Just don't know how to decorate!
How to paint a very dark rusty red living room?
by
Dawn Frizell
+55
I just moved into a home that has the rusty red color on the walls. I want to paint it but afraid too. All the items are gone ...any decorating ideas would be appreciated.
prime coat it first. That way you'll get coverage.
You are going to need a stain blocking primer. Possibly 2 coats. Let the primer dry completely. Paint with your chosen color. Light coats, let dry. Repeat until you can't see the previous
color. If you try to put on thick coats you will end up with sags and runs.
as far as decor....put out the items that you love. My aunt likes old popcorn tins, I like cut glass decanters and quilts.
Hello Dawn; It can be overwhelming to do something different!!
Please do not worry, as I am so sure that your Home will be Beautiful in no time!!!
Please go to Ace hardware, Home Depot, Etc. Get any colors of paint chips that you are remotely interested in.
Bring them all home. Spread them out. Look at them in sunlight, and also artificial lighting. I always tell any Clients to do this!!!
Decide what you like. You will be the one living with these colors. Please choose any that appeal to you!! This is your Home!!!!
What is your personal style of decorating??? Do you collect anything??? What are your likes and dislikes??? What do you want this room to be used for???
Please answer, so that I can help you further!! Take Care!
Are the items in the picture yours or the previous owners? The first hurdle to over come is always fear. Tell the little voice in your head Shhhhh! When I want to decorate a room I always look first for an inspiration piece. I never know what it will be but when I see it I know that's it. Start your hunt by wondering, either through your own things or visit thrift stores or someplace like Hobby Lobby. Look for something that really calls to you on a personal level, than walk away from it, go home and think about it. If you have to go back the next day and get it, that's the piece. I once decorated a whole room around a colored glass bottle :) Paint is a great way to change a room easily. Always remember there really isn't anything to fear because you aren't signing a lifetime contract and there are very few things that can't be changed or fixed. Have fun with it!
Hello Dawn. It looks like most of the surfaces and furniture are in the "brown" family. I recommend painting your walls a saturated beige. In my last home we painted the first floor "mushroom" from Sherwin Williams. It was really pretty. That would look nice in your place and paint your crown molding white. Hope this helps you. Good luck.
What a wonderful challenge. You will definitely need several coats of Kilz2 primer. Don't skimp on it, and allow for proper drying time between coats. Depending on the color you want to paint the walls, same thing.... apply several coats. A lighter color will brighten the room and make it appear more spacious. I'd like to suggest Valspar Oyster Pearl in a satin finish. It will also compliment the counters that you have and work with any other home furnishings you may have. Best of luck.
If you want to go with a lighter color I definitely suggest a primer and then paint with the color of your choice. Think about what colors make you happy and the same for your decorating choices. Look in magazines for ideas. In choosing colors get the sample jars of several colors you like and paint them on pieces of dry board-I do a 2x4 size and put them in the room and see how it looks. Don't rush just enjoy the process. Sometimes I have used 6 or 7 different sample boards before I found what I wanted but to me it is cheaper then painting a whole room and hating it and have to repaint
Wow! Love all that space and potential. Adding to the above comments, I'd like to recommend a totally neutral color that we've used more than once. It is Behr color N200-4 Rustic taupe. We use eggshell paint and primer in one. Added bonus its zero VOC. It's coverage over old color is amazing. But, best of all, this color is like a chameleon. It almost changes to go with EVERYTHING. I have yet to find an accent or piece of furniture that looks bad with it. Best of luck!
Also adding to the above. Pick a piece of artwork of fabric you LOVE and pick your paint colors from it. It's much easier to pick paint from art or fabrics than the other way around.
Hi Dawn, Here's a how to video on how to paint over dark red paint: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/painting-over-dark-colors
And here's a link with lots of lovely ideas on how to decorate a living room with fireplace: https://www.google.com/search?biw=1600&bih=794&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=ideas+of+how+to+decorate+a+living+room+with+wood+framed+fireplace&oq=ideas+of+how+to+decorate+a+living+room+with+wood+framed+fireplace&gs_l=psy-ab.3...42965.45184.0.46555.12.12.0.0.0.0.78.712.12.12.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0.kbk8dLpEv1c
Have fun!!
Thank you for the very helpful videos...even took notes!
The paint and primer in one are great for light colors. From personal experience , use a separate primer coat on that dark red. I've had to paint over to that before and it was a nightmare .
