Choosing the right colour scheme can feel like a daunting task. You may be confused as to what colours go with your flooring and cabinetry already existing in the home. You may be confused as to what colours will evoke the feeling you want in the space. I get it, it can be tough to choose the right colour scheme, even for me (a designer), it is not exactly an easy task. The good thing is, I love colour. The bad thing is, I love colour and cannot decide which colours to go with sometimes. So, I have to ground my decisions with some type of logic. Keep reading to get my tips and tricks on how to find the perfect colour scheme for your home.
In the realm of interior design, colour is more than just a visual element; it’s a powerful tool that can transform a space, evoke emotions, and create a cohesive ambience. Selecting the right colour palette for your home is essential for achieving harmony and expressing your style. Whether you’re drawn to soothing neutrals or bold hues, finding the perfect balance is key. Read Balance: the Key to Good Interiors.
A guide to help you navigate your home colour scheme
- Start with Inspiration: Begin your colour journey by seeking inspiration from various sources such as design magazines, Pinterest boards, or nature’s vibrant palette. Pay attention to colours that resonate with you and evoke the mood you want to achieve in each room of your home. Nature is a great way to see how colours interact. Take a look at a landscape, and see how blue and green work harmoniously together. Watch the sunset, and look at all the beautiful, vibrate orange shades working together.
- Consider the Mood: Different colours have the power to evoke different emotions and set the tone for a space. Warm tones like reds, oranges, and yellows can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cool tones such as blues and greens promote relaxation and tranquility. Dark colours evoke sophistication, class and mystery. Think of a speakeasy bar, often, you will find dark woods and rich accent colours such as gold. This creates that sexy, mysterious vibe that date-goers are after. Light colours create more of an airy, clean and feminine look. The point is, determine the mood you want to cultivate in each room and select colours accordingly.
Don’t be afraid of colour (it won’t bite)
- Understand Colour Psychology: Colour psychology plays a significant role in interior design and can influence mood, behaviour, and perception. For example, blue is often associated with calmness and productivity, making it an excellent choice for home offices or bedrooms. Take the time to research the psychological effects of various colours and use this knowledge to inform your colour choices. Here is a quick chart that shows the psychology behind each colour.
- Embrace the Power of Neutrals: Neutrals serve as the foundation of any colour palette and provide a sense of balance and versatility. Opt for timeless shades such as white, beige, or grey as the primary backdrop for your home. Neutrals create a cohesive canvas that allows you to experiment with pops of colour through furniture, accessories, and artwork. Some folks are afraid of colour. And while, I don’t understand the phobia, I can also agree that neutrals spaces can be just as stunning as colourful spaces.
- Experiment with Colour Combinations: When selecting a colour palette, it’s essential to consider how different colours interact with each other. Experiment with various colour combinations, such as complementary, analogous, or monochromatic schemes, to create visual interest and harmony in your home. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colours to achieve a unique and personalized look.
- Test Before Committing: This is also a good tip if you’re considering getting married. Before painting your walls or investing in large furniture pieces, test your chosen colours in the actual space. Purchase sample pots of paint or fabric swatches and assess how they look in different lighting conditions throughout the day. This will prevent any surprises and ensure that you’re happy with your colour choices before making a permanent commitment.
- Trust Your Instincts: Ultimately, selecting the perfect colour palette for your home is a highly personal decision. Trust your instincts and choose colours that resonate with you on a deep level. Your home should reflect your unique personality and style, so don’t be afraid to embrace bold colours or unconventional combinations if they speak to you.
Home colour schemes to draw inspiration from
Maybe you’re a visual person and need to see how colours work together to choose a scheme. Below, I will add some home colour schemes to help spark some inspiration.
Here is a very earthy interior which includes the colour palette of; rusty red, olive green, slate grey and beige. This colour scheme is pretty forgiving and can work with all flooring colours. This colour scheme really brings the outdoors in. This is one of my favourite colour schemes.
Here is a space with a different vibe. This combination of blue, black, beige and white is a very popular colour scheme. It goes well with light-coloured hardwood (generally) and works well in many spaces as these colours are super easy to find in the home decor markets. It creates a space that is sophisticated, light, airy and pleasant.
Now, here’s another colour scheme I love. Plus, I love the 70s. So, this one is a win for me! Blue and yellow go great together. Blue and yellow are pretty digestible colours for most folks, so I think this colour scheme may work for a lot of spaces and people. Plus, this is another colour scheme that works well with many different types of wood floor finishes.
Here is a really fun, monochromatic colour scheme which is certainly not for the faint of heart. But, certainly, we can all agree that it packs a PUNCH.
Set the mood…board
Truly, there is no one way to figure out the right colour scheme for your home. If I had to give a really quick tip to people, I’d say; pick a colour that excites you and use that as your accent colour, now figure out the colours that work well with that colour.
As a designer, I believe, you can make any colour scheme work. It comes down to the right usage of each colour.
Also, DON’T BE AFRAID OF COLOUR. Plenty of people are afraid of every colour besides blue. It’s this strange phenomenon I’ve noticed as a designer. I promise you, some orange or magenta won’t hurt. Some colour in your space might make you seem a little more cool and interesting.
I hope this helped a tiny bit in navigating choosing the right home colour scheme for you!
If you’re still unsure of what colour scheme to go with, I can help you out with my Set The Mood Board eDesign service.
Mini Design Consult: Set The Mood Board
You might need a little advice and just a little bit of direction. This eDesign package was created to allow for a 1-hour mini Design Consultation to address the concerning spaces(s). Afterwards, I will present you with Mood Board(s) to equip you with visuals for all the design suggestions I’ve made.
Deliverables
- Video call session (up to 1 hour with me) to consult on any given spaces within the time slot
- Consultation notes and Mood Board
What to learn more and connect with me one-on-one? Book one of my eDesign Services.