Paint colour advice please

[clearsommespace]

We are about to paint a basement room. The ceiling is low and pale biscuit coloured and we are stuck with that ( It's a special kind of paper which we had to use to cover up the polystyrene insulating tiles already cemented in place). It's a long room and there is a small high up window at one end so not much natural light but plenty of artificial lighting in place.
The window end is to be a den with sofabed (spare room) and the far end for play and space consuming hobbies.

The furniture we have so far is inexpensive apart from the inherited good quality, barely used sofa bed which is a hideous fabric so will be covered by a throw to be purchased....

I'd like to pick a light colour which will not make the ceiling look yellow (which is what the white undercoat does).

Am thinking a very light blue-grey with darker blue skirting boards. Would this work? Any other ideas?

I think cool colours will make the ceiling look yellow and also the room very cold.

I'd be inclined to go for something warmer like a sandy/dark biscuit as that will make the ceiling look less yellow and will make the room feel cosy.

I should have said, the floor is also going to be biscuit coloured, a slightly a slightly darker shade than the ceiling.

Can you give me a specific example please (am not very good with colours)

I think I would paint everywhere that's paintable white. Then add interest and warmth in your accessories . Make sure there is adequate lighting that will guide anyone to the exit point in the dark - add a trail of 'sky by night ' glow stars , so even if the electric is off people can find their way out. Check with the manufacturer of the lining paper to see if it can be painted - emulsion might be ok ? Add grey/brown woods and warm tactile accessories to add warmth avoid anything yellow or any more biscuit. Think Scandinavia - they use a lot of white with warm reds and fluffy sheep and reindeer skins - use 'daylight' bulbs in any lighting you have . Have fun !:-)

Nb keep the stars low to the ground - as this is where would be clearest To see them in the even of a fire.

what makes you think you can't paint the ceiling?

The paper is glued over uneven polystyrene and could tear if we apply pressure in the gaps. (We didn't have the budget for a plasterer.) We'll just glue on another layer of paper when it gets tatty.

There's plenty of electric light. Hobbies require good lighting.

White on the walls looks odd. We are going to use a boring cream colour. The kids end will no doubt be covered with posters soon enough!

I like the idea of glow stars on the walls and red accessories, I love red. The furniture going down there is odd bits but mostly pale coloured wood and some grey so red is a good colour. I've just reread my OP, I meant the furniture was nondescript not inexpensive.

Thanks for your help folks.

If the lighting is good, then personally I would either...

A. roll with the dungeon feel & go for a mid to dark slate like grey, maybe even 2 complimentary shades of grey on different walls, pull in the biscuit beige colour by highlighting with a leopardskin throw on the sofa & a few other leopard print accessories & then add some brights, such as turquoise & red as cushions on the sofa, art etc. The leopard will allow you to mix wood colours you can bring in a darker wood shade with wicker storage baskets etc.

Or ...
B. paint the walls bright turquoise, or maybe 2 bright & 2 paler turquoise & go with the leopard throw & accessories & a splash if red in cushions etc.

HTH

I forgot - with both of the above, paint any skirting, doors etc in gloss white

Rockinghippy, thanks for your input but I've already bought the dark cream paint. It is slightly darker than the ceiling and the first coat is on, and it's looking good. Am planning to accessorize in red and may be paint the skirting boards red too. We have a red extension lead down there at the moment for the tools and the colours go well together.

DH is sooo not a leopard skin print person but one of DCs would love your ideas.

I thought you had fire retardant lining paper on the ceiling !! Try spraying it if you don't want to paint with a brush - or paint roller !