Advice on Paint Carpet Color

[tilallr1]

Ok, so I am in the paint \ carpet planning phase of my home theater project.

I was thinking, black carpet, black screen wall, black ceiling.

Then dark red, for side walls and back wall. Also painting door and trim the same color of whichever wall they touch. In order to blend in with their surroundings and make them less noticeable.

I also thought of dark brown instead of the red, but was thinking with so much black the room would really need a splash of color. Also, red makes it feel like a theater. It seems to be a common home theater color.

Is there any negative impacts of using red on side walls with a projector? Any suggestions on particular shades that look good with the amount of black I am planning on using?

[Beta Man]

That sounds good to me...... a good "Deep red wine" color is very nice in my opinion.

[THE_FORCE]

My only advice would be to think outside of the box a little bit maybe ? You say that red is a common theatre colour, so why not be a little bit different and set it apart from the norm by staying well away from red ?

Or maybe a mixture of brown and red, like a deep horse-chestnut colour ? Or go strictly neutral and hit the grey tones ?(always works well with black) If it's a dedicated HT room with a PJ, then you are better off sticking to darks ideally, at least for where the image is going to be projected. I'd stick to matt finish paint also, as gloss or vinyl has too many light reflective qualities to it.

Just a couple of cents worth !

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

That sounds good to me...... a good "Deep red wine" color is very nice in my opinion.

Do you know of any pics online with that color? Was thinking the same thing.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by THE_FORCE

My only advice would be to think outside of the box a little bit maybe ? You say that red is a common theatre colour, so why not be a little bit different and set it apart from the norm by staying well away from red ?

Or maybe a mixture of brown and red, like a deep horse-chestnut colour ? Or go strictly neutral and hit the grey tones ?(always works well with black) If it's a dedicated HT room with a PJ, then you are better off sticking to darks ideally, at least for where the image is going to be projected. I'd stick to matt finish paint also, as gloss or vinyl has too many light reflective qualities to it.

Just a couple of cents worth !

Thanks for the advise.

[tilallr1]

One quick question on color, they say that light that bounces off the walls will take on the wall's color. A red wall will reflect red light and bright scenes in your movie will have a permanent pinkish hue. Bright blue walls will result in a light blueish haze, and so on. Not only will this mess up your colors, but your projector's contrast as well.

Is this accurate? Anyone with colored walls notice this effect?

[Beta Man]

not sure about this, as I have dark brown/black walls.... but I know that a certain shade of gray is considered "the color" universally accepted as the best color for front projection..... but I can't seem to find the color via google

[SilentNight]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

That sounds good to me...... a good "Deep red wine" color is very nice in my opinion.

that's actually what my rooms color is. At least I would say it is closest to that. The pics though make it look a lot more red than it really is.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by SilentNight

that's actually what my rooms color is. At least I would say it is closest to that. The pics though make it look a lot more red than it really is.

I "almost" did Cleveland Browns' colors (Home Depot sells the "Official Team Colors" )...... of course watching the Browns play on the big-screen only magnifies my feelings of nausea these days

I decided against that, and U of M, the Mets, and the Red Wings because they were all too bright....

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

not sure about this, as I have dark brown/black walls.... but I know that a certain shade of gray is considered "the color" universally accepted as the best color for front projection..... but I can't seem to find the color via google

http://www.rpimaging.com/store/PID123

You are looking for "Munsell Gray" paint for home theaters. Google that color...

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

http://www.rpimaging.com/store/PID123

You are looking for "Munsell Gray" paint for home theaters. Google that color...

Thank you! That's the one I was referring to.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by SilentNight

that's actually what my rooms color is. At least I would say it is closest to that. The pics though make it look a lot more red than it really is.

That color is perfect. I take it thats a flat finish? Do you notice any pink hue on the screen during bright whitish scenes? Do the walls reflect any light?

Also, do you know which paint you used and its name.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Thank you! That's the one I was referring to.

Thanks for the suggestion. I might consider it, but really leaning toward the Wine Red. If it works.

Black \ Grey rooms are a bit too cold for me. Which is why I am leaning on Black \ Red or Brown.

[Beta Man]

I see you referring to color hues being reflected onto the screen..... Honestly, from everything I've seen/read, most things indicate that the color of the screen (bright blue screen during Waterworld for instance) will reflect THAT color FROM the screen, to the walls.... but the color/finish on the walls can compensate for that..... I've never heard of anyone having a major problem with the color of theirs walls reflecting onto the screen.....

also, Color is important, but more important is the finish.... A flat finish will reflect less light..... so take the Waterworld scene for instance..... on a white wall, with with a high-gloss finish, the blue will reflect (probably not to the point of being noticeable on the screen) but the overall room will be brighter, and will have the same effect of having a light on a dimmer turned on in the room......

