The successful matching of colours is
central to any interior design project. Get your choice of hues right and
you’ll end up with a home to be proud of. However, because the stakes are so
high, the process of settling on a colour scheme can be stressful. If you’re
struggling to come to a decision, the following useful hints may help.
Get inspiration online
One top tip is to get inspiration online.
There are a seemingly infinite number of interior design images and ideas to
peruse on the internet, and they can help you to hone your thoughts. For
example, you can check out the website of soft furnishing specialist Julian Charles. It offers curtains,
cushions, bedspreads and accessories in a dazzling array of colours and shades.
Handily, the site also has a ‘complete the look’ feature. This showcases
products that complement each of the furnishings and fabrics, and it’s a great
way to see which colours and patterns go well together.
Choose between tonal, harmonious and
complementary schemes
Take a look at a colour wheel when you’re
searching for the perfect colour matches too. This will help you decide whether
you’d prefer to go for a tonal, harmonious or complementary scheme. Tonal looks
involve sticking to one hue but using various tones throughout a room. If you
do this, try to use the darker shades nearer the floor the lighter shades
closer to the ceiling. This will help to make your rooms appear more spacious.
For a harmonious scheme, simply select hues
that are next to or near to one another on the colour wheel, such as blues and
greens or oranges and yellows. This can be a good way to create a natural,
relaxing look. Try to choose colours of similar intensities so that one doesn’t
eclipse the other.
If you opt for the complementary approach,
you’ll need to select colours that lie opposite each other on the colour wheel
(think purple and yellow or red and green). These combinations can have a
striking look, but you need to tread with care. For example, it’s generally
best to allow one of the hues to feature more strongly than the other so that
they don’t compete for attention. It’s also a good idea to balance the scheme
with the help of some neutral tones, like creams or whites.
Never forget your floors and furniture
If there are elements of your rooms that
won’t be changed, like your flooring and furniture, make sure you take these
into account when you’re picking your colours. There’s no point in going to the
time and effort of choosing the perfect hues for your walls and accessories if
they don’t pair well with these other features.
Always try before you buy
Once you’ve settled on a scheme, it can be
tempting to order all your supplies straight away. However, as any interior
designer worth their salt will tell you, it’s always important to try before
you buy. Ordering paint samples might seem like a hassle, but it can stop you
from making costly mistakes.
As long as you follow advice like this, you
should be more than happy with your final colour matches.
