Decorating Articles

What's your color problem– not enough color, too much color, wrong color?

Selecting the right paint color for your room can be a big decorating challenge. I have a theory that most people love color, but fear it! The biggest fear is that they will make a mistake when selecting a paint color, so they decide to use white because it is safer. Actually, painting a room or your entire house white can give you a big chill.

Your hope is to create a sense of airiness and give an open feeling; when you may be doing just the opposite. White can make a room feel cold and create a stark contrast between walls and furniture. Not convinced? When was the last time you saw white hospital walls? Too sterile; they’re using soft yellows and greens now. Still not convinced white is a cool color? Think about ice, snow, Antartica. You’ve go it now!

Some people love paint color. As a matter of fact, they love paint color so much they tend to use too many different paint colors too generously. A profusion of colors can sometime result in selections that are unrelated to each other or do not provide a unifying color palette throughout the home.

But don’t panic at the paint store. Remember–– paint color can give you the most "bang for your decorating buck"; especially if you can paint it yourself. Have some fun making your selections and don’t worry if your first try fails. After all, it's only paint; you can always paint it again!

To help you get started, here are five SMART tips to selecting the right paint colors for your home:

Start with an inspiration piece:

• Key your color choices from your largest or most favorite pieces; such as
  artwork, area rug, plates, fabrics or furniture.
• Look for subconscious color clues in your home; similar color tones may exist it in everything from placemats to artwork to knick-knacks.
• Analyze your belongings for color repetition: clothing selections, home accents, cars; frequently selected colors make you "happy", and are often good choices for paint

Make your paint color selections mindful; they will affect the way you "live" in the room:

• Select warm colors like red, yellow and terra cotta for rooms that will function with lots of energy; such as family rooms, kitchens and dining rooms.
• Select calm colors like soft blues & greens, mochas & lattes or any heathered tones when you want the room to be a peaceful retreat or to have a sense of serenity.
• Select jewel tones such as purple, gold and burgundy to create a rich or dramatic look.

Activate a color plan:

• Create a color palette using your inspiration piece.
• Work with a main color and (at least) two secondary colors to create the foundation of your palette.
• Add in two or three accent colors to enhance your color scheme.
• Consider bold accents such as metallics, vibrant hues or dramatic black.

React to your color choices:

• Determine which color is most appealing at all different times of the day and night.
• Decide which color has the most pleasing undertone or if you need more of an infusion of one color over another.
• Remember that colors are supposed to change as the sun moves throughout the room; no color stays uniform 24/7.
• Men tend to interpret colors differently then women; try to compromise.

Tie the colors together:

• Coordinate the colors in your palette room by room; tie them together for color harmony.
• Use your color selections in different ways throughout the home, remembering to use only the colors in your palette.
• Punch up your colors with accessories such as candles, pillows, artwork, area rugs, flowers, etc.

About the author:

Marcia Smart is a nationally recognized Interior Redesigner and author of the witty do-it-yourself book “Decorating by Instinct”. Marcia is an in-demand instructor of professional redesign training and is shaping the future of the industry as the Executive Director of I.R.I.S., Interior Redesign Industry Specialists To learn more about her program and find more FREE tips and articles like these, visit her site at www.smartredesign.com

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