apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The current paint color is fine.

I suggest you spend your time, money, and effort on accessories instead. Like new sheets, bed spread, curtains, lamp, etc.

I think these new accessories will have much more impact in making the room look/feel "warmer".

it looks good. maybe a red/patterned curtain instead of the white one. and add some similarly patterened pillows to the bed. add a red throw blanket to the bed too.
the art is cool. you could angle the dresser? or center it on the wall and get a vase with flowers/twiggy things.

I agree with luxbath. And to be honest, painting is annoying and you'll just have to paint it back when you move. I say spend your money on more lush bedding and art that will make much more of a difference than just changing the paint color and leaving the rest of your bedroom (bed sheets, poster art, etc) as is.

I think if you want color, you should have it! Regardless of whether the current paint job is "fine." Seeing as how you can get outside from the bedroom, I'm leaning towards suggesting a bright green. It'll match the trees in summer and give some energy in the middle of winter. I just painted my tiny guest room much like the color in this post, and it's totally fun and makes the room an enjoyable place to be.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/good-quotes/good-quotes-089397

I disagree with the previous posts, although I think it couldn't hurt to take some of their advice about new textiles. The eggshell wall color has got to go! I'd suggest taking and accent color from your favorite bit of artwork and playing with that.

I have to admit that my first instinct was to go for a cool grey for this room, but that's the opposite of what you're looking for. Maybe a tannish color like the "floor" color in the poster by the dresser?

Also, try grouping the artwork so that you can see it when you wake up, not having it behind your head. And frame it!

I would 2nd the cool silver grey suggestion, even though you're thinking earthy. And definitely, more than paint, a sleek grey (maybe from crate and barrel or calvin klein) duvet, crisp white sheets, and a new chocolate brown wood side table (to match the floor and dresser) would create a huge impact.

Check out the Benjamin Moore historical colors palette - they have some very nice creamy-ish colors that would be warm and light, which I think could work in this room.

I might consider a warm white with a teensy little bit of whatever the patio red is mixed in if you want to create a stronger relationship there.

Also, that Picasso poster is gorgeous, but it's not reading in this picture as warm - maybe swap it for something in the LR?

sell the francis bacon painting!! and move!!

I recently painted most of my condo, which started off all that beige-eggshell color. One thing you might want to consider is a light gray; it sets off white trim beautifully and provides a good backdrop for colorful paintings and posters. Even though gray is a cool color and eggshell is a warm color, I feel like my light gray rooms are a lot more personal. Eggshell just screams "bland," whereas a light gray can seem quite sophisticated. Also, it's light and inoffensive, so your landlord might not require you to paint it back.

Frame your posters! Center your dresser. Consider some wall stickers (from Blik) if you want to add more personal details to the room without detailed painting. (In my experience, they come off walls flawlessly.)

Maybe try jazzing it up with some accessories first, and if that doesn't do the trick, then ask if it's okay to paint? That way you don't put the time and money into painting the room, only to discover it was something other than the eggshell that felt "off" to you. Plus, it will give you some time to really settle into the room, which may give you some ideas as to what colors would work best for you.

If you do paint now, I agree with the suggestion to consider a soft gray.

I would definitely prefer a different paint color personally, but I think there is a lot you could do with bed linens, quilt or spread, and curtains. What colors do you like? Red pillows could stay and add a golden Provencal print to quilt. And if those little side crates are staying, why not paint them black to match the bed.

i only read the first comment, which is right on the money. buy things you can take with you, a wood or upholstered head board, the current bed frame is cold and hard. sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover, throw blanket in coordinating colors. the bed linens can come from different companies as long as they work together. it's a small room so focus only on the bed, see if you can take out the other furniture and just have a very luxe looking bed one round glass night stand, and a chair or upholstered low stool. having furniture jammed in corners makes the room seem smaller, having negative space will help create a spacious illusion

"sell the francis bacon painting!! and move!!"
man_pty that is a poster.


Maybe wall mount a shelf on each side of the bed and loose those wine crates or mount them and paint the white since you don't have much space for end tables. Clean all of the clutter and books that are in those.

I agree with the others about the linens and new drapes.

Maybe get one long lower three or four drawer bureau. You could get something from a flea market or thrift store and paint it or refinish it, then a nice lamp and some accessories would help. That black dresser is not doing anyhiing for the room.
I do not like posters it just reminds me of a dorm room. If you really like those posters then frame them and group them.

i have to agree with LoriSF on this one.. it seems very "Dorm" like. The first thing i would do is buy some new bedding asthe colours of the walls is OK by me.. Maybe injecting some of the tones you want, warm reds to reflect the outside patio wall and some lovely greens to really give the space some life and tie the spaces together making your bedroom seem more connected to the outside space.

