Help on choosing a color
by
Hardy
+36
I would like to add some color to the walls. I recently purchased this place and all the walls are painted white. Any suggestions on what color I should paint the wall behind the sofa?
37 answers
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I would pull some of the colors out of that fireplace marble...just make sure they compliment your sofa. Maybe paint 3 sides the lighter color and then the one behind the loveseat a darker color.
Jeanette S
on Aug 11, 2014
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It looks like you have a penchant for aqua...how about a light shade of that? It would look nice with the color of the couches.
BusyBeeEmily
on Aug 11, 2014
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red
Judith Hayes
on Aug 11, 2014
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Perhaps a nice light shade of gray? This would allow you to bring in many different colors with throw pillows, area rugs, knick knacks, etc. Maybe something like this? Painted in Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray
Amy Ogden-Paparone
on Aug 11, 2014
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@Hardy i am a grat believer in paint samples...lowes or home depot sell them mixed to order or standard colors try two or four on the wall live with them for a few days your eye will soon be drawn to your favorite and besides it is only paint if you hate it paint over it xx p.s. don't stress have fun
Chris aka monkey
on Aug 11, 2014
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Maybe teal like the pillows on the couches Only a darker shade. And you don't have to paint all 4 walls . You could do just 2 ..
Lori T
on Aug 12, 2014
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Well I'm for red too myself. But just depends on you. Aqua , yellow or even a taupe but those are all safe colors . Again just depend if you want pop or netural.
Wanda.ll
on Aug 12, 2014
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A bage color family paint would look nice.
Cheryl Layne
on Aug 12, 2014
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Take a look at "Mulled Spice" by Behr Paint. It is a wonderful warm color which this room definitely needs. Do the walls behind the sofa and the love seat and continue it above your cabinets in the kitchen. it will liven and expand the room in width, take away from the narrow look. Go to my post, "I am proud of my kitchen" and look at the color. I used it and love it. It goes well with your couches and will really give it a rich suede look.
Patty S
on Aug 12, 2014
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I would buy a rug with shades of aqua to go in front of the sofa then pick an aqua from that for the wall.
Linda P
on Aug 12, 2014
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Pick out a color from the pictures on the wall behind the sofa!
Marlene Haigh
on Aug 12, 2014
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go with SW Sea Salt for a light aqua color that will work well with grey or brown
Kimberly Svec
on Aug 12, 2014
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I would do a light grey to accent the fireplace and bring out the boldness of your furniture.
Debbie
on Aug 12, 2014
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I would go for a bold color like dark pink or lilac/purple. If you want to change the wall after mood then make a frame an stapple fabric in it. It's cheap and easy to change. Sorry for the spelling, I'm swedish.
Emma Svensson
on Aug 12, 2014
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@Hardy, many paint brands offer painting apps that allow you to upload photos of your interiors or exteriors, and virtually paint them to get an idea of how a color will work. For example, try the Color Visualizer by Sherwin Williams, which allows you to "drag and drop" paint onto your uploaded photo. This way, you can try any color imaginable before you buy, and they even offer suggestions for trim and accent colors. Here, we tried your room in "Steely Gray" (see below). After finding a color you think will work, get a small amount of it (some places even offer sample sizes) and paint a small section of a wall in that room so you can see how it will work in that room; even varying light during the day can change how a color will look. Trying out apps like this can ensure better color choices in the long run, and less headache and labor trying to paint your interiors.
Home Remedies LLC
on Aug 12, 2014
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I would find a colorful room size rug that includes the aqua like your throw pillows, then select a wall color from one of the other colors in the rug.
Becky Frazier Sheppard
on Aug 12, 2014
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Your furniture looks in really good shape but I absolutely know the age of it. I know the colour of it and recognize that the cushions and the pictures above the sofa are there because they go with it. I think your biggest problem is the expanse of tile and walls all being relatively the same. There are lots of area rugs out there with wonderful patterns and florals on them. If you can find one to look great with the furniture and pick out a colour from that for your walls, and then find fabric or buy cushion covers to give some colour pops this place would change dramatically.
Jjaycee
on Aug 12, 2014
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Choose your inspiration from the picture or a rug. I think a rug would soften the tile, although I love the tile. If you want to make the sofa wall as your focal point, you can paint it a different color than the rest of the room. It will have a WOW effect. Good luck and post pictures when you are done.
Liliana Wells
on Aug 12, 2014
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fushia
Beverly
on Aug 12, 2014
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Your tiles are very light. Can't tell if beige or white. I'd pick up a lighter shade from your fireplace for your walls. I'd then get a sizeable area rug to help ground the room with this colour and the darker tones of the fireplace colours. I'd rely on groupings of colourful art work, throws, and other accessories for spashes of colour. I'm also a believer in potted plants (real or artificial) and mostly large to soften lines and add coziness..
