Decorating open plan living room / dining room

[dizzyupthegirl86]

i moved to this house a couple of years ago and I’m at the point where I want to redecorate downstairs and can’t decide what to do!

the living room and dining room was originally two seperate rooms but has been opened up with an archway. It’s not fully open as the archway is only maybe 4.5ft wide, the dining room is used as an office really. The living room is north facing, dining room is south facing with a small conservatory on the back.

I know I want sage green walls in the living room, and I think it’ll give the cosy vibes I want - but I’m not sure whether to do the same in the dining room? Ideally I’d have something complementary but not the same. I’m not opposed to wallpaper in the dining room but there’s something making me think it will look strange.

does anyone have any tips or suggestions please?

We have similar although where it has been knocked through there is arch. Ours is really dark so we have white painted walls in the inner room (dining area) but have added lots of warmth as it has a fireplace with built in shelves at one end and lots of wall space for decor all of which had warm tones. The kitchen we painted in a lighter shade than the kitchen cabinets, but it has tiles and an oak worktop which adds warmth.

When we moved in the inner room was pale green and the kitchen was blue. Both were cold appearing. I think a lot depends on the light you have and the age of the property.

Ah that sounds lovely!
That’s my concern, a colour that will suit the north facing living room won’t look good in the south facing ( albeit still a bit dark coz of the conservatory outside) dining room!

And something very different ( which would be my preference if it wasn’t open plan) won’t work as it’ll look strange from one room to the next.

I think you’re right though, a slightly different tone of the same colour might be the way to go, thank you!