What colour should we paint our small, modern open plan kitchen living

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Hi!
We have renovated a small house and have now to add the finishing touches, any tips on what colour should we paint our small, modern open plan kitchen living area? We definitely need a new fridge freezer and sofas, but that will be for when we have a bit more money! As you can see we have painted a few colours on the wall so let us know what you think.

Also we have a tiny bathroom (was difficult to photograph!), I think it needs a bit of colour, what do you think?

Any other ideas welcome...I struggle with this part of the planning!

Thanks!!
M.

Featured Answer

PRO

Patricia Colwell Consulting

11 years ago

Not the darker green that would be scary, not pink you will regret that 5 mins. after you finish. Top one on right side (taupe) is nice and neutral enough to be able to get new furniture easily. Hang a great piece of art in the kitchen on the wall beside oven and then choose a color from the art to paint in the kitchen. As for the bathroom I always like the spa green/ blue in small bathrooms it looks fresh and with fluffy white towels is restful too.

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Comments (51)

M
Original Author
11 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/803106

This is the colours I love, but obviously as our floor is grey we don't want to go ott with grey! I'm not sure if the green on the wall would suit us?
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M
Original Author
11 years ago
These colours
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mefor
11 years ago
Here are a few colors that will look great with the floors and the kitchen and the furniture.
mefor
11 years ago
:)
mefor
11 years ago
:)
PRO
Warner Decor
11 years ago
I think to get a realistic view of what colors you want to use in the kitchen, I would purchase a runner or kitchen rug to see what you like! Here are a few options I found for you:

http://deciture.com/shop/rugs/12/rasa-rug-graymulti/ (more monochromatic feel)

http://deciture.com/shop/rugs/12/rasa-rug-graymulti/ (pop of color)

http://deciture.com/shop/rugs/7/spiral-mosaic-rug/ (multiple colors)

http://deciture.com/shop/rugs/7/portia-area-rug-ii/

Hope this helps!
mefor
11 years ago
This is SW hearts of palm
The color never seems to come out true in this paint app, always seems too yellow and sheer, but it's really lovely
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mefor
11 years ago
True color of hearts of palm
M
Original Author
11 years ago
Wow thanks everyone, I'll have a look through those links now Warner!

Thanks mforr, how'd you do that?!? Lol I really like the last green ku put in there, found this and wondering how it might look? It's along that theme...would it be like a sage green?
http://houzz.com/photos/160926
M
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes Patricia, that green looked scary as soon as it hit the wall, as did the darker brown purple colour!!
Our blind in the bathroom is green (apple-wasn't sure of it when we first had it delivered!) so maybe a light soft green would work?
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M
Original Author
11 years ago
Would it be too much if we went all over colour?! Maybe should be just a few feature walls?
mefor
11 years ago
:)
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mefor
11 years ago
:)
mefor
11 years ago
I think you could go all over, I'm not really an accent wall fan.
M
Original Author
11 years ago
That third one is perfect mforr, what is it called? Thanks! I'm a bit our cautious about painting the whole space from kitchen to living room but I think it needs it, the area is far too neutral at the minute. I have a piece of artwork I want to put in the kitchen and think it might work well with the green, here it is :
M
Original Author
11 years ago
This is my hallway...which is why we thought about the yellow! LOVE this wall paper :)
mefor
11 years ago
The 3rd is the Ruskin room. You should definitely get a sample of a few if them, including the the hearts of palm. Do you have a closer pic of the wallpaper?
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mefor
11 years ago
By the way, love the wallpaper :)
mefor
11 years ago
Funnily enough, the 3rd one looks exactly how the hearts of palm looks in reality.
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M
Original Author
11 years ago
I in the UK need to see if I can get that paint brand here!
mefor
11 years ago
Oh dear, you can't, lol
But I can find you a couple of close ones :)
M
Original Author
11 years ago
Maybe this? http://www.diy.com/nav/decor/paint-woodcare/kitchens-bathrooms/-colourderived>green/Dulux-Kitchen-Plus-Matt-Emulsion-Paint-Melon-Sorbet-Tester-Pot-12938894
brickln
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would paint the kitchen deep gray, and go with mforr's suggestion for the rest of the space. Cabinets and artwork would look great against the gray. Could match to backsplash?

