Need to coordinate carpet colors (hardwood floors, drapes, painted, doors)

[tamajane]

I have to replace a living room carpet. The room opens up to another room which has deep red/black speckled carpeting. The red actually looks good in that room so it stays. I don't know what color carpet to do for the LR that will blend with the deep red in the adjoining room.

These rooms should coordinate since it is all open space with the French doors open but I do not want anything very dark for the LR carpet. Any ideas what other color carpet could go next to the red/black without breaking up the space too much or at least something that would complement the red?

[talloolla]

That is a hard one. Not being able to see the rooms makes it harder. For me carpet and drapes choices don't come easy for me.

Perhaps a carpet that has a pattern that incudes red/black in it as an accent instead of the main color would work or a carpet that has a border that would work with the red/black rug but offer a solid center? Take a look at the site that sells to
Flor carpet squares for ideas on different options for carpet.

What color is the living room? What color is the rug you are replacing?

You mention that the rooms open to each other but is there a way to arrange the furniture so that there is a transition area?

[nuts2uiam]

Can you post a picture so we can get a better idea?

[Butterfly4u]

tamajane,
Without seeing this, I will tell you what I would do.
I would put a light color bamboo or hardwood floor in the living
room, I would hunt down the exact same shade of red for at least
3 accessories. (lamp bases, pics with the exact color red, or plant
vases), and then I would buy the exact shade of red sectional carpet
for the living room and put it under the coffee table, or wherever you
would see it easily from the dining room.
Carry some of the living room colors into the dining room also,
Pick the color of your couch, lets say cream, and accent that in the
dining room.
It's hard to give a suggestion without a pic.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by Butterfly4u

tamajane,
Without seeing this, I will tell you what I would do.
I would put a light color bamboo or hardwood floor in the living
room, I would hunt down the exact same shade of red for at least
3 accessories. (lamp bases, pics with the exact color red, or plant
vases), and then I would buy the exact shade of red sectional carpet
for the living room and put it under the coffee table, or wherever you
would see it easily from the dining room.
Carry some of the living room colors into the dining room also,
Pick the color of your couch, lets say cream, and accent that in the
dining room.
It's hard to give a suggestion without a pic.

I like a lot of what Butterfly says here. I don't know if I would go light with hardwoods, but certainly a medium warm tone would look fine. (There would a LOT of contrast with red and light wood.) I think the tones in the hardwood should harmonize with the red of the adjoining carpet.

I like the idea of adding red accents in the LR, but I hate the idea of any sort of red rug. That is a little formulaic. But red pillows on the sofa, or red glass accessories would be really nice in there, especially if the LR is mostly neutral.

Otherwise, when faced with this sort of color dilemma, I like to think of the opposite color on the color wheel, which in this case is green. You would never put the same intensity of dark green against the dark red carpet, but you might go with a very neutral green, perhaps a grayed green. If you hold samples against the red carpet, you should be able to see which ones look good. But if you go this way, take your time deciding.

If you go with warm wood tones on the LR, which I think would be a great solution for you, please consider your LR wall color. With the warm red of the adjacent carpet and the warm wood of the floor, you might want a cooler tone on your walls.

Your house sounds unique. I'd love to see a pic.

[CFoulke]

How about a soft dove gray color - considered a neutral and also would coordinate well with red and/or black carpets and rugs? Cheaper than installing hardwood floors, although wood is beautiful too. I think it depends on your personal taste, your budget, and preference. Years ago, I had a very deep, rich red in my bedroom and I had a color scheme of red, black, and white with some gray thrown in. I thought it was very tasteful, personally.

[tamajane]

It has to be carpet for the budget and I will only be living there temporarily so I'm not being too picky but want it to look halfway decent for sale. Someone is renting it now so I don't have pics. The carpet really is shot and I'm not sure what color it is, brownish mauve or something.

I like the idea of the gray, saw some throw rugs with a combination of red, gray, gold and black patterns that looked good together. Gray/green sounds nice, will get some samples in that color family to try. Walls can be painted any color, so that is open.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by tamajane

It has to be carpet for the budget and I will only be living there temporarily so I'm not being too picky but want it to look halfway decent for sale. Someone is renting it now so I don't have pics. The carpet really is shot and I'm not sure what color it is, brownish mauve or something.

I like the idea of the gray, saw some throw rugs with a combination of red, gray, gold and black patterns that looked good together. Gray/green sounds nice, will get some samples in that color family to try. Walls can be painted any color, so that is open.

Be sure to think of your furniture colors too, not just upholstery, but whether you have dark or light woods or warm or cooler tones. (Most wood is going to be warm in tone.) With dove gray--really pretty color--you would want a warmer toned wall, perhaps.