Given the same color white, with a FLAT finish, the same scene will cause the blue to be seen on the wall, but it will reflect far less light, so the overall room won't be as bright, thus not affecting the perceived contrast as much.

I think, as long as you use a color that isn't "Neon" or "Bright White" as long as you do it in a Flat finish, you'll be fine...... (I used a Matte finish, which is one step up from Flat, because I chose a premium paint that isn't available in Flat finishes..... plus... if you touch a flat finished wall, you'll leave a mark)

Someone come to my rescue and correct me on any errors I may have made

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

Ok, so I am in the paint \ carpet planning phase of my home theater project.

I was thinking, black carpet, black screen wall, black ceiling.

Then dark red, for side walls and back wall. Also painting door and trim the same color of whichever wall they touch. In order to blend in with their surroundings and make them less noticeable.

I also thought of dark brown instead of the red, but was thinking with so much black the room would really need a splash of color. Also, red makes it feel like a theater. It seems to be a common home theater color.

Is there any negative impacts of using red on side walls with a projector? Any suggestions on particular shades that look good with the amount of black I am planning on using?

That is EXACTLY what my plan would be. A nice dark Burgandy. All flat paint for sure.

[Beta Man]

I'm told that many have had success with "Mouse Ear Black" from Behr, sold by Home Depot..... it's also important to try to apply it with a heavy nap-roller (regardless of what paint you choose) so you get some texture out of it to reduce sheen.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

One quick question on color, they say that light that bounces off the walls will take on the wall's color. A red wall will reflect red light and bright scenes in your movie will have a permanent pinkish hue. Bright blue walls will result in a light blueish haze, and so on. Not only will this mess up your colors, but your projector's contrast as well.

Is this accurate? Anyone with colored walls notice this effect?

yes, but you must put it into perspective. Let's assume there is no other light source, how much light do you think will hit the screen, then hit the wall and make it back to the screen? Once colour is dark enough you go flat (or matte) instead of glossy and ambient light is not an issue the effect will be negligible to nil.

Also when you calibrate your projector, the temperature reading off the screen would have in it any effects of the wall.

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

One quick question on color, they say that light that bounces off the walls will take on the wall's color. A red wall will reflect red light and bright scenes in your movie will have a permanent pinkish hue. Bright blue walls will result in a light blueish haze, and so on. Not only will this mess up your colors, but your projector's contrast as well.

Is this accurate? Anyone with colored walls notice this effect?

I would go with a flat something earth tone in the grey family. Do the trim in a slate blue in eggshell. Eggshell being the finish, which is between flat and semigloss. Or just do the colors I suggested in reverse. Do the walls in a slate blue and the trim in the grey. I think reds and blacks and browns get tiring after a while. And with the room dark with some color it should be soothing. I personally don't like colors too flashy or bright in a house.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I see you referring to color hues being reflected onto the screen..... Honestly, from everything I've seen/read, most things indicate that the color of the screen (bright blue screen during Waterworld for instance) will reflect THAT color FROM the screen, to the walls.... but the color/finish on the walls can compensate for that..... I've never heard of anyone having a major problem with the color of theirs walls reflecting onto the screen.....

also, Color is important, but more important is the finish.... A flat finish will reflect less light..... so take the Waterworld scene for instance..... on a white wall, with with a high-gloss finish, the blue will reflect (probably not to the point of being noticeable on the screen) but the overall room will be brighter, and will have the same effect of having a light on a dimmer turned on in the room......

Given the same color white, with a FLAT finish, the same scene will cause the blue to be seen on the wall, but it will reflect far less light, so the overall room won't be as bright, thus not affecting the perceived contrast as much.

I think, as long as you use a color that isn't "Neon" or "Bright White" as long as you do it in a Flat finish, you'll be fine...... (I used a Matte finish, which is one step up from Flat, because I chose a premium paint that isn't available in Flat finishes..... plus... if you touch a flat finished wall, you'll leave a mark)

Someone come to my rescue and correct me on any errors I may have made

I think what your saying makes complete sense. So I guess I will stick with the dark red color and make sure the paint has a flat finish.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'm told that many have had success with "Mouse Ear Black" from Behr, sold by Home Depot..... it's also important to try to apply it with a heavy nap-roller (regardless of what paint you choose) so you get some texture out of it to reduce sheen.

Cool. I will give it a try. Would love to reduce sheen.