As a professional, I get asked many times about the use of color. It scares but, on the other hand, excites many people. They want to know what is the best approach in picking colors. What follows are some suggestions you may find helpful.

Keep a Color File

You will find it easier to make decorating decisions if you establish an ideas file. Whenever you see something that strikes you, clip it, and put it into your file. Magazine photos, fabric swatches, wallpaper samples and paint chips. You will find that when the time comes to decorate, it will provide an overview of your personal preferences, styles and colors.

Carry Colors with You

Never try to remember a color in your mind. Always carry color samples with you and before purchasing an item, check the color against the sample. Paint chips are a great substitute for fabric swatches. For example, if you cannot get a piece of the leather sofa you love, match a paint chip to the leather and carry the paint chip.

Don’t Be Afraid of Color

Think of homes you have been in that have used color. Did you find them exciting or motivating to be in? We live in a world of color, why should your home be any different. Paint is the least expensive way to introduce color into your life.

Let There Be Light

Light affects how a color will appear. North light and daylight fluorescent bulbs bring out more green and blue in a color. Cool tones. Regular incandescent light bulbs bring out the red in a color. Warm tones.

Night Light

When selecting paint colors, it is important that you view the color at night as well as in the day. If you are away from home mostly during the day, your perception of the color will change in night light conditions. It is important to note that daylight is the light that comes through your windows, not the direct light outdoors. Always choose color in the setting in which it will be used.

Color Changes from Chip

When you look at a paint chip in your hand it will appear differently when applied to your walls. Be sure to view paint color selections in the setting and on the surface in which they will be used- not in the paint store. Make certain you consider the finish of paint as well, for example, eggshell, semi-gloss, flat etc. The finish will alter the appearance of the color. The quality of paint will also have a bearing on how the final color will appear.

Which White is White?

White is white, right? The term white is relative. If two white chips are placed beside each other, one may appear cleaner than the other. In fact, even off white may be considered white depending on what color it is placed beside, particularly against darker colors like navy blue or black. Some whites are warm in tone while others are cool toned. It is significant to know which tone you need. If your room is beige, then a warm tone white will complement it. A cool toned white against the warm beige color will make the white appear dirty.

White Out

White or high light reflecting colors should be used carefully on floors since they draw the eye down. A too bright floor can cause a white out effect that will cause everything else in the room to appear small and isolated. Too much white minimizes everything else around it. It is the only thing you see. You need to be conscious of this when using color on the walls.

Divided Rooms

To visually divide a room, paint two adjacent walls a dark color and the other two walls neutral. This will draw the eye into the dark corner, which will feel heavier. A word of caution, balance will be needed on the lighter side with additional furniture or wall decor and accessories. This technique should not be used in small spaces. Even in larger rooms it can give a disjointed feel to the space.

I hope this has helped, but when in doubt, hire a professional designer or decorator. They have been trained in the use of color. An hour spent on their time might save you 10s of hours of your time by picking the correct color the first time.

This article was provided by CPI Interiors. Catherine Pulcine is President and founder of CPI Interiors and can be reached at 613-599-5564 ext 22 toll free at 1-866-446-4415 ext 22 or via email at catherine@cpiinteriors.ca. For more decorating ideas visit the web site at www.cpiinteriors.ca .