright and airy. That would be my recommendation.

I'm not a fan of a chair rail and I agree it's not good to have the top half dark with the bottom light. I would pretend there is no chair rail and paint the whole room in one colour - you say you like the colour on the top. You should be able to match it. I don't recommend using a semi-gloss paint as it emphasizes imperfections (that's for trim only) - I like my paint to be fairly matte - I use eggshell or satin so at least it can be cleaned if need be. It's hard to tell from the photo if the door is the same colour as the moulding around the ceiling. It should be. While not ideal that your moulding is off white, at least make it look intentional by having the door and window trim in the same colour. You'll need to compensate for the lack of natural light with various sources of lighting at different heights. Good luck with your project!

Paint all one color and hang some original art purchased from your favorite local artist.

I love chair rails! check out this site. She's awesome in selecting colors. https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/

I read that you cannot paint the chair rails. We painted the same color above and below ours a lighter shade of what you have - Sand Motif Behr PPU4-13. I took a photo of an alcove that I think would give you an idea of what it would look like in your space, but we have this throughout our open plan home. Was inspired by the sea shells. Our chair rail is bright white, but I think it would work with the Navajo, which is similar to the natural white of the curtains we have over the panes by the door.

Paint the ceiling the same or 75% of the wall color as well, it will bring the whole room together.

Yes, the same color top and bottom look really nice and definitely an option.

Maria, never thought of painting the ceiling the same. Like that idea.

A lighter brighter color that goes well with white cream and greys would be SW Sea Glass. It’s easy and relaxing to look at. I’d paint it above and below the chair rail.

In a small room with dim sunlight go for a bright bold color you love. This small room is where you can add your favorite hue and be unapologetic. What is your favorite color, color to wear or something you've dreamed about from favorite magazines? Here is your chance to make that dream come true. Current color trends a blush, bold blues you'll find in kitchen ideas and soft greens that will bring the outdoors in. My home office/library is olive for the soft warm green that adds a happy yellow undertone - no regrets!

I think this is perfect and one piece of art completely changes a problem to physical and emotional peace.

Correction to my previous comment. SW Sea Salt.

The nice thing with bathrooms and bedrooms is you can get a bit more funky with color as you don't spend that much awake time in either. Do you have any colors you really like?

I painted my whole home BM Chantilly Lace. It's a bright white without being too yellow or too blue. I've painted 2 homes with it, although last home I did "Fresh Cut Grass"? (BM) in the bath - kind of a lime green. Loved it! Especially as it had white tile partway up the wall. I fried color in the bedroom too but didn't love either color I chose and probably would have preferred the white.

I noticed when folks have beadboard on the bottom part of the wall I really like that to be white with another color above it, rather than white on top and color on bottom.

I think you will be fine going all white. Or doing white on the bottom and a pop of color on top. I've also seen folks go with an off-warm-white on the walls with a bright white trim, and I think that looks good too.

Do you really love the Navajo white? If not, change it now so it's all done at the same time and the chapter can be closed. I find it a bit too warm to be used on trim. I think warm colors can look dirty. So a cooler white might help you like whatever else you do in the room...

Our favorite color currently is Hinting Blue by Sherwin Williams. Brightens room. We painted the ceiling with a 75% version and it enlarges the space. Would go well with your trim. A nice calming and cheerful color.

Unless you add extra trim to the lower portion to create a wainscotting appearance, I’d paint everything including the chair rail, the same colour. Actually, I would do that even if trim was added to the bottom portion. I agree with a previous comment. Repaint your trims to a lighter white now. Navajo white is not a good trim colour, regardless of wall colour.

IMHO I would go with the colour you like best (light grey and there are so many choices) do a shade lighter for the ceiling as suggested before so that it is the brightest colour and then paint the whole room the one colour. Then as another commenter suggested use art and also material colours (pillows etc.) to act as accents and give the room a more modern look. Don’t forget to use similar tones in the bedspread and rugs to make them part of the room. Thanks for looking for advice; love looking at other’s projects. :)

I should add that it is common to have all the trim a different colour but if you wanted the same homogenous treatment I would suggest painting them (not the chair rail) the same shade as the ceiling but only in trim paint which is usually high gloss for better protection.

You have a magnificent, very restful view out your window!

Why not orient your desk so that you can look up from your work and see your beautiful view?

Look at what you see: This is not a bright-white beach view with striking color contrasts. No. Bright-white does not belong here.

Make the most of what you see and let it guide you.

Painting this room is a "piece of cake" --- easy, easy!

Keep your "Navajo White" --- a soothing, gentle color --- for everything painted this color, including the crown molding.

Paint the ceiling 1/2 strength "Navajo White."

Yep, this is a decorator trick that always works great! In this case, we're not using the wall color, but the trim color: Painting the ceiling a much lighter version of the woodwork will retain the soft, earthiness of this gentle color and unite the room.

For the walls --- look outside!

Bring the view into your room with gentle, background, "nature colors".

Would you prefer a greyed-brownish-blue (soft sky, with no tinge of beachy "aqua")?

