According to researchers, color is one of the most important factors in affecting our mood and behavior. Interior designers are trained in the science of color theory and understand how color can affect individuals. Choosing the proper color palette for your home’s interior can not only create a visually pleasing environment, but also one where you can relax after a long day at work. Remember, when we are talking about choosing the color palette for your interiors, it’s not just the wall color, but furniture, rugs, and other accessories. In fact, it is highly encouraged that you consider your furnishings and accessories first, before you choose a color for your walls, as wall colors can be altered easily, whereas colors of furnishings, rugs, and accessories cannot.
If you are one of those individuals that consider themselves ‘all thumbs’ when it comes to anything creative or artistic, have no worries, as there are ways of easing yourself into the process, and finding your perfect color palette. When you begin your search for the perfect color palette, it’s good to give consideration to the mood you’d like that particular interior to convey. For example, you might like the idea of a purple bedroom, but would you find that color conducive to a good nights sleep, or would you require a color that would be more soothing.
The first step in choosing your color palette can be taken right from the comfort of your home computer. Simply upload an image of an interior. Open a paint program, and load the image of your interior. Now, simply experiment how different colors would look on the image. If you are not familiar with the use of paint programs, there are many free online applications that allow you to visualize your room as you add colors.
After you have an idea of what colors you may like, it’s time to create a poster board of chosen wall colors, fabric swatches, and accent colors and place it in the room. You don’t have to spend a lot here, just go to your local arts and crafts store and pick up some bottles of inexpensive acrylic paint. Place the display on an easel or table, upright, where it’s up from the floor, and you can walk around it, noticing how the colors appear in different lighting.
Lighting figures prominently in correct selection of your color palette. It is important to consider how both natural and artificial lighting will affect color scheme. Metamerism is a condition where your furnishings, wall color and accessories will appear differently in natural and artificial lighting. Many people actually change their minds when they see how a color they loved in the store or online looks under track lighting or natural light.
This is now the time to notice if rooms or hallways are visible to one another. For example, if you love the idea of a restful monochromatic living room, make sure that your mood will not be disturbed by a brightly colored and lit rec room. The color schemes of adjoining rooms and hallways can and do affect one another. In such cases, always start with the largest and most central room, and work outward, while keeping the connecting areas such as hallways, stairwells and foyers neutral.
Once you have considered color and light, the next step is to utilize a color wheel to create your color scheme. There are four basic color schemes: monochromatic, analogous, contrast, and complementary. Monochromatic color schemes will use the tone of the same color along with variations in light and dark. Analogous color schemes utilize colors that are side by side on the color wheel. Contrast means using three colors for highly dramatic effect. Complementary is where you will choose two opposing colors on the color wheel, such as blue and orange.
There you have it, the start of your journey to choose the perfect color palette for your home. Feel free to research the techniques of world famous interior designers, watch videos on color theory and design. In time you will create a home that carries your personal stamp of individuality.
