What is it about walking into a room and finding it appealing and yet another space can leave us feeling uneasy. The answer is our response is strongly influenced by color as much as 60% from places to products. Color affects us in subtle and significant ways both physically and psychologically. Even our impulse to spend money can be influenced by color and is an expression of ourselves in our homes. If you’re unsure of where to begin, the tips listed below from Paint Works can help you get started.
Start Small
Starting in a smaller room such as a powder room or small hallway is an ideal place to experiment with color. If you’re doing the painting yourself go with an area that’s easy to paint that way you can see the results sooner. Then you can decide whether you like it or need to change it. When you’re unsure of where to begin try picking a favorite color from a piece of artwork, rug or dishes.
Consider Mood
When choosing a room color think about the mood you want to express. Do you want your bedroom to feel restful and soothing or dramatic and intimate?
Pay Attention To Lighting
Daylight shows the truest color, incandescent lighting brings out warm tones and yellows while fluorescent casts a sharp blue tone to the color you choose. Paint stores have light boxes for testing, but you’re best option is to check out your paint chips under the lighting at home.
Test Your Color Choice
Painting a large area of your wall or on a large poster board will give you a good idea of how it will look. Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone with some strong, vivid colors or try some soft, deep neutrals like chocolate brown. A stronger color or tinted ceiling can dramatically change the whole look of a room.
Follow The Color Wheel
Using a small color wheel is a great reference tool for modifying or intensifying two or more colors. Complementary or opposite colors are most intense when used together, for example red and green. The color wheel is a good way to see which colors work beautifully together. Viewing a room from an adjacent room will allow you to see how they interact together glimpses of other rooms are always visible. The walls are like planes of color so you’ll want your colors to flow from one room to the next seamlessly.
Contact Victoria BC Painters if you are struggling with this decision.