Please help me lift this horrible grey room

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Long story short but this room was my ex H’s taste, not mine, and as it was ‘his’ room I didn’t go in it much.

I want to reclaim it and make it bright and lovely. obviously turn the skirting boards light again.

I hate the grey carpet; however it’s relatively new, doesn’t show the dirt and I can’t afford to replace it.

What colours could I paint the walls to lift it and make it feel warm, or failing that at least bright witt this colour carpet?

Many thanks in advance

Grey carpet will work with other neutrals. Light pink maybe or a cream. Use a rug to bring in some other colours and if you can change the curtains and get some pictures on the wall that’s all going to help.

It sounds a bit 1980s but how about pink walls - but a modern pink like Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster.

Thank you! I had also thought pink, maybe like a blush shade?

Yy a pale pink walls & maybe some green/hot pink accents with rug/curtains/cushions/throws & artwork if you can stretch to it.

Yes pink could work. Which way does it face? Sell those heavy curtains and get something really light and airy. I use dust sheets as curtains. But if that’s a step too far get something from ikea.

the dark skirting might work with the right wall colour and a rug.

Definitely blush pink walls and some IKEA linen type curtains in cream or white. And some lovely large white photo frames.

It’s south facing, unfortunately, I love the linen curtains idea everyone thank you!!

Get rid of the long grey curtains, move the tele and put on the centre of the wall and the unit underneath. That will help it looking less cluttered. Nice lamp shade, blind and some cushions

No that’s great, virtually anything works in a south facing room. A pale pink or green (F&B pale powder or similar) will be fab.

Dulux Blush Pink is lovely. So cosy and not too sugary. Have colour drenched our loft room in it and it is now my favourite room to relax in.

Doh, i meant it’s north facing unfortunately, sorry 🤣

Love this suggestion thank you!

I'd paint it white but have loads of bright prints and plants

Agree with a pale, muted pink or green. Get either a neutral rug (not yellowy neutral as that will clash with the grey) or a funky rug depending on your style. Houseplants to brighten it up. Shift the furniture around in that TV corner as it looks cluttered. If you can afford to, change the wall light fitting as it's very meh. Light cream coloured floor length curtains (again not a yellowy cream).

Muted green, mauve or pink would work well. Avoid blue as it can look cold with grey. Once you pick your wall colour I would find a cheap rug in similar colours but patterned, ideally you could choose a rug that works then take the colour from that as the wall colour.

Improve lighting with nice side lights in warm white, add a nice large pot plant near the window.

Canvas on that wall in bright colours, bobs your uncle.

Look at some pictures and see which colour you like!!

Get a colourful rug, a green play or two, some pictures/photos on the walls. A lap with patterned fabric shade Have a trip to TK Maxx. You’ll transform it in no time and with minimal expense. Also look on Facebook marketplace.

curtains would be next if you have some funds or can find a bargain!

lol! In that case try a slightly yellowy off white alongside some natural tones (eg lineny curtains). That grey carpet is pretty cool for a north facing room and that’s why I think you should keep the skirting dark. Paint the ceiling off white as well, don’t use pure white in a north facing room.

I’ve just painted my bedroom in this colour and love it - it’s got a soft, warm cozy feel without being dark and oppressive.

Dulux just walnut can be quite warm and does go with grey carpet. Add more natural wood and plants and a nice colourful rug.

This rug with the blush pink walls.

Then natural linen unlined curtains

Then some lamps, either something sensible or have some fun.

Also think about the room’s purpose as that will change what else you put in the space.

Setting plaster would be great as it is a yellow toned pink which is what you need in a north facing room (don't go for a blue toned one as it will look cold). One the F&B website they have photos of it with grey furniture and one of their suggested colour schemes also pairs it with dark grey so it should work. I'd paint the skirting the same colour as the walls and use a warm toned white eggshell paint for the ceiling as it will bounce a bit of light around. A warm teal or a forest green would be a good accent colour for some cushions - Next have a great selection at reasonable prices. Linen curtains (Zara have a good selection at a reasonable price), a couple of lamps and some large plants and it should start to look much more cosy. If you can afford a rug that is a really decent size - then again go for one with pinks and greens in. Don't buy a tiny one though, they always look silly, wait until you can afford a big one.

I’d paint the walls a sage green and calico on the ceiling and skirting etc. You could paint two walls sage and the rest of the room calico. Lots of cushions perhaps with green, dark grey and orange in it. I sounds mad to add more grey but a deep dark grey touches will make the dull grey carpet less insipid

mustard coloured curtains

I knew as soon as I looked at it that was a north facing room.

The light that comes in is gonna be cold so you need to choose a warm colour like a cream or a terracotta or a pink but a red pink not a blue based pink or maybe a yellow based green.

The grey carpet will go with all of that but you’ll need to change the curtains.

Make sure that you have adequate lighting in there for the evenings so standard lamps, table lamps, etc

Some plants and a nice poster on the wall.