My granddaughter wants to paint her bedroom red.
by
Lorrie R
+23
My granddaughter wants to paint her bedroom red. It is approximately 12' x 15' and gets lots of light. Her comforter is black and white and the furniture is white. Do you have a suggestion for a shade of red. Also, it must be a Sherwin Williams color.
26 answers
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A whole room of RED is pretty intense. I would suggest just one accent wall. When I was in 7th or 8th grade we got to pick colors for our rooms. My older brother picked red white and blue...he had one wall bright flag red with 3 in white, blue bed spread curtains etc. I did my room in yellow with an orange accent wall...these days we are more into sublte.
KMS Woodworks
on Jan 05, 2013
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I agree that you may want to start with one wall before choosing to go with any other walls. You did not share what decor your granddaughter likes or the age of your granddaughter. However, if she likes modern, you could possibly put a line of red on the other walls. I like Real Red or Stop by Sherwin Williams.
Kimberly Barney
on Jan 05, 2013
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She will be 16 in two weeks and we have tried to suggest an accent wall or red on the bottom and white on the top with a chair rail but she is adamant. She wants a Paris theme and the decor is rather eclectic.
Lorrie R
on Jan 05, 2013
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With teenagers, you need to pick your battles and, in my humble opinion, I think red walls in her bedroom is something you should allow without hesitation. It's just paint, not a tattoo. Paint is the cheapest and easiest thing to change when it comes to home decor. Several years ago, I painted my bedroom red. Typically, I am more partial to softer colors in my home but in 2007, I was seeing a lot of rooms painted red and, for some reason, red was screaming my name. Even so, I had to think about it for 3 months before I got up the nerve to step out of my pastel comfort zone and try it. I'll admit, I almost had a heart attack when the first stroke of red paint went on the walls, and several times during the painting process I asked myself, "What have I done?!" However, I forged ahead and ended up being quite pleased with the final outcome. My furniture was also white and I used a black and white damask print comforter. I threw in a little apple green for added interest. I was completely surprised and humbled when HGTV featured my bedroom as "Room of the Month" in their February 2008 on-line newsletter. "Porcelain Red" from the Waverly line at Lowes is the color I ultimately picked but you could always have it color matched at Sherwin Williams if you think it would work for you. It really is a true red despite the appearance of orange undertones in the photos I'm attaching, (I'm just a lousy photographer.) Please allow me to offer you a couple pointers on painting walls red. No matter what color the walls are now, it is advisable to prime the walls first with a tinted primer to make sure your red comes out its deepest, richest, truest color. Your paint guy should be able to tint the primer based on the red you select. (My shade of red dictated my primer be tinted a medium gray.) Second, expect to apply at least 2 or 3 coats of the red and don't be surprised if it still doesn't look uniform. Even after 3 coats, my red walls looked a little splotchy in places for a couple days. However, after the paint had time to cure, all the splotchy areas disappeared completely. This color scheme did make the room feel very cozy but I quickly got tired of the red. I decided I like seeing red in other people's homes much more than I like living with it in mine. After about a year, I went back to my preferred pastel colors and repainted the room a pale aqua and went with a beachy look. Even though I wasn't happy with the red long term, I'm glad I at least tried it.
Shari
on Jan 05, 2013
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I am with Shari, it is only paint. My home office was painted red for four years. It was a little dark and depressing, but the room got a lot of light. I got a lot of compliments on it. I used a Brick Red (Behr from Home Depot) I primed the walls first with a tinted primer and then applied two coats. When it was time to paint over it, I primed the walls once with a white primer (Kilz) and then two coats of the color I chose, which was a light beige (Gobi Desert) and it covered beautifully and you could never tell the walls were once dark red. Hope she likes it. Make sure to post pictures of the completed project.
Teri Uliasz Boyungs
on Jan 05, 2013
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Agreed. Let her paint it all red. And you can take almost anything to a Sherwin-Williams store and have them match the color, so maybe pick a piece of clothing or piece of art with a tone of red she really likes.
