Choose Your Color Scheme

When you are choosing a color scheme, do not just think about which color to use, consider a whole scheme and how you will use them, think layers and accents in various shades.

Playing it safe is not an option in the 21st century. Today, what we want in our homes is serenity without dullness; interiors that don’t jolt the senses.

Don’t be intimidated by the process of choosing a color scheme, bright spirited hues cost no more than warm, cozy neutral hues.

All of the subtle shades of white, the palette of purity and serenity, differ from one another by no more than a hint or suggestion.

Gray of all shades, from the pale shimmering hues to the dark ebonies, has always been thought of as ultra chic and urban.

Soothing green, from the soft tones of celadon to classic jade or forest, creates a sense of tranquility and works well with dark wood and shades of brown.

Sunny yellow tones are glorious hues that make a room glow with warmth and light, and bring a sense of sunshine into a home.

Blue tones, from duck’s egg through lilac and teal are supremely soothing to live with.

While red is often used as an accent, decorating an entire room in tone-on-tone reds promotes a vibrant, festive environment.

And finally, consider the most popular neutral palette of comfort: earth and spice, warm woods and natural fibers.

It is almost impossible to make a serious error when decorating with these neutral tones, however, too much neutral can make a room seem bland and boring.

Basically there are three types of color schemes: monochromatic, related and complimentary.

The first is based on a single color…its shades, tints and intensities. This simple, easy-to-live-with scheme is a good choice when you want a back drop for dramatic furnishings.

The second, a related color scheme, involves side-by-side tones on the color wheel. Restful and refreshing, this scheme takes on added zest when the hues are varied in value and intensity.

Finally, a complementary color scheme is concerned with opposites such as blue and orange, yellow and violet. This is a lively route to choose when decorating, and is most effective where one hue is dominant and a second hue serves as an accent.

Key Tip: Use your dominant color, layered in a closely related scheme in tints and shades to cover two thirds of your area, then add a secondary tone an accent and a third tone in small doses for that ‘pop’!

Once you have decided on a palette that you like, examine all of the hues under artificial as well as natural light. A lot of natural light or dark wood can blow the whole effect before your eyes.

Remember to work with a large paint chip and fabric swatches to determine how the color scheme works together in your space.