Colors Beware
To Paint or Not to
If you have ever started a DIY project or you are building or remodeling a home, the one issue that seems to be the most daunting for people, are the paint selections. Which colors do I choose, is it too boring, too bright and which rooms do I dare to change, are usually common concerns. I’ve consulted with many people that are afraid to put color anywhere, because they are worried that they will make the wrong decision, so they do nothing. But I am here to tell you that it isn’t as hard as you think.
Instead of being afraid of color, you should change the unknown perception and embrace it. Color is a reflection of our personalities, the difference between vanilla and chocolate, it involves choices. Everyday choices, in what we wear, what we are attracted to, what we like or don’t like and even the color of our cars, are all choices we make to display our personalities.
Our homes are also part of our personalities. They should be places of peace, joy and comfort. Color can change entire spaces making them warm and inviting. While some choose the blank, cold and uninviting colors to keep people out. Either way, color is an important part of our lives that we live around constantly.
Paint affects our Mood
Ever wonder why hospitals and nursing homes use soft colors in their decor? Because it is extremely necessary to bring calm into a world of chaos for the patients. Loud or harsh colors can disrupt harmony for patients trying to heal and recover; the same thing can happen in our homes. For example, whenever I decorate a nursery or a toddler’s room, I’m always very careful to use soft complementary colors to bring a feeling of safety, love and harmony.
Primary colors used to be “a-go-to” for children’s rooms, but not so much these days. More pastels are being used as a base color with “accents” of primary colors instead. Children can become overstimulated with too much color and too much movement at an early age; they need peace and consistency. As they grow and learn more, then introducing brighter colors is an okay option.
Start small
If your home is a blank canvas with nothing but white walls, then think about the colors of the furniture, the accents, the accessories you have everywhere. What colors would you like to introduce and where do you want to start?
That’s easy, start with an accent wall and paint it a color that will complement everything else in the room. Dining rooms, bedrooms and study’s are great places to create these small changes. If you like it, then maybe paint all the walls in a particular room or just leave the accent wall as is. Then go to another room and try other complementary colors.
With the open concept homes that most people have these days, the kitchen and living room are really just one big space, so the paint should, more than likely, be the same. I always impress upon clients to make sure the hues and tones are correct, if not, you will have colors fighting one another and un-do the balance you are trying to achieve.
Trends come and go
In the 1980’s, it was popular to paint every space a different color and even different flooring from room to room. Blacks and reds were very popular creating a bold and edgy look; fast forward to the 1990’s and jewel tones popped up everywhere, loud and bright colors in all the drapery, accents and furniture. It was enough to make your eyes cross and your head swim trying to navigate through a maze of textures and different elements. As interiors progressed, design concepts have become less overwhelming and garish looking, adding a more tranquil look and feel.
A good rule of thumb is to begin collecting lots and lots of color swatches from paint stores, Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc., and then start eliminating them one by one until you find the right color(s) that you love. Colors that you just can’t live without.
Once you do and they all work together, you will be so content that you could literally “eat” them because they are so yummy and make you happy. That’s how you know you’ve done it right!
If you are still struggling and something is bothering you, don’t settle, never settle. If you do, then you might get stuck with a particular look you regret choosing, and the thought of starting over and repainting an entire room or an entire house, is frustrating and costly. I’ve seen women make this mistake constantly while trying to please everyone else. If you like pink and you want a bathroom and bedroom in all pinks and creams, then do it. Don’t let other opinions steer you away from what makes you happy. So, keep going and eventually, you will get there.