As for decorating , choose a picture or piece that you love and that makes you happy . Pick your colors and accessories around that.
You won't be sorry by picking your colors this way. I can't tell you the numbers of people who do just the opposite and then are frustrated when they can't find items to blend. Good Luck and be sure to post after photos.
Hello Dawn,
I painted even darker colored rooms and with such ease, so no worries that room is fairly easy to paint, if you are choosing quality and light color paint. By quality paint, I mean Behr Marque or Benjamin More kind of paints, and by light color I mean any light color including off white, light grey, light blue etc. And no, you wouldn't even need an extra primer as these paints would already have the primers within their formulas.
Here is a hint to keep in mind: light colors would always cover dark colors much better and easier, because they would have more titanium oxide in their formula, therefore more "hide" in the paint. If you want to read all about it and how to easily paint your room you can check out my post in the link below:
http://www.thenavagepatch.com/painting-101-how-to-paint-a-room/
Good luck with the painting! -Handan
I have a dark red wall as well, I was told when I was ready to change it to use a pink color as a primer, then cover in white, then use the new color. Best of luck!
Hello Dawn; Thank-You so much!!!
How Cool!!! Grey and Blue would work so well together. That would look so nice.
What would look too cool, is if you could show case the plane, attached to the wall via the Fireplace. See if Command strips would be of help to you there.
If you use a Cabinet or else a shelving, you could showcase your husband things.
I bet he saved a Pilots cap. That would look awesome framed.
What about one of his uniforms, hanging or else framed???
Ditto with your Nursing uniform and other items. Try to think outside of the box.
Do what makes you Happy.
Even inexpensive shelving can be transformed with paint, stain or even paper.
I am excited for you, as I know that this area will look Beautiful!!
I wish that I could help you!!! Take Care!!
I used a color called French Gray SW 0055 Sherwin Williams in my living room, with 1 accent wall coordinating color I went with the Gentle Grape SW 9074, I have received lots of compliment including the painter who painted she love the gray walls with the crisp white ceiling and trim
Good luck Dawn
Too much stuff in a medium space. My ex-husband was a hunter too so I would say take down those deer heads immediately. Put bookshelf in another rm. Suggest a lighter color for walls which might make rm. look bigger. Do you have a family rm. where you can put the huge TV?
Call local college or university and see if they have interior design students who are looking for projects. There is a section on Hometalk about redecorating...take a look.
giggle...i'v been a nurse 1984. wow- has it all changed since then....paint the room a color that you find calming. add a bit of spice with accessories. change a few of them with the seasons.
Dawn, I've professionally painted faux finish, for years. If you prime paint first with a grey colored primer, you'll be fine. Go with a medium shade of grey. That way you can go lighter if you want. I personally like Kilz primer in latex. I try to go with a low VOC. If you can't get Kilz with a low VOC, just add a couple of drops of vanilla extract. It will cut down on the smell of the paint.
Are the items in the pic going back in? You said they had been removed? See nothing wrong with the colour - or what's in the pic. "Stuff" is what makes a house a home. Dawn, I just painted my 'boring beige' den walls Moroccan Ruby! It's so much warmer and cozier looking while actually making the space look larger. The colour goes with everything - golds, greens, blues, etc. so is an excellent background. I have received a lot of compliments. My furniture is dark and traditional like yours. I would lighten the window treatment. I did off white sheers with mini blinds under. Let there be colour!
If you do fall for the wishy washy neutrals, then use a primer like Zinzer 1,2,3 or similar.
Hi Dawn, I've painted over dark blue walls and terracotta orange walls with a really light almond paint.....went the primer route and the no primer route.....here's what I learned; Lowe's Valspar paint covered completely and beautifully in two coats. ..no primer necessary because you can get the type of paint that doesn't require it. If your unsure, just paint one wall with two coats....then you'll know if you need primer before paint on the rest of the room.
What are you afraid of? The only cure for these dreary walls is paint. Hire someone if you can't do it yourself. If you have little or no painting/DIY experience, hire a pro. This is too large a room for an amateur.
Forgot to say this: don't use cheap paint whatever you do.
okay.. i confess... i too am a nurse....who knows a few good decorators. found out that they would be willing to plan out a space for furniture placement, and knew who to call to have a few pieces repaired. as far as decor- go with what you love....if it makes you smile, lifts your mood....how can that be bad?
