Blinds- should I return them or switch color?

paris2004

9 years ago

New house, ordered custom made dark brown faux wood blinds for bay window in dining and living room. Room looks too dark for my liking, but returning them would cost us 25% restocking fee. Tried adding blinds but still looks too dark. Any feedback on how to brighten up this depressing place? Total cost so far is close to 1k.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

9 years ago

How do they look open? Do you need privacy or are they for looks? With the dark furniture, you probably should have ordered something lighter, but since they're new, you may have to make do. Painting the brick or just the mantel might help. The informal grommet drapes tied up with formal tassels don't feel right. Keep them loose like in the second photo. Have them hemmed so they just kiss the floor. The living room rod should be raised and the drapes hemmed too.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

jennyrf
9 years ago
paint the fireplace, and maybe the drapes should be a different color. from my computer screen they look like a pinkish peach color. maybe even a subtle pattern.
or you could get rid of all drapery, and let the blinds be a nice feature. maybe trimming around then, like the last pic would help too.

The Pine Bough · More Info

Atherton · More Info
Related Discussions
Soothing bedroom...color suggestions please
Q
Comments (10)
Just wondering what is the current wall color? Looks lavender. I'm not a fan of accent walls in a bedroom. To me a bedroom should be relaxing and varying wall colors seem stimulating by their very nature (think they're great in other rooms though). But if you want to do one, I would do as you suggested, the wall where your headboard is located. Figure out what you want to keep (sounds like the headboard and the red chair are definitely staying), then work around that. I think cool greys are very pretty and a wonderful neutral that work would work well with your headboard and chair. Then you could bring in the other colors you like through bedding and artwork. If storage is an issue, can you get some bins on wheels for beneath your bed? Also can you consolidate all those smaller tables and get one larger table/storage piece in its place? I would check out IKEA if it's in your budget. Also given the size of your bedroom, if possible I would go with simple curtains that are the same color as your walls. Good luck!
...See More
Pls help, mosaic doesn't match with wall tiles, how can I salvage this
Q
Comments (13)
Hi Rubypumps. Unfortunately you have made the common mistake of mixing undertones. I see this a lot as a colour consultant. Mistakes with your hard finishes are the worst kind because they are very costly to change. Right now your walls have a pink undertone and your walls behind the tub and counter are clearly blue grey. Since blue is complementary to pink, it brings out the pink in the tile even more and the clean blue makes the tile look dirty. It may be hard for you to see this, but this is what's happening and this is probably why you don't like your bathroom. Since you chose such a busy mosaic, it has become the boss (and focal point) of the room and I would now keep your other finishes as simple as possible. If you can, down the road, change the beige tile. Because unfortunately, there is no magic colour combination that will make it disappear. Working with what you have, I would most likely go with a more neutral cabinet like Uniboard G21 Viva Walnut. It will help warm up the space. Black is too stark for this bathroom.
...See More
Clueless on rug color! Help me find my perfect rug!
Q
Comments (27)
You already have your accent colour as your sofa pillows (log roll pillows). I would take one of them shopping with me to get a rug that has that colour in it. It doesn't need to be a lot of that colour (I love the idea of burgandy rug here...but it might be too much with your monotone scheme). You can find a large rug that incorporates that red/raspberry in it so that you have a colour that is now your accent.
...See More
i am bored with the look of my home!
Q
Comments (26)
Hi. It's looking really good and you've done well with the bookshelves! ! I love the new sofa! I would say just a tad more yellow if your husband can bear it, doesn't have to be solid yellow. I'd add something else on the left shelves (I'd move one shelf of photos to the right hand shelving and swap for some books), maybe a ginger jar if you can get an old one. Maybe a patterned throw or cushion for your wooden chair and a small yellow throw for the bench just draped over the corner. Table idea sounds great. Are you happy with it? I think it's made such a big difference
...See More
lmlldl
9 years ago
Trying to visualize both the curtains and the brown window treatment is a headache! Try taking off the curtains and looking at the environment with less clutter. The brown shades are nice but perhaps too dark with existing furniture. In the end do what you think is necessary to be happy with what you have
PRO
User
9 years ago
Pay the restocking fee and reorder blinds in a MUCH lighter color. Your draperies are lovely.
paris2004
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks all. Decorating a house is proving more stressful and harder than I thought. I don't even want any visitors as long as my house looks like this. Your ideas are great. Leaning towards returning the blinds and ordering white ones, or cellular shades.will lose about $150 ouch!!!

