It’s time to paint! But what colors should you choose?
Should you even go with color at all? Many people are afraid of color in their homes, and simply paint all the walls white. But it’s been shown that color in the home can enhance your mood and optimize your living experience.
Not all colors, however, work in all rooms. And designers suggest subscribing to the 60%, 30%, 10% rule – 60% of the room is the dominant color (walls), 30% is the secondary color (usually furniture), and 10% is an accent color (usually found in objects like wall art, vases, and/or flower arrangements).
So bearing all that in mind, here are some color tips for various rooms in your house.
1. Bathroom
If you find yourself dragging into the bathroom every morning and having a hard time waking up, try choosing dynamic colors for your bathroom. These energizing color combos can help you shake the sleep off. Examples of a dynamic color combo include:
- Bright, lime green and electric blue
- Bright yellow, blue, and red (primary colors)
- Bright green and bright yellow
- Orange, electric blue, and bright yellow
- Lime green, fuchsia, bright blue, and yellow
2. Bedroom
Generally speaking, the bedroom should be a color that promotes relaxation and sleep. Harmonious and even monochromatic color schemes are good choices for the bedroom. Natural colors also tend to promote rest and calm. Here are some color suggestions for bedrooms.
- Monochromatic schemes in blue, green, or muted purple
- Soft pink
- “Woodsy” colors like sage or moss green and shades of brown
- Soft blue, pale yellow, and light cream – like a sunny beach
3. Kitchen
In the kitchen, you have a certain choice of as to the room’s role. For some, the kitchen is a gathering place for fun, laughter, and conversation. For others, the kitchen is more of a haven where they can be creative without distractions. Still others may find the kitchen a strictly utilitarian room – a place where tasks get done and then you get out. So here are some thoughts on kitchen colors based on the mood you want to create.
- Red is great for stimulating conversation and getting your blood pumping
- Yellow and orange are said to promote energy and happiness
- Stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and neutral colors like black, gray, and white evoke a more formal, calm feeling
- Wood grain and brown hues create a cozy, woodsy feel
4. Living Room
Perhaps no other room in the house is subject to as much variety as the living room. It really is the room that makes the most pointed statement about your home and sets the mood for guests and family members alike.
Take natural light into account and use light colors to amplify the available light and dark colors to mute it. If you really like a bold color but don’t want to do your whole living room that way, consider an accent wall – an area or alcove that you paint with the bold color scheme that would be “too much” if done throughout the room.
For the living room, think about what you want to present.
- Blue and white makes for a formal, light, and airy look
- Neutral colors open the door for strong accent pieces that you want to stand out
- Brown, beige, and green feel cabin-like and natural
- Yellow evokes sunshine and cheer
- Purples, blues, and grays present a calm and restful look
I hope you have found these tips useful and will soon be adding color to your home!
Photo credit: Mrs G.
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