Get Inspired
Redecorate with Color: 17 Ideas to Try Out
Using color to redecorate your home can be super exciting but also a little intimidating. Let’s break down these decisions into 17 bite-sized tips. Use a few ideas or all of them!
Preparation is Key
- Whether you are moving into a new home or redecorating your current one, the first step is establishing a good floor plan. Go over each room’s feng shui before you start picking a new color scheme and furniture placements.
- Evaluate the space in terms of natural and artificial lighting. Natural daylight makes colors look a tad cooler, while soft, daylight light bulbs can bring out warmer tones at night.
- If all the furniture is staying put, use it as inspiration for new wall paint. Select a color from your favorite piece or rug as an accent wall color, or paint the entire room.
- Paint a small swatch on the wall of the room in both the darkest and brightest areas of the room. Look at the test colors in both daylight as well as the lights you will use at night.
- Rooms with lots of natural daylight usually can handle deeper colors. Basements or smaller rooms with less light could benefit from lighter hues.
- Play to your home’s strengths: look at the color of doors, wood trims, carpet, and fireplaces. Complement what is already there with your wall paint. For example, if you have warm, dark brown doors, use warmer hues like tawny browns or salmon pinks.
- Use a two-toned look to add interest to a room, allude to a headboard in a bedroom, or make a ceiling look higher by painting a lighter hue at the top.
Use Color to Evoke Mood
- Don’t be afraid of what other people think! Choose colors based on how they make you feel. If a pale green makes you feel happy and relaxed, use that for your bedroom. Does red give you a thrill and make you feel productive? Put it in your kitchen!
- If you’re still tentative about using color, it’s okay to start small: think accent furniture, appliances, or utensils.
- Ready to be more daring? Paint the walls that face each other your favorite color and leave the other walls white or extremely neutral.
- Deep colors (eggplant, navy, espresso) will provide a moody, romantic feeling while the brighter primary colors will create excitement and a modern edge.
Use Accent Colors to Tie It All Together
- For an organic, monochromatic look, pair a neutral color scheme with natural materials like driftwood or glass coffee tables.
- Accent colors are like using condiments when cooking. Without them, the room can be bland and void of personality.
- Use accent colors to showcase your personality: if you like cohesion, pick an accent color that is either next to your dominant color on the color wheel or use the same color but just make it darker or lighter.
- If you love to experiment with color, choose an accent color that is directly opposite of your dominant color on the color wheel or three colors away from your dominant color (red to yellow, yellow to blue, blue to red)
- Think of accents as the perfect punctuation within the room. Matching your rugs or ottomans to an accent wall makes an artistic statement and is ideal for those who love harmony.
- If you feel confused about accent colors, try the “60/30/10” rule: 60% of your room’s color is the dominant color (wall paint), 30% is the second color choice (furniture, drapes) and 10% is the accent color (art, décor, trim)
Love Your Style
Now that you’ve got the right colors, let’s focus on how you can properly arrange it all! Turn the page to learn more about an ideal room layout.
