How to choose the right colour scheme for your home?

23 Feb

Selecting a paint colour can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming. There are hundreds of options to choose from, each with different tones and different stories to tell. And you want to get it right because, from the moment you step through the front door, the colours surrounding you have a profound impact on your mood, productivity, and overall sense of well-being.

Choosing the right colours for your home isn't just about following trends; it's about creating a space that resonates with your personality and makes you feel truly at ease. Whether you prefer soothing neutrals, vibrant hues, or somewhere in between, the colours you choose have the power to transform a house into a home.

In this guide, we'll discuss the world of colour psychology, practical tips for finding the perfect palette, and how to infuse your space with personality and charm. So, let's get into it and discover how to create an interior that not only looks beautiful but also feels like home.

#1. Find Inspiration

The first step to finding the perfect colours for your home is with inspiration. Thankfully, inspiration can be found everywhere, from the world outside your window to the latest design trends on social media. Consider going for walks in nature, visiting art galleries, and museums, or browsing through art books. While doing so, pay attention to the colours that resonate most with you, the ones that spark your creativity. You want to incorporate colours you relate to into your home to make it feel uniquely yours.

If you’d rather stay home and find inspiration while relaxing on the couch, browse Pinterest and Instagram and save any images that speak to you. You will then be able to look back at those photos and notice colours that you seem to gravitate towards such as neutrals, bold, pastels, earthy tones.

#2. Assess Your Space

A second tip to help you choose the right colours for your home is to assess the existing architecture, lighting, and furnishings of your space to ensure that your colour choices complement and enhance the overall aesthetic of the room. Take note of any features such as molding, trim, and built-in shelving as these elements can provide valuable opportunities to incorporate accent colors or create visual interest. Opt for contrasting or complementary colours to make them stand out and become focal points.

We discuss it more in detail later in this post, but lighting plays a crucial role in how colour is perceived within a space. You need to consider any natural light sources, as well as the type and placement of artificial lighting fixtures, as colours will appear different under various lighting conditions and throughout the day.

You want to consider your existing furnishings and decor as well such as furniture, area rugs, and accessories, as their colours and textures can also influence how different paint colours will interact to create a cohesive and harmonious look.

#3. Understand Colour Psychology

Colour psychology explores how different colours can evoke specific emotions, moods, and psychological responses in individuals. By understanding the psychological effects of colours, you can use them strategically to create the desired atmosphere and ambiance in your home. Here are some popular colours and their associated moods:

Blue: Blue is often associated with feelings of calmness, serenity, and relaxation. It has a soothing effect on the mind and body, making it an ideal choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, and other spaces where relaxation is desired.
Red: Red is a bold and energizing colour often associated with passion, excitement, and intensity. It can evoke feelings of warmth and vitality, making it a popular choice for dining rooms, living rooms, and other areas where socialization and energy are desired.
Yellow: Yellow is a cheerful and uplifting colour that is often associated with happiness, optimism, and positivity. It can bring warmth and brightness to a space, making it an ideal choice for kitchens, entryways, and other areas where a sense of joy is desired.
Green: Green is a versatile colour that is often associated with nature, growth, and renewal. It can evoke feelings of balance, harmony, and tranquility, making it a popular choice for bedrooms, home offices, and other spaces where a sense of calmness and vitality is desired.
Neutral Colors: Neutral colours such as white, grey, and beige are often associated with simplicity, sophistication, and versatility. They can create a sense of balance and harmony in a space, making them ideal for use as primary wall colours or as a backdrop for bolder accent colours.

#4. Consider Lighting Conditions

Lighting plays an essential role in how colours are perceived within a space, whether it be natural or artificial light. The intensity, direction, and quality of light can all influence the way colours appear. Natural light varies throughout the day making colours look slightly different in the morning and in the evening. Artificial lighting sources such as incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights can also affect the appearance of colours. Warm-toned light bulbs can enhance warm colours like reds and oranges, while cool-toned lights can accentuate cool colours likes blues and greens.

The orientation of a room also has a significant impact on how colours appear due to the direction and intensity of natural light. Here's how colours may appear in rooms facing different directions:

North-Facing Rooms: North-facing rooms tend to receive cooler, indirect light throughout the day. Colours may appear more subdued and cooler-toned in these rooms, making them ideal for cool colours like blues, greens, and greys. To prevent the space from feeling too cold, consider using warm-toned accents and lighting to add warmth and balance.
South-Facing Rooms: South-facing rooms receive ample sunlight throughout the day, resulting in warm and vibrant lighting conditions. Colours may appear brighter and more saturated in these rooms, making them ideal for warm colours like yellows, oranges, and reds. However, be cautious with cool-toned colours, as they may appear overly stark or washed out in abundant sunlight.
East-Facing Rooms: East-facing rooms receive more sun in the morning and have cooler light in the afternoon. Choose a light blue or green colour to create a relaxing and peaceful feel in the evenings. Or opt for a darker warmer colour to create a cosy space.
West-Facing Rooms: West-facing rooms receive cooler light in the morning and brighter and warmer in the afternoon. So it all depends on when you will be using your room the most. If you are using your room mostly in the mornings, I recommend choosing a paint colour with warm tones, just like in north-facing rooms to warm up the space. If you are using it mostly in the afternoons, I suggest you select a cooler paint colour that will balance the warmer natural light.

