Deciding a color scheme for your home? The process can be both exciting and daunting. There are so many choices to choose from that it becomes hard to decide what colors to paint.
When thinking of a color scheme, walk through the rooms in your home, and identify the colors that appeal you the most. You can also jot down your thoughts in a notebook and refer to it later to remind yourself of how you would like to paint your home.
Also, gather color swatches, photos (which have colors you like), pages from magazines and any odds and ends that appeal you. You can even collect objects like pebbles, sea shells, flowers and fruits - this will help you visualize the colors schemes that appeal you.
Now, spread all the different photographs and objects collected above over a flat surface as shown in the picture above. [this is also known as a mood-board]
Do you see color scheme that you like? If two or more colors appeal to you, you can combine them to make a harmonious or a contrast scheme. Shortlist the items and spread them on a big piece of paper. They will be an invaluable tool for deciding colors to paint your house.
Colors should ideally flow from room to room. Adjacent rooms can often be seen from open doors, so their color schemes should blend.
Remember that color changes significantly depending on the light in the room. So before picking a color, it is always advisable to view the color in the room where it has to be applied. [You may use a color swatch for this purpose or just paint some portion of a wall with that color]
South facing rooms often receive direct sunlight for most part of the day. So you can use pale blues and lilacs for a cool effect.
North facing rooms that receive only indirect light have a cooler feel even in summer time. Here, you may opt for soft, pale tints of warm colors or neutrals that will reflect light back into the room.
Extra Tips before you paint:
-Always do a test patch on one of the room walls. Allow it to dry completely as the dried version is usually one or two shades darker.
-If you have a small room, use some white or very light colors as will make your room look bigger.
-It’s a myth that ceilings need to be painted white.They can be painted in any color depending on the room size. -You can turn any color lighter, darker or muted by adding white, black or grey colors respectively.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/home/decoration/how-to-decide-a-color-scheme-for-your-home/379/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
My flat gets lot of sunlight through out the year. I want to paint the falt. What colour scheme would eb suitable for same? Will a scheme based on yellow colour be okay? If yes what colour combinations can i try for the rooms? Will texture paint look good? If yes please suggest some textures that can be considered.
Written by Mansi Berawala on 04.18.08
I need help with my bedroom. My house is full of warm colors, but I have a kinda mint yellowish green comforter with chocolate brown. I need to find another color to go with it. I thought about a rust or red but seems to “christmasy” to me. Any suggestions?
Written by Sue Stafford on 07.10.08
I need help! I painted my dining room a light sage on the top part of the wall and a deep sage on the bottom with white trim. The dining room and living room are like one boig room. I have a double wide and it’s like the dining room is on one side of the doublewide nad living room on the other side facing each other. I painted the living room a ivory color and hate it because it make the living room look like it’s been white maybe and turned yellow. with white trim. what color could I paint the living room to coordinate with the dining room?
Written by Leona Sanders on 09.23.08