What color would you paint this bookcase?
We adopted this plain, unremarkable bookshelf in Manhattan about three years ago. It was one of roughly ten pieces that made the cross-state move to Richmond in a minivan. We’ve always treated it as a temporary or “until we get something better” piece because there isn’t anything particularly special about its design or finish. But it has stuck with us longer than we expected, so now feels like the right time to finally make it work in our home.
Our plan is to give it a fresh paint job—something similar to the Young House Love style of painting furniture. The existing wood finish reads a bit too red for our current decor, and painting will be the easiest, most cost-effective way to integrate the bookcase with the rest of the room. A photo of a painted green bed we saw online gave us the confidence to try a color other than plain white, but we’re not totally sure which direction to take. That’s where you come in.
To narrow things down, we’ve settled on three main color contenders. Each option would change the mood of the bookshelf and the living room in different ways. Here are the choices we’re considering:
1. A grayish-purple that echoes the tones in the artwork above the bookcase. This color would introduce a subtle, sophisticated hint of color without dominating the room. It’s muted enough to remain neutral, but it would add depth and visual interest, linking the furniture to the art.
2. A soft, muted blue inspired by tones already present in our bedroom and kitchen. Choosing a coordinated blue would help create cohesion across rooms, tying the living room into the rest of the house. Blue tends to feel calming and classic, so it could be a safe yet stylish choice.
3. A dusty green that complements the sometimes purple undertones in our tan wall color. This green would pick up undertones already in the room and help the bookshelf blend with the existing palette while still offering a touch of color. Dusty greens read as natural and versatile, and they often work well with wood tones and neutrals.
Of course, there’s always the option to play it safe and repaint the bookcase white. White is reliable, versatile, and keeps the space feeling open and airy. It would also showcase books and decorative items well without competing with them. But after seeing how an unexpected color can elevate a simple piece of furniture, we feel inclined to experiment.
We don’t want anything too bright since the rest of our living room remains fairly neutral, so we’re leaning toward muted or dusty tones rather than bold, saturated hues. Below is a photo of the current living room so you can see the overall context and how a new bookcase color might fit into the existing scheme.
We’re basically paralyzed by indecision and would love your input. Which of the proposed colors would you pick for this bookshelf: the grayish-purple, the muted blue, the dusty green, or classic white? If you have another color suggestion that would still keep the overall neutral, calming feel of the room, tell us about it. Help us decide so we can get painting and share the finished result.
Thanks in advance for your votes and suggestions. We’ll post an after photo as soon as the makeover is complete so you can see how the chosen color transforms the space.