Do you feel frustrated and confused as to how to start picking a color scheme for a room? How do you choose when there are so many choices? How does one start? The tips I will provide in this blog will help you feel less color challenged. First, let’s define what color is.
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| Without light, an object or viewer…we cannot have color(Ben Moore,'Color and light') |
In simple terms, color is light, which is carried on wavelengths that the eye absorbs and the brain converts into messages so that we see colors. “The way we perceive and view color is impacted by light, both natural and artificial” (Ben Moore Color and Light seminar). Colors change in the setting due to many factors that play in the room. Differing natural light in a room is one factor. For example, if you are painting in a northern exposure room, even though it has windows, any color you choose will appear darker in this exposure. So when you choose colors for this kind of space make sure you use a high chroma color (the brightness or subdued quality of color) which will give you a clean look. This type of color will ‘fool the eye,’ making the room appear bigger and brighter. Also, in the evening it will not gray out. If you have a room with windows that face south, it will have a considerable amount of natural light, allowing you to choose colors that have more saturation (how vivid and intense a color is) because light absorbs color.
Picking a color scheme for a room can be difficult, so here are a few things to consider:
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| See how the flower changed in different lighting? |
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| Sherwin Williams Color trends 2012 |
* Understanding the character of your home and surroundings. Where you live can play a major role in your color palette. The time, or period, and style of a home can sometimes dictate the colors you would use. Also, the natural surroundings of a home should also be considered. The landscape of your property should also influence the space. If you have windows in the space and want to bring the outside in, choose colors that are inspired by the nature around you, which could be anything in the earth tones, such as browns, greys, red, oranges, greens, and yellows. If you live near the water or mountains, the colors in those landscapes may also influence color palettes you are attracted to and want to use in your interior spaces.
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| A home cut into the landscape abounds nature! |
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| Each room in this house reflects the beauty that surrounds it |
* What kind of mood do you want to set? If you think about it, every room has its own rhythm. A bedroom, for example, could be calm and tranquil, a place that you would want to escape to, away from all the day’s activities. Bold and high energy could characterize a kitchen. Set an image in your mind as to what you want your room to feel like to you. Then look at interior design magazines and see the color palettes they used and how they made the whole look work. Once you have an idea, go to a paint store and pick color chips. Choose a main color, along with two contrasting colors and two accent shades as well.
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| This kitchen is electric with energy. |
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| By Larry Young see website laurenceyoung.com |
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| The painting in the above by Larry Young could have been the inspiration for this bedroom. |
* Where to get your inspiration from?
It’s always easiest to draw inspiration from something in the room such as fabric on a favorite chair, pillow, rug or even a piece of art work. If you’re still having problems, draw from colors that you are attracted to and love to wear! You can also draw from colors of your culture. For example, in the East, yellow has long been regarded as a symbol of royalty, green the color of nature, and purple was such a rare pigment that only nobility could wear it. We are all influenced by color in some way. So choose your colors with purpose, expressing how you want the room to feel. Remember, when choosing colors for a room, you want it to flow with the rest of your home as well.
* Artificial light that you bring into the space.
Fluorescent tubes, which are becoming the norm these days to save energy, have their drawbacks. They tend to change the color of the walls by casting off different colors. Some are on the yellow side and some are on the pink, depending on the brand you choose. So consider this and test your colors against your lighting in the space.
The whole idea is to pick colors that you love and that will establish your color compass! Use whatever tools you feel will help you. There are also websites I will give you that you can have fun with. Follow your instincts and remember there are no bad colors, only bad combinations.
Websites : colourlovers.com
Sherwinwilliams.com
Benmoore.com
1stdibbs.com
houzz.com
