The Art of Colour Selection: Tips and Tricks in Choosing the Right Paint Color for Your Home
As interior designers, we know that choosing the right paint colour can be a daunting task. With so many colours and shades to choose from, it can be challenging to pick the right one that will not only suit your taste but also complement your home’s character. In this article, we’re sharing some tips and tricks to help you choose the right paint colour for your home.
Disclaimer: While we could explore in-depth the various factors involved in colour selection, our goal is to provide you with essential starting points that will help you feel confident during your next visit to a paint store. Feel free to dive deeper into the topics we cover below if you find that you would like to learn more.
Where to Begin with Colour Selection?
Choosing the right paint colour is an essential step in the design process, as it can set the tone for the entire room. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start. The first step is to determine the mood and style you want to achieve. Do you want a calm and serene atmosphere or a vibrant and energetic one? Once you have identified the mood, you can start exploring different colours and shades that will help you achieve your desired look.
Understanding Colour Theory and Psychology
Colour theory and psychology are essential factors to consider when choosing a paint colour. Colour theory refers to the principles and guidelines that determine how colours interact with each other. Meanwhile, colour psychology explores how colours affect our moods and emotions. Understanding these concepts can help you choose the right paint colour for your home.
For instance, warm colours like red, orange, and yellow can evoke feelings of energy, passion, and excitement. Cool colours like blue, green, and turquoise, on the other hand, can create a calming and relaxing ambiance.
It's essential to keep in mind that everyone has different preferences and reactions to colours. What works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it's vital to choose a colour scheme that reflects your personality, style, and the mood you want to create in your home.
Popular Interior Color Palettes
There are several popular interior colour palettes that you can choose from, including monochromatic, complementary, and analogous.
Monochromatic: this palette involves using different shades of the same colour. It creates a soothing and elegant look, which is commonly seen among Japandi, Scandinavian, minimalist, and modern home styles.
Analogous: this palette involves using colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. It creates a cohesive and harmonious look. This palette is often used to create coastal, bohemian, and mid-century modern-style rooms.
Complementary: this palette uses colours that are opposite each other in the colour wheel. It creates a vibrant and bold look. A complementary palette is great for modern, contemporary, eclectic, and vintage or retro spaces.
How to Chose a Colour Palette
When selecting a paint palette for your home, it is essential to choose colours that not only complement each other but also create a cohesive and harmonious look throughout the house. One way to achieve this is to choose a colour scheme that includes a dominant colour, a secondary colour, and an accent colour.
Use these simple steps to get started (see chart below):
Start with a colour you love: Choose a colour you know you want to incorporate and build your palette around it.
Next, look at your secondary options based on colour theory:
Use the colour wheel: The colour wheel is a helpful tool for selecting the rest of your colour palette. The complementary colours will create a harmonious and balanced look, while the analogous (or adjacent) colours will provide a more subtle and cohesive look.
Use the 60-30-10 rule: This rule involves using 60% of one colour, 30% of another, and 10% of an accent colour. This rule keeps your space feeling balanced.
Think of the 60% as your foundational pieces (ie. walls, rugs, or sofa), the 30% as your smaller foundation pieces (ie. curtains or side chairs), and the 10% as your accent pieces (artwork, pillows, or accessories).
Consider Room Size, Style, and Lighting
Several factors come into play when choosing a precise paint colour. These include the size of the room, the amount of natural light it receives, the style of your home, and the function of the space.
For a small room, it's best to use light colours if you would like to create an illusion of spaciousness and brightness. Meanwhile, dark colours work well in large rooms with ample natural light. If you have a modern home, go for neutral colours like white, gray, or beige. For a traditional or vintage home, consider warmer colours like cream, beige, and brown.
It is also essential to consider the existing decor in the room. If you have colourful furniture and accessories, you may want to choose a neutral paint colour that will complement the decor rather than compete with it. Conversely, if you like a more minimalist decor look, you may opt for a bold and vibrant paint colour to add interest and dimension to the room.
Working with an Interior Designer to Create a Cohesive Color Scheme
If you're still unsure about selecting the perfect paint colours, consider working with an interior designer. An interior designer can help you create a cohesive colour scheme that reflects your personality and style. They can also help you coordinate paint colours with furniture and decor to create a cohesive and harmonious look throughout your home. Try a colour consultation with us so that you can feel confident in repainting your home.
Book a free discovery call today to learn more about how we can help.
Testing Paint Colours Before Committing
Before committing to a paint colour, it is essential to test it first. Colour chips and swatches simply aren’t large enough to represent a true sample of how the colour will look on your walls. We always recommend testing a few colour options to make the perfect choice for your space. Try one of these easy methods to test your paint colours:
Paint samples: Most paint stores offer small (affordable) paint samples that you can take home and test. Paint a small area on your wall and observe it in different lighting conditions (different times of day and with artificial lighting on/off)
Peel and stick samples: An easy, mess-free way to get a feeling for the right colour. Just as with actual paint samples, stick these samples to areas in your room where natural light hits and doesn’t hit. Near a window and then on a wall or corner that doesn’t receive much natural light. Keep in mind that adjacent spaces with dominant colours can also affect the way your colour looks in the room (including greenery outside).
Hello Paint is a fabulous online company where you can easily order large format peel-and-stick samples from popular paint lines like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. Check them out: https://hello-paint.ca/
You’ve Got This!
Choosing the right paint colour for your home can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a fun and exciting process. By understanding colour theory and psychology, and considering factors such as the size and shape of the room and lighting, you can choose a paint colour that will elevate the entire mood and atmosphere in your home.
Remember to always test paint colours before committing and avoid common mistakes such as choosing a colour solely based on a paint chip. By following these tips, you can create a cohesive and harmonious look throughout your home that you will be sure to love for years to come.
Ask the Experts
Need a little help adding colour to your world? Leave it to us to create the perfect colour palette for your home.
Madu Interiors excels in delivering top-tier interior design services, regardless of your location. Book a free introductory call with us today to explore your options.
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