If you are like many do-it-yourself homeowners, you know that choosing the perfect color for your space is a lot more work than it seems. It has to be just right, it has to pull the space together, and it has to be right the first time. Luckily, there are ways to fix these color frustrations.
- Find a fabric or pattern you like
We often choose textiles after we’ve painted a room, but discovering something we like beforehand can help us choose a color pallet based on that from which we are drawing inspiration.
- Take note of the lighting
If you are decorating a small space, be aware that darker colors will absorb the light and make it look not only darker, but smaller as well. Lighting, and the illusion of light in a space, affects which colors work best. Lighter colors should be your first choice when decorating small and closed-off rooms.
- Avoid eclectic color schemes
Moving through every color of the rainbow as you walk through a house can quickly get overwhelming. Factor in the colors of neighboring rooms. Having the kitchen violet and the dining room yellow might make your dinner quests a little queasy.
- Don’t be afraid of neutral colors
Beige doesn’t mean boring and brown doesn’t spell glum. These colors can create a modern and relaxing atmosphere.
- Use the Color Wheel
You don’t have to be an art major to choose a color pallet from the color wheel. Using color theory to select colors and complimentary shades with which to decorate a room is probably one of the safest and most efficient ways to make such a decision.
- Find inspiration in art
If you have a painting that you love and want to hang in your space, pull color ideas from that piece of art and decorate around it.
- Historical Inspiration
If you have family heirlooms or story-rich antiques in your attic or a local public storage unit, it may be time to do some exploring. Pull inspiration from history, specifically, your family’s history, and create a space rich with the past.
- Research
Make sure you know what brands and colors you want before you purchase your paint. Making an impulse buy or not doing adequate research can mean that the subtle coral you chose for your kitchen is actually a neon orange, and you don’t want your house to look like something off of Sesame Street.
- Sample
This tip ties in with the previous one. You need to know how something is going to dry and look after it’s been on the wall for a while. It may look entirely different once everything is said and done, and you don’t want to a ton of repainting.
- See a Consultant
Color consultants and interior designers are professionals and should you ever find yourself in a tough spot, getting the opinion of someone with a trained eye can end up saving you time and money.
Interior design can end up being stressful if you don’t know where to start and you find you’re spending more time on a project than you wanted or expected to. Be sure to follow some tips from professionals to help you find a place to start and stay on track.