Any time you are getting ready to change a space, one of the first things you have to consider is color. But choosing the right color for the right space can be tricky. Keep these tips in mind when you are drowning in paint chips.
The Color Basics
Remember the color wheel when deciding which colors to pick. If you want your space to feel calm and serene, choose a monochromatic scheme. This means you have the same color in different shades from dark to light. The analogous color combination includes colors that are side by side in the color wheel like yellow and green or purple and blue. If you want to bring life and excitement, try a complementary combination with colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel but very appealing to the eye, including orange and blue or green and purple.
Good inspiration
Think about your favorite places that you have visited. Maybe it was the beach or a cool coffee shop downtown. Maybe you have always loved the colors of the Grand Canyon or have a special place in your garden. Choose your colors based on those locations, and you can build a little oasis anywhere in your home. Go to your “happy place” before you go to the paint store.
Natural combinations
If you take your color inspiration from nature, you know that it will work. You could take inspiration from your last trip to the coast or maybe you want to bring the colors outside your doorstep into your home. Why not bring the outdoor beauty inside with a color design copied from nature?
Warm vs. cool
Traditionally warm colors are invigorating and good for spaces like a kitchen or a dining room. Cool colors tend to be more calming choices for living rooms or bedrooms. However, you also have to consider your space. Blue and green may be relaxing, but in a room with little natural light, it can be a dreary combination. You also have to consider your home style. A white monochromatic look goes perfectly with a contemporary style, but in a traditional style, it can look cold and uninviting.
Be sensible
Use neutral colors in the major pieces that you don’t want to change every few years. Save the trendy colors as accents that can easily change when the trend changes. The key is to start with a good base and grow from there.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you feel overwhelmed at the paint counter. You can find the right color for the right space in your home. Once you have your color scheme in mind, all of the other choices will fall into place.
