I need suggestions on color to go with olive drab!

Question

We are in our mid 70's and have no intention of a big bathroom redo, so it is "suck it up and live with the olive drab!". However, a stumble by a guest calls for repair of the wall where the shower curtain bar saved him from a bad fall...Thank God no one was hurt. But once we repair that wall, it has to be painted. I would like to paint something other than a sort of cream...mainly for a change. The paint there now is one I mixed up using left over white and a sort of beige color. This olive drab is not an easy color to work with, but since the tile is in perfect condition...and mold free...after 45 years, it can just stay were it is. (Note, even the grout is still white!)
(Please excuse the poor lighting...but those new bulbs are not much better than candlelight!)
I thought about an almost white yellow...one of those that has no green in it...more along the color of the inside of a banana??? Suggestions???? Keep in mind that the orange and aqua that was popular with olive drab 45 years ago is not to my liking! LOL

(Please excuse the poor lighting...but those new bulbs are not much better than candlelight!)

I thought about an almost white yellow...one of those that has no green in it...more along the color of the inside of a banana???   Suggestions????  Keep in mind that the orange and aqua that was popular with olive drab 45 years ago is not to my liking!   LOL

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I know you mentioned no orange, however what about a very pale peach just enough for a touch of color.

Carolyn V · Answer

I love playing around with the behr paint internet site. it has so many options to see choices of color combinations and you can even find a similar room to add the color to the room by touch with color selections. just try it http://www.behr.com/consumer/colors/paint#paint

Lucy Nunn · Answer

It's now not only acceptable, but trending to mix warm tans and cool greys.  Consider a soft  grey color.  Instant update!

Penny · Answer

I always go to Lowes or Home Depot and get a paint chart with all the color samples. I go home and hold them up and see what color I like best to match.

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi Jeannette! You always give such great advice- but once in awhile we all need some help-lol! I love the color Storm Cloud Gray by Ben Moore http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/stormcloudgray It is a soft gray with green undertones. If you want to try and minimize the olive drab, this will help neutralize it.

Shirley · Answer

Well, thank you for this post! I have the exact same tile! (Actually, our tub areas look identical.) Maybe in 69 that was the go to color but wow, trying to figure what to do with it now....To add insult to injury, they tiled my floor in the same color, octagon shape, with white tile interspersed.....It's a big workaround that I have no idea what color would be best. I will definitely following your post to see what ideas you get! Thanks!

Angela Shumate · Answer

Jeanette S
You can always go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get paint swatches and look for the one that matches the tub exactly or as close to it as possible and then you can see what other paint colors swatches work with that color color of your tub. It should be several swatch/s you can play with. Using the swatches, once you have decided on a color or a few colors, ask for sample can, which are not expensive and you can keep trying those samples until you find something you can go put it on your walls or a main wall that will really tell you if it will work or not. This way you do not have to pay for a gallon of paint and end up with something that doesn't work and you had to put out that cost of an entire gallon.... Hope this helps.

Mary Ker · Answer

There are a number of sits on the web that will generate color palettes for you.  And that 60's color was called avocado at the time.  If you find a pic of that color (Google avocado paint) and can import it into whatever color palette generator you choose, it should make the whole job easier.

Sharon Boughner · Answer

I would suggest a pale yellow or pale pink. Both of these go great with olive. Some shades of red do as well. You would need paint chips or samples to decide.

Glenda Osborn · Answer

If you are wanting it brighter paint it white in egg shell there is also paints to paint the tile and your floor

B. Enne · Answer

white,creamy white, a lighter version of the current olive, terra cotta (not the super orangey one) dark or light grey, brown, navy, plum, eggplant (looks really good), greyed plum, Here are some combinations: http://www.colorcombos.com/olive-color-schemes.html

Jeanette S · Answer

I am just the beginning stages but he first thing I will do is get hubs to fix that wall.  Then I will get some of the samples per the suggestions and go from there.  I am sure this will not be done any time soon!

Jeanette S · Answer

I am just the beginning stages but he first thing I will do is get hubs to fix that wall.  Then I will get some of the samples per the suggestions and go from there.  I am sure this will not be done any time soon!

Barbara Schuler Fox · Answer

Visit a Sherwin Williams store, they have experts to help you pick colors. I went in, told the lady my tile colors, floor color, she picked a handful of swatches for me in a matter of minutes to take home and try, no charge.

Donna L. Woods-Clements · Answer

What I want to know is how tall was the guest!?! That looks like a high place to thump the wall!

Irene · Answer

You are very fortunate that your fixtures are white and not olive also. Are you aware that there are excellent paints made especially for tile? That way you can cover the olive green and choose whatever color scheme you fancy.

Pam Lott · Answer

I love rich red tones. Don't be afraid of color.

Julies1949 · Answer

Go talk to a paint person. I painted my Pepto Bismol pink tile years ago. You need to lightly sand the tiles first, then apply a primer like Zinsser Bulls Eye. It sticks to the tile and the paint sticks to it. Then paint the color of your choice.

Diana Deiley · Answer

You can paint everything. Ask the paint associate at Lowes for Gripper primer and then for the tile paint. I suggest a satin or semi-gloss finish. Enjoy your 'new' room.

Katrina Warren · Answer

@Jeanette S I would paint the walls a light lavender to go well with the olive tile. :) Get a darker olive rug, and accent with both purple, & lavender towels etc...... A good rule of thumb when deciding on color combos is to use a basic color wheel, & anything that is directly across from your main color will be a good match/contrast.

Dfm · Answer

avocado green. the 1st thing that pop's into my mind is - army jacket and camo. dark brown, light tan, black?

Linda Scats · Answer

I love the idea of a dark red with olive and lots of beige and white trim and accents, however, on my computer screen, your tiles look more tan than olive, in which case a pretty blue for the walls would be nice.

Red Feline · Answer

I agree With Katrina . . . Lavender would be a great color to use.

Kayo Frazier · Answer

Here is my 2 cent suggestion...It is not a stark white, but rather a soft white. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/532621093406456444/ I think rather than coming up w/ a complimentary/contrasting color for the walls I would highlight the olive drab bathroom surround & then add other pops of colors in the towels, linens, and accessories for the bathroom. Colors that would work well would be the cool jewel colors(amethyst, forest green, sapphire etc.), black, white, cream, tan. Hope this helps.

Paula Brock · Answer

I would go with Sherwin Williams, 'Friendly Yellow,' and accent with either navy or black towels, decor, etc. We painted our entire interior this past fall the yellow and jusst love it. What a cheery color it is, and it goes well with olive and all colors.

Holly Tompkins · Answer

I think I would go with classic black and white finishes, maybe a variation of white on the walls. Some bright bras accessories and then pops of color in other accessories (i.e. towels, rug etc.) The Little Green Notebook has a post about her bathroom which is painted olive green I'm attaching a picture of that. I also attached a chart of colors that can pair with olive greens well. Hope that is helpful!