What color should we paint these built ins?

[holly116]

Hi there! I mostly post over on MM/MM Moms but we're starting to decorate our new home so I'll probably pop over here more often, if you don't mind!

Anyway, here's a photo of our family room from the previous owner's listing:

What would you do with the built ins? My instinct is to paint them white to match the fireplace and trim. I'm planning to paint the walls SW Mega Greige - www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7031-mega-greige/.

[sierramist03]

I'd paint them white too

[pitterwoo]

I would also paint them white. Maybe an accent color at the back of the shelves.

[pumpkin]

I'd also paint them white.

[demelza]

I'd paint them white. I really like the room! Built in and fireplaces are the best.

[emjacobs]

I would paint them white but put a fun color / pattern on the back to peak through.

[TBM]

Jul 21, 2013 16:47:50 GMT -5 nursecramer said:

What about a glossy black? But white would look good, too.

Black was my first thought, maybe with a lighter version of the wall color or a metallic (maybe champagne type color? pale silver?) on the back.

[darby]

Another vote for white with the inside back painted a fun color......with the wall color you have chosen I like turquoise, teal, coral or even charcoal with a green or blue undertone. What color is your furniture/accessories?

[holly116]

Thanks for all the responses! I really like the idea of painting the back another accent color.

As far as style of the room, I'm really in the beginning stages of pulling together what I want for the room/house. So far I really like all of the colors in the red Celeste pillow from PB: www.potterybarn.com/products/celeste-damask-pillow-cover/?pkey=cdecorative-throws-pillows&.

[TBM]

Jul 21, 2013 18:39:42 GMT -5 holly116 said:

Thanks for all the responses! I really like the idea of painting the back another accent color.

As far as style of the room, I'm really in the beginning stages of pulling together what I want for the room/house. So far I really like all of the colors in the red Celeste pillow from PB: www.potterybarn.com/products/celeste-damask-pillow-cover/?pkey=cdecorative-throws-pillows&.

Nice colors in the pillow.  Any combination would be very pretty on the built-ins. 

I would be more inclined to choose one of the colors, because that's the way I roll.  
The tones are all lind of muted and imo, somewhat neutral, but just enough color to bring interest without overpowering.  It would allow the fireplace to still be a focal point too, without everything being the same color.

[holly116]

Jul 21, 2013 18:23:20 GMT -5 darby said:

Another vote for white with the inside back painted a fun color......with the wall color you have chosen I like turquoise, teal, coral or even charcoal with a green or blue undertone. What color is your furniture/accessories?

We're really starting from scratch! We'll be buying a new sectional soon, probably in a darker color because the kids will likely destroy it. I want to add color with a rug, drapes, and other accessories. I think I'll probably have some blue in the kitchen area, which leads into the family room... So maybe a blue/teal on the back of the shelves would look nice!

[darby]

I think that would look really nice! I love the pillow you posted & agree with pp that if you pull colors from it you really can't go wrong. Can't wait to see your progress pics along the way!

[Susie]

I would paint them white to match the fireplace, but paint the backs a color that ties in with your decor. 

Mine are not built in, but like this bookcase:


You could do a navy blue, or something like that?  Depends on what else you put in the room.

[holly116]

Jul 22, 2013 6:57:05 GMT -5 Susie said:

I would paint them white to match the fireplace, but paint the backs a color that ties in with your decor. 

Mine are not built in, but like this bookcase:


You could do a navy blue, or something like that?  Depends on what else you put in the room.

Yeah, that's the exact plan right now. I'm going to paint them white and then do some sort of deep blue on the back of the shelves. I think it will all really pop with the darker greige on the walls. DH has been trying to convince me that the green is great since we moved in, so he is less than thrilled!

Also, I wanted to thank you for posting in my SW paint thread last Friday! We went ahead and got the Emerald over the Harmony for our bedrooms and I will forever sing its praises. Single coat coverage, no joke. We painted two bedrooms and they both look great with just a single coat. Now, the walls were in perfect condition, didn't need any patching or anything and were painted a light neutral about a year ago, but still. Totally worth it. After the 40% off the satin was $40 a gallon and my DH told me to never buy anything else again lol. I picked up another untinted can last night just to have on hand.

Here are some horrible iphone pictures (please excuse the mess too lol):

[TBM]

What are you planning to put on the shelves?


Dark shelves can make it hard to see what is on it...unless everything you have is light-ish, or you have lights on the shelves.

We have teak shelves that aren't even that dark, but we are going to have to back them with something lighter for our stuff to show up.

[holly116]

Jul 22, 2013 7:39:46 GMT -5 TBM said:

What are you planning to put on the shelves?


Dark shelves can make it hard to see what is on it...unless everything you have is light-ish, or you have lights on the shelves.

We have teak shelves that aren't even that dark, but we are going to have to back them with something lighter for our stuff to show up.

Probably some books, framed pictures and other decorative stuff I come up with. Good point about things showing up.