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Paint color suggestions for small open living and dining room

11 years ago

We are trying to pick out colors for our open living and dining room. As you can see in the photo, it is not a huge space (and we are very much under construction). There are two windows on the living room wall; only one is visible in the photos. The dining room has a large sliding glass door that opens to a sunroom. The walls have all been primed. Wall were originally bright yellow and there are hardwoods underneath the red carpet. We also opened up the wall leading into the kitchen from the dining room.

We are thinking about doing a dark, grayish blue accent wall in the living room behind the wall where the TV is now. We are looking at colors like SW Slate Tile 7624 and SW Storm Cloud 6249. We are trying to decide on a neutral color to use on the other walls. Originally we wanted to paint the dining room area a complementary color to the blue (rusty orange) but we are afraid it will be too dark and feel too small.
What are some of your suggestions for the dining room area? What do you think about the blue accent wall idea? Any other ideas for this space? Thanks in advance!

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Comments (7)

teacats
11 years ago
A big vote for a basic gray to be used throughout the whole area -- THEN add your orange accents in fabrics, artworks, rugs etc. In time -- and perhaps according to the seasons -- you MIGHT want to switch accent colors -- and this way -- it is easier to do ....

Also -- perhaps consider waiting until you can find an inspiration piece -- like an area rug or artwork -- and THEN match the color and shade of gray -- MUCH easier to do in that order! :)

For example check out BM Willowcreek #1468 -- a medium (but still fairly light warm gray) ....

Hope you don't mind some thoughts!
vwgirl
Original Author
11 years ago
Any thoughts are appreciated! :) So far we are leaning towards gray as our neutral color...Willowcreek looks like a very nice warm shade. It is hard to decide because it is totally a blank slate...we do not have any inspiration pieces to work with yet!
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You biggest issue is low natural light. That is when I treat any room as if it were facing North. Two North colors which will correspond to silver half dollar (although a basement color need not be included..it was a link for me). I would go red or blue…nixing red…because you are painting more than just the kitchen... B.M. Sea Reflections. Add soft yellows: This Sunbrella sofa is a buy! https://www.jossandmain.com/-BRWT4699-L305-K~BRWT4699.html?refid=GX93152586254-BRWT4699&device=c&ptid=324073240458&targetid=pla-324073240458&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9uHOBRDtARIsALtCa9516PkE_C9ZuvwnagwnUDxzskG2CgQUW4huzBB7dYkcJ7tocAz85RkaArTKEALw_wcB
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I'd like to suggest that you at least paint all the walls a soft light gray so that your sofas stand out in front of the walls. The simply paint a rectangle on the dining room wall created by painters tape. However, the home still needs some finishing so I have added drapery panels, some wall decor, art and accent tables. You have light blue on the rug and navy on the swivel chair. The dark teal pillows are not working on the leather sofas. Some round elements on the walls could complement all the round spheres of your dining room lighting.
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To have the best flow and harmony, paint everything one color. Isn't having one space the reason you opend up the space? Do coordinate the new color with your fireplace and floor in the warm direction. A color consultant could really help you tie together your furnishings with your visible "givens," fireplace, floors, big sofa. A warm white would work beautifully in your living area and kitchen. Some of the pros can make suggestions. Could you take some photos in daylight standing with your back to the French doors?
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tuesday_2008
11 years ago
You mentioned hardwood under the carpet - are you taking the carpet up? If so, pick a color that will look good with the flooring as well as the other visible spaces.

I personally don't like accent walls. I would do the same in both areas which will help the "open" look. What is the room through the opening? Is that the kitchen?
vwgirl
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, the carpet will be coming up after we paint. The hardwoods are a golden color that we may need to refinish eventually and go a little darker.

The room through the opening is the kitchen. This space will also be redone eventually. It currently has dark brown laminate cupboards, yellow walls, and off-yellow counters!

This post was edited by vwgirl on Sun, Jan 13, 13 at 12:54
teacats
11 years ago
Ah!! Yellow and gray are wonderful together!!!

Consider "moving" the yellow color into your living/dining area as your accent color ....

Do check out Better Homes & Gardens February issue -- pages 44-48 -- wonderful example of using those two colors together!! :)
lala girl
11 years ago
Grey is a terrific idea - we have Ben Moore Revere Pewter in our master bedroom will hardwoods that sounds similar to yours and we like the combo, warm but definitely neutral
vwgirl
Original Author
11 years ago
I'd like to incorporate color on the walls somehow, I really like the cozy feel that some darker tones create. What do you think about painting the wall with the sliding door an accent color?

I agree that gray and yellow look really nice together...I am just not a yellow person!

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