Need help picking a paint color or colors

Hi I am brand new to this fourm and I am in desperate need of advice.
I am trying to figure out the best color or colors for my family room I have camel/sand colored couch and loveseat and chair (solid) dark cherry wood end tables, coffee table and entertainment center the carpet is a tan color and I have light tan/gold drapries. I would like to paint an accent wall in behr Velvety Merlot and the rest in Behr Comforting (very light tan). My Husband thinks that we should paint in 1 color Beher New Chestnut (a little Darker camel color then my Sofa ect) Can someone please tell me if either of these colors would look good or should I go with a totaly diffrent color. Please help!

Thank you for all your advice in advance

CarolA52

 

i went to Behr's website to see these colors, but the Merlot looked black. what is it really? dark wine/burgundy? the Comforting looked taupe, and the New Chestnut looked medium brown. is that right?

i think you need more zip than all those! this might even be a situation that calls for creamy walls! with the tan floor & the camel furniture & dark tables, light walls would be a nice background & give the room some life.

what is your woodwork? is it painted white or cream, or stained?

is there anything with any pattern in there? an area rug or artwork or anything? all those smooth solids will be boring without some pattern or texture.

as always, i'm going to recommend you find the patterned and/or textured items first, then choose a wall color. find an area rug or artwork or throw pillows or maybe a valance for your draperies or a throw or something with some pizzazz to it, and then work off of that.

 

Yes the Merlot is a burgundy color and the Comforting is a Taupe I have an Area rug with burgundy and black and light and dark browns I also have paintings that are THomas Kinkades that have the same colors in the 2 with cherry wood frames and one large with a gold frame. This is why I thought the Merlot would be nice as on accent wall. The New Chestnut is a medium brown and I think it looks like hot chocolate The wood work in the room is white .I really want this room to be as perfect as possible as it is the main room that the family always gathers in. Again thank you in advance for any and all advice.

Carol

 

is your cherry furniture the reddish cherry color or the brown cherry color?

also, which wall are you considering for the accent wall? the one with the windows/draperies?

 

Yes my furniture is the reddish cherry and the wall is the wall with two windows and drapes on it . The other walls are a arch wall with a pony wall, and the back wall with one window and double french doors and the third wall is a blank wall but it has catheradel ceiling

 

then i'd rule out the chocolate color for the walls. i don't think i'd like the brown with the cherry.

this is difficult because you've got so many different versions of tans & golds going on........

i'd go with either a lighter or darker version of the camel color on the walls, so that it's lighter than the carpet or darker than the sofa. if the draperies become a problem, you could possibly add another darker/colored panel on the outside of each one so you don't have a bland tone on tone effect on the non-accent-wall where there's a window. (does that make sense?)

or, could you use the Merlot on the other window wall, too?

 

Yes that makes alot of sense. I think the chocolate would be off with the cherry wood too. That is a great idea for the french door and window wall I think the Merlot would look great there too. Thank you so much for all your help.

Carol

 

Hello. I am a former art teacher, and have lots of knowledge when it comes to decorating and choosing paint schemes. It is really not that simple,as you know.It all depends on several things; personality,furniture style,attitude &
just plain gut feelings.
Cool colors (blue) can actually make a room feel cooler! Warm colors; reds, yellows,warm greens can do the opposite. Lighter colors will make a small room appear larger, and conversely; dark colors will visually reduce a rooms' size. Warmer colors will also make a room feel more cheery. For a bit of excitement, try choosing complimentary colors dividing the wall at half level, or paint opposite walls different colors. Also, one can visually divide a rooms' function by seperating it by color on 2 adjacent walls; ie; the dining room area from the living room or sleeping areas. Some box stores offer computer modeling programs that show different color schemes. Software is also sold that will do the same, but I would look for the free stuff at Home Depot or a Lowe's. If you have any specific issues, please reply. Oh, by using the premium paints, you are getting more than color stability,but washable surfaces & mold resistance. So, spend whatever you can afford, or more. It will pay off in durability and one coat application, unless you are painting from a sharp contrasting color; ie; from dark to light or visa versa.
Have fun !
Rembrandt