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How to use Colour

When it comes to decorating, pouring over paint charts is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things, and the moment when you first take the lid of that tin of paint is even better. Colour is perhaps the most personal and dramatic statement you can make in your home. It can create atmosphere instantly and improve your mental well-being.

Choice

It doesn't seem that long ago that the choice for colour was either extreme magnolia or 'tint with a hint'. These days there are endless possibilities and, as with clothes, the major companies bring out new colours each season. One minute 'lime green' is all the rage, the next it's the 'new neutrals'. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the choice and even sticking to tried and tested white can have its pitfalls.

Pitfalls

You may know exactly which colours you want to use but you can still hit a stumbling block. Why does the colour that looked so great in the tin look insipid and lifeless on the walls? What's more, you've spent hours trying to get everything to match exactly, but your room has just ended up looking bland.

Colours that you may enjoy viewing each day, such as bright yellows, vibrant reds or pretty pinks may clash with your furniture options or the tastes of potential buyers. Remember, to make a room work visually, you have to consider an appealing connection between floors, walls and furniture. If you are planning on selling, keep clients happy by making them feel welcome in your home and allow them to picture the potential your home offers them. A big turnoff for buyers is walking into a room where the colours clash so dramatically it creates a distraction. This makes them forget or ignore the other valuable options your home may have.

Also, remember the effect certain colours have on lightening or darkening a certain room. Colours can limit lighting or reflect it. Painting a small room with poor lightening a dark colour such as brown, may make it seem smaller, gloomy or unwelcoming. Painting a large room surrounded by sunlight a bright colour, such as green or yellow may make the room overwhelming with light.

Helpful Hint

Accent colours can help in this situation, they are strong contrasting colours which complement the scheme adding life and injecting drama and charcter to the room. By maintaining a neutral backdrop and adding two or three accent colours in small doses with feature walls, cushions, rugs or throws in current fashion colours is more economical as the colour scheme can be updated easily when you feel like a change. Rotating your accent colours for a summer and winter scheme is also a popular option, for example, add cool, crisp greens or blues to a warm summer room to beat the heat or cosy reds and terracottas to a cool winter room to create a sense of warmth.

Colour Schemes

Planning and carrying out your own colour schemes is easy once you understand the principles of colour. Interior designers often seem to have a built-in instinct for what goes with what, many also refer to a colour wheel to assist in their planning which you may also choose to do. Or simply use nature for your inspiration, natural colour combinations always seem to work.

Don't be afraid to collect colour samples, in paper or paint form, research what is currently stylish and test all possibilities. A colour you may have never considered may suit your home perfectly. Keep an open mind!

Dont be afraid to ask for help. Home Innovations offers a free colour consultation with one of our qualified designers. Call now to make an appointment.

 Home Innovations: (03) 5976 4661