I plan on purchasing a baige colored couch to match the drapes and get rid of the brown.
grobby
9 years ago
I would return the blinds and pay the restocking fee. Is there another color you would like to bring in to your room . I notice most everything is brown/beige. Could you be afraid to try color. Would even rethink purchasing a beige soda.
paris2004
Original Author
9 years ago
Something to think about. I may not be comfortable with color combinations, but the dominant color in my prior house was brown. I need to rethink good color combinations to brighten the room.
paris2004
Original Author
9 years ago
In fact I am terrified of adding bright colors since I am afraid the colors will not match.
loubelou
9 years ago
I think you should return the blinds and get white.
PRO
Sandy G. ltd.
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The question should be, can I live with these dark blinds and see them every day OR is the restocking fee keeping me from returning them. In the long run, you are the only one who can answer that question. If you choose to return them, the $250 spread out over the years isn't much. But if living with them is so upsetting that it depresses you, and takes over the enjoyment your beautiful home, they need to be replaced. Think of it as a learning experience and move on

Yes. If you prefer a light-filled room, the blinds need to be opened up or switched to a very light shade of white. However, these dark blinds are very good looking - especially if you removed the drapery panels. They are really too contemporary for your furniture choices and are not needed functionally or decoratively.

Place the palm in your dining room in a big beautiful pot. Where is the light coming from in there? Need a light fixture over the table. Place something bigger and more colorful on the table.

Ok, let's talk about color. Any color you use in your home does not have to be bright or crazy saturated nor do they have to match exactly - that can get boring - they just have to be in the same color family. There are millions of shades of every color and many that would be beautiful in your home. Think about moss greens, soft blues, or some shades of the reds in your fireplace [do not paint that brick!].

Do you have any art up on the walls? Could we see more pics of the other walls?

If you are thinking about replacing your dark furniture, you might think about looking for something lighter in color and less bulky. A transitional set with smaller arms & cushions, that has short legs.
paris2004
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Sandy and all. I add some color to the room as you suggested. I won't touch the fire place. My plan is to a add a light colored sectional sofa, get an oval shaped dining table, a chandelier for the dining- which is currently missing. Here are a few more pics of other walls as you requested and of the blinds when open.
paris2004
Original Author
9 years ago
Fire place and kitchen
PRO
Sandy G. ltd.
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Try leaving the blinds down but with the slats open. This way, the windows are dressed and not hungry looking.

One reason your spaces feel dark is because some of the wall colors are dark. If you painted them lighter, the rooms would lighten up automatically. While you are at it, paint the grille on the pass-through wall to match the wall color and use a switch plate cover that is closer to the wall color. They are interruptive as they are now.

Probably should stay away from a color for the walls for now, until you get used to living with color a little bit. Add color in baby steps to begin with - it really isn't the big bad bear you think it is! Promise!
decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
Your space is entirely different with the blinds open and up. I can see why you are not happy with them. Have you considered replacing them with inexpensive bamboo shades under your datpes?
San Francisco City Chateau · More Info

Weston Residence · More Info
paris2004
Original Author
9 years ago
First step- drapes in dining room bay window are out!
PRO
Kass Wilson/ WallsTreat Studio
9 years ago
IMO, definitely worth the restocking fee. Sandy hit the mark with your home needing color. You have done a great job of creating a neutral background with the subtle shifts of color on the walls. Infusing color can be as easy and cost effective as a few throw pillows, artwork and accessories for "pops" of excitement. That way, you keep the neutral foundation. Popular accent colors right now are teals, orange, greens and yellows.