By Rachel Brown
Rachel is a freelance writer currently living in Europe. Making homes beautiful is her passion and she loves eclectic style. You can find her frequenting antique stores for the perfect rug or curled up on her sofa with a good book and a cup of tea.
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Yellow and grey living room
Living room colors thats fit
How to choose perfect color
Steps for Choosing the Best Color Palette
Choosing the right color combinations for your interior space requires considering both your personal color inspirations and the specific area. Consider these steps to find a color palette that you love and works well in your space.
Define the Purpose and Mood
Determining the purpose and mood you want to create with your room design is a crucial first step in creating a color palette that works for the space.
First, identify the functional purpose of the space. A bedroom’s color scheme can differ greatly from that of a child’s playroom because you want to create a completely different mood in each. A room with a color scheme of blue and green will feel more tranquil than one with a palette of vivid orange or red. If possible, also consider the needs and desires of the primary users of the room before selecting a color palette.
Take Note of Existing Elements
Before choosing a color palette, consider the fixed elements in the room as well as the movable items that you are going to use in the space. Take stock of the furniture, textiles, and architectural features and fixtures. Analyze the color combinations, patterns, and textures that already exist in the space and consider if you are keeping them as they are or changing them. These help determine the parameters of your color choices. By harmonizing your new palette with the existing elements, you can create a cohesive and balanced overall room design.
Consider Light and Space
When choosing a color palette for a room, it is critical to consider the light and space because these elements influence how a color is perceived. Both natural and artificial light have an impact on how colors appear. Consider the direction and intensity of natural light throughout the day, as well as the sources and locations of artificial lighting. Bright rooms with plenty of natural and artificial light frequently wash out colors, whereas darker rooms intensify them.
When selecting a color combination, you should also consider the room’s size and layout. Light colors can give the impression of more space, whereas dark colors can add coziness or a sense of intimacy. Choose the best color combination to create the atmosphere in your room based on its size and layout.
Identify the Dominant Color
The dominant color serves as a focal point or foundation around which the whole design revolves. The dominant color will be the most impactful, so it is vital to consider this color carefully.
Identify your color palette’s main color, either through existing elements or user preferences. Begin by examining the existing elements to see if any one color stands out or occupies the most visual space. If you do not have any fixed elements to consider, reflect on the mood you want to create or the personal preferences of the room’s primary users. Choose a dominant color that meets the mood or personal preference requirements, and then choose colors to complement it.
Choose a Color Scheme
The dominant color in the room is used to create the color scheme. To achieve harmony and cohesion, apply color theory principles like complementary, analogous, or monochromatic schemes. Complementary colors are located on opposite sides of the color wheel. Analogous colors are next to one another on the color wheel, while monochromatic colors are the same hue but in lighter or darker shades.
Interior designers often apply the 60-30-10 rule, which means to use the dominant color 60% of the time, one accent color 30% of the time, and one more pop of color 10% of the time. While this can be a good general rule of thumb, designers break this rule all the time to create beautiful spaces.
Test the Color in the Space
Before making the final color choice, test your chosen colors in the actual space and see how you like them in the lighting conditions of the room. Paint swatches or use color visualization tools to see how the colors feel and interact in the physical space.
Review and Adjust
Implement your color scheme using wall paint, wallpaper, furniture, and decor. Step back and review your room to see how you like the interaction of the colors. Make any necessary changes to ensure balance and cohesion in the design.
