Need advice for painting & redecoration before move-in day

7 years ago

We just bought our first house and plan on re-painting indoors before we move in this May

The kitchen/living area is open plan and the current wall colour is brown (and not our cup of tea) and with small windows at the back of the house, there is little light coming through. I would love some advice on colour schemes for our new space and how to brighten it up without necessarily painting everything white. (any other advice would be appreciated too)

The floors are dark wood which we will be sanding and treating before move in date. I'm not sure if lightening/painting the doors and door frames might help. None of the furniture in the picture will be staying, we will be purchasing new/second hand furniture, to suit our own taste.

Featured Answer

Isidora Markovic

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi Aisling,

Are you sanding and treating the wood in the same shade? If there's little light neutrals are probably best to reflect light and create the illusion of space. You could always incorporate a feature wall of some kind, wallpaper or a brighter colour, if you wanted colour. Are you planning to keep or replace the light fixtures? Recessed lighting really brightens a room up.

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Comments (17)

minnie101
7 years ago
Hi. I must admit I rather like the decor, it looks a great space, that window isn't fab! Were you keeping the grasscloth paper? I might do in the dining area but remove it from the living area. I would also paint those beams as they're breaking up the ceiling. I'd add a couple of really large mirrors in each area to bounce some light. You can also look at accessories, lights etc anything with reflective surfaces The room doesn't need to be white, I'd choose a warm neutral. I'm not sure what paint you have available for colour suggestions given your location? I really like the way they've painted the door etc to highlight them as a feature, you could keep them as is with a light wall colour or repaint them, maybe something a couple of shades darker than your wall colour so you achieve the same aesthetic. For furniture I'd avoid Large, dark pieces. Is the floor scuffed as it's actually bouncing quite a lot of light? I'd also add artificial lighting, table lamps and floor lamps.
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With this being a guest room, I'd go for something light and simple on the walls but bring some colour and texture through with accessories. You seem to have alot of storage in the space, i'd de-clutter these and throw out some of the wardrobe's that you have. Think about having a storage bed so you can hide some of these away. In your alcove, we'd recommend using this as a dressing area. You could have a mirror on the wall and have a small desk/built in shelf put in. again keep this lightly coloured and the mirror will help reflect light from the windows and lighting you may have. Take a look at our web-site for further deisgn ideas and the different beds that we have available. BoConcept Manchester Bedroom Inspiration
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Thanks Minnie101 and NK With respect to the ground floor WC to bathroom - I was thinking of knocking the wall partition between utility and WC and then utilising some extra space for shower - something probably like this photo attached rather than fully enclosed shower cubicle - If could do this then I am probably thinking to leave the WC and Wash basin as it is in its place Conservatory in the future we have an idea of making it into a proper extension and that use that as entertainment room and making the current living room purely as a sitting room with fireplace - and then knocking the wall between kitchen and dinner and making it as a open plan kitchen / dinner - but thats all after we settle in and then thinking in 1-2 years time I guess
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You will need to move away from small incandescent light sources. Those JLP lights will be like adding candles. If you paint the ceiling white you can use a decent quality linear LED linear light source instead of those low out put spots - it would also save you lots on your energy bill. For example, this linear light comes in any RAL (colour) and a 73W 10000Lm LED version wold cost you around £290 delivered: This would be mounted where you have your current spotlights but would one of your spots delivers between 420 and 750Lm. If you had this colour matched to the beams they would blend in and your ceiling would become your light source. We do this a lot with RGB for night clubs and theatres - it creates a great ambience.
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Can’t say that I like it that much either but that’s just personal choice. As Laura suggested, paint the samples on paper or cardboard at least A4size and at least two coats to give a true indication of the colour. Move them around the room at different times of day to see how light and shadow affects the colour. I usually keep a roll of lining paper for this very purpose! Also might be an idea to place each sample with the kitchen unit doors, worktop, flooring, fabric and accessories, altogether if poss, then take photos. That way you’ll have a mood board with each colour. Personally, I would stick with a light colour all round as I think there’s a lot going on all ready with it being a kitchen and busy area. But ultimately it’s your home, so go with what you love.
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Sandi Robinson
7 years ago
I would paint the walls white as too much brown wood, brick and dark paint and introduce some warm colours with soft furnishings and bright art work!
Aisling O'Callaghan thanked Sandi Robinson
Lyn Hickson
7 years ago
What a fab place you have! You have some great pieces of furniture also,are you the artist? The paintings would look so good with a neutral wall preferably white or ivory white etc. Agree to lighten the walls and get rid of ceiling beam by painting white etc. Keeping doors and frames skirting boards at bottom dark as is would look fabulous!
Lyn Hickson
7 years ago
Oh and pick out one or two accent colours from what you already have around ie colours in the paintings.The sofas look fab with burnt orange,I have these colours and get lots of compliments,it looks warm and comfy,especiall when it's cold out etc.Hope that's of some help to you,fab place though.
Lyn Hickson
7 years ago
Lot's of low lighting too,but love the seiling lights,they work well with the sceme.
Kyle Barrett
7 years ago
Lyn, this is the previous owner's furniture!

And very nicely put together it was too. I think it's beautiful.

But now it's time for a change! Id also suggest I'm afraid painting the walls a white of some variety.
Aisling O'Callaghan thanked Kyle Barrett
nobleseneb
7 years ago
There are other, more knowledgeable Houzzers who can offer advice on décor, but when we moved to our new home the first room we decorated was our bedroom. It was the easiest - and least expensive - room to complete; walls painted, fitted wardrobe doors replaced with mirrored ones, suede black-out curtains a minimalist, finishing touch.

