The Interior Decorator

Starting Point in Selecting Colors For Interior Design

Many don’t realize that when it comes to selecting interior design colors for your home, there are many starting points. The following are some inspirations.

Fabric patterns are an ideal starting point for choosing a color scheme. Look at the pattern in a oriental rug, sofa, drapes, art piece, throw pillows etc., then select a color from that pattern and use that as a color starting point. Layer the color throughout the room on your walls, furnishings, and accessories.

The key to successful interior design colors is balance, but before you start going crazy with colors, let’s begin with a lesson on the color wheel.  The colors range from reds, oranges, and yellows (warm colors), to blues, greens, and purples (cool colors).  When deciding on a color scheme, as mentioned before, pick out your color from your inspiration starting point. Then, if possible, take the object to the store with you and ask for color swatches and paint samples from the color wheel relating to the color you selected.  Bring those samples home with you and take a minimum of 24 hours to come up with a color scheme you think you can really live with and most importantly, feel comfortable when you are in the environment.

Psychological Effects When Visualizing Colors

Speaking about how you feel, let’s now talk about the psychological effects colors have on us.

Have you ever entered a room and your mood shifted instantly once you took in the environment? This is because visualizing colors can stimulate our emotions.  Independent studies have proven that warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows), evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort, to feelings of anger and hostility. In contrast, cool colors (blues, greens, purples), often evoke a feeling of calmness, but can also call to mind a feeling of sadness or indifference.

Keeping in mind the psychological aspect when you decorate your space, you can get the desired effect by deliberately selecting interior design colors that trigger the emotional response you want. Just remember, low intensity colors (earth tones, blues), create a calm, serene and more subtle response and high intensity colors (reds, orange, yellows) which generate more energy and create a feeling of vibrancy.

Linking Rooms With Color

The flow of your home should determine your choice of color. If you have an open floor plan, or one in which rooms connect through wide openings, it’s important to select colors that relate to each other in a pleasing way. The challenge becomes giving each space its own identity according to its function and still achieve a feeling of unity. You can do this by using a single color hue as a theme that runs throughout. For example, pick out a color from a pattern and incorporate it in other rooms. This ensures a cohesive environment.

The 60-30-10 Rule

The secret to the perfect use of interior design colors is the 60-30-10 rule. This means that 60 percent is the dominant color, 30 percent is the secondary color and 10 percent is the accent color. When you apply this rule, the 60% unifies the space, 30% provides visual interest, and the 10% adds the spark of color, the “pop” if you will. Translate this formula into a room and what you get is 60% of the color is on the walls, 30% of the color is the upholstery, floors, drapes etc, and 10% of the color is accent pieces like throw pillows, vases, or a floral arrangement. The professionals use this formula every time because it works.

Tips on Creating a Balanced Look Throughout your Home

1. In general use one or two colors. This is important to provide continuity throughout the entire home. Solid colors can add depth.

2. If you use bold colors, stick to the 60-30-10 rule. Only use 10 percent throughout the space. A throw pillow or a floral arrangement is perfect for bold colors.

3. Layer the space with different fabrics and textures, some rich some not, while keeping in mind your color selection.

4. Incorporate interior design colors using mother nature as inspiration. Bring the outdoors in by adding natural elements i.e. a twig sculpture, seashells etc. You can also pick up nature’s colors as your color scheme. Choose darker colors for the floor (ground outdoors); medium colors for the walls (trees and mountains); and light colors for the ceiling (sky). If you layer and divide your colors using the 60-30-10 rule, from dark to light, you will not fail.

5. Keep in mind that colors look different in the light of day than in the dark of night. The direction in which natural light comes in through a window impacts how a color appears in the room. Dark colors tend to look darker in rooms with northern exposures. You may want to lighten your color choices to reflect this. The opposite is true for a southern exposure. Taking this into consideration, you will definitely want to live with your color choices for a minimum of 24 hours. See how the colors look in different types of lighting, both artificial and natural. You will then be able to make a wise decision that you can live with.

6. Samples, samples and more samples. Ask for samples, fabric swatches, and color wheels. Your local retailer will gladly supply them because they see a potential future sale.

In conclusion, always go with what makes you feel comfortable. Your interior design colors should complement your personality and create the mood you desire. If you follow the advice given above, you have the potential of having a magazine worthy home.

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