Color schemes are among the most impactful design choices when buying or remodeling a home. Choosing an appealing color scheme can also improve your home value.
The colors you choose for your walls, furniture, and decor also impact how you’ll feel (and how others will feel) in your home.
Follow these tips from interior designers to intentionally create the perfect color schemes and atmosphere in every space.
Warm vs. Cool Color Schemes
Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow naturally evoke energy, excitement, and cheer. They work well in social spaces where you want to promote lively interaction, like living rooms, family rooms, and dining spaces.
Cool colors like blue, green, and purple are calming and perfect for private retreats like bedrooms and studies.
Specific Color Suggestions:
Try light blues, lavenders, sage greens, or neutral tans for a relaxing bedroom.
For a vibrant kitchen, inject energy with reds, oranges, yellows, or bright whites.
Consider earthy hues like mossy greens, deep reds, or warm browns for a cozy living room.
Dark vs. Light
While lighter colors make rooms feel more open and airy, don’t be afraid to go bold with darker paint. Deep hues can give the illusion of expanded space by adding dimension and blurring the edges of a room.
Balance dark walls with lighter furniture, linens, and decor.
Monochromatic Magic
Sticking to a single-color family and playing with different shades and tones is a sophisticated, cohesive way to decorate.
A monochromatic color scheme can make a space feel polished and put-together, whether you opt for calming blues or energizing reds.
Accentuate with Accents
Use accent colors purposefully to highlight architectural details or direct attention to specific areas of a room. Vibrant hues like violet, teal, or mustard inject visual interest when used sparingly.
Don’t go overboard – you want accents to pop without overwhelming the space.
Seamless Accents:
Tie accent colors into artwork, pillows, rugs, and other decor for a pulled-together look. Repeat accent shades in adjacent rooms for a harmonious flow.
Set the Mood with Paint Finish
The sheen of your wall paint also impacts the feeling of a room. Flat finishes keep things soft and subtle, while glossy paint adds depth and drama. Semi-gloss is an excellent mid-point, offering a gentle luminosity.
Choose finish and color in tandem to create your desired effect.
Lighting Layers
Adequately lighting a space is necessary to make colors look their best. Maximize natural light through light-colored window treatments.
Supplement with ambient lighting like floor and table lamps. Use eco-friendly task lighting as needed.
Avoiding Color Mistakes
Steer clear of color schemes that feel visually disjointed or overly saturated. Adjacent rooms should complement but not exactly match—test samples on walls before fully committing to bold colors.
Planning with Paint
Choose the right paint finish. Eggshell and satin work well for most walls, while bathrooms and kitchens may need easily cleanable semi-gloss. Coordinate sheen with color tone to enhance the mood of the room.
Evolving Color Over Time
Reevaluate color schemes with fresh eyes every few years to avoid dated looks. Repainting or adding new textiles and artwork allows you to shift color palettes gradually.
Designing with color is an art that takes knowledge and intuition. Remember these tips, but don’t fear taking risks and expressing your style.
The color schemes that bring you joy can transform your home’s look, feel, and value.
Contact Steve Silver at Silver Mortgage, at 1-800-920-5720.
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