Are you STILL thinking about painting your walls with colour?
Many people are afraid to make the leap from ‘builder’s beige’ to a more daring colour choice. What holds you back? Are you afraid the colour will be too strong? Not match your furniture? Or you’ll become tired of it and have to start over again?
While you’re debating the work involved you are missing out on one of the basic elements of design that can change the entire look of your room for under £50. Your tired furniture can become new again and a mismatched room can have designer flare! So, how do you choose the right colour?
The first recommendation is to choose a tinted neutral. Why is that? Instead of choosing rich, deep colours for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral such as beige or grey which will not date the room or create a jarring palate that you will easily tire of.
However, when you go to your local home improvement store you will be faced with a sea of colour swatches – hundreds of versions of basic beige and grey to choose from. So before you go, consider these steps to choosing the right colour for you.
If you like the feel of a warm and cosy room – think of fireplaces, brown leather and sunsets – then you’ll want to start with a beige tone.
Now, consider your furniture and accessories. What colours do you see? If you have a lot of black or navy you may wish to choose a beige with orange or pink undertones to keep the look warm. If you have browns or reds in your furniture, select a cooler beige with ashy tones to avoid ‘overheating’ your room.
If you prefer a cooler, airy look – chrome, glass and shades of icy blue – then select grey tones. Some stores will have a ‘true grey’ colour swatch which you can use to compare with their designer selections. On comparison you will notice that each grey has undertones. Some will have blue or lavender tones, others may have green or even a hint of pink.
Using the same guide as stated above, identify the main colours of furniture and accessories in the room. Use green or pink toned greys with cool toned furnishings to avoid it from feeling like an ice box. Use blue or lavender undertones in rooms with warmer coloured furnishings.
If you are really torn between beige or grey, then the easiest colour to work with is green. Keeping it in a muted tone will make it very easy to live with and will work with most colour palates.
Painting rooms with colour will bring the finishing touch to your home – don’t you deserve it? From interior designers to help you choose the right colour to painters and decorators to help you get that professional finish – visit Trust A Trader to find local experts near you.