skip to main content

Home Decorating

Need paint color help for built-ins

13 years ago

So I'm going to take the plunge and paint my trim, built -ins and cabinets. I think I'm going to use BM Swiss Coffee for the trim. I'm also thinking that the kitchen will be BM Bittersweet Choc. on bottom cabinets and Swiss Coffee on uppers. My floor is a medium brown stained red oak.

My dilemma: I'm not sure if I should paint my built-ins Bittersweet Chocolate with Swiss Coffee on back of shelving or Swiss Coffee with Bittersweet Choc. on back of shelving. OR should I paint the mantle and wood on top of the mantle the BC and the rest of the built-ins SC?

Any thoughts here would be helpful! I'm so confused! For the walls, I'm thinking either a green (maybe Fernwood Green or Lewisville Green) or SW Believable Buff.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Oakley
13 years ago
Beautiful room! The only downside I see with painting the built-in's a dark color is you have a dark floor and table in there. Do you think it would be too dark if you paint them the coffee/chocolate color?

Maybe you can do those colors on the trim and kitchen cabs, and do another lighter color on the built-ins?
natal
13 years ago
I agree with Oakley. It's going to be awfully dark in there if you stick with those choices. Maybe that's what you want?
Related Discussions
Help! Should I paint my built-ins and mantle or keep the stain?
Q
Comments (34)
I just realized I did not come back and update what I decided to do. I so appreciate everyone's commnets and suggestions. I did have them painted white and love the result! it feels like such a tranquil room now. I don't know if it is just an itch to have something different, but now I am trying to decide if I want to have the kitchen cabinets painted white since to rooms are open to each other. I am not concerned about following trends. The cabinets are either maple or birch. As I have polled my friends and family I get differing answers. I am not good at visualizing and have tried the paint visualizers from SW and BJ but it looked like a kindergartener scribbled on the picture with a crayon! I did try homedesign.ai and no matter how many times I ask for white cabinets, it always produced this picture: I actually really like this look, but it also has new countertops and backsplash. I just wasn't ready to do a whole kitchen remodel.
...See More
Help! Wanting to paint/stain my built-ins, but leave the wood trim
Q
Comments (6)
I'd paint the backs of the bookshelves White Dove if you want to brighten things up. Maybe get some better lighting instead of the 'spot lights' type. doing the backs of the builtins will look better than partially painting around it. All of that wood trim and panel are woven in to each other, so it would be hard to just paint one portion of it. Hard to find one, but use your imagination w/this picture. In fact, I like the look of this room. could be similar to yours . I'd do a diff wall color, like this white, and trade in the red blinds for something lighter. I'd switch the yellow walls to a nice white like this^, and trade in the red blinds for something like this this is similar to yours if you painted it all white. (minus the crown). I also found this to give you an idea of how a paint color would work w/the wood crown.
...See More
Help choosing paint color to paint ugly 80s-era wood built-in bookcase
Q
Comments (7)
Painting the cabs to a high standard is an investment in both time and money I would not do in a rental. Also, is the owner supplying the paint for the walls? As a landlord and a former renter, I would make sure that any colors chosen get the owners approval first. As to what shade could work best for you on the walls, can you share more pics? Agree with you that the current shade isn't working. And I would most likely paint out that bit of white trim to match the new wall colour, if the landlord approves.
...See More
Help! do we paint the built ins & mouldings white? need to update
Q
Comments (1)
Yes, I'd paint the built-ins white - paint all of the walls one color.
...See More
thermsen
Original Author
13 years ago
I agree also and no, I don't want it to be too dark. I was thinking that with the back of the shelves being white and the walls maybe being Believable Buff, that it wouldn't be too dark but I think you're right, it's still a bit dark, especially since our area rug has a lot of black in it.

Would it look strange to have the top light and the bottom dark? I was also considering staining the mantle and arch above the mantle the color of the floor and doing the rest in the white. Aaaghhh! So many choices!
thermsen
Original Author
13 years ago
Just saw a picture that gave me an idea... How about the whole thing Swiss Coffee (not sure about the back of the shelves yet) and staining the horizontal top of the cabinets the color of the floor? And oil rubbed bronze hardware.
juddgirl2
13 years ago
I would use the lighter Swiss Coffee for the built-ins and I'm a big fan of SW Believable Buff so that would be my vote for the walls. Have you considered SW Antique White for the built-ins? It's just above BB on the color card.

We used it for all of our trim and it's a nice, subtle contrast with the Believable Buff and Camelback.

I can't wait to see pictures! We have oak cabinets that I'm dying to paint Antique White, but haven't taken the plunge yet.

Related Stories

Storage Help for Small Bedrooms: Beautiful Built-ins

By Becky Harris

Squeezed for space? Consider built-in cabinets, shelves and niches that hold all you need and look great too

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

STORAGE Downsizing Help: Shelve Your Storage Woes

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look to built-in, freestanding and hanging shelves for all the display and storage space you need in your smaller home

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: 11 Ways to Mine Your World for Colors

By Laura Gaskill

Color, color everywhere. Discover the paint palettes that are there for the taking in nature, shops and anywhere else you roam

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: Helping Your TV Blend In

By Laura Gaskill

Somewhere between hiding the tube in a cabinet and letting it rule the room are these 11 creative solutions

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: See the Bathroom That Helped a House Sell in a Day

By Annie Thornton

Sophisticated but sensitive bathroom upgrades help a century-old house move fast on the market

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Frank Gehry Helps 'Make It Right' in New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina survivors get a colorful, environmentally friendly duplex, courtesy of a starchitect and a star

GREEN DECORATING A New Breed of Space Heaters Helps You Stay Toasty in Style

By Laura Gaskill

Shiver no more with style-conscious heaters that let you turn down the thermostat and snuggle up in warmth

DECORATING GUIDES Those Built-Ins Are Going to Look Smashing in Color

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Painting cabinetry in striking hues can bring focus and personality to a room

Sponsored

More Discussions

need help picking bedding

5

Master Bedroom Layout / Seeking help!

6

What would you do with this table?

26

Help with layout for foyer and dining room

16

Empty wall area above sink p

4