Fun With Color
Bringing new color into a living space is an easy and fun design project. For a color palette to work in your home, it has to meet some criteria, from logical to emotional.
Styles & Themes
First, identify your preferred style (i.e., formal, semi formal, casual, eclectic) and themes (i.e., country, rustic, modern, etc.) for your room. Room styles and themes are all about your lifestyle, personality and the purpose of the room you’re decorating. How would you describe the styles and themes of your living space?
Anchor Fabrics
With style and theme in mind, choose 3 or more colors. One way to do this is to pick an ‘anchor’ fabric that best represents your style and theme. You can choose colors from a patterned fabric or choose solid fabric colors. We have a fabulous selection in our stores and you can order samples direct from our biggest supplier, LEE Industries.
In rooms that are not used as frequently, you might consider a chenille, linen or cotton fabric with some color or a pattern. For more frequently used rooms, you can still add color but choose durable, soft and stain-resistant fabrics. Click here to learn more about choosing fabric.
Space & Color
Lighter colors create a more open feel which most big rooms need where dark colors create an intimate mood that may be appropriate for smaller spaces.
Use your instinct to determine what colors you like and dislike. If you love yellow and hate blue clothing, you would most likely love a butter color in your living space. Also consider the wood finish that best suits your room. For instance, do you have wood floors or carpeting?
Use pictures or places you love to pull color from. You don’t have to be totally original when choosing combinations. There’s so much beautiful color in the world and you’re free to copy it.
Tips for Painting…
Repeat colors evenly throughout the room, and in at least 3 places. Adding details in cording and trims is one way to disperse color and add interest.
Divide color use to approximately 60% of the room in the background (lightest) color, 30% in the mid-tone color, and 10% in the brightest, accent colors.
If you’re not sure of what colors to use, there’s another method to finding out how a color will look in your room. Ask us for a cutting of the fabric you’re considering and keep it in the room for 24 hours.
Same goes for paint. Buy a quart and paint a small section of your wall and see if you still love it the next day. If you do, go with your intuition and you can start building beautiful color palettes for your living spaces.
More information…
Our designers are available to help you with your interior design projects. Please contact us for more information.
Leave a Reply