Opposite walls in accent colour

2 years ago

About to decorate my fairly small living room in my first house and wondered people's opinion on this. Has anyone tried it? Did it look okay or am I being daft?
My living room is 15'6" by 11'6". On opposite (longer) walls, there is the staircase with open space beneath it, and on the other an electric log effect burner and mantel. The whole room is beige at the moment and my plan is to brighten it by painting a much lighter cream or possibly even white on the two short walls (one of which has the window) and the dark navy I see everywhere and love on the two long walls. So the fireplace wall and the staircase wall but only beneath the staircase. I'm hoping it will deepen the understairs alcove and make the room cosy but not so dark as if I painted the whole room blue.
Anyone have any idea how this would work, or examples pics? Thanks in advance folks!

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Comments (11)

User
2 years ago
Painting the 2 longer walls in a darker colour will have the effect of closing in the space for a more cosy feel.
Tia H
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks Sarah. Looking at your picture I understand the examples I'm just struggling to visualise the line between cosy and enclosed vs small and dark. Maybe I'll just have to give it a go! Thanks for your reply!
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You could add a number of things to help bring life to the room. You have chosen the perfect muted colour scheme that will complement lots of art work and colours. From your photos I would say you could add a large mirror above the fire place- you could go for something to complement the period of the property and fireplace or something slightly more industrial would work as it looks like you are already mixing contemporary and period with your choices of furniture and finishes. Art will be a huge help as well. Choose some large and smaller pieces to compliment the size of the room- you look like you enjoy your music and media (from the large tv and speakers) maybe some repro or original posters of favourite films? Or framed vinyl covers of you favourite albums. Pick things that you aesthetically connect with. Art is personal and should be something you enjoy every time you look at it, so pick pieces because you like them. It doesn’t need to be expensive. You could also think about a statement clock in the room as well. Lots of options I would say. Do not feel limited by a particular colour scheme with the art- go with things you enjoy looking at. For the sofa -with throws-mimic nature- stick to earthy tones grey browns you can pick up lots of cosy throws in these colours or animal Hyde type colours or actual Hyde’s...and once you have chosen your art- find cushions that are different sizes and textures (not leather) to help soften the look of the sofa and draw the eye away from its shape and on to the cushions! Or go with the nature theme and embrace the animal Hyde’s colours and it will all tie in with the leather. Of course these suggestions depend on personal preference but there are lots of ideas on houzz and pictures that can help with inspiration...hope my suggestions are of use!!
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Daisy England
2 years ago
Can you post an image of your room. The brilliant white to navy blue contrast would look great but a view of the room would give us all a better idea.
Tia H
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks Daisy. I'm at a relatives at the moment but here are pics from the property details - will try to post more when i can. It now has an oak mantle and slate hearth on the lefthand wall, and the staircase is white but the bannister etc is oak.
Tia H
Original Author
2 years ago
Sorry - to clarify, the mantle etc has replaced the old fireplace surround. So the idea would be to go navy blue on the fireplace wall and under the stairs. Or possibly just under the stairs if both walls would be too much? Worried that might be a bit something of nothing though
Daisy England
2 years ago
For me blues and oak (especially dark blues) dont tone well together. Oak looks good against green. If you want a modern colour looks for a greeny grey, perhaps Dulux Tranquil Dawn.
User
2 years ago
I agree with Daisy. A dark navy wall would work better with a white fire surround, and I wouldn't paint under the stairs in a dark colour.
tamp75
2 years ago
We have dark blue with an oak mantle & slate hearth which works well. All down to personal taste.
Tia H
Original Author
2 years ago
Tamp75 glad to hear you feel it works in your room. I'd be really interested to see a picture if you didn't mind sharing?

Thanks for the colour suggestion Daisy. It's a nice colour but I'm quite keen to go dark if i can because the other rooms are all light and feel quite airy which is lovely but I'm really hoping to go a bit more dramatic in this one. Out of interest was your suggestion because you felt a dark colour wouldn't work or because it's quite a popular/trending colour at the moment?
Tia H
Original Author
2 years ago
Sarah, again thanks for the input. Unfortunately the oak and hearth are non negotiable as they've only just been put in (by previous owners when they decided to sell) and I'm not in a position to change them. Plus I like them even if it means my original plans won't work. Can I ask why you suggest not going dark under stairs? My thinking was it would look deeper and cosier but maybe that isn't the case?
User
2 years ago
Fair enough. I feel that going dark under the stairs may feel a bit claustrophobic, but depends what the space will be used for. Why not give it a go. It is just paint after all, and can always be painted over again. Have you considered going dark below the dado rail on all walls?

Opposite walls in accent colour

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