Black and what else?...

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Black and what else?...

I been wanting to decorate my room for a long time but I'm having problems with deciding what color I should paint my room.

I have a black curtain, a black lamp, and a black fan in my small bedroom.

Well OK, I really can't get rid of them, they are the only memories I have from my dad. He bought them for me when I used to have a black and purple bedroom, and well I've grown and I don't like the purple with the black no more.

HOW CAN I USE A DIFFERENT COLOR THAT WILL COMBINE ALL THIS STUFF.

WHAT COLOR WOULD MAKE MY ROOM NOT LOOK CHILDISH ANYMORE?

I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING LIKE AN ORANGE COLOR OR MAYBE LIKE A GOLD OR WHITE. DON'T KNOW PLEASE HELP ME!

THANK YOU!

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Black and what else?...

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Nov 30, 2010
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Lots of color options....
by: Charlotte

Hello

I can well understand your reluctance to get rid of the things your Dad bought for you... but don't worry, as black goes with most colors, so you do have plenty of choice...

Are you a girl? If so I'd just like to show you the first photo on my bedroom gallery page here... which shows just how effective pink and black - or indeed black and silver can be in a room - and gives quite a grown up and sophisticated feel.

This look would also work well with a pale blue instead of pink.

Black works best in a room when there is a contrast between the black and the other color - so black and white, or black and pale colors are good combinations.

Black also works well against bright colors - such as the orange you mention - or a lime green, red, bright turquoise, bright yellow etc - a very striking and grown up look.

Any of the colors you mention - white, gold or orange - would all look good against black - so just go with the one you prefer most at the moment.

Darker colors, like orange, would make your room feel a bit smaller, and darker, than light colors (although probably less so than the purple!) - but orange can give a lovely, cosy, nest-like feel to a room.

It is a good idea not to mix black with too many other colors - keep it simple - it needs it as it is so dramatic a choice in itself.

Black can mix easily, though, with white, or silver/grey and another color - if you want more tones and interest in your room.

Taking a look at the ideas in this page about red and black could help give you some inspiration - and you can easily substitute the red in this idea for another color of your choice.

Hope some of these ideas help you - good luck with your decorating - do come back and tell us what you decided to go with.

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

Nov 30, 2010
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Black - and what else?...
by: Pauline Finch-Lea

Have just given my living room a 'make-over' and whilst 'duck-egg blue', in a couple of different shades, coats the wall surfaces (except two), the new sideboards and other storage furniture is glossy black surrounds with silver cupboard and drawer fronts.

Have a 'window' wall which is painted white, and opposite to that is two tiny pieces of wall with a massive 'arch' which I haven't yet started to plan for!!

Black, gold and white can look very luxurious if you are able to match it with bed-linen, cushions etc.

My apartment suits me - I am an old lady - but think might be a little dull for someone younger.

So maybe take your favourite BRIGHT colour, and make that the one you use to go with the black items which mean so much to you.

You don't mention what furniture you have already in the room - is this part of the 'purple' lay-out, but if finance is a bit tight, you can paint the furniture etc you already have with your favourite colour and add pictures, standing ornaments etc which will combine that colour with the black.

Just a couple of ideas to add to Charlotte's good ones!!

Wish you all the best with whatever you decide to do.

Nov 30, 2010
Rating

Excellent Ideas!
by: Charlotte

Some excellent ideas - thanks Pauline :o)

Your furniture could equally be painted black to blend in with the black theme you've already got going - or a bright white, if you wanted to lighten the feel in the room.

Painting in these neutral colors once will then mean it is easier to change your mind and try out different colors with them in the future.

If you are short of money but have plenty of time and energy it is better to choose the expensive items (like carpets, furniture, accessories, etc) in neutral colors - like black, white silver, grey etc - and then just change the whole feel in the future by painting the walls a new color.

It is less effort - although usually much more expensive - to change a look by painting walls white/cream and changing the color of curtains, carpets, furniture etc.

Make sure you choose pale, fresh or bright colors to give the most impact against the black. I think Pauline has the right idea of choosing a nice bright color you love to have a youthful feel.

Hope some of these ideas help - thanks very much Pauline for the most excellent suggestions!

Best wishes to both of you and good luck in your respective decorating projects.

Charlotte x

Dec 16, 2010
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Thank Youll! (;
by: Anonymous

Thank you'll guys! (; and yes I'm a girl hahaha!
well I was decided to paint it green. and get a mainly-white cover for my bed. Would this be nice?

Dec 17, 2010
Rating

Lovely Lime
by: Charlotte

Hi

Green sounds great - so long as it is a nice, light, bright and fresh green - I'm thinking a 'zingy' lime green perhaps?

Try it out next to the black (just a little tester or swatch card - held together) and see if the 2 colors really 'pop' together...

What you are looking for is a sharp contrast - in the same way you'd get if you held black and bright yellow, or even black and a fresh lemon yellow, or a really cool pale blue together - compared to the dark or 'heavy' feeling you see if you held black and a dark (navy) blue, deep maroon, or very dark green together.

Something fresh and bright (rather than soft and muted) will usually work best and give a nice modern feel - and also keep your room feeling nice, light and airy too.

I think it will look great toned with a bright white too! Very contemporary and modern - very stylish!

Try a little out on your walls and see what you think - remember that once the whole room or wall is painted the color tends to appear a shade or two darker than it did on the tester patch - so if you are concerned the color may be a little overwhelming, just go a shade or two lighter, and it should give you the effect you originally had it mind.

Good luck with your makeover.

Do let us know how you get on!

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

Dec 18, 2010
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white!
by: Anonymous

Yea! I was also thinking about white!

What color should I buy my cover then? A cream color?

What color furniture should I buy?

Dec 20, 2010
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Gorgeous Green and Wicked White!
by: Charlotte

Hi

You put a 'mainly white' cover in your last post - this sounds good still! You could get one with a bit of green in it as well? a leaf pattern maybe?

Or choose another color to go with that as well (just for tiny accents) - orange, red or blue would look great with green!

It can be difficult to match creams and whites together, so decide which one you want to use in your room, and stick with that - either is good though...

-cream will give a softer, more feminine feel (you could mix with a slightly more muted/softer green for the same softer, feminine look to the room, too)

-white will keep it fresh, modern and funky

...so pick which effect you want to create.

As to furniture - you have a lot of options there too - I would be tempted to go for something 'neutral' with the furniture (rather than a color) as then you can re-use it more easily if you change your mind and want a different color scheme in a year or two.

Black (to go with the black things you already have) or white (or cream if you decide cream) are all fine. Black furniture will appear more bulky and 'big' and may make your room feel darker.

White (or cream) will give a 'lighter' feeling - more 'fresh' - and would be my choice I think.

You could paint existing furniture white or cream (its harder to make a good job if you paint it black though!)

You could also choose a wood or wood effect furniture - any type of wood, light or dark, would look great with the white/cream and green - remember that darker woods will give the 'dark' feel (similar to the black), while paler woods will give the 'light' feel (just like the white/cream furniture would).

Take along a little tester of the paint (and maybe a swatch of fabric) and hold it up next to the woods, to see which overall 'look' you'd like in your room.

Hope these ideas all help. Let us know how you get on

Best wishes (and good luck!!)

Charlotte :o)

Explaining the Color Wheel

Easy Color Schemes you can create yourself

How to Choose a Color to Suit You

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Black and what else?...

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Black and what else?...