How to lighten up my living room

**harmonSmith** · 12-22-2008, 07:10 AM

Here is a pic of my living room with no furniture. There is a chair rail and beams on the ceiling. I am thinking of painting the beams a white since the ceiling is low. I am thinking about painting the chair rail and trim white also. Will this make the living room lighter? It feels so dark since I put in new windows even though my furniture is beige.I am also thinking about hiring interior designer because i am not very good at it

Also what color would you suggest other than white? The fireplace has a dark green tile.
you can see the picture of my room here
i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/mobilealgirl/Arab%20AL/b5ec.jpg

**Momto2Boyz** · 12-22-2008, 07:13 AM

I tried to copy and paste the link, with a www in front, but it isn't working!

Try reposting the link and I'll let you know what I think!

**YankeeMom** · 12-22-2008, 08:11 AM

Here's the pic: [media]http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/mobilealgirl/Arab%20AL/b5ec.jpg[/media]

Just had to put the "http://" in front of it.

I think it looks light & bright already. I love the natural color of wood, so I definitely wouldn't paint the chair rail or the beams on the ceiling.

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-22-2008, 09:06 AM

I think it looks bright already, it's actually very nice, once you get your furniture and decor in it will look much better. Once you have that done take another pic so we can see and then we can offer some more help.

**nvmommyx6** · 12-22-2008, 09:13 AM

Ahhhhh, pergo floors, your going to love those!!! Just make sure you follow the cleaning axpectations to a T and they will make you very happy, I agree, get your furnature in there and take another pic, it is bright and beautiful now!!!
Mommy

**Momto2Boyz** · 12-22-2008, 10:15 AM

I love the trim as it is. We have painted beams in our living room and I wish they were natural wood, so I think if you paint them, you might regret it!

Personally, I would leave the beams the color they are and go with a different wall color where you have white. I'm not a fan of white in my house, so I have colors on all of my walls. If you have a green fireplace, you could do a really light sage color above the chair rail just to give the room a little oomph!

**rainbowgc** · 12-22-2008, 10:16 AM

It does not look dark to me. What I say is that you have very good "bones" to work with. I agree post more pics, who knows maybe we can save you the cost of the decorator!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-22-2008, 10:39 AM

I love it. It looks nice and bright to me. I for sure wouldn't paint the wood. Once your furniture is in the room along with curtains, pillows, etc. I'm sure it's going to look wonderful.

**zakity** · 12-22-2008, 02:08 PM

What they all said! I think it looks nice.

**harmonSmith** · 12-23-2008, 03:06 AM

Sorry for the broken link and thanks "YankeeMom" for clearing the confusion. I also like the natural color of the beam. So i am gonna leave it as it is. I will definitely share my pictures as i am excited about it.