Don't switch everything to cool blues and greys. Your cabinets and granite countertops are warm colors. Since the two rooms are open to each other I'd look for a color that looked good with them. You could try a grey / beige .... greige.
You can start painting with a white primer and then decide on color. It is hard to imagine what something will look like with the red. I would look for new curtains with a pattern and a mix of colors that you like. Easy to buy and return until you get one you really like, Much easier then repainting. ; ) ..... You may need to update the fireplace surround but it is hard to tell from the picture.
Hi Dawn,
If you are using light grey or light blue paint, make sure you have the daylight bulbs as the various bulbs cast strong hues causing distortion of the light colored paints.
Decorating: Sounds like you want to decorate with items that have meaning.
Before hanging anything on the walls, I arrange them out on the floor and take pictures with my phone to view. This way I can arrange them differently if needed.
I just painted a dark red room last week! I used the higher level Kilz tinted gray recommended by the paint store to cover it all up. It covered the walls in one coat! No kidding! Maybe a few touch ups where I missed and my paint color (Swim by Valspar) went on beautifully and I did two coats. It's an office and probably not for a color for a living room. You will be happy when your room is lighter and brighter! Grays seems to be "IN"! Enjoy!
Prime with GRAY paint to cover red.
As an interior contractor....I always recommend primming first...especially when you don't know what kind of paint or how old the paint is that you are trying to cover. Never use a paint with primer in it if you are repairing the walls the repairs or patch work will show through the paint . I agree with choosing a colour from a focal piece of art or a rug or even your flooring.
Pick the least colours that you are in the floor match it up with a paint sample book and put them on the floor and whatever jumps out at you is what I would make your focal wall the second colour that jumps out is what I would paint the rest of your walls with white trim and cielings .....Good luck....and enjoy your home....make it yours btw....my favorite paint and I send all of my clients to the local Benjamin Moore store....and wash your brush when you are finished for the day....rollers can go in a plastic bag and froze....there is dryer in the paint and will clump which makes it hard for cutting post pics of your after ...I would love to see your room come together.
Since everyone else has dealt with the paint issue, I will help with the decor. What you should do is go through decorating magazines and websites and cut out or download any decor that you like. Don't narrow any down yet, just cut out your "wish list" of ideas.
Then rank them from what you love to what you like least and start refining your choices until you have a look you love. Then start to make improvements a little at a time until the room is exactly the way you like it. You don't have to do it all at once, and there is no "right" way to decorate. It is your house, so surround yourself with furniture and accessories that not only work for you, but that make you happy when you are in it!
I would use a base primer all over. I would do a soft light blue paint on the top, add a white chair rail and then do a light gray slightly darker than the blue paint color below the chair rail. The colors will be soothing to the eye and you can add yellow pillows on a couch or chairs for a splash of color. Patterns of paisley or toille in navy blue can warm up the room and make it cozy. Less is more so choose your nic nacs to be a focal point. Choose some of your favorite things and incorporate them in your decor.
If you don't love the red, I would repaint, just be sure to prime first with Kilz or Zinsser, and then get a good paint with primer in it. It might take 2 coats. You could start with one wall at a time.
Or you could go to an actual paint store like your local Benjamin Moore dealer and get the right answers. You do not need to put multiple coats of primer on to cover deep colors. A good primer is meant to seal in the previous color. One coat of a good primer that your Benjamin Moore dealer can tint to your topcoat color and one coat of a proper paint like Benjamin Moores Aura Paint will cover the red.
Before you do anything improve the lighting then choose your colors
You will definitely have to primer. Did you know you can have your primer tinted the same as your new paint color. Helps with coverage. We flip houses use Stone Isle from Lowes. Everyone loves this color. It is a warm color. It looks great with white trim. It will lighten your whole room,
Hi Dawn,
Valspar paint has primer in it. Candy
If this is your room showing, it looks a little dull, and I am sure you would like a room full of light. So you would definitely want to change the color on the wall. Like the other person said, go to a store and check out some colors to your liking. Take a few samples home and tape them to the wall for a few days. Look at them and see which one brightens your home and has the best fit for your furniture color scheme and make a choice based on that, and yes, it is always good to have a second opinion from someone you know well, trust and know that they will be honest with you. Still, it's your choice to make, since you're the one living there. I am interested in know what you plan to do and what color(s) you're select.
Primer free paint. 2 coats will do it.