3po3
on Jan 05, 2013
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I teach Color Psychology and red is a very energetic, intense and vibrant color. For this reason stop lights, stop signs, hazard buttons, and the red on this website page are used as attention catchers.Also, red is an excellent color for office or dinning areas as it stimulates; energy, appetite, conversation, creativity, etc. That said, I have raised 3 children & I would advise her and then allow her to use her own creativity and expression. It is.... just paint.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jan 06, 2013
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Side with teenager -- let her express herself in her own room, if you do not, the resentment is likely going to be the cost :( Its only 1-2 gallons of paint .... and she will be so proud and excited you allowed her! Maybe try to encourage some softer decorations to brighten the look up. Best of luck!!
Designs by BSB
on Jan 06, 2013
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Red is very difficult color to get good coverage. I would start with a red tinted primer and be prepared to put up two or more coats of a high quality paint. Selecting a shade of Red that is more opaque and less translucent will also help. You may want to just start with painting an accent wall first. See how it looks before proceeding. Here is a recent post I made on interior painting on my blog http://www.nesthomeimprovement.com/blog/painting/
Nest Home Improvement
on Jan 06, 2013
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I would start with the bed wall and then see how it looks and feels. The whole room could be too much without having a place for your eye to rest. Let her make the final decision. Fun art will help tone down some of the intensity as well.
Anita Roll Murals
on Jan 06, 2013
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Red is a striking color and how fun for a teenager to already know her own decorative and creative style! With black and white furniture we envision a soft cinnamon color red for a warm cozy feel or if she wants the pop of a bright red then stay on the warm orange red tones as the blue tone reds can be deadening in our opinion. Keep it warm, fresh and bright! You can go to Lowe's and ask for small paint samples and take them home and try them out in swatch like blocks on the wall. View them at different times of the day as colors change in different lighting. Remember when its time to repaint the walls after she goes off to college you will most likely need 2 coats or more of a neutral color to hide all that red! We can't wait to see the final look - you gotta send us pics!
Virtually Staging Properties, Inc
on Jan 09, 2013
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Go for the Red! My teenage grandson wanted black walls!! His mom said ok! I was afraid to look:) When I did though, it was absolutely striking. His black furniture blended into the walls, black bedspread & sheets made the bed stand out against the light colored carpet, colorful posters and other favorite things hung on the walls took center stage as the focal points. Stunning! A granddaughter in the same family painted her wall deep purple, had white furniture and lime green accents. It was also great. Let your granddaughter explore her creative side. And then...photos please. lol
Cindy Richmond
on Feb 11, 2015
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Great job!!
Patty Aquilina
on Feb 18, 2015
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My granddaughter was determined to have a bright orange room, with lime green comforter, etc. We painted her room a bright orange, and we noticed when looking up at her window, if her curtain was open, it looked like her room was on fire. LOL. She did grow out of it and repainted her room a calmer color a few years later.
LeeAnn Gerleman
on Feb 20, 2015
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Or, one wall could be white!
Pat
on Mar 02, 2015
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Hi@Lorrie R - one thing I would suggest if your daughter would like a 'Paris themed' bedroom is to perhaps use the red on the wall that her bed goes on and paint the rest of the walls in a light/pale grey. These are the colours I would choose for the paint or something similar :) http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6869-stop/#/6869/?s=products&p=PS0 http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6254-lazy-gray/#/6254/?s=products&p=PS0 If, using the red and grey - I would perhaps put a few cushions on her bed to 'tie-in' the colours i.e. say 2 red and 1 grey or vice versa? I would also perhaps use a large black 'wall decal' of the Eiffel Tower and put it on one of her walls? You can purchase them from here or if you look on the internet and type in 'eiffel tower wall decal' - you will find plenty of other places that sell them. https://www.etsy.com/ie/listing/61199358/eiffel-tower-wall-decal-6-feet-tall Perhaps she might like something like these? But don't put too many on the wall :) https://www.etsy.com/ie/market/paris_wall_decals Hope this helps :)
Denise Hardy
on Mar 25, 2015
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My granddaughter was told that she could pick out whatever color she wanted for HER new bedroom, and then Mom & Dad tried to influence. Huh! My little one dug in her heels and insisted on Racy Red and Carnival Pink . . . sounds horrendous, doesn't it? But these were the colors that 'spoke' to her, and they actually look great. The room has one wall of red and the other three pink (my daughter refers to as Pepto-Bismal). They look really good, her curtains will be a light color, the room feels warm and most of all, she is happy with it. Moral(s) of the story . . . don't tell your child they can do something if you are not willing to follow through AND if you let someone follow their instincts you might be surprised at how well things work out.
