Choosing the right color can be daunting.
When redecorating, new paint is where most people begin. Too often, people are afraid of choosing a color that might look too garish, too bold or just plain wrong for the space, so they end up using white and neutrals in an effort to play it safe. Judicious use of color can bring out a room's potential, but you must consider the room itself. Think about how and when you use the room, the quality of natural light that comes in and the way you want to feel when you're in the room. Color works on your emotions and your subconscious, and the right combination can mean the difference between a plain old room and a sanctuary.
Earth Tones
Fall foliage can inspire an earth tone palette.
Earth Tones are colors found in nature, and they tend to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Many people think of earth tones in terms of brown and beige, but think about fall foliage--gorgeous reds, golds and purples. Think of a forest--a spectrum of green from deep forest green to light sage. Most earth tones are deeper, calmer hues, but play with tone a little to vary the design.
Jewel Tones
Jewel tones are rich and work well with metallics.
Jewel tones are generally mid-range colors, and are quite bold. Think of precious stones--rubies, emeralds, amethysts, sapphires--to get an idea of the richness in tone these colors provide. Jewel tones add a sense of luxury to a space, and you can combine them freely. You can use just one as a basis for your color scheme, or combine several for a rich tapestry of color. Jewel tones can vary into lighter and darker shades and look best with metal accessories.
Primaries
Primary colors add excitement to a room.
Red, yellow and blue are the "official" primary colors, but in decorating terms, the colors you see on the color wheel are all considered primary. These are the bright, saturated hues of each color, with no gray, white or black added. These colors are pure and dramatic and add a sense of casual playfulness to a space. Primaries are energetic colors, so they are not the best for relaxing areas like a bedroom but would look right at home in a playroom or home gym.
Pastels
Pastel colors are soft, airy and light.
Pastels are colors with added white, which serves to soften and lighten the tone and make it more opaque. Pastels tend to open up a room and make the walls visually recede, making them a good choice for small spaces. They also reflect natural light well and can dramatically lighten up a dark room. Pastels work well in beach house or cottage themes, but are much more versatile. Try using a pale pastel on the ceiling instead of white to bring freshness to an earth-toned room.
Contrast
Contrast provides a focal point.
Contrast creates drama and excitement and is achieved by pairing dark with light, bright with subdued, or by using complementary colors (across from each other on the color wheel). A splash of contrast provides a focal point while an entire room of contrasting colors can easily create visual chaos.
Harmony
Using harmonious colors adds a sense of relaxation to a room.
The use of harmonious colors creates a more relaxing space. Pair light with light, dark with dark, subdued with subdued, and keep the colors close together on the color wheel (analogous colors). A whole room of harmonious colors can look a bit drab, so add at least a touch of contrast to provide some kind of focal point.
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