My living room is open to the kitchen. My kitchen will be painted red, what color should the living room be?

Question

My living room is open to the kitchen. My kitchen will be painted red, what color should the living room be?

Answer 1

Depending on the color of red you are using, have you considered a soft golden wheat color?  What about neutrals like mushroom, oatmeal and taupe colors?

Even though green is the opposite of red and is a complimentary color I personally think it'll end up looking like Christmas exploded in your house.  In this instance, I'd avoid green even though color theory says it'll work.  But hey, it depends on the type of red you're using, I guess.  Maybe it wouldn't look too bad.  (Hmmm....????)

We have 2 walls in our living room that are a darker brick dust red color....my adjacent dining room is a soft mushroom color called Drifting Dune - they go very well together.  

If whatever you try doesn't look good, it's only paint.  Paint is an easy fix to re-do.

Good luck!

Answer 2

how about a more neutral color for the walls but use a version of the red for the trim? or the same red for the trim?

Answer 3

play around with the Sherwin Williams color visualizer to find something that you like. It is the best paint visualizer on the web, imho. I like how their color palette is laid out, I like that you can search by color family & color name, the "painted" rooms look the most realistic, and it suggests coordinating color schemes. You can literally spend hours:

http://www.sherwin.com/visualizer/

How about a faux finish? I think something like "quiet mood" (# 7162) from their SoftSuede collection would look terrific - and very dramatic.

You can also take a photo of your house & upload it to the makeover gallery on this website:

http://www.roomvues.com/

You can get color suggestions & they'll photoshop them onto your room so that you can get an idea of what it will look like.

Answer 4

Something in the tan colors.  Red is very dark, but if you have enough light coming in, it should be fine.  I would paint the living room in a warm tan or carmel tone.

Answer 5

Tope is a nice neutral paint color.

It may help to view on-line color websites.

Sherwin-Williams.com has a color visual program.

HG TV.com:

www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_room_design/

Lowe's has an on line tool

Myself I find it best to talk to a paint rep at a good paint supply place whether it be Sevens, Rebcolite Paints, Home Depot,  Lowes... where ever you feel comfortable and know they know.

Home Painting Tool by Benjamin Moore is one of the best

http://www.brandsconstruction.com/WordPr...

Answer 6

If you like earth toned neutrals then paint the living room a light taupe (a grayed down tan). Any cozy traditional or ethnic decorating look would go with this color.

If you want a more modern or retro vibe, then paint the walls a soft white (not a blue white). It is less stark than pure white but will be beautiful next to the red kitchen and you will be free to decorate it in any style you wish.

Good luck!! : )

Answer 7

you should never paint your walls a dark color...it makes the room seem more closed and confined..i would go with natural earth tones.

Answer 8

One wall, usually a larger one should be painted red, just like the kitchen. Then accent the other walls using an off-white ish color. You will love it.