Use basic color theory to help guide your paint color choices.
Choosing the right paint color scheme brings cohesiveness to your room and harmony to your home. Many paint manufacturers try to make the process easier by providing color scheme ideas on the backs of sample cards, and literature full of ideas and sample rooms. Choosing paint color schemes, however, boils down to the simple concept of the color wheel.
Monochromatic
A simple, single-hue color scheme will ensure everything in your room matches. Use multiple shades of the same color to accent archways and ceilings and draw the eye up the wall. Monochromatic schemes will unite multiple rooms that are open to each other, as well. Use a darker shade for a living room or bedroom, and a lighter shade in an adjoining hallway to allow rooms to flow together in your home.
Related Colors
One way to use the color wheel to pick paint colors is to use neighboring--or "analogous"--colors together. They naturally complement each other. For example, pair a rich purple with red to give a room an elegant feel, or with blue to create a cool, dreamy effect. Try out your accent color in pillows and curtains to make sure that you like it before you put paint on the walls.
Complementary Colors
Apply an elementary color-matching principle by using the color wheel's opposing colors together to create interesting effects. Colors immediately across from each other are called complements; for example, blue and orange. Use different shades of these complementary colors of paint to tone each other, such as pairing adobe colored walls with a very pale blue ceiling. The blue will help soften the deep orange, and create contrast, visual interest and harmony in your room. Each complementary pair can be used this way to create dramatic appeal in your space.
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