Want to Add Some Color to My Living Room but Not Sure What to Go With

Updated on February 05, 2011
L.S. asks from Princeton, TX
10 answers

Our living room is kind of small about 20 X 14, we have wood floors that are like a colonial maple color (has a bit of a redish tint), our couches are shades of brown leather and suede. I have mainly family pics in black frames but also have two large wall art decorations in mustard yellow, barn red and black. Our rug is black with red and brown squares. Our walls right now are a light khaki color with white trim and they are A frame cielings so kind of tall in the center. I was thinking of painting one wall a mustard yellow color but not sure. I have reframed from painting anything bc Im afaid it wont look good or may make the room look smaller but I want a warm feel and I love color. Once we take the time to paint it, it will probably stay that color bc we have small children and it will be a hassel keeping them away until everything is dry so I want to make sure I pick the perfect color. Any thoughts or suggestions?? I love earthy tones and reds, mustard yellow, browns.... no blue or green

Update: I also had the thought of doing a yellow with a brown glaze over it to give some texture and a leathery look. Anyone ever tried this?

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So What Happened?

Here's the problem Im having, my living room really doesn't have a focal point in it. There isn't a solid wall, fireplace etc. I want my house to have a warm country feeling. My hubby and I plus kids have been stuck in the house for a week straight due to the ice storm which has left us thinking our house needs a face lift! lol We have had the khaki walls since we moved in 3 years ago and at first loved the clean feel to them but now it seems so boring. I was thinking of doing all four walls the mustard yellow and doing the dining area a barn red crackle which you can see from the living room. The hubby now also wants to sand down the wooden cabinets in the kitchen and paint them too! Whew I think I need an interior designer haha!

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M.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

One thing I really like and wouldnt necessarily mean you have to paint but add nice color. You could go to a fabric store and find some fabulous fabric with a real fun print or even solids in the colors you want and get some wooden frames and cover the frames with the fabric, these can be really large and different sizes put together on one accent wall.. here is a sample of how it can look but you can put lots of different ones together of different sizes or several of the same size and shape and different colors.. I think it looks really nice and easy to change the colors (no need to worry about painting) just change the fabrics..

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-make-fa...

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I wouldn't do a mustard accent wall with khaki-its not enough contrast and the colors will be super difficult to match and make look nice together. Go with the burnt red-it makes a gorgeous accent. And then go to Joann Fabrics-they have a ton of gorgeous fabrics to choose from....do a couple pillows in a pattern that uses your colors and matches the vibe you want to have- floral, classic, funky or whatever. If you can't sew you can find a seamstress to throw them together. That is the cheapes way I know to get a new look.

6 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I love those colors together, though it does seem kind of dark. I used to have a red couch and mustard wall paint, and it just didn't work, I think the paint was too yellow, so I would get a few swatches and try thrm out.

I love this room:
http://www.rinneallen.com/lucys_house_new.html

and this one:
http://www.colourlovers.com/home/blog/2010/09/11/interior...

One of my favorite blogs is the nester and the lettered cottage. They recommend some gorgeous soft colors, like rice grain and tobacco road from sherwin williams, I think, she talks about it here:
http://www.thenester.com/2008/02/pain-t.html

Here is her warm red room: If you notice, she has the khaki walls, but her drapes have that ivory and mustard stripes in there for warmth.

http://www.thenester.com/2010/09/how-to-change-the-theme-...

more paint color talk:
http://theletteredcottage.net/frequently-asked-questions

and it's too bad you don't like blue! a nice, dirty robins egg looks beautiful with mustard and red:
http://www.annesage.com/blog/2008/11/absolutely-loving-mu...

http://www.casasugar.com/Su-Casa-Brave-Color-Combination-...

5 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I answered the wrong question here. I've moved it to the right place. Sorry!

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A.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Something I have learned in redocorating/design is not to be so matchy-matchy- Go with a warm taupe or a warm beige so that your wall decor stands out, pick a focal point in the room and build off that, get rid of the black frames and go with something rustic/wood with gold undertones OR you can go with silver/chrome. I love to google pictures for design ideas.

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K.F.

answers from Dallas on

I think the previous posters have done a better job of recommending color than I could but when I read your post about the texture I wanted to throw out a suggestion. There is a book - "Faux Finish Secrets from Brian Santos The Wall Wizard". You should be able to get it at Lowe's, HD, or even the book stores. This guy has great advice on how to get the finishes right, even leather. We have all three of his books now and they have been hugely useful as we slowly paint over our "builder beige" throughout our house.

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J.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Someone on here directed me to the Sherwin Williams website. You can upload a pic of your rooms and paint them the colors you like right on the computer. I went into the store and the lady offered to come to my home for free and she brought a bunch of samples with and gave me some great ideas. We were talking and found out she is the mother of one of my daughters friends. How cool.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

better yet to add to marias idea use fabric like wall paper staple it to your wall. and go in an orange color or the mustard you like. you don thave to keep the kids out of the paint and if you dont like it not hard to remove

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S.C.

answers from Phoenix on

It's a real shame you don't like cooler colors, because all of those warm tones would really look amazing with a contrasting color. I'm not saying go out and buy bright blue paint. But a nice slate (grey/blue) would be a subtle, yet rich contrast.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Dallas on

Doing an accent wall can be very tricky to pull off. It is important to have a focal point and that you use the right wall. You can make the mistake of chopping up the room and making it seem smaller. Make sure you choose the right color by selecting a complimentary color that is the same value or even using the same color you already have but in a darker shade. Use the idea of uploading your room and playing with the paint color and which wall so you can see how it will look. But, consider just changing your window treatments, adding new pillows and an area rug for color and pattern. Good luck!
T. (Mom & Designer)

1 mom found this helpful
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