White walls with white trim?

9 years ago

I'm converting an 8x10 bedroom into a home office. I wanted to use dark gray walls and all white furniture to keep the room calm and uncluttered (conducive to work), but I'm worried the size of the room would make it too cave-like (even if I have lots of white framed/matted artwork and white bookshelves). If I settle for a single dark gray accent wall, do I paint the walls the same white as the room's trim (baseboard, doors, window, etc.)? I've tested a slightly off-white that works with the gray, but I'm worried it's looking yellow next to the white trim. (Pardon the mess, I just moved in)

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User

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Can't wait to see the room when it is complete and all the furniture is back in place. Love your dramatic color choice!

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Comments (13)

User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm not a big fan of accent walls. Why not find a light to medium gray and just paint all the walls the same color? It will look really pretty with the white furniture and white trim.

Repose gray by Sherwin Williams

revere pewter by Benjamin Moore
hayleydaniels
9 years ago
I would paint 3 walls the same gray only 3 shades lighter so you don't have to worry about matching the trim which can be tough unless the previous owners left you some paint.

Another color that is very calming is green, and wouldn't be quite as dark.
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Mark
9 years ago
I love the idea of an all white office. Another option you could do is paint one wall
with grey and white stripes so it's not too dark.
Irene Morresey
9 years ago
Go for it, paint all the walls grey with white trim and accessories, add a pop of red, perhaps in a lamp or art, stunning, be brave
Irene Morresey
9 years ago
This office has been painted in BM deep silver
Nancy Travisinteriors
9 years ago
What's wrong with color now? I would not go that dark and accent walls are out. Why not wallpaper that wall. Something with black, gray silver.
Susan Davis
9 years ago
One of the most soothing and beautiful offices I ever saw was done completely in deep forest green.....walls, trim, cabinetry and then the lamps, also deep green with black shades just gave pools of light like jewelry around the room. So I say do it deep dark and soothing to work any time of day night.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/denver-designer-showhome-2013-the-study-contemporary-home-office-denver-phvw-vp~7309639
Denver Designer Showhome 2013 - The Study · More Info

Pretty neat huh?
PRO
Terri Weinstein Design, Inc
9 years ago
I agree with the designer that said "go for it!". Be brave. Believe it or not, when all the walls are painted the same color the room tends to appear larger because the eye doesn't discern the corners as much. White trim is a good choice too, especially if the rest of the house has white trim. I don't particularly care for accent walls. They exaggerate the corners and tend to make the space appear smaller. NOTE: If you're going to use a darker color, you'll need more light. Darker colors absorb more of the light than lighter ones. The color chips usually tell you the percentage of light that is absorbed. Light artwork (accent light), be sure to have work light, and most important, general illumination. Lighting the walls will make the room seem brighter. Everything should be on a dimmer! Remember too that paint always looks darker when it dries, and it also looks darker when a patch against a white wall. That's because when a dark color is surrounded by a lighter one, or vice versa, each color's lightness or darkness is exaggerated. I hope this is helpful.
Susan Davis
9 years ago
Also somewhere in the design world I think I read that pick the color on the chip you think you love and then go up two colors and with the relflection on all the walls the color turns out just right. So yeah, be brave and go for it! It will be beautiful!
lissyanna21
Original Author
8 years ago
Finally went for it, and I love it :) I still have a ton of unpacking and decorating to do (I don't have anything up on the walls yet, and I need some textiles - and possibly a small white arm chair with ottoman? - to cozy things up a bit), but the nearly-monochromatic look has actually made for a very calming and uncluttered work space. I'm excited to finish the room up! Thanks for the encouragement! (and advice - I've especially been trying to incorporate some additional lighting throughout, even if its a generic Ikea look for now ;-) )
lissyanna21
Original Author
8 years ago
I meant to mention - I ended up going with BM Steel Wool for the paint color.
User
8 years ago
lissyanna21 did you ever put your office back together? Would love to see a picture. I'm sure it is beautiful!