If you think back to your 6th grade art class, you might remember seeing a poster of the color wheel on the wall. Maybe you even spent a few days in class talking about it. It’s a simple concept which arranges colors chromatically in a circle, much like a pie, with each slice being a different color. The colors represented on the wheel are the same ones found in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet. Each of these colors can be broken down into different shades.
Be Affective with Complementary Colors
Colors located directly across from each other on the wheel are called complementary colors and these are basically exact opposites, like blue and orange. These colors can be used very effectively together, if you use one color more than the other. For example, many bathrooms feature lots of a light blue, which is cool and soothing, with small pops of orange in touches like towels, soap dispensers, or even a funky goldfish print shower curtain. Complementary colors can also be good choices in children’s bedrooms, to give them a bright, fun element.
Brighten Up Dark Rooms
If you’re dealing with a room that doesn’t have any windows, or does have windows but still doesn’t get much natural light, you probably want to pick a light paint color. Of course, classic white is always a good option but you can add personality by picking a light color with a little more flare. A robin’s egg blue or a soft yellow will work wonders for these types of rooms. Pastels are always a good choice if you are trying to lighten up a room. Bright colors in darker shades tend to have the opposite effect.
Try Bold Colors in Small Doses
If you’re used to playing it safe with grays and creams but are considering trying a bold color in your home, try out in a small area first. Paint a bathroom, a small hallway, or even just one wall, as an accent, in a bigger room. Then give yourself some time to see how you really feel about it. If it feels warm and inviting, then you should try it in a larger space. If it feels overwhelming, it’s probably not the right choice for your home.
Make Your Mood
When it’s time to paint, you should always consider the mood that you want to set in a room. Do you want the room to feel bright and fun? Small and intimate? Warm and cozy? Color plays a huge part in mood and not only that, but it will play a huge role in how you decide to decorate too. Choose a color that will make it clear how you plan to feel in a room. Creams and tans will make a house seem clean, bright, and inviting. Greys will make for a home that seems cooler. Bright colors will seem fun and exciting and are great for dining rooms or entertaining spaces. Whichever color you choose, it will set the tone for the time you spend in that room.
