Decide on major room elements like furniture, fabrics and rugs before you decide on your paint colour. Collect magazines, catalogues and colour cards for ideas and then use your intuition to establish colour into a room.
Remember that colours should have a similar tone and should reinforce the key pieces of a room. Warm colours make a room seem smaller and cool colours make a small room seem larger.
Neutral tones including beige, cream and browns create a restful colour scheme and can be used with almost any piece of furniture. This can include everything from modern to rustic styles.
Don't be afraid to use splashes of colour or paint a whole room in something that shows your taste and character. Colours are emotive and reflect how you feel.
Red and Pink
Warm reds and pinks create a cosy feeling and suit dark coloured furniture and accessories. Red and pink is perfect for the dining room, bedroom, hallway and stairways.
Orange
Orange possesses a warm, glowing hue and helps to soften larger pieces of furniture. Orange is ideal for dark south facing rooms, children's bedrooms and offices.
Yellow and Gold
Beautiful yellows and golds help lighten south facing rooms and works well with French country, retro chic or Edwardian style furniture. Brightens bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms.
Green
Cool, natural greens are perfect for well-lit north facing rooms but can be warmed by hints of orange and yellow. Green naturally suits timber, cane and leather furniture and looks timeless in living rooms, home offices and bathrooms.
Blue and Grey
Blues create a cool, airy colour scheme that is the perfect complement for furnishings in light shades of pine. Blue is a very calming colour for bedrooms, home offices and bathrooms.
Purple
Shades of plums and violet are modern, contemporary colours often used with chocolate brown, lighter shades and metallics. They help to create glamour in living rooms and dining rooms. |
