How do I make this turquoise room look less like an 90’s disaster?

Thea
by Thea

I chose the wrong colour paint for this room and I am not going to admit it to my husband. It’s more 90’s than 2019. I hate it so much I can’t even think of how to make it work. I can’t change the paint colours (walls, floor, ceiling and cupboards) but everything else is doable. Any ideas for a theme that will make this look less like Mars? Note: please no fretwork stencils or seascape ideas, the rest of the house is more mid century.

  19 answers
  • NQ. NQ. on May 22, 2019

    Paint one or two a lighter color, behind the bed, or that big wall.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on May 22, 2019

    Before you do anything, gather all of the furniture, accessories and window treatments and see what NEUTRAL color is consistent in them and use that as your base wall color.


    I would pick out several paint chips at the paint store and compare them at home to your things. Then tack them on each wall throughout the day to see the effect of sunlight.


    Finally, here's a guide to using color in a room:

    -60% =your main wall color

    -30%=your secondary color

    -10%=your accent color (go wild!)



    • See 1 previous
    • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on May 22, 2019

      Neutralize the bright turquoise with loads of tans and whites....it works great in nature (ocean...sand...clouds)

  • Rita Botting Rita Botting on May 22, 2019

    i would suggest golds and weathered browns.

    • Thea Thea on May 22, 2019

      That is a lovely colour palette. It does somehow beg for gold, doesn’t it?

  • CJ CJ on May 22, 2019

    Is this right: you have a lovely room painted with a very pretty color that maybe is a bit too bold for you?

    I think Rita is giving you the best advice, since you do not want to repaint. Tone down the bold color and very white, white with gold fixtures and frames and bring in some warm tones of beige and browns.

    "Shop" in your house and thrift stores for things you love that will coordinate in your room.

    Good luck! Please share what you do.

  • Rymea Rymea on May 22, 2019

    You could cover a large portion of the walls with art. You could use wall peels. Here is an example that is 40" x 60". https://www.greatbigcanvas.com/view/kauai-island-hawaiian-islands-polynesia,1006227/?s=NylTdmeXTLJtLDqQ0hDPNURjMU8UaR1cS9FfTCP5rNR4FxKJugSETZTfAjt

    If you use a complementary color, which means one that is straight across the color wheel it will make the color look brighter. Straight across from blue green would be between red and orange. So you probably want stay away from large amounts of reds and oranges or just use them very sparingly, just for accents.


    • Thea Thea on May 22, 2019

      I love the idea of wall peels and this website has great designs. A lot of what I’ve seen are single colour cut-outs.

  • Anna Anna on May 22, 2019

    A big black headboard would help anchor the room, and I would add lots of black and white accents. The gold and browns idea is nice too- it would neutralize the teal.

  • Clay B Clay B on May 22, 2019

    Look for Sea Foam Green color. Much lighter, but when the whole room is done, will look nice and beachy. Also, forget most of the color chips at paint store, always pick from the Historical Color chips/chart. These colors always look good.

  • Thea Thea on May 22, 2019

    Oh yes! That is also a a great idea. I have seen rooms where they even do black and white stripes or chequerboard. That will definitely balance out the green. Will have to do it in a way that doesn’t make the room too busy though.

  • Krafty Mrs.K Krafty Mrs.K on May 22, 2019

    I had similar issue with purple in a small bathroom. I took the bright white semigloss I painted the trim and watered it down for a quick color wash. Just used a big sponge to wipe it over the bright color. Yes it is still painting but not as much work as a total repaint. It toned down the lavender and accented the texture.

    As for adding other colors in decor I would lean toward neutrals ( white, grey, or brown) instead of complementary colors because they will add more contrast.

    • Thea Thea on May 22, 2019

      You are right, it is not exactly repainting. As long as I don’t mess it up. 😅And yes, your advice on the neutrals does make sense. Thanks for the advice.

  • Helen Helen on May 22, 2019

    Try using fabric several shades light to make pillows for sofa and bed. There are several no sew ideas on hometalk. Maybe add some greenery to neutralize the color. You could also make a padded headboard or hang curtains behind your bed. Add interesting accessories to take the eye away from walls. Best of luck.