Experiment with different colour options and observe how they respond to natural and artificial lighting conditions to achieve the desired aesthetic and mood.

#5. Use The Colour Wheel

Successful colour combinations can evoke specific moods, enhance architectural features, and tie together various elements within a space. Discover how to use the colour wheel to consider some popular colour combinations:

Analogous Colours: Analogous colour schemes consist of colours that are adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. This creates a sense of harmony and cohesion, making it a popular choice for creating a unified look. For example, pairing shades of blue and green can create a serene and calming atmosphere in a bedroom or living room.
Complementary Colours: Complementary colour schemes consist of colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. This creates a high-contrast and dynamic look, making it ideal for adding drama and visual interest to a space. For example, pairing blue with orange or yellow with purple can create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere in a dining room or home office.
Monochromatic Colours: Monochromatic colour schemes consist of variations of a single colour, from light to dark. This creates a sophisticated and cohesive look, making it ideal for creating a sense of unity within a space. For example, using different shades of grey or beige can create a timeless and elegant atmosphere in a living room, bedroom, or kitchen.
Triadic Colours: Triadic colour schemes consist of three colours that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. This creates a balanced and dynamic look, making it ideal for adding character and interest to a space. For example, pairing yellow with blue and red can create a playful and vibrant atmosphere in a children's playroom or study area.

#6. Use The Rule 60/30/10

The 60/30/10 rule is a foolproof guideline used in interior design to create a well-balanced colour scheme within a space. The rule divides the colours in a room into three proportions:

The Dominant Colour (60%): The dominant colour serves as the primary colour in the room. It covers the largest surfaces in the space, typically your walls. Choosing a neutral or versatile colour like a white, beige, or grey as the dominant hue provides an ideal backdrop for the rest of the colour scheme and allows for flexibility in accessorizing and styling.
The Secondary Colour (30%): The secondary colour serves as a supporting colour to the dominant hue. It adds visual interest and depth to the space and is often used on smaller surfaces such as accent walls, furniture, upholstery, or area rugs. Selecting a complementary or contrasting colour to the dominant hue creates balance and harmony within the room.
The Accent Colour (10%): The accent colour serves as a pop of colour that adds personality and visual impact to the space. It is used sparingly on accessories, decorative accents, or smaller elements such as throw pillows, artwork, or decor objects. Choosing a bold or vibrant accent colour creates focal points and adds personality to the room without overwhelming the overall colour scheme.

By following the 60/30/10 rule, you can achieve a well-balanced and visually appealing color scheme that creates a harmonious and cohesive look within your space.

#7. Start With Neutrals and Go From There

If you are too scared of painting an entire wall in a bright colour, start with a neutral. Neutral colour schemes consist of shades of white, grey, beige, or taupe, which serve as a versatile backdrop for adding pops of color through accents and accessories. This creates a timeless and sophisticated look, making it ideal for creating a sense of balance and tranquility within a space. For example, pairing neutral walls and furniture with colourful throw pillows, artwork, and area rugs can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere with some visual interest.

#8. Play With Colours in Small Spaces

Choose bright colours for your open or main spaces to make them feel fresh and airy, and use bolder colours in your small spaces as they offer a unique opportunity to experiment and create stylish statements. Opting for a bold colour in a small room can inject energy and personality into the space, creating visual interest, depth, and dynamism. It can allow you to infuse your personal style and creativity into the space and create a living environment that truly reflects your personality.

Incorporating bold colours in small rooms can transform them from ordinary to extraordinary, creating stunning spaces that make a big impact.

#9. Sampling And Testing

I can’t stress enough the importance of ALWAYS using samples before deciding on a paint colour. Painting a room is a significant investment of time, effort, and resources, so it's essential to take the necessary steps to ensure that you're satisfied with the end result.

Using samples allows you to see how a colour will actually appear in your space, helping you avoid surprises and disappointment once the paint is applied. The best is to apply your samples on different walls and live with them for a few days. By testing paint samples in various lighting conditions throughout the day, you can ensure that your chosen colour looks consistent and flattering in all situations.

As paint colours all have different subtle undertones that may not be immediately apparent, sampling also allows you to observe these undertones in different lighting conditions and alongside either elements in the room, such as furniture, flooring, and decor. This helps avoid costly and timely mistakes of choosing a paint colour that might look white in the store, but actually has green or blue undertones you didn’t notice. Now you’re left with a colour you hate and have to go through the whole process again.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to selecting paint colours. Trust your instincts, embrace your creativity, and have fun with the process. Whether you opt for soothing neutrals, bold accents, or somewhere in between, the key is to create a space that makes you feel happy, comfortable, and inspired every time you walk through the door. Take your time, explore different colour options, and don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. With a little experimentation and a lot of imagination, you can transform your home into a vibrant and inviting sanctuary that you'll love coming home to.

If you are still struggling with choosing a colour scheme for your home, let me help you make this process easier. I offer custom whole house colour palettes where I help take the guesswork out of selecting the right paint colours. Get in touch today!

Thank you for reading and happy decorating,

Manon xx

Manon Scelles