Choosing wall colours is sure to make or break your home, but how can you choose wisely? Here are some tips for getting it right…
Redecorating your home is the perfect way to add a new lease of life to your existing home. It’s also a great way to add a bit of character to a home you’ve recently purchased.
Your conveyancing solicitor in Winchester, Warwick, Wakefield or wherever you live will be able to help you find the bones to build your dream home. You just need to add a splash of colour to inject your personality into the building.
The question is, how can you get it right? This guide to choosing the perfect wall colours should start you on the right track.
Prioritise Your Favourite Interior Design Styles
The list of interior design styles is absolutely endless, and many lovers of home design are pretty set on their favourite style. If you’re one of these people, you should keep in mind the main colour schemes of the signature look you’re going for before a colour scheme is picked out.
By doing this, you can begin with a direction, which should help to springboard your other ideas. Some key examples of where colour schemes really come into play for certain interior styles include:
- Minimalist: clean colours, like greys, blacks and whites, are the key element of this design style.
- Nautical: blues, reds, and whites are all part of this look.
- Bohemian: this style is a little more out there, with patterns and muted colours taking centre stage.
Think About What Colour Furniture You Want
It’s then really important that you consider the kind of furniture you have, or want to have, and factor this into your colour scheme. For example, say you already have a lovely wooden dining table; think about the colours that’ll make this pop, like greens or dark blues.
The same goes for beds, sofas, and rugs – if you don’t want to fork out hundreds more on new furniture, you’ll need to use them as your focal point. This should then limit your colour options, making the choice that much simpler.
Think About Emotions and Feelings
Colours have an amazing ability to invoke certain feelings, so it’s important to factor this into your decision. Think about the sort of atmosphere you want when you and others are in the room, and choose the colour accordingly.
For example, blues and greens are often deemed to be a very relaxing and calming colour. Meanwhile, purples and pinks foster creativity and spirituality, and warm neutrals can make you feel comfortable and stable. Consider these psychological links when choosing each room colour, and you should be onto a winner.
Take Lighting into Account
Lighting should also factor into your decision, as you don’t want a room to feel claustrophobic. To do this, you’ll need to consider each room on an individual basis, asking questions such as:
- What are the window sizes?
- How long does the sun remain in this room each day?
- What are your lighting fixtures like?
Then, you can make an informed decision based on the answers. Ultimately, if the room has minimal lighting, consider light colours to make the room feel larger, and vice versa.
Consider Uses of Bright Colours Carefully
Bright colours can sometimes look a little tacky, which is why you should consider how you style them very carefully. This is where things like lighting and furniture considerations will come in useful; ensure the bright colour maximises light and complements the furniture.
Of course, each to their own and, if you want to paint the walls rainbow-coloured, feel free! That said, you should always consider sell-ability in the back of your mind; you don’t want the wall colours to put off future buyers if you ever come to sell your house.
Match it with Accessories
If you really want a splash of colour in a room, try pairing it with room accessories to really bring it all together. A great way to do this is by choosing a colour on the colour wheel and then matching it with a group of complementary colours.
For example, a green wall will go really nicely with pinks and purples, whilst a blue wall will match with yellows. By thinking about how your accessories will complement your chosen wall colour, you should be on the right path to deciding on something you’ll love.
Consider Feature Walls
Another really brilliant way to incorporate bright colours into a room is through feature walls. Say you really want to incorporate a bright pink into the colour scheme, but you think an entire room painted pink might be a little garish. If so, choose a wall, or even a little wall nook where a shelf lies, and paint this area pink!
This is a perfect way to add a spot of character, whilst also keeping the room classy and welcoming.
Consider the Architecture
Similarly, if you want a dash of colour but don’t want a whole wall of it, you could consider making use of the existing architecture to incorporate your colours. For example, shelving, arched doorways, mantels, windows and door frames can all be coloured in interesting ways to make them pop.
If you consider these features as part of your colour plans, you might be able to inject some dimensions here. To do this, simply choose a plain wall colour for the majority, and find a colour that complements it to make those architectural features stand out.
Ready to Paint?
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to focus your ideas and choose wall colours that will make your home sing. Whether you want to go for plain walls or bright dashes of colour, these tips should help you along the way.
Have any more guidelines for choosing new wall colours? Feel free to leave a comment down below to help.