Marion Nesbitt
on Aug 12, 2014
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Grab yourself an area rug to anchor that seating area and take the chill off of the cold looking tile and then grab a color from the rug in a darker tone for warmth. A nice complementary color should balance that room. Google the color wheel and have fun!
Chrissy
on Aug 12, 2014
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I take forever to pick a color. Recently I painted my kitchen, Glass Tile - Valspar, from Lowe's. It is blue with a touch of green, sort of beachy. I think it would look great with the color in the picture and your pillows. Good Luck!
Mary L
on Aug 12, 2014
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I agree that you definitely need a rug. All the colors are on the cold side, some contrasting color (the opposite of the light blue on a color wheel) in a warm hue would be great.
Matina V
on Aug 12, 2014
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If you are just painting the wall behind the sofa, I would suggest a light blue to tie in with your pictures and pillows. My favorite is BM Palladium Blue.
Pam Bolton
on Aug 12, 2014
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I would paint the living room wall either a rich pumpkin or light-medium aqua. You can easily change out things like pillows, artwork, rugs, etc. The floors would look gorgeous with a dark-colored wood. Try a different layout with your furniture. That will make a HUGE difference/update:)
Heather Stimmel
on Aug 12, 2014
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I'm thinking gray as well only a bit darker than what was suggested. I love anchor walls but this also needs some brilliant color to 'pop' the room! Now what color? I got it! Yellow - not bright Sunny but a slightly pale bright yellow. Go to your contrast color wheel and pick one out there to compliment and contrast the blue in that big picture behind the sofa and that on top of the gray wall with yellow I think would look cool!
Barbara Turner
on Aug 12, 2014
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flint smoke (which is a grayish blue) or gohbi desert (light sand color if you are afraid of too much pop) both by behr. They are my two match everything colors
FrazzledMommy
on Aug 12, 2014
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I have found that most people have certain favorites when it comes to colors. If you're not sure what that may be then you need to go to your closet and find out. Go thru all your hanging clothes and separate by colors. You'll probably find a pattern forming. When I did it I found I had a large section of blacks, then beiges and only about three other dominant colors. In my case it was blue/greens, pinks/oranges and citrusy green. If I had only one thing in other colors then I would pull it out and it would go. The good news was I never had to wonder what it would go with. Shopping has become much easier because I know which colors I am drawn to and when packing to go on vacation it is so much easier. So why am I going on about clothes when you asked about paint? Because you have to know your own likes and dislikes before you start. No one but you knows what you like. Another thing I suggest to my clients is to pull pictures from magazines and assemble a portfolio of rooms you like. Note whether it's the furniture, the wall color, the windows or perhaps it's just the feel of the room. Maybe cozy as opposed to formal. Just start and you'll get the hang of it and begin to know your own style.
Nan Schnabel
on Aug 12, 2014
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Personally I'd paint the wall behind the loveseat. & I paint it a grey to go with your fireplace.
Diane Arnold
on Aug 13, 2014
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You have a southwestern piece above the mantle, take your inspiration from the warm Santa Fe / Taos palette. For example some of the colors found on this site http://www.colorfulsantafe.com/
Maggie Hugie
on Aug 13, 2014
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First decide if you'd like a warm or cool feeling for your room. I see warm colors in 3 small accessories while the rest is cool. To make it less overwhelming, look in your wardrobe for your favorite colors or go to any paint dept and look at the charts with color combos. The work is already done for you. Pick a combo you like and work with it. What colors make you feel good, feel happy? If you want to stay with a neutral color scheme, add texture in neutrals for interest.
Cyndie S
on Aug 13, 2014
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I also have black couch, and chair. I am painted my walls colonial blue, its just beautiful.
Deborah T
on Aug 14, 2014
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Nice place! I agree a rug with your favorite colors would look good and then pick a paint color, in a medium shade , from the rug. And plz post after pics!
Wendy Johnson
on Aug 14, 2014
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Maggie Hugle, We love, love, love Santa Fe. Thanks for the tip, we may just rent one of those beautiful homes!!!! Oh and by the way Santa Fe colors are just delightful!!!
Nan Schnabel
on Aug 15, 2014
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Check out Valspar Macaroon or Grass Skirt. They are unique and oh so beautiful! It will give the room an airy feeling!
Jeani
on Aug 22, 2014
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I disagree with painting the walls any shade of gray because you have dark furniture. You need to add color but not too much otherwise it would be too much. I do agree on a rug then picking a color from it for the wall.
Sue Peet
on Aug 22, 2014
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My favorite color is from Kelly Moore Paint and called Wise Owl. It's a beautiful beige which will give your walls a taller look! I also love a True Value color called Red Road, it's more of a burnt orange.
Vanessa
on Mar 22, 2015
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