Last week I got an email from a lady in North Carolina looking for approval on her choice of accent walls and color placement. This is the layout she sent me of her kitchen:
She told me she planned to paint Wall A and Wall C in a very dark green paint color, with white trim and a white chair rail running through the middle of it. Then she wanted to paint Walls B, D, and E in a beige/earthy tan color below the chair rail and a lighter tan above the chair rail. She asked me, “Will this work???”
Why, oh why would someone want to do such a thing? I know why, of course. It’s because in an open floor plan like this, she believes that her only option for strong or dark color is to paint one or more accent walls, as the color would be “too much” for the entire space. I certainly agree that dark green would be too much. Since the ceiling runs unbroken throughout multiple areas of the house, I would NOT recommend painting the ceiling a real color besides white, even though a color on the ceiling works well the dining room I shared on Monday and in this kitchen:
This is what I recommend: a beige or gray neutral with a slightly green undertone (rather than fleshy peach or pink, which I suspect she meant by beige/earthy tan) on ALL the walls in this space. The right color placement is as important as the right paint colors. Where there is chair rail, apply this color above the chair rail only. I suggest painting below the chair rail the same white as the trim and the kitchen cabinets, in the same finish (probably semi-gloss).
Now, what about the accent wall? I do not recommend an accent wall in this space (and certainly not two). What I would suggest is painting the kitchen chairs like this:
and adding colorful, patterned curtains on the double window like this:
via Pinterest
and art on Wall A like this:
and maybe some kitchen accessories like this:
Your wall color can’t always be the STAR of the room, nor should it be in this particular situation. The paint color on the walls should be a pleasing backdrop to your furnishings and accessories. If you choose the right neutral one, you can apply real color any number of other ways in the space. Do you agree with my suggestions for this kitchen? What would YOU do?
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Love your suggestions! I know it’s not easy to address every email but way to take a huge potential mistake and turn it into a plan with some real solutions! I’m sure this person will be very grateful!
Thank you, Andrea! You are an amazing designer, and I appreciate your encouragement
Yes! I love your suggestions about adding the accent in forms of pops on the chairs, artwork, etc. I’m surprised how many people I know have accent walls, but I do think people who are a bit color shy think it’s the only way to get the color into the home. But you’ve shown how accents can bring in the desired color that a client is looking for. Nice post Kristie!
Great post. You gave that woman your expertise for free, but in sharing it here you helped us all avoid a 1980s mistake. I loved all the visuals.
You’re so smart, Kristie :> So many readers love this very kind of post. I bet that gal’s not the only one with these questions! I hope you find that your readership reflects that.
Thank you, Sherry!
Are people still doing accent walls? Haven’t see that in a while – even here in NC. Great choice to bring in color with accent pieces. Love that cow!
Donna,
I still see LOTS of accent walls around here. I think mainly they are done out of fear. Fear of a “blah” neutral room or fear of dark or “real” color on all the walls. There are situations where I think they are a good choice, but certainly not in this case!
Yes, great post! Advice is perfect. Photos match your advice. She learned (I imagine), and so did I!
Kristie, you made me laugh out loud with that “OH NO” slide :0) I love your sense of humor….and the beautiful and logical color choices. It’s like putting a great outfit together….NO dark green socks with white slacks and pinky beige sweater. OKAY!???
Great analogy, Paula!
LOVE the cow!
Hi Kristie I have just found this site and I think it’s great!!! I also have a question my living room is a rectangle shape its not very big; I thought about adding an accent wall but the wall that has a fireplace also has a door on either end (you have to access the kitchen via the living room) do you think it would draw too much attention to the doors if i accented that wall or should I just paint all the walls neutral and have coloured accents like you mention with the kitchen above. My colour scheme was going to be purple and grey.
Hello Kristie,
Thanks for a very helpful and informative post with great pictures to illustrate your point! My daughter in law, who lives in Clarksville, TN, recently called you to get a plan for her living room. I recommended that she use your services since I have benefited so much from reading your blog. I thought you gave her a great place to get started. Thanks!
Paula
I’m with you- fabrics and accesories are the best way to bring in color. I love all your pictures! The chairs, the window treatments, the cow! and the beautiful flowers on counter. So pretty!
I nominate this post THE #1 post of all decor blog posts for the entire year. Awesome.
Wow, thanks Sharon – that’s quite an honor
Kristie,
I adore your website. I came across it while searching for ideas on painting an accent wall. Thanks to your recommendations and photos, my wall placement was confirmed.
I am desperately searching for that perfect "beige or gray neutral with a slightly green undertone" that you mentioned in your accent wall article "Don't Make This Mistake". I especially admired the color you used on the dining room wall with the collection of white and bone colored plates. Would love to know the name and manufacturer of that color, as well as other similar colors…
Will be visiting your site frequently!
Hi Kristie,
I am thinking of painting an accent wall in my living room and I wanted it to be the one with the TV. This wall is continuous with the dining room with a door opening to the guest bedroom in between and I am worried that it will be too long of an accent wall! Do you think it will be ok or should I consider the wall behind the couch which is shorter and stays within the confines of the living room? Thanks!
I would love to send you a picture of the layout of my bedroom, because I'm not sure which wall to accent. Anyway I can do that?(:
Oh my gosh, I am so glad I found this! I am in the process of choosing the wall color for my living room/dining/kitchen and was pondering an accent wall (which I secretly abhor and always have unless it is something really interesting like wood plank or something). My walls suck and I can’t go too dark so I plan to do light greige walls throughout. I ordered an L sectional with boxed cushions and track arms in a sandy beige and I have a large wood dresser I plan to paint a bold green convert to a media center. The other colors are navy (Fallon Zig Zag pattern) and pops of yellow or possibly orange (not sure yet). So the colors are only in things that are interchangeable. Does this sound like it would work?
-Melissa
Great information. I love the green curtains. Where can I find those at?
I hope I’m not too late to this discussion.
I am planning to redo my bedroom which is currently in neutral beige and cream. We have a squarish room with a four poster and a window opposite the bed and another window at right angles to the bed.
I was planning to use teal and red for the decor….warm white walls, teal curtains with a lovely print (Lassiter Caribbean by Pindler) and the red accents in the form of two small 12″ square paintings above the bedside lamps , a Turkish area rug and the bedspread as well as the upholstery on a small swing that we have placed in the corner of the room.
I wanted to paint the wall behind the bed teal to make the paintings pop and also tie in with the curtains. Would this be a mistake?