What colour can I paint a very dark room?

[Changebagsandgladrags]

Our living room is directly north-facing. So it never, ever gets any sunlight. It's permanently in a shadow really.

DH has has been doing some research on colours (god help me). Apparently he's found out you should look at the colour chart and choose not a light, or a dark, but something in the middle.

His suggestion = plum. Would this not be like living in a womb?

Any ideas?

[yomellamoHelly]

The back of our house is north-facing. Last Christmas we painted our bedroom. Plum for the feature wall and cream for the other walls. Bedding and blinds are also plum. We all end up in their all the time. It's lovely. Have various grass green bits in there too to break it up a bit. Am seriously considering doing lounge (room below) in same colourways this Christmas.

[Changebagsandgladrags]

Ah, so not totally plum, that actually sounds very nice .

Can I ask which wall is your feature wall? I'm thinking ours would be the one opposite the window as it's a full wall. The fireplace wall might be a bit weird as it's two different levels.

Right, am doing it plum, cream and grass green. Job done!

[NotALondoner]

either creamy cream and mirrors or admit defeat and roll with the dark theme eg plum, forest, red, violet...

[yomellamoHelly]

Plum wall is actually adjacent window / opposite fireplace as have modern / statementy fireplace (so wanted to balance it out). Need new sofa so was thinking plummy sofa on wall opposite window (and then continuing the theme). Cream is "nutmeg white". Have 1 x 1.5 m mirror on wall in lounge which will stay (so will sit over sofa).

[ATourchOfInsanity]

Decided this time to paint whole house white. Means you never have to search for the special paint pot again to do touch ups and EVERYTHING goes with it. Simple and always fresh - plus you can't get any lighter!

[Changebagsandgladrags]

I don't know where to put this plum wall then.

I have: One wall where the window is. It is called a picture window. Basically means it's a huge windowey wall that you need massive great curtains for (in a teeny tiny house). We have a sofa under that wall. So, there is no point doing that wall a colour as there is 4cm of wall, covered by the curtain.

I then have a fireplace adjacent to that wall. I say fireplace. But it is actually a place where a fire used to reside. It's boarded up (badly) and we'll have to get an actual fireplace. Either side of that there are two alcoves, one will have a tall bookcase in and the other has the telly in. So is there any point in plumming that side?

The wall opposite the fireplace. We have a sofa (yes another) against it. Possible to do this plum, but we will always have our backs to it.

Which leaves the wall opposite the window. I dunno, is that a bit weird.

Oh and as for white walls, I am sure they will look grey in this room...

[Pannacotta]

Go for all plum walls and add plenty of lighting/mirrors and warm coloured cushions etc, will look lush...
Some ideas here
www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1250256/list/9-Ways-to-Use-Rich--Dark-Paint

[serin]

We did our dark bedroom plum. It is like a boudoir!!

very grown up.

[puffylovett]

Do the whole fireplace wall and put in a stove. Embrace the gloom!
Our main living room is like a cave thanks to a huge conservatory. This is what I plan to do when we can afford it

[TalkinPeace2]

our north facing living room (in which I am now sitting) has green and gold wallpaper and golden yellow curtains .... works a treat