Is the outside area used just for you and your partner or is it for guests to enjoy aswell?? If it is for you and your partner I would strongly suggest turning your bed so the head is under the smaller window (with the addition of a really heavy lush curtain) and using the two walls next to the bed to maximum advantage! Get a really nice bookshelf, in a light colour and put some personal treasures on display .. so that before you go to bed and when you wake the first things you see are things that make you happy.

The other thing, is on the longest wall (without a window) is that your wardrobe ?? I would strongly consider using a covered or enclosed wardrobe to make the room feel less cluttered as it is quite a small space. (I am not sure of local suppliers as im halfway around the world.. but Ikea do some really affordable cloth covered clothes storage units that have shelves and hanging space to accomodate all ranges of spaces!

(and I say as great as the Picasso poster is.... its very muted and is bringing the tone down so update with something fresh, bright... or better yet get canvas and have some fun!)

I would bring the color (terracotta?) in from outside to make the room seem as though it were one large outdoor room.
Then I would paint the crates and the drawers a shade or two darker than the wall color to make them blend in a bit better. Also, if you can, lose the headboard and invest in brownish (with small print) bedding with some deco pillows to make it more inviting.
If you have read any of my past posts, you will know that I am not a fan of window coverings, but I do favor window film. Either decorative or a frosted design to let light in but to keep privacy. Also in such a small room, using curtains could bring unwanted attention. If not film for the window, perhaps top and bottom tension rod mounted sheers in the same color family as your bedding or wall color?
You said you wanted to warm it up a bit didn't you? Why would you want to go with gray tones?
A small NYC apartment needs to be able to blend with or bring the outdoors in if you are fortunate enough to be able to SEE the outdoors here...and since you can, do so and enjoy the summer and fall.

A light, fresh green might work. Or a warm blue. Avoid deep reds and purples as they might make the room look a little drama-queeny.

The main reason that the eggshell doesn't work is because the bedspread and the curtain are similar colours. Painting isn't hard (especially in a small room) and it'll probably be cheaper than buying new bed linen and curtains.

Also, anyone who's old enough to move in with her boyfriend is old enough to frame her art posters. Black frames large white mats = instant class.

I'd do the following.

1. I'd probably put the bed on the wall with the dresser and push it up against the wall. What are you gaining by having it centered in a room this small- I'd get the floor space back and go for a nice plushy rug.

2. What is going on behind the door to the kitchen? Is that a wardrobe or clothes racks? It looks cluttery to the extreme. I'd get some closing armoires from Ikea or something- in a nice neutral color.

3. That dresser is just not doing the room any favors- its a skinny narrow room and you have this one tall sticky-up dark colored piece. I'd get something long and low instead- like... the Ikea Mandal end of the bed storage. Or some under the bed drawers .

4. Aside from those posters not doing it for the room in subject matter the posters with no frames look cheap. That and the clothes are what screams, "dorm room". I'd get some big white/silver/blond wood (light colors if you aren't painting) poster frames for whatever new art you pick.

Also I'd use the walls. I'd put in nifty shelves of some kind. For instance any of the white CB2 wall storage stuff (http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=118&f=5232) or maybe something sort of interesting (http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=13394&PRODID=62187)... then I'd put things that have meaning on them- some interesting books or cool curios- things that speak to YOU- this room right now has no sense of who you are at all in it.

I'd also paint the room something cool, but bright (I think warm earthtones are going to make you feel suffocated in winter and a bright cool tone will feel clean and fresh but also bold). I like the suggestion of a bright green- I've been hot for Behr's asparagus green lately- it would make the outdoor red look sweet. Also maybe a rich yellow-orange if you can rock it, but it takes some serious swagger. Teals are very in right now and look grand with white.

I like it the way it is. As others suggested: invest in beautiful accessories (wood, linen, ...).

Get rid of the posters. Saw off the horrible ikea dalsev headbord. Get colourful bedding and curtains. Add a plant.

I agree with luxbath. The OP said apartment, so I will guess that means they are renting it - so it would be a better investment to go with furniture, bedding, and accessories that you can take with you after.

Buy some one-of-a-kind hand-made textiles on eBay: vintage quilts, suzanis, Mexican blankets, whatever. Or, if you can afford it, replace the posters with original art you love.

A room where everything is machine made never feels warm.

thanks for your point LoriSF!... OF COURSE it's a poster....who in their right mind would have an original like that hanging so poorly. If they could actually afford it in the first place.