when decorating a room do i paint first or decorate

Kathy Paleo

9 years ago

I will start to update my living room. Should I decide on paint color first or furniture.

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Daniel Dionne Designs llc

9 years ago

Paint color LAST. The color will (or should) come from your textiles. There are WAY more color options available than fabric choices out there. If you are adding or have an area rug, oftentimes this is the BEST reference for wall color and general palette, but the process can be organic. Some people, for example, will build an entire room design around a favorite piece of art. etc. etc. Most important: have a plan. Browse different profiles and pics and gather images of rooms that you like. That alone will help you identify your style preferences and may even help you ID specific elements or pieces. Have fun with it! Good Luck.

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Comments (9)

Kathy Paleo
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you! That is very true, there are so many paint colors. I am still deciding on what color sofa I should get. The white/cream sofa is so pretty and I can add colors with pillows. But I am not sure of stains getting on the white. I love the coastal theme. So I am thinking of baby blue or a tan for the sofa.
Any suggestions?
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sunnydrew
9 years ago
Start by getting ideas of furnishings. Look at some here on houzz http://www.houzz.com/photos/living/coastal-theme- then you can look for sofas that are treated to be stain resistant. textured fabrics can help too by camouflaging some stains if you get them. Most spills can come out if treated immediately anyway. You do have to consider your lifestyle as well as what you like.
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Daniel Dionne Designs llc
9 years ago
Tan will give you greater longevity. Use baby blue pillows so you still get some of that color without committing it to the largest piece in the room. Then, if you ever want to change or update, all you have to do is change the pillows.
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Shari P Kantor
9 years ago
I agree with Daniel's suggestions. In addition to bringing in baby blue and complimentary shades through pillows, you can add art like
Freedom Is Mine · More Info

Best regards,
Shari

spkcreative@gmail.com
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INTERIORS BY MARLA
9 years ago
If you do use a cream or light tan fabric on your sofas, consider getting them in a Sunbrella or other outdoor fabric!! It is stain resistant, and can even take a bleach/water solution to clean spots. I work in south Florida, so we are very used to outdoor fabrics. But they can be a dream for light colors indoors. Coastal colors are light, true blues, navy, sand beige, with touches of coral red. Agree with Daniel...paint last. Have fun.
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decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
Indoor/outdoor area rugs can be easily hosed off if soiled. They have some pretty ones these days. Check homedecorators.com
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Stanton Designs-online design services
9 years ago
Paint last, it is much easier to match a paint to your decor, then matching decor to your paint color.
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decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
Sorry, I got off topic. Paint last unless you're installing floors. Then paint with baseboards removed, install flooring, paint and re-install baseboards. If you leave baseboards in place you may have to paint them after floors go down. Hardly an installer around who doesn't scratch the baseboards during installation.
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