Dee
on Jun 25, 2015
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That's how we learn. I got to paint my bedroom dark purple one time. I liked it for about a week. To this very day, I don't like any paint color with reds in it because when its getting dark, its morose and depressing to me. I don't even like browns because of the feeling i remember about that purple. haha. When we watch the decorating shows on HGTV, I remember when that one woman was painting the carpeting to match her walls. So as long as your granddaughter is just painting walls that can be repainted, its all good. =)
LeeAnn Gerleman
on Jun 26, 2015
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If you can't handle the idea of a solid red on the walls, how bout using stencils and the red as accent colors. I did my daughters room with white walls and teal stenciled accents as her colors were teal and black. I also got her a teal colored rug and lace curtains w/ white mini blinds. She also got black sheets w/ a teal and black comforter.
Cathy C
on Aug 25, 2015
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Lorrie, Don't despair! It won't be quite as bad as you anticipate. Choosing a red CAN be challenging, but from experience, well, it is a journey. Considering that she is looking for something bold and dramatic, get your sights set for the deeper tones, preferably with blue undertones. If you're not familiar with what I'm saying, just go to your paint store and an experienced color specialist will be able to help you and will know what you're talking about. Most stores can match any color from any sample or any other manufacturer. With all of the computer systems out there to match colors now it's easier than ever. Red does NOT cover well so expect to use at least 3 coats regardless of what your paint person tells you. I've used all the "one-coat wonders" out there and when it comes to red....hasn't happened yet. You will also need to prime the walls with a quality primer tinted for use with darks. Sounds like it will be gorgeous when all is finished. Just be patient, have faith and realize you're making your granddaughter a very happy young lady. Be sure and take plenty of "before and after" shots to share with us! Looking for a post soon!
Beverly Hullender
on Aug 25, 2015
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Another way to help you along us to dye a couple sheets and put those up. It may not be the exact color but it will give you an idea of what it would be like. I love Denise's idea of a red wall and the others grey with the large decal. Good luck.
Gini
on Aug 31, 2015
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I would think that ONE red wall would be enough. I suggest painting one wall red and let her live with it for a bit before proceeding. Try to leave one wall white for the long run. A red color that has a bit of yellow will be more uplifting than one with blue tones.
Pat
on Sep 01, 2015
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Another thought is to cover large panels of cardboard or some other lightweight backing with red fabric and hang those over the wall. Depending on your sewing skills and the price of the fabric, you could cover the whole wall or hang the panels as pieces of art.
Dee
on Sep 01, 2015
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I have a red formal living room and I must admit it is a very dark room.
Danita Campbell
on Sep 09, 2015
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My suggestion is to prime the walls first with a light gray flat paint. Then paint the shade of red you like in whatever sheen you choose. Red is a tough color on white walls. You'll be applying multiple coats if you don't prime first. Don't always believe that paint & primer pitch or one coat coverage pitch, especially when you are dealing with Red paint. Best of luck. (I also like the one wall suggestion.)
Diana Deiley
on Feb 06, 2016
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they say NEVER use red in bedroom. Red is energysing, exciting stimulating, exact opposite of promoting sleep. I love red, had a bright red living room, loved it, crushed velvet furniture, (RED) velvet look drapes, (RED) with white Austrailian pouf panels. White carpet. But I've always shied away from red in bedroom. I'd try a blanket, sheets etc, first
Lad348384
on Mar 26, 2016
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