skip to main content

Home Decorating

Colors for long dining-living room in townhouse

12 years ago

My husband and I are looking at a townhouse built in the 1980's. It has some very ugly 80's design features, which I'd want to minimize and change where possible. Other than that it has everything we want (location especially). The layout is - come in the front door, the kitchen is immediately on the right, and staircase going up to the second floor. There is a breakfast bar type setup opening into the dining/living room which is all one long rectangular room. There is a sliding glass door at the far end and windows in the kitchen, none in the side walls as it is a middle unit. It is currently painted a hideous caramel-beige color that just doesn't work for it and makes the long walls look dingy (new paint).

If we buy the place (just daydreaming ahead of myself here, since we have to sell our place first) or let's say one like it... what would you do with a long rectangular room like this with the light source all at one end? I was thinking a cooler color would look good such as a very pale grey with our dark brown almost-black furniture. White would brighten it up but then it might look like a big white box.

Would you paint all the walls a single color, or would you paint the long walls a darker or lighter color than the end wall (which is mostly window)? Or one wall a different color?

There is also an ugly 80's fireplace in the corner with brick facing and a mesh curtain, no mantel. I guess I would paint that and get glass doors for it.

I should add that husband and I both hate mirrors anywhere other than the bathroom - so we won't be cheating that way to open up the space!

Thanks for any suggestions!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

jerseygirl_1
12 years ago
To open up the space, paint if one color. I live in an interior TH also. I have a LR and DR in the front of the house with 1 window. We just finished painting those rooms 50% BM Waynesboro Taupe which throws off gray. Our upstairs hall which has no light has 25% Waynesboro Gray. We experimented with all the grays listed by various posters and also Waynesboro Taupe at 100%.

We decided on Waynesboro because we wanted more brown. It has turned out perfect our lighting. It looks more gray at different times of the day and on different walls. The 25% mixture would have been perfect for everything but I wanted the walls in the LR and DR to be a little darker to contrast more with our sofa.
Tmnca
Original Author
12 years ago
That is a nice color (Waynesboro Taupe). We have dark brown furniture (leather expresso sofa and chair, dark black-brown bookcases) so I think we will need a lighter brighter color.

Here are some pics, the color actually looks uglier in person, LOL - makes it look dingy. And that fireplace!

{{gwi:1539918}}

{{gwi:1539919}}
Related Discussions
Help with townhouse living/dining room!
Q
Comments (5)
Thank you both for your comments & suggestions! I like that layout idea...I was picturing walking in to the living room and having the tv on that wall. I will have to try turning the furniture to see if it feels too cramped. I was thinking of a chaise sofa as well so I like that you incorporated one. I love the idea of an island in the kitchen. I think it will be hard to maTch the cabinetry so maybe a contrasting color? As far as the backsplash goes I was hoping to pull the gray out of the granite but I will also look at beige tiles. I was thinking a simpler tile style & pattern would be best so it doesn’t draw attention from the granite. Do anyone have any color scheme ideas? I was hoping for a neutral coastal vibe. Here’s a couple color ideas I found online... Will these colors make it seem too dark? I was thinking the blues or greens for the bathroom and bedrooms and a neutral for the living/dining and kitchen.
...See More
long living dining room combo
Q
Comments (45)
Art is so very personal, IMHO. I like the older Monet styles of art, but something bright and bold would bring an infusion of color. Do you like contemporary? Do you like abstract? Do you like impressionism? Is there someone local that speaks to you? Do you want people in your art? Try a poster from art.com because it can be cheaper and may help you. We have a Hyunah Kim and a Vassileva in our hall bathroom!! I have impressionists in our living and dining room and a TC Steele in our dining room. I also have some original art in the LR/DR. The others are posters. So, what I am saying is, art is very personal. You need to find some that speaks to you!!!
...See More
Long wall shared by living room and dining space
Q
Comments (2)
i thought I did but somehow can’t find the photos now. I reposted the question cuz i couldn't seem to edit this one to add photos. Thanks!
...See More
Long wall shared by living room and dining space
Q
Comments (2)
Ikea, for sure. You can either copy a design from this blog, to take the wall measurement to Ikea and work with a designer to come up with your own plan. Cover the entire wall. http://catesthill.com/2019/02/13/6-of-the-best-flexible-modular-storage-systems/ An FYI…please read this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/18/health/18cons.html
...See More
yayagal
12 years ago
My new favorite color for long spaces is BM smokey taupe. It just makes the rooms look more serene and calm. I would definitely paint it all one color. You can shorten the room by putting the sofa and dining room table sideways rather than length wise. Just don't place the furniture along the walls too much as it becomes a bowling alley look. I think grey with black can look too cool. The paint I mentioned is between gray and tan and feels warmer.
avesmor
12 years ago
I would paint it all one color. I would probably not go gray with that orangey floor. You can paint the fireplace and add a surround, then drywall in the column if your code permits.

Is the ceiling fan part intended to be the dining area, or something else?
Tmnca
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes I think the ceiling fan is intended to be the dining area... not sure I will keep that as I don't want a breeze on my dinner! I love the BM Smokey Taupe I think that would look great. The floor is very cheap laminate and may go too (plastic sound). That is, is we decide to put an offer in on this place! I am more trying to envision it done, and us living in it. Also most of the places we are looking at are essentially similar and would require the same kind of facelift.

What would you do with an ugly fireplace like that - get an insert, paint the "brick"?

I would place the sofa off the wall and the armchair at a 50 degree or so angle to create a conversation grouping in the living area.

The bedrooms are upstairs and are just boring square boxes...

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Traditional Townhouse in D.C.

By Vanessa Brunner

A smart combination of living, dining and kitchen spaces creates a comfy room for family time and entertaining

TOWNHOUSES Houzz Tour: Color and Light Transform a Brooklyn Townhouse

By Carol Crotta

Bright red and robin’s egg blue accents set off white walls and wood floors in this bright New York family home

COLORFUL HOMES My Houzz: Resisting Restraint in a Tampa Townhouse

By Mina Brinkey

An antiques dealer shows how ‘overdoing’ it with color and global collections can create an enormously personal look

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Youthfulness Energizes a Philadelphia Townhouse

By Becky Harris

Shedding stuffiness for bold colors, art and contemporary pieces, this home's first floor is now fresh and family friendly

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Upcycled Boho Style in an Austin Townhouse

By Sarah Greenman

Colorful textiles, rich hues and DIY upholstery give this Texas rental house a sophisticated, creative sensibility

FURNITURE How to Arrange Furniture in Long, Narrow Spaces

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

7 ways to arrange your living-room furniture to avoid that bowling-alley look

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Color at Play in a Massachusetts Townhouse

By Shelley Zatsky Photography

Whimsical graphics, bold colors and eclectic style set the tone in this family’s home

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Color and Pattern Play in a Georgetown Townhouse

Very manly raspberry accents, offbeat wallpaper and doses of wit show a lighthearted spirit in this home for an evolving family

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Color Reinvigorates a Centuries-Old Townhouse

By Lara Sargent

Vivid hues and vibrant patterns combine to beautiful effect in this 19th-century townhouse

LIFE ‘A Little Bold Color Goes a Long Way’ and Other Houzz Quotables

By Becky Harris

Home projects, advice and even a tour of a castle captured our attention this week

Sponsored

More Discussions

Fireplace mirror size?

40

I think I made a mistake. Grey couch with knotty pine? Floor ideas.

27

What armless side chairs match natural wood / live edge dining table?

5

Dining Room Wall Storage Ideas?

5

knob placement - new bifold shaker closet doors

1