Looking for the most impact from a small decorating budget? Or are you tired of the 'builder's white' that is still on your walls since the house was built? Painting walls a color other than white can be both exciting and daunting, here's how to do it and get the job done without having an anxiety attack!
Painting Walls with Color is Addictive!
It's true. Just as many women find that cutting off their long hair releases some hidden desire to cut it shorter and shorter, painting with color can become addictive and you will crave color ? bolder and more distinctive.
You can take advantage of this common phenomenon by choosing a softer, more muted color for one room and building your confidence. Soon you will be making trips back to the paint store with more confidence and know-how.
The truth is, color does not have to be dark or jump out at you to have an effect. Selecting tinted whites (not necessarily pastel) can be a great start. For a bit more drama, choose a tinted beige or gray. These colors, while neutral (beige or tan for warm looks and gray for cool) have hundreds of slight variations in the undertones which can mean more yellow, red, blue or green depending on the light and surroundings.
Some paint stores can provide you a 'true gray' color swatch which will be composed of only black and white. Ask for this swatch as it may not be discernable in a sea of color swatches. Compare the swatch to other grays and you will notice that some have hints of lavender, blue or green that may become even more pronounced when you get home. You do want some undertone as this is what gives the room a vibrancy that straight gray could never do, but just be sure it's the tone you want.
Trust Your Instinct
Do not worry that you aren't coming home with the 'perfect' color. There is no single wall color that is or isn't right for the look of your home. Keeping in mind the look you want ? either cool and airy, or warm and cozy ? is quite enough to get started. You now have about a thousand colors to choose from.
What I've found personally, and friends have confirmed, is that going with your instinct tends to be the best deciding factor. If you are not going to take the time to paint large test areas in your home and view them in different lights (a technique employed by interior decorators) than choose the color that draws you the most. Our experiences confirmed that we were most happy when using the color we originally chose from the swatch or from an object we liked, rather than trying to apply too many design rules to our decision.
Many people assume that they should go one or two shades lighter than the color swatch they've chosen assuming the color will intensify on the walls. I've heard decorators both confirm and deny this rule. If you really are torn between two or three, then consider buying test cans of each and trying them out. Otherwise, when choosing color for your own home, you probably won't go wrong choosing the color you like the most.
If you still can't decide, than try a program like the one at swatchit: http://www.affprog.com/swatchit/a-12. Using a photo of your room you can view different wall colors before making your choice.
Lighting and Color References
The only design trick you should likely consider is the lighting coming into your home. Eastern light can wash out colors, so intense colors work well in this light. Western light intensifies color, so toned down wall colors may work best unless you want the full drama. Southern light warms a room while northern light cools.
If you don't want your rooms to look like an icebox, then you'll wan to be careful using blues and grays in a northern lighted room. However, using blues and grays with lavender or green undertones may reduce the effect if that is your chosen color scheme. The same with Southern light ? yellow and red based colors will intensify and cause the room to sizzle with heat. You may choose green or even use beige with cool undertones, to reduce the effect and still be using warm colors.
If the outdoors has a lot of trees or water, you must also anticipate that the green or blue will reflect into the home and affect your color choice.
How Color Helps
Color is a great way to disguise other design flaws. Even a deep beige or grey can immediately give your room a pulled together look that cannot be easily achieved otherwise. If you have white walls, everything (and I do mean everything) stands out because of the contrast.
If you have a home full of designer furnishings or antiques then shades of white may be perfect in highlighting your collection. If, like the rest of us, you are putting together some discount furniture with a selection of special pieces, then you don't want every piece showcased. A darker wall removes the contrast and will cause the eye to view the room as a whole rather than jump from piece to piece. This will also give a cleaner, less distracting appearance to the room.
Color also sets a mood. As discussed in reference to lighting, color can give a cool, airy look or a warm, cozy feel. It also adds your personality to the room, giving visitors an instant impression about you. What do your walls say about you?