And while I worked on the rest of the house the bedroom became our a sanctuary - we went to sleep and woke up in a room that (unlike the rest of the house) was finished and reflected our tastes: late at night and in our waking moments we were reassured that, yes, we can do it, because yes, in our bedroom, we have. It was a place of comfort and rest; for leisurely lie-ins and breakfasts in bed; an encouragement to endure the builder's rubble and dust, and the bare brazen floorboards and the sticking out wires and exposed plastic pipes.

I wish you the best of luck with your adventure - and hope you post more photos when you've done.
Aisling O'Callaghan thanked nobleseneb
connie minton
7 years ago
I agree with the others on painting that beam white and make it disappear into the room. I'd also paint that wooden arch/frame white or off-white. Why not embrace the coziness and replace the brown with a rich and refreshing stiffkey blue from Farrow and Ball, which looks great with white and also with dark or wooden floor boards?
Aisling O'Callaghan thanked connie minton
PRO
User
7 years ago
I would always advise to paint the walls white at least one or two coats when going over a dark colour in the first instance. Once white, I believe you may be inspired with your colour as it will open up the space and help you visualise. The only bit that poses a problem is the wood on the wall above the divide.

Greys will go with the doors ( which I love ) it's a fabulous space.
ruthfrench
7 years ago
Like Nobleseneb it was our bedroom that was decorated first, cheaper and easier. Living in a space can change previous ideas about how it should be decorated. With that in mind, if you cannot stand the present decor, paint it out with an off white that suits who you are but be prepared to re-do it in 2 years. I find it easier to match paint to furniture rather than the other way round. So perhaps you should investigate furniture before thinking about wall colour. Think about overall 'feel'......bright, light, warm, neutral, calm, stimulating, exciting, quiet, etc....what makes you go 'Wow' when looking at Houzz lounges. Save them then look through them to see if they have an overall theme. You might be surprised! Good luck.
Sonia
7 years ago
Fantastic room. You are very lucky! My favourite paint colour at the moment is Dulux Egyptian Cotton. Its very similar to skimming stone by Farrow & Ball but a third of the price! It's a soft warm grey, and looks fabulous with white woodwork. I would paint all the woodwork white, or off white and that will bring the room to life. This will give you a good base for whatever furniture you decide to use. The dark floor will take centre stage, I like it! Good luck.
Natasa Savva
7 years ago
The space has a lot of potentials. I would paint the walls in pastel color shades like "sea foam" blue or light grey even light mocca, based on your personal taste. It will capture daylight effectively. Light curtines will help there. Love the wall molding, works as luxury effect. About the floor and doors, dark brown looks classy.
Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
Like minnie101 I rather like the overall warmth of the colours on the walls (though I'd go for something richer with an orange/terracotta tone) and think the lighter big sofa and two chairs blend well and lighten the room slightly. The Chesterfield is, in my view, too heavy in style and in colour. But my overall advice is to delay making a decision until you have lived in it for a while. It's the most important room and it's important to get it right. I like the ruthfrench idea - do your bedroom first. This will provide some time to assess the sitting room and what would make it work best for you. I admit I like deep warm colours but they can be challenging if you aren't used to them. Give it a little time. Work out how you use the room, how the light affects the way you use it
Aisling O'Callaghan thanked Joanna Biddolph
Juliet Docherty
7 years ago
This may not be what you want to hear but it's just from my own experience. I think it is almost impossible to paint a house before moving in and get it right, unless that is you just paint it white or all the same colour. The rooms will have different aspects and may require individual approaches to colour - the same paint can look entirely different depending on light levels etc. Additionally I think the decoration is really interesting and your furniture may suit it? It needs a few tweaks but I would get the keys first.
Aisling O'Callaghan
Original Author
7 years ago
Wow, thanks so much for all of the amazing tips. They have really helped us out with what might work best in the house. @ Isidora Markovic We are going to treat the wooden floors and keep them dark in Colour. I thought in the kitchen, we might add some spotlights on the ceiling to brighten up the area as a short term solution.

@minnie101 Thanks so much, I agree to paint the beam white to blend it into the ceiling. The grasscloth paper will definitely be going. I like the brick as a feature wall and feel the grass cloth is a bit cheap looking. I like the idea of a warm neutral colour. The previous owners shared a picture with white walls and the whole room looked rather cold. As above, I agree that spotlights and lamps will warm the room up a lot. We are based in South Africa, so have many nice paints to choose from. Delux seems to be big here.

@Lyn Hickson Thanks so much, Lyn. The precious owner actually owns all of the furniture and the art work. We have travelled quite a bit and thought it might be nice to print some of our images on canvas and hag them instead of art work, so hopefully it will work well in the room.

Thanks @ Man About The House - The DIY & Odd Job Handyman - The wooden panel above the arch is actually a bamboo wallpaper which we will be removing - I agree to paint it a neutral/light colour. I'm also quite drawn to a grey colour palette perhaps with some navy/neutral furniture and accessorise with yellow and wood. (not sure if this will work but just a thought).

Really appreciate the feedback so far. As much as I would love to live in it first, Im too much of a keen bean and definitely want to give it a lick of paint and get the dirty work done while we have time and before the furniture gets in. Thanks for all the advice - will post some after pictures one it comes together. :)
Aisling O'Callaghan
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7 years ago
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Need advice for painting & redecoration before move-in day

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