Or a greyed-brownish-green (colors of the woods)?

Think about it and trust yourself.

Make this color complement your "Navajo White" in tone and strength.

Get the person who is mixing your colors to tell you what colors will be combined to make a color you're considering: You will know if there's a touch of brown in the mixture, etc.

I strongly suggest you buy a sample of each color you are considering --- or bring home a whole bunch of samples you can tape together --- then put a big swatch of color up on the wall.

You'll know what you like.

Please remember paint-color appears to darken on the wall, especially after the entire room is painted.

So, I suggest keeping the color light, with both underlying grey and brown tones, in a "Nature's hue" that you find welcoming and enjoyable.

Trust yourself! You have a beautiful room!

Simply play off this stunning view --- of an enveloping, welcoming forest of soft, gentle contrasts and perfect unity.

Wishing you joy, safety and comfort in your home.

I would like to see the walls painted all alike, but, I would also like to see the chair rails removed, so you have all seamless walls.

Unfortunately, removing the chair rail is not an option but understand why you would recommend.

I have a similar situation in my family room Try Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan or Bleeker Beige. I used both of those in different areas of my house with white woodwork. For gray - try Revere Pewter. I'm a Realtor and have suggested those to clients with great results, too.

I loved reading lesliefromla's advice. So true! Your view is gorgeous.

If it were my room I would probably paint the walls Navajo White, just in an eggshell finish on the walls (and possibly a lighter version in flat on the ceiling-- the current ceiling color clashes with the warmth of the Navajo trim), then let the view be the "art" that gets to shine.

Actually, I would use wallpaper. Not your grandmother's wallpaper, but a modern design on a white background. Pixers.us has thousands of options. Here is an example of what I used in my bathroom. But for your room, I would recommend a repeated design.

That is cool but not an option for this room. Will look into for other rooms though.

I agree with those who suggested painting the ceiling - it makes the trim look “dirty.” The idea of using half-strength Navajo White is perfect.
After that, some light grays or even pastels should do the trick - maybe a soft light green on the bottom and a lighter blue on top. That would bring the outdoors in!

Also, where did you buy your standing desk?

Wayfair and it is adjustable.

I agree with Leslie Fromlia but you should also consider fabrics that you intend to use in this room. Take that into consideration when choosing your wall colour

Just jumping in, but if you paint everything Navajo White in flat finish for walls, you can have the room done in a day and move on, the the color will be pretty perfect with the trim....Navajo white is a warm white I think, but looks great if you have black accents in the room, I think....You gotta commit, and then go from there....it is just paint after all.

There is nothing more stunning with a white chair rail (and white ceiling) than a super pale yellow - the paler the better. But yellow is very difficult to get just right - nothing bright, bold, or even on the beige side (too institutional). Your small room will grow!

Do what you are comfortable with. All these suggestions will just confuse you. Don't think it matters at all if it's light on top and dark on bottom, or vice versa. Just pick out colors that you love. You're the one that's living there!!!

It's your office; standing desk and w/multiple displays, it would seem you spend a decent amount of time there. Also good that it looks as tho you do not need a window covering: Good, don't put anything on the window to hide the view [or light].

If it were my space, I wouldn't give two hoots about painting a certain color because of the smallness of the room, nor necessarily care what the existing paint color is.

I would paint this room that I use, the color(s) I like. Period.

As others have suggested, do consider the ceiling as a paint-able surface, where color can be used. Screw always-white ceilings; I don't buy that premise. Boring, trite and predictable. Not saying white shouldn't be a choice, just that white shouldn't be an assumed choice.

Since it IS a small room, and it IS your (private) office [versus guest room or living room], why not consider something crazy, like painting all four walls different colors? I know...outlandish. Or highlighting the window trim, since the outdoor scenery should be made a focal point. As leslie said, why not be facing the view as you work!

I just think sometimes it's worth it to step outside of the normal boring box. Make it something un-boring and Fun.

You can do it white with a black trim

I agree with comments that suggest to paint all the same color if white: top, rail and lower including baseboard. My favorite white right now is BM OC17 Dove White.

Good Luck!

All-white is harsh, builders-grade and unimaginative. This room with this view deserves better that that. Bring in the view! Celebrate the soft colors! Emphasize the handsome woodwork!

I happily stand by my analysis and recommendations above.

Cordially, Leslie Isbell

Hi Leslie, I tried a sample of 1/2 of the color of the Navajo White on the ceiling but not crazy about it and fearful it will darken the room (losing the brightness of the white). Could I go 1/4 of the color of Navajo White so it has a slight tint, would be subtle and not make the room appear smaller? Or should I not even bother since the difference is minimal?

What direction does that window face? If it’s a northern exposure, it’s always going to be a little dark in a one window room, even if it’s a big window. And what shadows are those trees casting as the days and seasons roll by. This is a smallish room. Paint the ceiling white. The walls whatever shade of white you like. Hang some real art. Live your best life in that room. Decor isn’t everything!