What colour should we paint the walls?

8 years ago

We are incredibly lucky to have a lovely part panelled hallway. I don't want to paint the oak panels but I am struggling with what colour to paint the walls that aren't panelled. The walls are currently a light version of book room red. Should we go for a cream or grey or blue or stick with the red? Any advice very gratefully received! Thank you!

Featured Answer

PRO

The Colour Club

8 years ago

The colour you paint the walls very much depends on the behaviours you wish to see coming from the space. How you want it to feel. Who you are as a person. Once that is determined you can then ensure it harmonises and tones well with other spaces coming off your hallway.
You could pick any colour you like (there's no such thing as a bad colour) but to make it really work for you and for the long term (which is key - hallways are a pain to decorate and you don't want to have to change it in a months time because you don't like it!). It is important to make sure that if, for example you chose red, is the red going to make you feel the way you wAnt it to? Have you chosen the right red? What is the undertone of the red? Is it yellow based or blue based? Each will give a very different feel.
I work as a colour consultant specialising in applied colour psychology. If you want any further help please just ask.

Comments (11)

pannacotta
8 years ago
I have some oak panelling in my sitting room and painted the walls rich olive green and it looks great against the oak.
Charleston Grey looks good against oak too IMO.
sarahcdance
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you!
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mrsmcee74
8 years ago
Beautiful paneling, I think a colour like F&B Hardwick White would look great or something with a bit more grey like Skimming Stone or Dulux Egyptian Cotton.
mrsmcee74
8 years ago
You mention blue, F&B Borrowed Light would also look lovely :)
temple274
8 years ago
We have early oak panelling and staircase and have found that Laura Ashley Gold on the walls sets off the oak beautifully. Also paintings and watercolours hang well on it. For ceilings we have used Crown Soft White which is a British Standard Colour and balances the Gold well. Gold works well with sunlight but also in limited natural light when it shows as much darker but still warm against the oak. Red fabrics and oriental rugs marry well with it too. Haven't yet managed to find a satisfactory equivalent to either in F & B. You have lovely floorboards.
sarahcdance
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you so much for all your comments. I will look into the gold as we already have a red sofa... The room is north facing so it can be quite dark but the rooms that it leads into are south facing and very bright and light. It tends to be a bit of a dumping area by the kids (we have four) and I spend a lot of time trying to remind them that we have a cloakroom for coats and shoes! In the winter months we do sit by the wood burner as we don't have a real fire in our sitting room (the fire place is their but the chimney stack in the next floor and roof have been taken out by previous owners). The room also acts as a formal dining room sometimes... As I write this it makes me realise that perhaps we are trying to make this room do too many things. No wonder it always looks a mess when I open the front door!
sarahcdance
Original Author
8 years ago
Lucy thank you for your comments. I think the current red has a bit too much peach in it for me. There is a part of me though that says to stay with same colour as I've got used to it now (I didn't like it at first) We are a busy family so need to be aware that things can't always look calm but that is the look I'm always trying to go for. I like light colours generally (the sitting room is in savage ground f&B) with white sofas and chairs (with hints of duck egg blue in cushions).
Jackie Zeh
8 years ago
Grey, taupe gray
ducissa
8 years ago
Have a look at F&B colour advice on their website - they advise warm colours for north facing rooms but with so much oak you could maybe get away with a cooler tone. Cool blues, greens and greys bring out the warmth of wood. And think about connecting it visually with the adjoining rooms. Whatever you do though don't overthink it, or you'll end up paralysed by procrastination - which is why I'm looking at Houzz just now when I should be choosing bathroom tiles!
mrsmcee74
8 years ago
Ah if it's north facing stay away from the cool tones in that case. F&B Joas White or Tallow are recommended for north facing rooms.

What colour should we paint the walls?

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