How To Choose The Right Colours For Your Home
Are you thinking about painting your walls with colour or is something holding you back? Discover what really works best for you before committing to change.
Many people are afraid to make the leap from classic whites or tones of beige to a more daring colour. What is it that really suits you? And how does one choose the right colour?
The truth is, you don't necessarily have to follow theories of design or the colour wheel to create a successful combination. The most important consideration is finding a colour palette that feels right to you and reflects your personal style.
Photo Source: Pinterest
FOCUS ON THE COLOUR YOU LOVE
If you have an existing accent colour that you love, but are looking for a complementing shade, select a colour that has the same undertone—it will look intentional and coordinate seamlessly.
Photo Source: Pinterest
COLOUR IS ALL ABOUT CONTEXT
People make all sorts of associations with certain colours - and artists, designers and interior designers use them all the time, but these associations are highly contextual. For instance, in one context fuchsia may seem "happy" or "festive"; in another it may seem "too bubbly". Every situation is a different story, and it is best not to apply cliched meanings to colours – anything and everything can work, depending on the concept.
Photo Source: Pinterest
CONSIDER HOW LIGHT AFFECTS A SPACE
Colours are intertwined with the impact of lighting. As colour is a reflection of light, the kind and amount of light in space will significantly impact a colour scheme. Natural light or artificial lighting affects the colour of walls, ceilings, as well as fabrics, furniture, etc. Daylight is considered the perfect light source, so when deciding on a colour scheme for a specific room, we advise spending some time in the space throughout the day, noticing how the changing light behaves. A room with only northern exposure, for example, receives less daylight than other rooms in the home. A warm colour palette would be effective there to soften shadows, and it would react well to more hours of artificial light.
Photo Source: Pinterest
TRY TEXTILES FIRST
Textiles are the unsung heroes of most living spaces. If you are wary of making bold changes to your walls, utilizing dark or contrasting textiles to make a room feel high-end and intentional will give an idea of what works in the space. For example, artisan rugs, broadlooms, and carpets can be art-like when featured atop dark flooring. Once you are comfortable with the colour splash in the room, you could go one step further and choose a darker shade to add drama to the space, if desired.
Photo Source: Pinterest
CONSIDER THE PURPOSE OF THE SPACE
Before you begin thinking about colours, picture how you plan to use the space. It is certain that a kitchen will have a completely different feel in comparison to a bedroom. The kitchen should feel fresh, vibrant and inviting, so it wouldn’t seem as daring to go for bolder colours. A bedroom, however, should feel calm and restful; softer hues that evoke a serene feeling are an excellent choice – on the other hand, one could even consider a dark, moody colour to create a cocoon-like effect.
Photo Source: Pinterest
GO FOR A MUTED TONE IF YOU’RE AFTER A SAFE CHOICE
You can add personality to your home without necessarily overpowering it with colour. Instead of choosing rich, deep colour for your first design project, you will most likely feel more comfortable with a neutral colour tone such as beige or gray which will not overpower the room or create a jarring palette that you may easily become tired of. Keeping it in a muted tone will make it very easy to live with, and will work with most colour palettes.
Photo Source: Pinterest
CONSIDER THE ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR FINISHES
Our interior design experts suggest choosing the paint colour of a room last and considering the architecture and finishes first. There is such an extensive variety of colours for paint and even fabrics, whereas, in other design elements like flooring, the options are reduced. If redecorating, we advise thinking about the tones of your flooring material, cabinetry and existing furniture before selecting a colour palette. At Studio Miaki we work these materials, finishes and colours into a client’s mood board.
INTRODUCE MULTIPLE COLOURS
According to AD, if you love colours, do not necessarily limit yourself to a restricted colour palette. Mix and match colours to create a vibrant decor by introducing a multi-hued carpet, throw cushions, curtains or multicolour wallpaper. All these surfaces complement each other and are a perfect way to create a layered colour scheme!
Photo Source: Pinterest
Are you looking forward to transforming your new space in 2023? Tell us your thoughts or get in touch at info@studiomiaki.com if you have a specific project in mind.
#interiordesign #colours