Update Your Home with Color
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Are you tired of your bland color scheme? Whether you add color to your walls or handpick some colorful accessories, the right colors can turn your home into a stunning showplace. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when using color.
Warm or Cool?
Warm colors tend to be energizing. If you want to enliven a dull room, add splashes of yellow, red or orange. For an easy fix, add cozy cushions, sumptuous drapes and soft carpets in warm tones.
Cool colors have a relaxing effect. To settle a busy room or create a calming sanctuary, choose hues like blue, green or mauve.
What Color Should I Paint My Walls?
When choosing color for your walls, less is more. The bright red that looks so appealing on a one-inch square sample in the shop may look quite different on your walls. It's worthwhile to spend a little extra time and money comparing paint samples in your home before making a final choice. Try to view the colors during different times of day and under various lighting.
Rich, warm hues can be especially overpowering in large doses; on the other hand, one accent wall in a jewel-like warm color can be splendid. Pale, cool colors usually work well on walls, as the effect is more subtle. Whatever color you choose for your walls, you can draw it out with furniture, window treatments and accessories in darker or lighter shades of the same hue.
Add Color with Furnishings and Accent Pieces
Is your old furniture ready for an update? Give a worn-out, neutral colored couch a trendy new look with a fitted slipcover. Slipcovers come in dozens of colors, textures, fabrics and patterns, so you're sure to find something that appeals to the interior designer in you. Choose slipcovers that complement the existing color scheme in your room, or go for an exciting new palette to give the room a radical change.
Colorful throws, pillows and rugs can also add interest to a neutral color scheme. Choose complementary colors for a striking look. For a more streamlined, simple effect, choose colors that match or are similar to the color of the furniture and walls. Try painting your walls pale blue, and then add lampshades in a darker shade of the same blue for a professional effect.
Remember, your use of color can make the difference between a boring room and a finished, enticing retreat. Don't be afraid to experiment with colorful slipcovers, cushions and rugs to create striking effects.
