Some design rules are meant to be broken… and then there’s colour. The colour you paint your walls is about more than just aesthetics, it can affect your ability to enjoy the comfort of your own home. So where do you start? Decide how you want your space to make you feel:
1) CALM AND RESTORE
You crave: A space that calms and restores mind and body.
The solution: Cool, crisp hues
GREEN: Shades of light green can be healing colours for your mood. A bedroom, reading room, or office can be transformed into a sanctuary by incorporating pale, calming colours.
BLUE: Shades of blue can also bring peace and serenity to a room. If you typically gravitate toward blue, choose a soft shade to give the space a clean, natural feel.
PURPLE: Lavender can create a truly relaxing retreat with its blend of warm red and cool blue.
BEIGE: A shade of this colour can make your room appear more open and inviting thanks to the appeal of light neutral tones.
2) CLEAN SLATE
You crave: A clean slate that allows you to express individuality.
The solution: Whites
WHITE: You can showcase plenty of style and personality in neutral-coloured rooms. White walls can be the perfect backdrop for incorporating self-expression through decorative accents. They also can allow you to quickly change out the look of your room by switching out accessories. When used in hallways or stairwells, white walls can connect rooms that have varied palettes.
TINTS: All whites are not the same — you can choose from warm whites with yellow and pink undertones to cool whites incorporating green and blue. Use these tints as you would warm and cool colours in your home.
3) MAKE A STATEMENT
You crave: A home that exudes depth and vitality.
The solution: Bold, warm colours
BROWN: Browns allow bright colours – think whites and chartreuse – to stand out.
YELLOW: Fresh yellows revitalize a room and make it a cheery escape. Deeper tones bring warm energy to a room but allow for a richer colour scheme.
RED: Ignite excitement in a room! These intrepid colours give off energy that can inspire you to cook a five-course meal and encourage your guests to let lively conversation flow while they dine.
ORANGE: Known to stimulate appetite as well as energy, fresh shades of orange enliven your walls with brilliant colour that excites the senses.
Remember, even if you live in a small flat, transitioning colour from one room to the next can be tricky and it doesn’t flow well if you’ve got bright yellow in one room and bright orange in another.
If the walls are going to scream a bright colour, you want to keep the rest of your furnishings in neutral tones or even white. Decide what your focal point is. If it’s the wall colour, then let everything else support it, not fight with it.