It’s taken me a long time to figure out what does and doesn’t depress me. I love color in my house—but not on the walls. I just don’t know how to work with it I guess—I end up with all neutral furnishings, and then I feel blah. My favorite wall colors are light and neutral (greys, creams, greige, depending on the light)—and then my color is through art and whatnot—which I can then move around whenever I’m bored. I did a small room a popular green last year, and it plagues me because it only works with certain colors and I feel kinda trapped by it.

I repainted my dark house yellow on the inside when I move in. Knew all that gray was damn depressing.

We had a light yellow for most hallways and they paint needed updating. I chose BM classic gray for main floor hallway but depending on the lighting inside it could be too dark for all hallways. So for most of the interior hallways we did BM milkshake which is a neutral cream with a hint of yellow and it worked out really well.

I love color too, OP! Our kitchen/den combo is a wonderful grass green and one of my favorite areas of the house. DD's room is what I'd call "creamsicle" color, a light glowy orange, and is another happy room. The next room on my agenda to paint is our living room and I'm thinking a warm rose color which will feel really warm and cozy with the lighting we have in there.

We have White Dove and Swiss Coffee throughout most of our house, but incorporate color through rugs, cabinetry, wall art, throw pillows, etc. I love the look of white walls when the natural light is pouring in. Agree that gray is depressing.

I have a really creamy neutral for my main floor with accents of teal. Something like Benjamin Moore Minced Onion.

I formerly had a light yellow and it was too yellowy after a time. I have blues and greens in my kitchen and bathrooms and I love them.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our house is being renovated and they just painted a BM pale gray on the walls. I love it, it's like a canvas I can do whatever I want with. Before the walls were painted yellow or green or had wallpaper, which narrowed down what I could do, sometimes I just put art I liked up anyway even if it didn't really go. But with this gray, I'm looking at all kinds of fun art and rugs and pillows. Plus this gray is so calming to me and goes perfectly with some blues and greens that I've done in the bedrooms and bathrooms. Maybe once I figure out the decor I'll add an accent wall in a fun color but for now I'm psyched about my gray!

If interested, its BM 1548 Classic Gray.
https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-colors/color/1548/classic-gray

Same. For years had colorful walls and any that were not were beige. I like the neutral backdrop of the grey.

Same for us. I love our grays and whites and all of the ways I can use color as accents. It feels crisp and clean and light and is a great neutral palate to work with. Our former beiges and creams felt dingy.

grays also make things look dingy. For example, if something is covered in 1" thick dust, it looks gray. Gray= dingy.

To each his own. But an inch of dust on any color is going to look dingy. But as usual on DCUM, people aren’t allowed to have different opinions. We are another family who likes the gray neutrals vs the beige neutrals.

to each their own, but the point of the statement about dust being gray is to indicate that the color gray is associated with dinginess.

Of course you are allowed to do whatever you want. I got green cabinets at a time when gray/white kitchens were in fashion because I hate gray kitchens. See?.. do you whatever you want. But, OP doesn't want gray, either, and was looking for other suggestions, so why are you on here saying you love gray? Because you feel you need to justify yourself on dcum. Weird.

When I moved into my home it was all Agreeable Beige which is a taupey gray. It showed the house well for sale, and though I intended to live with it for a year, by winter I had had enough of the gray. I ended up with a light green/yellow for my main rooms (lots of windows and greenery). Benjamin Moore has some nice curated collections and my local store has a paint consultant there on Saturdays that was SO helpful when I needed it. If you can describe what you don't like about your current paint color, they can help you with the right undertones and effect you are going for.

I totally know how you feel, OP. When I first moved into my now-DH's condo, his mother had chosen all the paint colors. The bedroom was this blue/gray color that I found so oppressive and depressing. It just didn't fit with the vibe I wanted, my personality or my stuff.

I think what you really need to decide is how you want your house to 'feel'. Do you want it cool/clean/warm/cozy/etc.? I'd look at your belongings that you really like and see what color tone/range they fall in. That will lead you to what paint color would better suit you - and a paint consultant (like at the BM store) can help with that. You'll also want to get some samples to try on your walls. Don't underestimate the change a color may undergo when it's actually on your walls.

My style leans towards what I would call-Neo-Craftsman/eclectic. The furniture is mostly a blueberry color and the cabinets/built ins are in a hazelnut finish. With those foundations, I went with a warmer wall tone but still light - BM parchment. It's got nice peachy undertones to it so it's warm and looks lighter/darker based on the light. My wall art/accessories are usually pretty bright but it also works will with muted tones.

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Anonymous wrote:Gray walls are so 2010.

This. Op, you’re likely subconsciously realizing that they are out of style. You’re starting to gravitate towards non grey interiors. Unfortunately when the middle class adopts a style they go crazy with it. They can’t just buy a grey sofa. Its grey walls, floors, furniture, exterior of the house etc. If you want your house to be more current and not scream middle class words on the wall, then paint the interior white or beige.

So true dears. By the time the MC latches onto a trend it is so, so, tired and then they overdo it like the gauche plebeians they are.

It sounds like you want a pop of color, but in case you are interested,we painted our walls with Benjamin Moore "Cream Froth" (or "Creme Froth") which has a luminous quality, and the moulding *and ceiling* we did in BJ's Super White.

Don't forget the ceiling, whatever color you do on the walls. I wouldn't do color on the ceiling because it contributes to the "I'm in a cave" feeling. Do SuperWhite; it will reflect light.