  • Krysten Kelly Krysten Kelly on May 22, 2019

    I saw on Trading Spaces one bedroom with bold colors and they used colored metallic masking tape to create geometric shapes on the walls to break up the solid color. then they did metallic accents throughout. I have a lot of teal in my house. Until recently it was covered in teal carpet. I used white, black, grey and silver accents throughout.

  • Dfm Dfm on May 22, 2019

    Mid century modern was noted to be quite colorful, pick 3

    colors that you like, paint a foam core panel your first choice, when dry hook and loop fasteners to put it on a wall. Give it a few days in the room. If you like it, paint with that color. If you don’t like it, go to choice no. 2. 3, etc.

  • [re]FɄB19 [re]FɄB19 on May 22, 2019

    I love your bedroom! Love the mix of white, turquoise and the pink chair. You need more white on the walls, like some arts and I would use the pink as a pop of color.


    I think you definitively need a new comforter. Try a white one, with some aqua and/or pink accents, such as a blanket and/or cushions.

    https://www.amazon.com/Lush-Decor-Piece-Serena-Comforter/dp/B00GXGY3TY


    I love your pink chair, but I would paint all the wood in white, using chalk paint. Same thing with the shelving and the window/bench.


    You are missing some arts. Try something HUGE and white such as this mandala.

    http://www.enhancingyourhabitat.com/White-Wood-Mandala-White-Canvas-3-Piece-printed-wall-art


    Not crazy about the brown sofa... If you don't have the skill to redo it, or the money to buy a new one, you can get a cover on Wish almost for free. With some cushion and a fluffy blanket, it will certainly do the job! ;)


    https://www.wish.com/search/sofa-cover/product/5be3fca92cd3872e156f3b28?&hide_login_modal=true&source=search


    Get rid of the carpet! Or paint it!


    I love to start a project with a picture like the ones I joined. You have your aqua, your pink and your white. Choose your vibe, build your room around it.


    Good luck!


    • Thea Thea on May 23, 2019

      Thank your detailed advice. I particularly like the idea of the huge art. Yes, the comforter is finished! The furniture is just there because we recently moved in and that is what I happened to have/needed to put somewhere.

  • 17335038 17335038 on May 23, 2019



    If you really dislike the colour on the walls now, no matter what else you try to put in the room, or how much money you throw at the space, the colour will always be there.


    Reading up on how the colour wheel works should help you choose a more suitable colour.


    If you are adverse to repainting, then to hide some of the colour, you could install a wainscoting rail, and cover just the bottom portion of the walls with wallpaper. Covering half the wall with panels or beadboard are other options.


    https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/color-wheel-primer

    • Thea Thea on May 23, 2019

      True but I consider it a challenge to make it work. I am very cynical about trends, so I am convinced it is bound to come back into fashion soon. And then watch, suddenly when it is all over Pintrest I am going to love it.😂Great idea about doing the bottom half, I recently did a variation of that in another room.

  • Marcy Klapper Howe Marcy Klapper Howe on May 23, 2019

    I searched online because I envisioned dark brown with this. I made jewelry and those colors went together well. I am a visual person so I thought these might help. I think it is a gorgeous color btw 😃!


    • Thea Thea on Nov 15, 2019

      Marcy, I see I never responded to your answer to my question many months ago. Thank you for all the pics!

  • Therese Hartner Therese Hartner on Mar 27, 2021

    Yes, if you really dislike the color. I would put a chair rail up and repaint one half of the wall. It doesn't have to be centered either.

    Or hanging things on the wall takes vision to the objects and there's a lot to make say in neutral colors.

    Here are some bedding ideas from Walmart. Sorry, Walmart but it's my go to bcuz I'm always changing colors and I'm not going to spend a fortune to do so.

    Hope this may have helped. If not good luck to you.

  • Ruth55cooper Ruth55cooper on Mar 28, 2021

    I like the color

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Nov 03, 2021

    I would make this kind of retro old Florida looking. Add pink flamingos and art deco and you are all set!