How to Choose a Color Painting Scheme

 Are you thinking about repainting your home?  Seems a little overwhelming, doesn't it? So, where do you start? Looking for a good local painting company and deciding on what color scheme to use are the 2 most important things to decide on.  To zero in on your perfect color scheme,

Always Start with a Color Wheel

No interior designer would ever be found without one and you might remember using one in your high school art class. If you don't already have one you can pick one up in any places that sell paint. It's a good starting point because it holds the key to the three types of color schemes: Monochromatic (shades of a single color), Analogous (colors that are adjacent on the wheel), and Complementary (colors that are directly opposite one another on the wheel).

 Monochromatic
Do you like to stick to a favorite color or keep things simple? Then a Monochromatic scheme is an answer for you because it uses shades and tints of a single color. Neutral monochromatic schemes, like shades of beige and mocha brown, are commonly used and never seem to go out of style. They are also very easy to work with. That does not mean that you are stuck with one color though. You still can add color to a mono scheme; just imagine a room of sunny yellow walls with accents of denim blue, adding interest to the space.

 Analogous
Here you would use 2 or 3 colors that are adjacent on the color wheel. Usually, one color is dominant such as on a wall while the others are used for an added interest such as a trim or accents. If you can imagine the yellow, orange, and red color scheme: a yellow-painted kitchen with orange counter stools and drapes punched up with red countertop appliances and placemats.

Complementary
Complementary color combinations can be found all over, especially in nature: red poinsettias with green leaves. A complementary scheme has room for variations: for instance, a pale pink wall in a girl’s room with grass green furnishings.

Become familiar with industry terms

Hue is the name used to identify a color, such as blue. Intensity describes how saturated the color is, and Value refers to how light or dark it is. Most palettes use three values: light, medium, and dark. This can be an easy way to translate your palette to your room. A light color is often used as a background on walls and ceiling. Medium tones are popular for carpeting or large pieces of furniture. A dark floor will ground the space, while a light one can visually open up the room.

The truth is, color makes a space come alive. It can attract attention, set a mood, and even influence our emotions and perceptions

Dark vs. Light

Give some thought to the space you want to be repainted.  Is the room big or small? Does it get lots of sunlight or is it rather dark? While dark colors can make spaces feel cozy and small, light colors can make a room seem larger. The color of walls and ceilings can dramatically change the feel. A room that has little natural light can turn colors grey or muddy, whereas a room that is flooded with sunlight will make the colors on the wall seem washed out. 

Suggestion: If your floor plan is open and rooms flow into one another, choose your main color, and paint the adjacent room a shade or two lighter or deeper. For example, if the living room connects to the dining room, different shades of the same color will define each room as a separate space but keep them visually connected.

The 60/30/10 Rule

Try the 60/30/10 rule, used by designers. With this method, one color (often a light neutral) is used on about 60% of the room’s surfaces, a secondary color (usually a medium tone) is used on 30%, and the third color (often bold or bright) is used as an accent on 10% of the furnishings. Here’s an example: floors, walls, and a large sofa are pale grey (60%); a room-sized rug and two chairs are coral (30%); pillows and other accessories are bright blue (10%).

Lacking Imagination? Look for Inspiration

Browse home and garden magazines, watch your favorite decorating shows and check out paint manufacturers and interior designer websites. 

Narrow It Down

Visit your local paint store and pick up color samples and brochures. You’ll find a wealth of friendly advice and color inspiration there! Now it’s time to see how the colors you like will look in your space. Most paint stores now make small samples available to try out on your wall.  Some even now supply stick paper you can paint and stick to your walls. Be sure to apply it on several places on your wall to see what the color will look like in a darker or sunnier spot, as well as how it changes throughout the day. 

Picking the right color schemes for your home requires a little bit of homework but can be a lot of fun.  If you are one of those rare people that suffer from colorblindness you can always avail yourself of a color consulting service.

We hope this helped in your quest of choosing a painting color scheme for you.