Choosing a color palette
Hundreds of volumes have been written on the subject of color theory. Finding a color for your room can seem daunting. Here is a simple method for creating a room with that “pulled together” look.
Step 1) Pick a pattern Every room has a pattern in it somewhere – a favorite piece of art, a rug, a bedspread, a pillow, or an upholstered piece. Also, it is much easier to start with the most limiting item in a decorating project – typically a pattern. From the colors in that favorite pattern you can design a room.
Step 2) Choose three colors Select three colors from your pattern: a light color, a medium tone, and a darker color. These three colors will form the foundation of your room's design.
Step 3) Use your light color as the background Color the walls and floors with a soft version of your light color. If it is too bright, dull it down with a bit of white, beige or gray. Generally, it is more pleasing for your floor color to be a bit darker than the walls. This grounds the room.
Step 4) Put your medium tone on the largest pieces Furniture pieces and window treatments will be colored in the medium tone. Here again, you may want to mix this color with a tinge of the floor/wallcolor.
Step 5) Add the darker color as an accent Now sparingly add the third, darker color on the accessories and accent furniture pieces. Evenly distributed around the room, these pieces will add punch to your design.
Play with the colors by moving them around. Your eye will typically gravitate toward the darker, brighter colors.
The importance of color schemes
Monochromatic
To create a calm, quiet room, select a neutral color and apply different shades or values of that color to different elements in a room. This palette is widely used as it allows you to vary the look of the room by changing the accessories and accent pieces. Textures can also play an important role in the monochromatic room.
Related colors A very relaxing room is created by the use of related colors. Greens and blues or corals and peaches are two examples of this approach. Consulting a color wheel and using adjacent colors or those close on the wheel creates this scheme. Keep the strength of the colors similar for a pleasing look.
Strong contrast Using colors that contrast strongly with each other creates a stimulating, exciting environment. This scheme is best achieved by using colors opposite each other on the color wheel – for example, watermelon, lime green and lemon yellow. Colors associated with the islands typify this scheme.
Before proceeding with a scheme, bring your samples home. Look at them at different times of the day in natural and incandescent light. Be sure to take into consideration any wood finish in the room as well as any existing artwork or pieces that will remain in the room when it is redecorated. |