Trout Gray, Benjamin MOore · More Info
anne dee
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
how about a BM paint colour in a blue/grey tone
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mefor
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
yes, the melon sorbet is very good. :)
Here's a list of others
LITTLE GREENE
Horizon
Apple
Kitchen green
PRATT AND LAMBERT
Sea oat
Parakeet feather
Split pea
ICI PAINTS
Longacre
Cabbage patch
Willow wood
LAURA ASHLEY
Willow bough
Summer field
Apple
CROWN DIAMOND
Asparagus quiche
Arctic lichen
Chinese desert
CROWN PAINT
Expectation
Mojito
BRITISH STANDARD
Catkin
HOME BASE
Soft pear
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brickln
11 years ago
Is the glass above the stove fixed, or can you paint behind it?
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mefor
11 years ago
Here are three different greys
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M
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks brickin, it can be screwed out and we can paint behind it, it has a white frosted finish so it should take on the colour painted below (hopefully!)
I like the idea of the grey behind the kitchen with green everywhere else
You're amazing mforr! That list is greaT :)
M
Original Author
11 years ago
Wow now I see the greys in the kitchen I'm definitely sure I don't want them! Too heavy!
brickln
11 years ago
Yes, great job, mforr. I know it's dark but the cabinets will pop, especially if you use a suede/matte finish. Maybe the radiator wall could be painted the color you use for the rest of the space, or wallpapered if that suits your taste.
brickln
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
If you like the muted colors, SW Sea Salt is pretty, but looking at your floors and cabinetry, I think richer colors are the way to go.
mefor
11 years ago
:) sea salt, I do love sea salt, but it seems lost here, what do you think?
brickln
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I think it's a safe choice. I guess I'd like something more dramatic. It looks to me that the view of the kitchen from the LR would be the cabinets? If so, all the more reason to take a chance with color. My favorites are the upper right and lower left that you posted about an hour age. I'd probably go with the darker one because of the black sofas.
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M
Original Author
11 years ago
I agree, sea salt is too soft. I get scared of colour tho lol but think I need to just take the plunge! Maybe will start with a strong green colour along the window and hob wall, and then the same colour on the window wall in the LR? Then either keep the rest of the walls white or a softer tone of the green?
brickln
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'd restrict the accent color to the kitchen because decorating around it in the LR might get difficult. The safest way would be to use a color card. I don't think you can go wrong using the wallpaper colors and toning them up or down, either.

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6707-narcissus/
PRO
Color Zen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh-la-la, love your kitchen! Silver for the kitchen walls... even a gentle metallic finish paint would be cool. And a darker tone for the LR. I do like your green idea- it's kind of hip... I like the idea of a kelly green- but tone it down a bit. Take a peek at Benjamin Moore's raleigh green CW-525.
mefor
11 years ago
Just to give you some more to look at, some yellows and some violets
I still love the green, but since I was working on your kitchen anyway...
:)
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mefor
11 years ago
:)
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mefor
11 years ago
:)
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mefor
11 years ago
:)
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brickln
11 years ago
Great colors, mforr. Poor M's head must be spinning with all the choices right now. I think the LR furniture is black and white, no? Endless possibilities.
mefor
11 years ago
I know, the place is like a blank canvas, just waiting for the right color or colors. I thought I'd give her a bit of yellow for the wallpaper and there was a patch of purple paint in her swatches on that wall (I think) plus the purple/violet accessories in the kitchen. Might as well give her a little something to wake up to tomorrow morning. It's always fun to see your own place with a full wall of paint. Hopefully it will help to eliminate some colors while narrowing down a few more. :)
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PRO
sstarr93
11 years ago
I like the color of the splash behind the stove, and mforr just about matched it.
M
Original Author
11 years ago
Wow yes lots to waken up to and I'm so grateful for the help! Thanks so much!
I tried mforr to find one o those room colouring things for a shop here in the uk and whilt you can do it with dulux paint brand, it didnt seem to like my iPad so need to get onto it on my laptop!

Having slept on it I'm thinking I like the idea of doing the kitchen only in colour, and then having highlights of the colour in the LR with cushions perhaps. We considered curtains too but I'm not sure if it would crowd the LR. We are sure that the coffee table is too big also, but I love it (it has a glass top and we can present things in the drawer below). We also have no dining table so this is our only space for setting out food!

I'm still liking the green, but the yellow goes well too. We have a tea/coffee jars on our kitchen work top (might be just visible in the pictures) which are green yellow and grey, so if I bring these along to the DIY shop they could colour match those for me. (Along with the list you sent me too mforr!)

I will def be back on to show you all the results!! :)
mefor
11 years ago
That's great news M. I did a few more for you, I'll post them, because there are a couple other greens. I can't wait to see what you do. Your place is wonderfully cheerful, and I think it will be a little showplace :)
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mefor
11 years ago
:)
mefor
11 years ago
:)
PRO
ARC Bespoke Interiors
8 years ago
renwick olive paint gives a rich feeling
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PRO
Eco Economy Roofing Specialist
7 years ago
looks better how you already have it.
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