Several years ago, I met a (now dear) friend for the first time at a social gathering. As we talked, we realized we lived in nearby neighborhoods. As we introduced ourselves and began our friendship, she suddenly blurted out, “I know exactly where you live, I walk every evening and have seen the colors in your home, your living room looks just like you!” I had chosen to leave the windows uncovered and usually left a few lamps on, so it was easy to see my newly designed living room. I have often remembered those words “it looks like you.” For better or worse, our homes should be a reflection of our personality. Generally speaking, you can look at a new client’s closet and pick the colors they will feel most comfortable with in their home.
With that said, there are general guidelines to how we can give our rooms the splash of colors we love for the feelings we desire. Color is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform your house into your home. Use every opportunity to play with the colors you adore!
Seven Tips on Working With Color:
- When using paint decks, be sure to look at the paint without the white border.
- Always, always, always, purchase a small container of paint and sample the area you are painting — light, texture and sheen can all play a part in the color selection. If the color feels slightly off, add a drop of black or white paint one drop at a time and mix your own colors. I prefer to do this on a paper plate, and after the color is perfected you can take the plate to the paint store for matching.
- When using the bolder colors be sure your room has balance and avoid putting all the color on one wall or in one piece of furniture. Play it out throughout the room, almost creating a rhythm and sense of harmony. Pay attention so that the color is played out in at least three different areas, and consider various heights. For example in a bedroom: A dust ruffle, a pillow, and a touch of the color in your artwork.
- Every room needs either a touch of yellow or red! It gives the area energy.
- Always consider consulting a color wheel. Look for either complimentary colors, (ones that are opposite on the wheel) or use three adjacent colors on the wheel.
- A simple formula for color is a dominant color that comprises about 60% – 70% of the room, 20% – 30% for a secondary color and then — my personal favorite! — 10% – 20% of the last color to become a focal point or pop of energy.
- Color has a psychological effect; food doesn’t look appetizing in a blue kitchen, but red stimulates the appetite. In yellow rooms people get the angriest and babies cry most often, according to scientific research.
If you need direction try taking this color quiz at PrattAndLambert.com, the website is also filled with great information on trends in color.
Most importantly, find your style. I have always believed color must be personal. It is the backdrop for all the makings of your home –- not your designer’s home, your neighbor’s, or even your friend’s — but yours! To find your personal style, start by looking in your closet and gathering the things you love. Here are a few sources of my color inspirations from over the years: a new stationary recently purchased, a beautiful sweater, a luxurious new robe and a dish towel I picked up at Anthropologie. Pay careful attention to all the clues of what you gather and begin there. Use every opportunity to use the colors you adore.
I love nothing more than working with a client who has what I refer to as an inspiration color –- one that inspires them. From there we build; we channel that color throughout their selections whether it be their granite, their tile, or their beautiful glass accents. When making your selections bring us a few of your favorite things; whether it be blue color sashes or brown paper packages tied with colorful strings.
Tamara Rowley
Schumacher Tile & Stone
December 15th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Great Article Tamara! I remember when I was first trying to get a handle on some basic design principles as an aspiring web designer. I always found interior design books to be just about the best books out there on colors, and how to use them properly together. I bet you are just a veritable fountain of knowledge on the subject.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Rich,
Thanks for the comment. I don’t know if I could be considered a veritable fountain of knowledge, but I would say I have purchased and studied countless books! I also find myself in the grocery line buying every new design magazine that comes out – another great source of ideas. I especially like to pay attention to the print ads, they are a great source for color trends and would be a great tool for designing websites.
– Tamara
January 17th, 2009 at 3:28 am
yes I agree with Rich I think this is a good article, as an Interior Designer the more information and education we can get into the market the better.
Thanks for the post.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
im debating on whether to paint my room, i have all black furniture, with a gold and black beadspread, is sounds awful, but it actually has a very classy look to it, i am considering painting one wall a burgendy/maroon color. and getting a matchin color set of sheets. which wall should i paint? the one my bed is on? the opposite one? or should i not paint at all? im just desperate to find a way to make my room look better.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Dear Tiffini,
Congrats on getting brave enough to paint! Any addition of color is always wonderful. My first thought is I would paint the wall with the bed on it. It’s hard with out seeing it, but I feel to paint another wall would give to many focal points – keep it all on one wall. Burgandy or marroon are good choices to go with gold and black but whatever you do put a sample on the wall first! I would also make sure the other 3 walls are a compliment to the focal wall – definately don’t want them to be white – possibly a soft golden color. Good idea to match the sheets to the paint color! Remember investing in a quart of paint to sample on the wall is my best advice!
