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I would love to get your opinions on my new living room. I picked out the wall color - called Earthy Mushroom Taupe and I really like how it came out.



Buuut, now I'm not sure what to put in it furniture wise! What color couch, coffee table, curtains, etc. do you think would look good? I don't know what colors would work well with it and how to match everything up.



Here's a picture. The color is a bit darker in real life, with a taupe-y tone.



http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=zkfn9h&s=6



I need some help! Any suggestions would be great!

Decide which item or items will have pattern and choose that first. Then base your color scheme on the different colors in the pattern. Do you plan to have an area rug?

Is your style modern or traditional? There are so many, many different fabrics, it would help if you could narrow your ideas down some.

hmm I see what you're saying. I really have no idea of my style - i would say more modern than traditional though.

We don't want an area rug. I just am so confused on what colors "go" with that wall color. Like what color couch would go with that? We just want a solid color couch; I guess we would bring pattern in the curtains?

Sorry, clearly I'm new at this.

I think you should look at a lot of pictures and you will begin to see rooms that appeal to you. You need a plan and just choosing a sofa, unless it is an integral part of the plan, isn't going to help you complete your room.

I'm sure a lot of board members have inspiration pictures to get you started. Here are a couple I found when I did a search for Taupe Walls.

#2

#3

#4

#5

Thank you

I really like the last one! I understand what you mean about the sofa, it's just that I have to order one ASAP because I'm moving in next week!

I really like the "glam" or girly type looking rooms.

http://media-cache2.pinterest....80543_Na5es2nz_c.jpg

http://media-cache2.pinterest....75514_5SPZSjNO_c.jpg

http://media-cache5.pinterest....22623_DQaVmvb6_c.jpg

I like those - guess I should have painted the living room gray!

This is so tough!!

There is no reason you can't accomplish the same style room with taupe walls. Study the details and see what it is you like about the furniture. Accessories can be chosen later.

Grey and taupe are interchangeable neutrals in my opinion. Take your first Pinterest room and picture replacing the lighter grey with a pale taupe and the darker grey with chocolate brown. Does that make sense?

Welcome. The good news is that taupes are neutrals, but it's always wise to find an inspirational print, be it an upholstered piece of furniture, a rug, art, window treatment, etc.. in a pattern and colors that establish your scheme. Then, pull a color for the walls that best suits the room's size, it's lighting, it's flooring, and the feel you seek. The furniture should be in contrast yet compliment the wall color which remains a background. Matching chips in the room's lighting to the color you select for the walls is key since lighting impacts a color's "read".

Since you've already painted, carry a paint chip (or several taped together) with you as you shop for furniture. Again, contrast is important. Try to find a print that justifies the wall color, but features other neutrals and/or accents to inspire the rest of your furnishings. Hue values can vary. Keeping high ticket furnishings like a sofa neutral, especially for a renter, will allow greater scheme flexibility now and down the line. Accents can be inexpensively brought into this space via pillows, a throw, an upholstered stool, lamp bases, accessories/art.

As the pictures suggest, neutrals like whites, creams, blacks can enrichen the taupe backdrop. Touches of sparkle via metallic finishes, mirroring, and glass can become jewels and reflect light. Textural interest is especially important in monochromatic spaces.

When selecting furniture, keep other issues in mind:

Placement/traffic flow
Scale
Some vertical pcs.
Multipurpose pieces
Pieces that offer storage
Finishes that offer contrast against the walls
Room balance
Space saving pieces (ex. fold, nest, stack, armless, glass topped coffee or dining table, etc.)

quote:

Originally posted by Sharon W:
You need a plan

I couldn't agree more, and not just a floor plan. If you have no direction it will be too easy to get sidetracked when you shop. I would never set foot in a furniture store until you have a lot more information than just your wall color and the style you like. It's too easy to be swayed by a salesperson into buying something you aren't sure about.

I will tell you how I work with clients who are new at decorating. First I try to determine what style they like and you already know that about yourself. Next, I show them pictures just like Sharon W did. A certain look will emerge, and then we set about deciding how to make the look of the rooms they like translate into a workable plan for their home. It's not really difficult if you approach it as a learning exercise. If you are a visual person, you will need visual information to help you get to your goal. If you are like most people, all the descriptions in the world won't help unless you can actually "see" what it is you like.

Once you feel comfortable with your plan, browse through a few stores and see what is offered. Will anything they offer work into your plan? If so, take a picture of it and put the price down on a budget sheet. Do this until you have most of your major items decided on. Then you can proceed with buying furniture.

I know this sounds tedious and time consuming but you are going to be living with your furniture for a long time. You will be happier with it if you spend the time at the beginning making wise decisions.

If you need to bounce ideas off someone, post your pictures here and many of us will be glad to help. But ultimately you are the one spending the money and you are the one who has to live with it.

I think you are off to a good start. Pinterest is a good place to look at different ideas, and best of all it's free.

You absolutely can't go wrong with black and white or black and cream with taupe. Pick one accent color and keep the space open and minimal so you can enjoy that beautiful wall color.

Depending on where you are shopping and if you can invest in custom, you may find the furniture and accessories available to you will have a color palate being marketed. Taupe with aqua for instance, so the accent color may not be of your choosing, but what the stores in your area are offering. It sounds limiting, but by sticking to what the marketplace is offering you'll be able to shop at various stores and still have everything co-ordinate.