Shannon Emmanuel is a freelance writer avid home decorating enthusiast. You can find great sources for your home or office decor projects at http://www.simpledetailsdecor.com
Colors have many different meanings. Have you ever been in... Read More
Perhaps the best air purifiers are those from the IQAir... Read More
Choosing plantation shutters for form or function? Plantation shutters offer... Read More
In this time period, people are as busy as ever.... Read More
The Mathmos Color Bubble is made by Mathmos - the... Read More
Decorating a Guest BedroomThe guest bedroom is the one room... Read More
Several materials are used to make waterbed sheets. Waterbed owners... Read More
From the office cubicle to the executive penthouse suite and... Read More
Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock. It is chemically... Read More
Known for its harsh winters, its many local artisans, and... Read More
What constitutes a balanced room according to feng shui theory... Read More
Kitchen island design ideas not only include choosing the right... Read More
Despite the high-end look, discount wood blinds are available. Constructed... Read More
Are there homeless items living in your home? If you're... Read More
We all take a certain pride in the interior of... Read More
Shower curtain rods give you a unique opportunity to showcase... Read More
Christian art is wonderful for inspiring us. Cathedrals and churches,... Read More
Of all the various kits available from hobby stores and... Read More
In the mini blind market, you have three types of... Read More
Few things are as comforting on a cold winter night... Read More
When redecorating a room, don't forget about your lighting. While... Read More
In researching what makes people happy, I discovered that "Planning"... Read More
This article provides a detailed review of popular adjustable beds... Read More
Curling up near a cozy fire is a wonderful winter... Read More
With the weather cooling, it's time to put on the... Read More
If you feel helpless when it comes to picking and... Read More
In these days of deadlines and time limits, shower enclosures... Read More
Adjustable beds are no doubt very expensive. But the benefits... Read More
Step 1: Pick a motif and go with it! Don't... Read More
Just like conventional beds, waterbeds come in a number of... Read More
Using accessories is a fun way to accent your bedroom... Read More
The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet... Read More
All of us want our homes to be places of... Read More
Kitchen island sizes vary considerably from moveable cutting and serving... Read More
A wood stove insert serves several purposes. First of all,... Read More
Kitchen decor themes can turn a dull kitchen into a... Read More
Aluminum blinds are a low-cost and durable solution as a... Read More
Decorating with old, used fishing gear is fun, creative and... Read More
When you think of the Southwest, what do you think... Read More
Many people are not aware that the air inside our... Read More
A Japanese Sword is a wonderful decoration to add to... Read More
There are ceiling fans designed especially for children, which have... Read More
A Duvet Cover is actually just another name for a... Read More
Decorating a baby room is a wonderful opportunity to create... Read More
Colors affect our minds, our physiologies, and our social interactions.... Read More
There is literally thousands of different colors, different patterns even... Read More
Solid hardwood floors should neither be installed over a concrete... Read More
"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with... Read More
Small changes can have a big effect on how your... Read More
Ah yes the good old Tin Can. The tin can... Read More
If you have a breakfast bar or wet bar in... Read More
By their very nature, all fruit baskets, especially the original... Read More
Having a nice house is everyone dreams. In fact, everybody... Read More
Decorative plates are often overlooked when decorating a home. Yet,... Read More
Massage therapists are in high demand. Consumers recognize the physical... Read More
One of the first improvements that ceiling fan inventor Philip... Read More
Parlez-vous Françes? Don't worry - you don't need to speak... Read More
Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if... Read More
When we found out we were having twins, our teenage... Read More
There are cuckoo clocks available for people with all kinds... Read More
The most important thing to consider when decorating a child's... Read More
With so many types and brands of water softeners to... Read More
Although the exact date remains a mystery, it is commonly... Read More
When redecorating a room, don't forget about your lighting. While... Read More
If you are looking for an easy, inexpensive way to... Read More
This article provides a detailed review of popular adjustable beds... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |