skip to main content

Home Decorating Design Dilemma Living Room

Brick wall-what color should I paint the rest of the living room??

6 years ago

Hello! I just purchased a home that has gorgeous brick walls! The previous owner painted the walls a light green, and even painted the spiral staircase green! I was thinking a white or I liked Valspar filtered shade as well. I have a cream couch and I plan to decorate with blues, coastal theme! Plus he painted the brick fireplace white...thoughts? Thank you for your help!!!

Featured Answer

PRO

Beth H. :

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

yes to black stairs! you beat me to it. I really hate that green. white would be fine,,,or black or navy,,,depends how much light you get.

hard to say without a pic of your furniture.

If you paint the walls white, I would want to paint the fireplace brick black,,

, Or, just do everything in the white and bring in a lot of green plants and some warm wood shelving or furniture.

here are some light colors and one w/a soft blue

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

ashschumann
Original Author
6 years ago
Also- instead of green stairs...I was thinking of painting them black. Thoughts?
0
Related Discussions
Living Room Paint Color - should I change it?
Q
Comments (8)
IMO adding a little color could be nice since you have so many neutrals already. Maybe a greenish greige, like RH Silver Sage, BM Camouflage, BM Baby Turtle or Ace Hazy Day for just a hint of color. Or find either an area rug or fabric to slip cover the orange chair and pull a color from one of those.
...See More
What should I paint this living room fireplace?
Q
Comments (46)
Getting lots of comments on the built-in....think 1970s built-in...it needed to go. The bottom cabinets were about 2 feet deep, and took up too much of that wall, plus didn't allow for a nice accent chair. Of course we would've assumed that they had built the fireplace properly instead of not finishing the stone around. I would much prefer wood floors, but DH doesn't want hard surfaces everywhere...I know the wood would hold up better long term and be better for resale.. I think I am going to have him put up a wood piece on the bad side. Eventually we might do some nice smaller scale built ins...but the other built in needed to go before flooring. I will make a mantle box probably with a nice corbel on the bottom on each side. The fireplace cover definitely needs to go. I do like the idea of painting the inside of the fireplace a matte black...and I can look for a different "fire" for inside the fireplace. I will find a nice picture or mirror for above the fireplace, and decorate the mantle ledge. Hopefully with a nice paint color and the rest of the room decorated, the fireplace will be nice. Thank you everyone for your replies. Beverly-is your first photo and the one next to it a before and after? I would love a link to that if you have it...I do like the grayish green color they painted the mantle and the corbels under the mantle. Thanks!
...See More
Warm paint in living room rest of house cool colors
Q
Comments (1)
If the living room is so open to the gray-painted den -- then perhaps consider painting the living room in the same tone -- and then add your wonderful warm oldbronze/gilt/gold main accessories (lamps, photo frames) throughout the whole space. Then add cooler-toned green accessories (like cushions/throws or florals) for cooler months -- and red toned ones for the cool months.
...See More
What color should I paint these powder room walls?
Q
Comments (2)
oh my goodness! let me see if i can show you some incredible shots make it a pearl! i have more if you need them.
...See More
Related Professionals
Cartersville Furniture & Accessories · Port Charlotte Furniture & Accessories · Egypt Lake-Leto Lighting · Brenham Window Treatments · Bayshore Gardens Architects & Building Designers · Gainesville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Farmington Furniture & Accessories · Adelanto Furniture & Accessories · Port Chester Furniture & Accessories · Endicott General Contractors · Hermitage General Contractors · Riverside General Contractors · Liberty Township Interior Designers & Decorators · Fort Washington Lighting · Spring Lighting
suezbell
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Nice room. That hearth looks like a stumble hazard. Do forewarn your guests, especially any elderly guests.

Consider painting the metal staircase black and it will go well with any color you choose and the hearth as well.

A neutral wall color that would go with the brick that is not gray could be Sahara Desert Sand or something similar -- a tan without a pink or yellow hue.

You might consider a full window length swag valance for your window -- choose "natural" for your color.

https://windowtoppers.com/collections/kitchen-curtains-and-valances/products/roslyn-3-piece-tailored-country-swags-filler-valance-window-curtains-set-with-banded-edge?variant=46144210566

Edit to add: while I was looking for a link for the swag for the window, two people beat me to it. Yes to black stairs.
PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
There is NOTHING "coastal" about this room or house! But it's VERY lovely, and that brick wall is a gem! Embrace what you have, not what you wish you could have bought.
annied75
6 years ago
I agree that the walls need to be painted. The green doesn't do much for the brick. (The brick is awesome, by the way!) I don't mind the green staircase, however, you could paint it a deep charcoal gray. That would tie it to the dark bricks in the wall.
phuninthesun
6 years ago
Ditto what Beth said. Great rooms!
ashschumann
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you! I love the pictures and all the idea! This is my furniture, I was thinking of doing more light furniture and using navy or steal blue accents. (excuse the mess!) :)
0

Related Stories

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Green Walls Raise the Energy in This Living Room

By Karen Egly-Thompson

A vibrant paint color takes a pale yellow space to an upbeat place

DINING ROOMS Room of the Day: Hand-Painted Walls Set This Dining Room Apart

By Morgan Province

A bold design and small accents make this square room the perfect place to have fun

HOUZZ TV This Family Put a 26-Foot Rock Climbing Wall in Their Living Room

By Gwendolyn Purdom

This custom house has fort beds, a dance stage and other fun features that create a dream home for kids and adults

LIVING ROOMS Ideabook 911: How Can I Make My Living Room Seem Bigger?

By Becky Harris

10 Ways to Make a Small Space Live Large

FIREPLACES New This Week: 7 Living Rooms That Rethink the Fireplace Wall

By Mitchell Parker

Bold and adorned or streamlined and minimalist — which of these fireplaces would you want warming up your home?

COLORFUL HOMES The Best of My Houzz: 10 Living Rooms With Wall Colors to Love

By Laura Gaskill

Jet black, Meyer lemon yellow, mossy green — these spaces make a statement with bold color

DECORATING GUIDES 13 Ways to Upsize a Small Living Room Without Moving a Wall

By Toronto Interior Design Group

A design pro shows how to use light, colour, layers and focal points to make a compact room look and feel more expansive

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Watch a Sliding Wall Turn a Living Space Into 5 Rooms

By Mitchell Parker

A clever custom storage piece transforms this New York City microstudio into multiple living spaces

ROOM OF THE DAY White-and-Gray Paint Scheme Brightens a New Living Room Layout

By Karen Egly-Thompson

The right colors and right-sized furniture and accessories open up entertainment possibilities in a California Craftsman

BEFORE AND AFTERS Green Walls Wake Up a Tired Living Room

By Mitchell Parker

With a $6,000 budget, this couple rip out carpet and wallpaper to create a colorful, eclectic space to hang out in

Sponsored

More Discussions

Help with off center window in master bath.

116

Help me pick between some living room furniture options

21

Looking for a large round oak or light wood coffee table

2

Alternative chairs for this metal and glass dining table

10

Help style my new leather couch

1