Congratulations on buying your first home! What an adventure for you!

There's a saying you'll see here on this forum... some people might disagree, but I'll say it anyway: paint color comes last.

Here's why: furniture is expensive. Rugs are expensive. Paint is relatively inexpensive, and comes in a zillion colors.

Do you have furniture yet? Rugs? Get those first.

It's MUCH easier to find a paint color to coordinate with a rug than vice versa.

When you watch TV decorating shows, they love to splash paint around. The reason has more to do with TV than with decorating. Making a big change with paint color makes exciting TV... choosing a rug is boring TV.

Tell us what furniture you have... What style of room you envision...

Talk to us...

Oh, and welcome!

Thank you so much for the welcome and the congrats mclarke! I have often lurked here when I was still searching for a home and tried to gather ideas.

Honestly, I don't know what my style is yet. I've always bought whatever appealed to me and there are alot of hand-me-downs in my house when it comes to furniture. I am planning on buying all new furniture and rugs before we move in so I'm pretty much a clean slate! I just need ideas to inspire me!
And with a 4 year old boy, I can't have museum quality! I figure that will come someday. I guess I would want comfortable and traditional for now even though my heart dreams of having a Candace Olson designed room someday!

I am pretty easy to please when it comes to colors but I don't think I'm good at determining when colors clash - at least that's what my friends say! lol
I feel like I need to be "safe" and pick neutral colors but at the same time, I would LOVE some red or even some beachy colors.... I'm all over the place, sorry!

Thanks again!

Let's start in the kitchen since you are keeping it. I see where the previous owners were going with the green paint. It is not terrible, but maybe it is not to your liking. With the light cabinets and brown counters, you can go in any direction. Is it granite? Do you know what granite it is. Can you give a close up of it? Maybe we can get some inspiration from the granite colors.
I like your idea of changing the white appliances, but they look like they are in good shape and I would be inclined to leave them. I am not sure if changing the color of the appliances would matter that much in the over all feel of the kitchen.

Hi! I like your idea of stainless or black appliances with the maple cabs. I think that will make a big difference. I'm not loving the paint either but I don't have any suggestions for color. You might find an inspiration for colors from a rug you love, but you also need a color that will work with the cabinets and countertops. A rug over the tile in the family room would be nice. Personally I'd do a neutral sofa because you can always change the pillows and accessories to go with it. Maybe a small sectional would fit in nicely and give you comfortable seating.

Let's see:

a)Paint the walls in basic fresh white -- yes -- white! White painted walls will blend in with the white trim throughout the whole space. It will look fresh and bright!

b)Switch the appliances to stainless.

c)Add bamboo blinds (for both color and texture) to the windows.

d)Add dark brown wood in your tables (end tables, coffee table) and breakfast bar stools. Choose dark brown or white "saddle-seat" backless stools.

e)Check your local Craigs List listings for a small sectional. Remember to measure the whole space VERY carefully first! LOL!

f)Find your local carpet warehouses. Check the back rooms for a sizable remnant that could be finished by the store. Perhaps in a brown/white pattern?

g)Add color with items like cushions or a separate accent chair for the new desk area. Perhaps a fresh accent color like orange?

Just some thoughts!

Looks like my kitchen, except I have a wood floor, and maple trim.

Check your local Craigs List listings for a small sectional...

Ah, Craigslist. Such a wonderland. Such a treacherous wonderland.

Make sure to check for odors and bugs, neither of which show up in photos.

When I look at your kitchen, I picture a darker green on the window wall, such as the color in the individual floor tiles. I'd do lighter than the current on the other walls. The bright white trim will set it all off nicely.
The cabs would look nice with a gel stain to make them richer looking. Their color now is ok, but not fab.
I'd do bright white window treatments.
The p.o. did everything safe and it could use some shaking up.
I have 2 boys and our recently purchased sectional is great with them. The "fabric" is Phoenix and the brand is Palliser. It feels like a soft, nubuck leather but is actually a fabric that cleans up with a sponge. Ours is dark gray and my 2 darling sons applied sunscreen on themselves while on it when it was in our house for less than 24 hours... sigh... I used a little diluted Spray and Wash on a sponge and the greasy white spots came right off. If you son is anything like mine, you will need something bulletproof. I ordered mine online at www.sofasandsectionals.com, but if you go to Palliser's website, you can see it locally. You can choose your color and style in an infinite amount of choices, so you will get something that is just right for you. They have all the measurements online, so that is very helpful. Ours fits our room perfectly.

Congrats to you.

Here is what I would do if that were my space. (Just my personal opinion!)

I don't like the green at all. I think it is jarring. I would select a not too dark neutral paint color for everything. My friend who is a painter advised me to "only use benjamin moore historical colors...they are always perfect" So why torture yourself with 1600 paint chips? Just find a benjamin moore one to use. Their website lets you upload photos of your room and "paint " them which is very helpful.

Second advice. I know your kiddo is little now, but they get bigger. Plan as much as possible in investment items and layout for 4 adults. This gives you room if you have another child, and/or if your son has a friend over.

Appliances are OK, but I would switch to stainless or black as needed. This would not be my first priority unless you feel strongly about that. If you do, then sell the old ones and move forward.

Windows-ditch the tissue paper valances. Bare windows are better than what is there. I like the idea of the bamboo type blinds. Buy I suggest selecting wood furniture and wall colors first. I like the ones at JC Penney. They can order in lots of sizes and hold up well and go on sale a lot. (next will be Labor day)

Decor. See if there is an "antique mall" in your area. These don't sell fancypants antiques. They are mostly items from estate sales that the people who have the booth buy at the sales and resell at the booth in the mall. It is a great source of mirrors, framed art, little bowls, interesting items. And it helps to avoid looking like you went out and got everything all at once.

I like your idea of the fan in place of the chandelier.

Lowes/Home Depot/Costco have good options for area rugs at good prices.

Best of luck. Be sure to keep us all posted.

Congrats and enjoy turning your new house into a home!

SS or black appliances would definitely work with the maple, but making the switch to Energy Star would be low on my priority if the appliances are in decent shape. First thing I'd change is the wall color, and agree with Teacats that a white like BM White Linen would be great but could go with a deeper Bone White. I think the white appliances will look much nicer and like they belong. If you prefer a light blue or other color, that could also look nice. Whatever makes you and your family feel optimistic and says "home", but that would not be most shades of green for me.

If you're the type that can be happy working with your existing kitchen, wander over to the kitchen forum for inspiration on how small changes can have big impacts, but don't go there if you're likely to succumb to kitchen envy as many have big budget kitchens. Since design is an aspect of what I've been involved with professionally and I really enjoy decor, I can look at and appreciate lots of different styles, knowing they wouldn't work for me.

I like your existing, and know with a few updates like new blinds, paint and adding art, I'd love it! I don't know that bar seating will be so great for your son or for family communication while dining, so I'd opt for an expandable pedestal round table or an expandable square under the chandie and not go with a fan.

Could you be happy with a small loveseat and one or two comfy chairs in the adjacent carpeted area serving as your family room? If you'll use the computer station, fine; but if it doesn't suit your needs, you can always take it out. Patching the walls is minor. Many here have found great quality, solid or veneered furniture that's far superior to much that's mass-produced today, on Craigs List, ebay, estate sales, consignment shops and Goodwill. Trick is to take your time adding wonderful pieces as you find them rather than trying to get all the furniture at once. Happy nesting!