Any suggestions for paint color in a play room with a dark gray burber carpet?

Question

The walls are currently white. There's not a whole lot of light in the room (its a finished basement with two large windows, located beneathe our deck). The rest of my house is neutral, greens, beiges, and creams. I'd like to decorate the playroom so that it appeals to both boys and girls. Should I be looking into paint shades that are warm or cool?

Answer 1

With a dark grey carpet, you'll want colors that contrast without being flourescent, and colors w/ enough intensity to stand up to the grey carpet.

Think about leaving the woodwork white and using a "warm" yellow... something like Sherwin Williams "Funky Yellow"... (enter FUNKY YELLOW in search tool, linked below). This will make for a warm tone that'll be nicely accented with cool creams, other greys, and even a small shot of greens.

Or, you can cool the whole tone of the room by complimenting the grey carpet... paint the walls w/ Sherwin Williams 'Revel Blue' or 'Luxe Blue'... keep the woodwork white and you'll have a very nautical look... great w/ shots of a bold burgandy, oatmeal, grey & black.

You don't say how old the kids are, but try to a) avoid primary colors (they're "wee widgets" for SUCH a short-period of time), and b) w/ an eye to what a pre-teen/early teenager decorating scheme would be easy to "build" on given the color choices you make now.

Either of the above two wall colors (yellow or blue) could easily be "upgraded" with a few furnishing/accessory changes to transition from a small child's playroom to a (grumbling, surly, sulky... LOL!) teen hangout.

Hope this helps,
    TX Griff

Answer 2

Paint 2 wide horizontal stripes on 2 walls; make one sky blue, and the other leaf green. Paint a third wall butter yellow. Put a large mirror on the yellow wall, possibly opposite a window to reflect more light.

Answer 3

Use a color that reflects a lot of light, and is unisex - light lemon custard, or pale leaf green. Washable paint please!
You could make any upholstered furniture in dark green, or tan.
Make all wooden furniture natural wood, so shelves etc. can go from toy shelves to games/puzzles to books to music.
You could buy storage bins for different toys in different colors, or buy clear ones, and label them.
Frame some of their art, or buy posters of their favorite books or movies to put up.

Answer 4

If you are looking for a cool look I would suggest silver, and if you are looking for a warm look sand.