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What color would you paint this room?

13 years ago
We bought our first home a month ago. We are total design newbies! The entire interior needs to be repainted. I was thinking about light grey for this living room, but I'm having second thoughts. The room is basically a blank slate - I will be buying furniture, too. I've never done this before, so I don't know how to choose. Our style is pretty eclectic but I also like some contemporary furniture pieces.

We are definitely painting the trim white. I will also attach pictures of the kitchen since the living room is right next to it. We are planning on keeping the kitchen yellow, but will probably freshen up the paint eventually (and get rid of the purple walls). Also, as you can see in the pictures, the hallway is also yellow. When we repaint the kitchen, should we redo the hallway yellow? White?

Thanks in advance!

Comments (16)

  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 13 years ago
    I actually LOVE your idea of painting a light gray! White trim will be awesome with it and you will have lots of design options with furniture then, too. AND gray WORKS with yellow!
  • 13 years ago
    Oh.......I would be tempted to do the hallway the same light gray.
  • 13 years ago
    Kitchen pictures....
  • 13 years ago
    Yes paint the whole place one color then much easier to decorate around. Like the grays and there are many. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have some nice ones. Get sample cans and put on your wall. Paint is cheap easy to do and has the biggest impact on a room. I agree keep all trim incl doors white. After you paint post pic then we will help you with furn etc. Don't be in a rush. Take baby steps then not so likely to make mistake. Gray is very easy to work with. Paint kitchen and bathrm with a satin. All other eggshell. May need 2 coats to cover purple.
  • 13 years ago
    I am with Abbyjean. Light gray and white trim. I will be doing my master bedroom with those colors. I would consider doing one wall a darker shade as an accent wall.
  • 13 years ago
    Your kitchen is great. All you need is. Paint and a window cover. A pleated shade from Lowes would work. And fit in with a more contemporary look. Keep that look going though out.
  • 13 years ago
    Thank you, Abbyjean! I'm glad I came to Houzz and didn't talk myself out of grey! I like the idea of using grey in the hallway, too...I'll have to think about that some more!

    Travisinteriors, thanks for the paint finish suggestions...I wasn't sure about satin v. eggshell. What finish should the trim be? I have a gallon of white semi gloss but I don't know if it's too glossy or not.

    Sarcassimo, I was thinking about an accent wall, too.....
  • 13 years ago
    No Simi gloss on trim would work.
  • 13 years ago
    I would paint the trim a darker shade of beige and go up two shades on the wall color. It will bring warmth and neutral scape to the room as well as compliment the floor. To naked ceilings appear taller take the wall color and go up two to three shades to give depth
  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 13 years ago
    You have a big window which is bringing in a lot of light…from which direction?

    South: BM Gull Wing Gray
    East: BM Violet Pearl
    West: BM Valley Forge Tan
    North: BM Slip

    says House Beautiful,

    Light makes a HUGE difference.
  • 13 years ago
    Thank you for all the color suggestions! I will look into the greige as well.

    The big window faces west.
  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 13 years ago
    Then I would suggest the Valley Forge Tan…
    Benjamin Moore AC-35 Valley Forge Tan · More Info


    There is just enough blue undertint in this paint to deal with that Western sunlight which can really do bad, bad things to colors.

    Looks great with purpley blue.

    Modern Glamour Master Bedroom · More Info




    I did Monroe Bisque in a room facing West. Looked great going up until that afternoon sun came around and it turned this disgusting yellowy mustard….
  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 13 years ago
    IMO, everything you have going now will work if you roll over the yellow and the purple with better tones.

    I would do the living room in the Valley Forge; I would do the hall yellow, but BM Mother Earth; I would keep the purple, but repaint with BM Super Nova; the white, BM AF- frostine.
    Benjamin Moore AC-35 Valley Forge Tan · More Info


    Walls all in matte finish; wood work in semi-gloss; ceilings in the woodwork color (frostine), but in flat.

    I’d start with the Ikea Karlstad sofa. I like the fact that it is up off the floor (no skirt) and the legs would look good with your floor. Comes with many slipcover choices which wash well.

    Does this room work for you?

    Living-Dining Room Reno · More Info

    KARLSTAD Sofa · More Info
  • 13 years ago
    Start with an inspiration -- you can't start from a wall color. You need a rug or an accessory or a photograph of a room that will provide you with the theme or feeling you're looking for. Go into "browse rooms" and pick living room and pick a style that you like (contemporary or traditional or rustic, or anything that makes you feel happy) and scroll through the pictures imagining yourself in each room until you find a room that you and your family would fit into. THAT can be your inspiration. Then, pick your colors and furniture pieces to recreate that feeling. I think you might be feeling overwhelmed because it's too empty -- find something you can emulate & you'll feel less at a loss.
  • 13 years ago
    Judianna, I love that purpley blue! I also like the living room photo you posted, except that I would like to have bolder/brighter accent colors.

    I just happen to be going near an IKEA today so I'll stop in and check out some stuff there. I love that style couch. I'd like to have very clean, minimalistic furniture in this room.

    Any thoughts on built in book shelves?