Help transform my dark walls

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi, I need all of your lovely decorating suggestions! We are wanting to paint our interior, open layout. I would like our space to feel more bright, light, and comfy. The floors are dark hardwood, dark cabinets and black granite that has some gray and brownish flecks in it. We are open to painting the walls, changing the backsplash and curtains. At this point though I would really not like to have to paint the cabinets. The windows of the dining room and living room are northeast facing. Colours like Pale oak, light pewter and classic gray tend to go pink on our walls. Current wall colour is Coventry Gray by BM. Thank you!!
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TJ K
Original Author
6 years ago
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
6 years ago
It sounds like you're wanting to stay more in the grays, however, if you want this space to feel more bright, light, and comfy, you'll probably want to get more into the popular greige. Another thing you can do to get more light into the room is to add light and bright colors into your accessories (lamp bases, wall decor, throws, pillows, rugs, etc.) How about Accessible Beige SW7036?

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7036-accessible-beige

If you really want to stick to a gray, how about this one?

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6253-olympus-white

Here is a very pretty off white that may suit the space:

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7005-pure-white
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TJ K
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, hubby loves grays! I definitely lean more to the whites but I'm not sure if white walls would go with the kitchen area?? Maybe changing the backsplash would help with that. Maybe I could paint the dining room and kitchen a different colour than the living area...The gray you suggested reminds me of gray owl, which hubby loves. I will throw some pure white up on the wall and see how it looks. Haha it is tough trying to blend my preferred style (I love farmhouse/Scandinavian looks) and the fixed elements of the home.
Toronto Veterinarian
6 years ago
Personally, I like that soft gray on the walls, and I don't think it's too dark at all. I think you could lighten things up with brighter accents, literally more lights, and replacing the dark kitchen island (?) surface, even if you just use a bright cloth. From those pictures, what looks overpoweringly dark to me is the kitchen area, not the walls or the rest of the room.
tfitz1006
6 years ago
I think I would save for a small kitchen remodel, perhaps a cabinet reface in a lighter wood or white and I would change out the backsplash (although you never know, it might not be bad with white cabs) and the top of the island. I don't find the walls dark at all.
Tara
6 years ago
No wonder it looks dark - you have no lights on. Turn on the lights and add some color in artwork and pillows, and other accessories. Your bulbs in your lamps should be a daytime bulb, nothing yellow.