Choosing a Color
One of the first things to think about before painting any room in the house is color. Does the room need color, more color, a different color or a totally different color scheme? There is an old rule in interior decorating that states that 60 percent of the color in a room comes from the walls and ceiling. The first thing people see, maybe not consciously, is color. There are different ways of combining color, utilizing color and adapting color within a given amount of space. When we look at color, one fact dominates: we all respond to color. Therefore, begin by thinking about color schemes. What is your color scheme? It can vary from room to room, or be uniform throughout the house, but the color scheme often has three colors or three neutrals.
The monochrome color scheme uses the same color, but perhaps in different degrees throughout the room or home. It can give a very comfortable appearance and feel about it. That may be your choice. For some, it is a monochrome paint scheme using neutrals. The neutrals are really not colors, but are grays, whites and blacks in different neutral mixes and shades. The neutral paint scheme has been very popular and is used in office environments, hospitals and older homes.
Color on the wall is avoided however in a neutral scheme, color can come in via the accessories and flooring. For example, rugs, pillows and decorations can be used for a shot of color. Another example is to use a monochrome scheme. It can consist of different shades of green throughout the room. There are more combinations of green in nature than any other color and green is always a popular, relaxing color.
The primary colors, which are red, yellow and blue can be combined in many ways to create different color schemes. There are vibrant color schemes using red as the dominate color. There are color schemes that relate to themes, like the southwest theme, gothic theme, nature theme, fantasy theme and many others. I have even seen storybook themes. All colors that exist are in the rainbow and imagine how you would want them positioned in the 60 percent of surface space that people see.
A good way to get ideas for the right color scheme is to go to real estate open houses and see the color schemes used. Many new homes have the latest and most popular color schemes. Also, visit friends, neighbors and hotels to see how colors or neutrals are being combined and presented.
Another way to learn color schemes and see what would work in your own situation is to look at home decorating magazines. There are many of those available. These are great tools too, but I always prefer to go and see the paint in real life use. This should be a fun homework assignment.
About color, keep in mind in deciding what color scheme you want, that red is intensifying, energizing and encroaching. Green is natural, comforting, relaxing and peaceful. Blue is expansive, open, joyous but also sometimes sad. Yellow is hot. You may not want too much hot color in an area that is already very hot with high temperatures through much of the year. Yellow is beautiful in the right measure, but can be too intense. Colors can create the sense of open space or the sense of enclosure.
Go to a home improvement store, or paint store, and ask to see paint chips. That is a good way to combine colors, and sometimes color schemes are already provided, even the paint identifications. All you then have to do is purchase the paint. Purchase a couple of small, inexpensive cans of paint, tape them to a piece of cardboard box at home, and dab paint samples on them. Hang them up in a well lit area, and then in a darker area, and see how they feel and function in the room you want to paint. You can always go back to the store and order the full-sized can of paint when you’re ready. In any color scheme, one color alone should dominate. For harmony, try to integrate all the colors throughout your home, even the neutrals, with the dominant color or dominant neutral.
