If the ceilings are low, go for a slightly lighter tone - this will effectively heighten your ceilings - also pale colours push the walls back. So perhaps not white but a pale grey, cream or beige.

Did you end up painting the ceiling all the same? That's what I would've done!

Yay! I'm so glad it all worked out and you love it. Who cares what people think, as long as you guys love it! You're the ones who have to live in the house anyway haha - pops of colour are great! Do you mind putting up a photo of the room? I'd love to see what you've done with it!

HI Madison There are pros and cons for every situation, but you need to work out what is best for your lifestyle. Personally, I agree with the carpet in the living room, and hard flooring in the kitchen/dining areas. All you need to do is work out your demarcation points (where carpet will meet hard flooring). A great retailer should be able to visit you at home, discuss options, give you pricing and away you go! (Us if you are in Auckland :) ) With littlies, I'd suggest a vinyl plank.....other posts will tell you I'm a big fan of it, but with kids, toys, mess, liquids etc, vinyl planks will give you the best wear over time. They are very hard wearing (Karndean have lifetime residential warranty), easy to keep clean, and waterproof - can be installed in all wet areas. Timber flooring, depending on which you choose (real wood, engineered wood, laminate), may not be the best "fit for purpose" products in your situation. Whilst I'm not trying to champion one product over the other, having had carpet with little kids, and putting drop sheets over carpet, under highchairs, why wouldn't someone not put in vinyl planks?