Color is one of the basic foundational elements of good design. Color choices affect every part of a room’s design so understanding how colors work together is very important for any decorating project. Colors can even evoke strong emotions from people, including romance, anger, anxiety, or happiness.
Every space has its own specific color requirements. Color can play tricks on the human eye when chosen and applied correctly, making small spaces appear larger. Choosing the wrong color can ruin your entire home decorating project, so you should always take great care with your color choices.
Choose warm colors if you want your room to be comfortable and inviting. Warm colors work well for living rooms and dining areas. Cool colors tend to ease anxiety and promote relaxation, so they are the perfect choice for a bedroom project.
You can use color through many different elements in a room. The most obvious is on the walls, which can be painted one solid color or complimentary colors in a striped pattern. Some designers love to paint one wall a bold color while the others remain neutral. This little trick acts to create a focal point and draw attention to one part of the room. If you use color on an accent wall, choose a color that will pop such as a deep red or burgundy.
Another popular color choice is to create a monochromatic effect by using one color throughout the entire room. Stark white monochromatic designs are extremely popular for coastal cottage designs. You can make one color very interesting by adding texture as your primary design tool. Add texture through a plush area rug, silky drapes, or thick cotton quilts. The options are truly limitless for infusing texture into a monochromatic room.
If you are new to interior design and you aren’t sure where to begin with color choices, try a few simple tips. First, choose light, cool colors to make a room look bigger or to make ceilings appear higher. Select a warm, darker color to create a cozy effect or to make ceilings appear lower.
If you are afraid to go too bold at once, try to cover your primary areas with neutral colors. Vary the color slightly on each surface to create a well blended effect. You can choose brightly colored accent pieces to complete the look.
It’s always a good idea to make the floor the darkest surface in the room, no matter what your color scheme will be. This makes the room feel and appear well balanced. You can accomplish this important step with a beautiful area rug. If you have natural wood floors, you can vary the color and add visual interest with a complimentary rug. If you already have carpet, you can add depth and boldness by using a rug in a dark or warm color.
Today’s rugs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors. You can choose a solid color if you aren’t comfortable with something bold. Many people choose a beautiful rug to act as the focal point of their entire design. This is a safe way to infuse color into a room without making a long term commitment. It’s always easier to change a rug than to repaint the walls. Rugs are the perfect avenue for new decorators to play with color combinations to learn what works in their space.