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Design Dilemma Home Decorating

Kitchen/entry room paint color

6 years ago

I bought a house, and I’m looking to customize it more to my style/tastes. The entry room and kitchen don’t have an abundance of natural light that comes in. The kitchen is a mustard-y yellow color and the entry room is a deep orange/red albeit difficult to tell in photos (the previous owner was going for a Tuscan vibe). I’m trying to figure out what color to paint the two rooms (the same or different?) to have it seem like more natural light is coming in. The furniture in the photo is not mine, I have tan couches that I plan to use in the entry room. My fiancé likes the idea of the entry being somewhat nautical themed for the colors/patterns in the room but I’m not sure what wall colors would bring that together.

I’m thinking I want a light blue or grey, but I’m unsure if that would look good with hickory cabinets! I’d really love some opinions or suggestions on how to make these rooms bright and welcoming!

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Beth H. :

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I hope you won't be using that valance thing! And ASAP, replace that front door, or minimum paint it. Something as simple as replacing that would make that room look entirely different (along w/a new wall color). For now, paint it black if doing tan wall colors, or a dark navy if doing blue wall color.

if picking a gray wall, do a darker gray on the door. even a door like this is an improvement. (you can find doors for a song on Craigslist. people are always upgrading or selling solid wood doors on there)

I like this look in the black. look how nice it is w/the flooring and the soft gray wall color.

here are some colors that work w/the floor and cabs.

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Comments (6)

lascatx
6 years ago
Look at SW Accessible Beige and Canvas Tan as a starting point. You could also do white walls. What ever you chose, use a primer to block out the old colors and save you a coat of paint or two.

The colors I think of as nautical (navy blue, royal blue, tan, white, beige/gold/brass, with possible additions of primary red, yellow and black (nautical flags) ill look good with the wood and should go well with both of those paint colors as well as white. You could paint the LR white and do the kitchen in a navy or royal blue. The cabinets are your gold. You don't appear to have a lot of wall space so it won't be too much for the room and the contrast would make the wood look lighter instead of drab.
Rawketgrl
6 years ago
It sounds like your goal is to add light. Try a lovely greige throughout the whole space. White ceiling. This will make the space seem larger and lighter. Nautical features can be pillows, throws, art, rug. Navy and white with some red here and there is lovely against the neutral back drop of greige and the rustic natural hickory

Ceiling: BM Simply White
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jhmarie
6 years ago
I agree to prime out the present colors before making a final decision. I have a cream with a touch of beige but a white with a gray undertone would work too. I like a cottage style based a little on a Nantucket style - lots of blues and beadboard. I like many of the color suggestions already made:

This is BM Maritime White:

This Old House 2016

This pic below is my kitchen with similar style cabinets (but not hickory) - the wall color is the same in the dining room - it looks different depending on light and shadow, but is mostly cream with a touch of beige - just enough to set off the white trim:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854052
Samantha R
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the great suggestions! I’ve been trying to find some good options and they are all wonderful!

Would the trim color affect these suggestions? The trim throughout the house is a natural wood color that matches the floor, and I’d like to avoid having to replace all the trim - is there a trick to making sure the wood trim fits in with the lighter wall colors/furniture? I think these photos show the trim a little better:
jhmarie
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If the color works with the cabinets, it should work with the wood trim too.

This article shows some good "grays" that work with warm woods. Usually a gray that works with wood has a green or blue undertone which will work better with the wood than a straight cool gray. I prefer the ones that lean green in open areas, though the ones that lean blue look pretty in bedrooms and bathrooms.

https://housekaboodle.com/gray-paint-colors-with-wood-trim/

Whites and creams are also a good choice with warm wood tones. Some may think that looks boring, but I find it is the decor - some pretty pieces of art, window treatments etc that set off the room.

Here is a light sage with wood:

Be careful with grays - this works - I think there is a green undertone here:
This white is not boring because of the shelf and decor - otherwise it could be too stark.

I like blue in a bedroom:
I am sorry I don't know the names of any of the paints used in the pics.

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