skip to main content

help needed with colours, please!

9 years ago

I would like some help with a colour palette for my living room. It's quite a dark room (although perhaps not as dark as the photos!), north facing, approx 2.60 (to chimney breast) by 4.50 (into square bay window). At the moment it's painted a rather cold "white with a hint of blue" (yes, probably from the days when paints were called that!), but I'm happy to make it cosy rather than attempt to lighten it up.

I've just had the fireplace removed and a woodburner installed, and will be having cupboards/shelving fitted in the alcoves. Wall lights will be removed. I will also reinstate a picture rail, to try and bring the ceiling (2.70) down a bit. The door on the radiator wall will be removed and closed up.

The curtains are more of a deep terracotta than comes over in the photo. Sofas will be dark grey. The floor is beige carpet (over horrible tiles - would like to do something about this, but at the moment it's a job too far), covered almost entirely with a dark brown/cream Moroccan rug.

My thoughts are to paint the alcoves a dark colour, with a lighter shade for the chimney breast and other walls, and lighter still for ceiling and above picture rail. I've been looking at shades of grey or (as, with the furniture, that might be just too much grey) brown.

Any advice from you colour boffins very welcome!

Featured Answer

PRO

Create Perfect

9 years ago

Hi. Great news on the plants. Yes, it sounds like that could be a great colour pallet for you then. I did notice a few pieces in the photos :)

This is only quick - but yes, an olive would work really well I think. Pair it with a warm neutral to keep it light.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

PRO
Create Perfect
9 years ago
Hi Fenella,

You really need to stay away from blue's or blue undertones in a north facing room. They will exaggerate the blue and make it appear even colder and dull.

Instead go for things with warmer undertones. Warm greens maybe nice in that space (in the alcoves as the accent), mixed with a warm neutral and the warmth of the wood.

You can then pick the greens up in cushions on the grey sofa and and in a few plants which will help brighten the space and give it a healthy and fresh vibe.

I hope it helps - keep us posted! Gina
fenella79
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for that advice - yes, the blue/white is very cold (it's all over the house, so that's an ongoing project!).I have already started with the plants, in the bay window, to replace the "privacy" film that was stuck there before. I should have added to my original post that I have a number of Moroccan cushions, in red/orange tones, that rather dictate the general feel of the room. Perhaps a dark green in the alcoves would work? I'll have a think!
Related Discussions
Need some help on What colour Please - Please help
Q
Comments (14)
Greg think you have made a great start, just needs a few colourful statement pieces. Firstly the chest of drawers are fab, my suggestion if you like them would be to utilise them in the lounge either side of the radiator under the window, for storing what looks like cd's the other side of the fireplace in these. You could put the existing cubes either side of the two sofa's. I would ditch the rug in the lounge, and get something bold and bright such as cobalt blue with orange/yellow. In the bedroom, keep the IKEA drawers and paint them either black or dark blue and have them adjacent to each other on the back wall opposite the bed, with the TV on top as someone has already suggested. The art work is great, but would swap it over to where the mirror is and move that elsewhere. Again ditch the rug, maybe an animal skin would work well in here, keeping a masculine feel. Pick some of the colours from the artwork for a well chosen throw and cushions for the bed, and don't be afraid to use some other accessories such as vases, lamps and dare I say candles!
...See More
Need help for open kitchen diner colours please?
Q
Comments (11)
Yeah I haven't thought about when the sideboard is in place, with it being white gloss with a silver trim I thought it will still look all the same colour though and still needs something to break it up. I didn't know with being a sliding door and then the patio door whether curtains or blinds would look right on them, I think like you have said I'll see how the area looks when it's a bit more filled with the sideboard and then I can always add curtains/ blinds if needed. i'm glad I've uploaded the other side of the kitchen as I now see it definitely clashes with styles but hadn't thought about it, It's only a small change but I bet it will help to work with the dining room. Thank You very much for all your advice :) A few more ideas for me to go on now, that I hadn't considered.
...See More
Hi, need some help with colour choice please for furnishings etc
Q
Comments (6)
I would suggest leaving the green scheme in situ at the moment as it think i see green flecks in your material swatch. Going blue in wall, curtains, and furniture, althought it seems coordinated, might end up being too matchy matchy in real life. The green flecks may actually be better co-ordinated than it initally appears and the furniture may actually bring the room together.
...See More
wall and door colour help needed please
Q
Comments (3)
I presume that’s not in the UK? l like that flooring. It’s neutral and modern and a lot of colours will work with it but it depends on what you like.
...See More
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Another idea is to make FP wall as accent wall and paint it in different colour.

Here is inspiration with teal accent wall and gray colour
and with red (ruby fountain) and beige
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
9 years ago
Here are more
South Court · More Info

Colorful remodel, transitional style · More Info

Crown Paints The New Neutral · More Info
have you ever thought about stones above the mantel?
Transitional Living Room · More Info
PRO
Anna Auzins Interiors Ltd.
9 years ago
Hi, Fenella,

you've had some great suggestions -- I wanted to add something else.

Along with re-instating the picture rail, do think as well about adding some simple cornicing. It really does finish a room and give it depth, and is surprisingly good value. It would be painted the same light white that you use on the ceiling and above the picture rail.
fenella79
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Anna, there's already cornicing in place!
fenella79
Original Author
9 years ago
celerygirl, I love your colour ideas, but I think I'm going to stick with the darker colour (whichever one I plump for!) in the alcoves - the room is so narrow that I think a feature colour in the chimney breast would be a bit too intrusive.
Y Me
9 years ago
hello fenella, you should pick the colour that makes you feel warm and happy , since it's a dark room consider the lighting options, some down lights in the alcoves or warm lamps can make it just as bright and cosy as a brightly coloured wall, you also have fabrics and textures to use for colour blasts in the room and these are easier to switch up if you change your mind, wallpaper prints is another option. aaaah have fun :)
Juliet Docherty
9 years ago
Farrow and Ball light grey is a beautiful colour with a warm grey/greenish tinge. It would work well in the alcoves. For the rest of the room you could try Clunch which is neutral with a bit of warmth. Both of these should work with your terracotta curtains and cushions.
PRO
Create Perfect
9 years ago
They are some great options from colourhappy - would work well. The French Gret is also not *too* dark! :)

Sponsored

More Discussions

Advice for kitchen colour scheme

7

Which type of Kitchen

15

Help pulling lounge decor together

10

Best way to renovate my kitchen/ utility as have very limited space.

5

Utility door position

0