How to Choose the Perfect Colours for Your Home Décor

Picking the right colours for your home can be one of the most critical decisions you make. The colours you choose for your walls, tables, chairs, door handles, decorative lights, pictures and all other home decor can give a room a feeling of space, warmth, brightness or relaxation.

Choosing a colour scheme can sometimes seem daunting, with so many shades and combinations to pick from. Never fear, a little bit of knowledge can go a long way, here are some hints and tips on selecting colours that will enhance your home and suit your own taste.

Start with the Room’s Purpose

Think about the way you use the room before choosing colours. Creating different atmospheres in different rooms is important.

Bedrooms tend to vibe best to gentle, soothing hues that allow for relaxation. Living rooms can have warmer neutrals, earthy colours or subtle accent colours that make for a welcoming, comfortable look. Dining rooms can be warmer still and home offices can adopt a fresh, productive feeling.

Starting with the purpose of the room helps narrow down your choices.

Consider the Amount of Natural Light

Natural light changes the appearance of a colour during the course of the day. A sunny room with large windows will take more colour and darker shades too.

Rooms with limited natural light may benefit from lighter colours such as cream, beige, soft grey, or pastel shades. These colours can help reflect available light and make the space feel brighter.

Always consider how a colour looks in the actual room rather than relying only on a catalogue or screen.

Choose a Base Colour

The base colour sets the tone for your whole room. White, beige, cream, grey and warm browns are common as they can go with almost everything.

A neutral base in no way has to result in a bland looking room. You can add character by selecting furniture, pictures, cushions, carpets, curtains and accessories in different styles, shapes and designs.

Add Accent Colours

When you have decided your dominant colour, why not introduce up to two accent colours. Accent colours are the colours you add to provide interest to a room and can be used effectively without taking over.

For instance, to neutralize a living room, opt for throws, cushions, pictures, flowers, vases or carpets in green, blue, terracotta, or yellow.

The key is to use accent colours thoughtfully rather than introducing too many competing shades.

Think About Colour Temperature

Colours can also be categorized into warm or cool. Warm colours are reds, oranges, yellows, beiges and terracottas and they are used to add friendliness and make a room lively.

Cool colours such as blue, green, and certain shades of grey can create a calm and refreshing feeling.

You can combine warm and cool colours, but maintaining a sense of balance will help the room feel cohesive.

Follow the 60-30-10 Rule

Here is the 60-30-10 rule. One colour should make up about 60% of the room and another should make up about 30%. A third colour makes up about 10% of the room.

For example, a neutral colour for most walls and furniture, a contrasting colour for some, like the curtains and carpets and a stronger pop for the accessories and cushions.

Create a Colour Palette You Love

The ideal home color scheme shouldn’t just be following the latest trends. It should be a reflection of your personality and relate to where you live, how you live and what you like.

Begin with one color and build. Think about the lighting, add some all over colours, introduce accents, and incorporate a few decorative items and the result will be the individual style you want to create.