Good Luck!
February 9th, 2009 at 1:45 am
helpful post! I love painting our home. i tend to re-paint it if i don’t feel the beauty. Maybe it is because i choose the wrong color for every room. The post may be more delightful if you completed all compatible color for every room.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:18 am
very useful article Tamara..i liked your ideas and your color combination things..i always try to change my homes interior design after a regular periods of time and this article will help me lot to design my house with some different colorful way..thnks for your nice article..
February 25th, 2009 at 10:00 am
This is a great resource for anyone looking to spruce up the color and look of their home. Painting is a great way to give a new design to any room at your house and is very inexpensive.
February 25th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thanks for the reply Tamara. I would love to see a post on each of your tips particularly the psychological effect of colors.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Colors are great to work with. Thanks for all the tips.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:22 am
I agree, simple colors are by far the best to go with. I start designing a room with two, perhaps three very simple colors at the most.
Usually end up with two very placid base colors and one striking color which is used sparingly.
elle
March 15th, 2009 at 4:34 am
Wow. This is interesting article I didn’t know that yellow rooms make people angriest and babies cry.
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:55 am
i liked your ideas and your color combination things..i always try to change my homes interior design after a regular periods of time and this article will help me lot to design my house with some different colorful way..
Thanks
March 27th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Yes always always always buy a small can, test a small area and then let it dry. You will be surprised to see what it looks like when it dries and sometimes it’s not what you wanted at all.
Good tip.
March 30th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Is it ok to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls? If not, then I am in big trouble, I think it looks ok, but I have no decorating sense… Help!!
March 31st, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I’m sure glad I found this. My wife and I have a home for sale that we are going to be painting, in hopes that it will improve its odds of selling. We’ll take this into consideration when choosing the colors.
April 8th, 2009 at 4:26 am
Wow, your information is useful for me. I like your colors. Thanks for the post!
April 30th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I just love your weblog! Very nice post! Still you can do many things to improve it.
May 1st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Great color ideas. You should check out my blog on interior design ideas.
I have a post talking about color schemes as well.
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 am
I agree, simple colors are by far the best to go with. I start designing a room with two, perhaps three very simple colors at the most
May 13th, 2009 at 3:31 am
Thanks for this blog i have been having loads of problems planing my colors but after reading your info its made life a lot easyer lol
Jill
May 22nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
really helpful article, I can tell you love what you do by the way you write about it and I agree, our home needs to feel like our home and not our designer’s, friend or somebody else. Thanks Tamara!
May 23rd, 2009 at 2:15 am
I have always been stuck with the safe and boring and can see perhaps I need a change in my outlook. Thanks for the information!
June 26th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I spend a lot of time reading blogs and I have to say I’m impressed with your posts. It’s refreshing to find a blog that has valuable content such as yours. I’ll be a regular reader from now on, you can count on it.
Thanks,
Dennis
June 26th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Nice thread. Very interesting. Rgds.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
good article
July 31st, 2009 at 7:40 am
Your color advice is terrific! Thanks for sharing it and giving the tips on all of the colors and shades!
August 9th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
didnt know that stuff…going to read more.
September 20th, 2009 at 1:28 am
I don’t have Yellow color but Batch color, is it anyway near Yellow ? Maybe thats why I am getting angry or what ? Hehe.
Yeah colors do play a very important part in our lives and it’s important that we get colors which match our personality and brings peace to us, after color you should unclutter your house and your room so it keeps you off from little stresses we get by seeing a cluttered room and workspace etc!
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 am
I wish I knew this formula when I was having my apartment repainted
“# A simple formula for color is a dominant color that comprises about 60% – 70% of the room, 20% – 30% for a secondary color and then — my personal favorite! — 10% – 20% of the last color to become a focal point or pop of energy.”
October 12th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Thanks for the comments, everyone, we’re glad you enjoyed the post! Please be sure to ask if you have any specific questions for me or Tamara to answer in an upcoming blog post.
December 8th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Thank you for the article. It was very helpful. I always get compliments on the color schemes I have throughout my home. Everyone says it expresses who I am. That color quiz link you have was a tremendous help.
January 17th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Like always, your post is insightful plus wonderfully written