Yellow or red or blue or white or green; how on earth do you make a decision about paint color?
If you take it step by step, you won’t go wrong.
Familiarizing yourself with the color wheel will be a great help too. So grab a color wheel and let’s go.
Using a color wheel as a guide takes all the guess work out of it
Here are 3 color schemes to start with, using the color wheel;
1. Monochramatic – shades, tones and /or tints of the same color. Use this throughout the room for a gradient and calming effect.
2. Analagous – 3 or more colors that sit next to each other. Good for bringing in more colors that are related to one another.
3. Split Complementary – find 2 complements across from each other then choose the hues on either side of one of these colors. This is a good way to really try something different.
Test the colored waters
Painting is a fun way to step out of your color comfort zone and try something new.
It is an instant gratification project that won’t break the bank. So what’s stopping you?
A great starting point that won’t cost a lot, is to purchase a small pot of the color you like and apply it to a large board that you can move around your room or house. You will want to live with the sample for a few days and look at it in the morning, noon and night before committing to it.
Think about the quality of the light and the direction of your window exposure. Natural daylight shows the truest color but will also influence the paint color.
• East facing windows get a lot of morning light so the sunlight will be warm and yellowy before noon.
• West facing windows have a warm -orangey-red sunlight after noon
• South facing windows have a warm-orangey light all day
• North facing windows never get direct sunlight, resulting in cool bluish light all day.
You can always paint an accent wall or two if you love a color but don’t want to commit it to a whole room. The wall behind the headboard or perhaps the fireplace is a great starting point. The accent wall should be a large surface and not just a bit of wall above and beside a door. Because what’s the point of that? It’s just a cop out.
Consider what mood you would like to create in the room
Do you want a calm restful bedroom or perhaps a warm and intimate one. Or maybe one that’s hot, hot, hot? Soft cool colors and neutral colors usually create a quieter feel while stronger colors are for drama and excitement.
Is your dining room mainly used for casual family gatherings or more serious formal affairs? Warm, contrasting and somewhat brighter colors add to a sociable atmosphere. Deep blue-greens and neutrals will give a more formal ambience.
Remember to consider how the colors relate to each other not only in the one room but in your whole house. Chances are you will see your kitchen from your dining room or living room etc. So the colors should flow and work harmoniously throughout.
So, why don’t you go ahead and tackle that painting job that has been nagging at you, now that you are armed with the knowledge of how to pick just the right color.
For information about the meaning of colors, check out the Color Wheel Pro website and Color Theory for (web) Designers.