As a window treatment expert and interior decorator, choosing and coordinating color is a large part of what I do everyday. For me, choosing the perfect color palette for an interior comes naturally. For others, it can be difficult, daunting or stressful. The 6 tips below are some creative ways to help you make color selections for any space without fear.
- The rule of three colors
Choosing only three colors for your color palette is a great strategy in any space. The three colors will consist of one primary color combined with two other complementary colors. Then applying the 60-30-10 percentage rule (see tip number 2) to each color. Here is an example of a master bedroom breakdown — the primary color used in 60% of the room may be a neutral cream white. The first complementary color used in 30% of the room may be a vibrant turquoise accent wall. Finally, the second complementary color used in 10% of the room could be coral-colored accent pillows or decor.
- Use large patterns as a guide
When feeling unsure where to begin your color journey, try focusing your attention first on larger patterns already within the space. These can be a fantastic guide to creating a color palette. These can be a wonderful guide of complementary hues. Simply pull the colors you like from items in the space such as a large wall canvas, a colorful area rug, or a large piece of furniture like an upholstered couch. Then decide which will be your main colors and accent colors with confidence knowing that the colors already coordinate well together.
- Decorate from dark to light as you work your way from floor to ceiling
An easy template to use for choosing color tones is to follow nature’s vertical guide. Just like you would see walking around outside, use darker color tones for the floor (dirt). Then medium color tones for the walls (trees and foliage) and light color tones for the ceiling (sky). Not only can you utilize the earth as your inspiration for dark to light color placement, but also as a selection guide from the striking and plentiful color palettes found all over the globe.
- Use the Color Wheel
When picking colors from scratch, a common concern is deciding which hues or tones go together. Color has the ability to exude emotions; for example greens tend to soothe, reds raise energy and oranges feel cozy. Color is the most powerful tool in your design project. The color wheel organizes the chromatic relationship of colors. It is an important tool for artists and decorators in creating harmonious color schemes. Colors next to each other on the color wheel work well together, create comfortable designs and are pleasing to the eye. Blues, greens and purples are cool colors, while reds, oranges and yellows are warm colors.
- Take a tour through your closet for clues where to begin color selection
We buy and dress in clothing we like. The decisions on what to buy is not only in the style but also in the colors and patterns being pleasing to the eye. Most of us know which colors look and feel and look best on us. Similarly, you could “dress” your spaces in colors you already know look good on you. For example, if you love denim then consider a navy couch. If you feel free and comfortable in off-white linen then try out off-white linen walls. If you look and feel sexy in red, try mixing in red accents and pillows.
- Grays and blacks are always in style
Gray pretty much goes with everything in a chameleon-like way. It can slant colors to look a little warner or a little cooler depending on the shade of gray. Try pairing it with pastels, citrus shades or vibrant colors. It all works. Black is very similar in that it can be added to any color scheme and work. The options with black can serve different purposes in a space. For example a small accent like a black lamp can give a small pop to the room. A bigger piece like an black tub or entertainment center can create a dramatic focal point in a room.
The take away
Not everyone is an accomplished interior decorator. By using any of the six simple ideas presented here, you can choose colors with more confidence and without fear. Whether you use a color wheel, your clothing or decorating rules as your guide, you can create great color combinations that are pleasing to the eye. Beautiful color is everywhere – look for your inspiration in a garden, the beach, the forest, a sunset or the big city.
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