Home Decorating Colors

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Home Decorating Colors

by Giorgina Devereaux

You wouldn�t believe what adding home decorating colors can do for a room...

They can transform a room that is boring into an amazingly lovely space. Don�t be scared off.

This is your chance to explore different colors and see which you believe will give your room that desired effect.

A helpful way to figure out which ones will best coordinate is by familiarizing yourself with the Color Wheel, which consists of primary and secondary colors.

It is simple and works like this:

color-wheel

Home Decorating Color Schemes

The primary home decorating colors are:

red, blue, and yellow
by mixing two primaries, you create a secondary

Secondary home decorating colors include:

orange, violet, and green
by mixing two primaries in equal amounts, such as red and yellow, you get orange; yellow and blue to get green; red and blue to get violet

Secondary colors are also known as complementary colors because they sit opposite the primary colors on the Color Wheel.

The three complementary home decorating colors are:

red and green, yellow and violet, blue and orange
these colors always go well with one another, hence the word, "complementary"

Complementary colors are important because when placed next to each other, they make one another appear brighter and add intensity. These color schemes are used in every area of our lives. During the holidays, red and green are in unison.

The use of a red ribbon on a wreath makes for a beautiful combination. Renaissance painters utilized gold on a blue background, making the two very compatible.

Moreover, if you mix one primary and one secondary color or two secondary colors, the result is a tertiary color. However, tertiary used to refer to neutral colors, such as browns and grays.

The tertiary home decorating colors are:

yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green, and yellow-green

Lastly, warm home decorating colors are:

red, yellow, and orange
these colors are warm because they remind us of the sun, fire, stimulate appetite, and conversation

Cool home decorating colors are:

blue, green, and violet. They bring to mind water, grass, and plants.
blue is sometimes used in bedrooms because it has a calming effect and aids in sleeping

The neutral home decorating colors are:

the grays and browns
these are considered neutral since they don�t contrast with much of anything and are a bit dull

Finding the Right Home Decorating Colors for You

Now that we�ve covered the basics of color, let�s discuss how to find the right home decorating colors for your home. Keep in mind that color is an expression of who we are. The colors we choose in our home help set the mood, define our space, and it is an inexpensive way to add drama throughout the home.

Every room has its own unique characteristics and purpose. Try to consider the shape and size of the room. If your goal is to make the room appear more spacious, then consider a lighter color.

On the other hand, a darker color makes a large room feel warmer and cozier.

Another important thing to consider is whether the room has any architectural details, such as crown moldings, trim, columns, and wainscoting.

A variation in colors and hues will help balance the architecture, furnishings, and art. Bear in mind that color can enhance a particular feature in a room or diminish it.

The color you decide on depends on the main purpose of the room � whether it is an area where you dine, sleep, work, or entertain. Before you decide on a particular paint color, first try to choose the kinds of furnishings your room will consist of (furniture, fabric, rugs, and lighting).

It is easier to decide on a paint color after you know what your design direction will be. If the room you�re working with already has furnishings, then find an article in the room that, for instance, contains your favorite fabric color, or an art accessory or a furniture piece, and use that item as an inspiration piece to help you find colors that will enhance the overall look of your room.

If after doing this, you are still unable to find a color you like, perhaps consider picking up different paint samples. You can visit your local paint store and search for color samples that you find most appealing.

Practically every paint store has a section devoted to paint samples and even have a lighted area where you can place the sample to view how it looks under light. Some colors look different depending on the lighting of the room and this gives you the opportunity to explore how you like the color sample under the different lighting conditions.

If you find that you are still completely lost when it comes to finding the right home decorating colors for you, then perhaps consider the following ideas as a guide to help you find colors for your home.

Color Your Room

Foyer/Hallway: The foyer and hallway are heavy traffic areas and is the first impression everyone that visits your home has.

Therefore, a good choice is selecting colors that are warm and inviting, such as red, yellow, orange, red-violet, red-orange, and yellow-orange.

This is a wonderful way to welcome guests into your home while adding a splash of color.

It�s also important to consider when choosing color for the foyer or hallway how it will flow with the other colors throughout your home.

If you are concerned that these colors may be too bright, you can opt for lighter shades of red, yellow, or orange.

The beauty about color is that the choices are endless and more often than not, you will find a color that suits the space.

Living Room/Family Room: A living room or family room brings to mind a place where people convene, converse, relax, and unwind.

It is a room that should feel warm and inviting.

A warm color in the living room or family room creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for family and friends than a cool color like blue.

A great shade of red that works nicely in a living room or family room is a deep color, such as burgundy or maroon. If red is not your cup of tea, then consider a yellow color.

Yellow is cheerful, sunny, and is linked to intellect and creative energy. It adds warmth and brightens up dark spaces. A lighter shade of yellow gives the impression that a small room is larger.

Another lovely choice for a living room or family room is a brownish orange color, such as, terra cotta because it is warm and cozy. Orange is a vibrant color that symbolizes energy, warmth, and echoes autumn, fall, and summer colors.

If the thought of using red, yellow, or orange colors frightens you, then consider a brown color. Brown is a warm and neutral color that characterizes wholesomeness, earthiness, simplicity, and friendliness. It is linked to taste and sophistication while at the same time is confident and calming.

Home decorating colors such as, taupe, beige, or tan make a fabulous background and aid accompanying colors in appearing richer and brighter.

Dining Room/Kitchen: A great dining room or kitchen color that is associated with passion, energy, and romance is red.

In addition, red colors stimulate appetite and conversation. Orange is also known for stimulating appetite and the senses.

It is used as a healing color and widely utilized in spas and relaxation centers.

Another fun color for the dining room or kitchen is yellow. Yellow is a cheery color that symbolizes joy, happiness, knowledge, and wisdom. It is a great way to brighten up a kitchen.

Home Office: In addition to yellow being a cheery color, it helps improve memory.

It is an excellent choice for an office, especially if the office has little or no natural light.

Painting an office yellow gives the appearance of natural light and brightens up the room.

Avoid bold yellow colors that are too overpowering and disrupt the feeling of the room. Select lighter shades of yellow instead.

Another ideal color for an office space is green. Green is said to promote concentration and is relaxing.

Bedroom: Blue is associated with harmony, peace, and is a cool and calm hue. It also symbolizes inspiration, genuineness, and spirituality.

The effects of a blue color depending on its shade are that it gives the feeling that time passes more quickly and aids in sleeping.

Since the bedroom is mostly used for sleeping, colors like red or yellow aren�t a good choice because of their brightness.

A cooler tone, such as a soft blue or gray, will have a relaxing and calming effect on your bedroom. It makes an excellent bedroom color because it brings feelings of comfort and serenity.

It is also an ideal color for a baby room. Consider using the lightest tint of blue, such as a baby blue color.

If you prefer a more romantic tone for your bedroom, then consider a purple color. Purple colors have a powerful relationship with our romantic, sensual, and reflective sides.

However, use a bluer purple color to maintain a balance in helping give the room a restful feel.

Bathroom: Since orange is dominant and lively, it makes a striking choice for a bathroom.

If you prefer a more subdued orange color, consider a peach color. Peachy orange colors add a nice touch of elegance and have a delicate effect.

On the other hand, if you prefer a color that is healing and soothing, then consider violet. Violet is a color that is known to strengthen and cleanse, and is associated with a peaceful environment.

If your goal is to have a bathroom that is relaxing, then green is a suitable color. Green is refreshing and adds a garden like feel to the indoors.

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