Looking to spread some holiday cheer with an updated decor this season? Start by decking the walls of your home with a fresh coat of paint, even if it means a break with tradition, says leading architectural paint brand PARA Paints.

Unexpected color combinations are the current trend, and the holiday season is no exception," says Melanie Rice, Color Advisor for PARA Paints and a member of the Virginia-based international color forecaster, Color Marketing Group. "The holidays are an occasion to spread joy, and an effective way of doing so is through color. There’s no such thing as the word “no” when selecting a palette at this time of year, so why not try something different," she adds.

While anything “festive” goes for the holiday season, hot color combinations for decorating include dark browns mixed with deep purple, turquoise blue, raspberry or gold, vibrant greens paired with bright citrus yellows, and dark blues coupled with grays and highlighted with shimmery metallic tones of gold, silver, pewter, iron or brass. Also popular are medium browns and earth-based oranges combined with reds, mauvy-pinks, creams and ivory.

An increase in globalization has created broader exposure to the colors of the world, particularly when it comes to fashion, says Rice, leading to color choices that are predominantly rich and saturated, and as diverse as the cultures they represent.

Don’t know what colour scheme to choose for your own decor? Consider these tips for inspiration:

• Study your ornaments. You initially chose them for the good feelings they evoked, and continue to haul them out year after year. Now, consider using your holiday decorations as the basis for a color scheme. Choose favorite family ornaments, linens or seasonal collectibles and work from there. Any color can serve as a backdrop to silver, gold and metallic decorations, while brown or ivory goes well with traditional red and green. Purple and green offset blue nicely, and deep red, mustard or grey are a good match for green and white. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless.
• Turn back the clock. Fond childhood memories can serve as inspiration for a holiday color palette. If gingerbread houses come to mind, choose brown as your main color and pair it with bright, candy-colored accents. If it’s tinsel or snowflakes that give you good feelings, try a shimmery theme based on silver metallic tones, with pink or blue as accents. Warm memories of bowls full of cranberries, beaded fruits and pine cones, can be translated into a natural decor of earth tones combined with navy, burgundy or green.
• Create a "presents." Some of the best color combinations can be found in holiday gift wrap. Visit your local store to select a few patterns that most appeal to you. Even ribbons and bows can provide fresh ideas for combining colors. Select your favorite color from your choices for the dominant wall color of your room, and one or two secondary colors to use as accents, either painted on one wall only, or on frames, trim and doors.
• Go for shock value. If you want to have some fun this holiday season, try choosing a color scheme that contrasts with your home decor. Combining bold and brilliant colors on opposite ends of the color wheel, such as deep purple and burnt orange, brown and pink, or blue and gold, can be striking and are sure to make your guests smile.

When making your colour selections, remember most colors will mix well as long as they are of equal depth and intensity. Pastels like mint green, soft blue or baby pink, blend nicely with other pastels, while deep jewel tones such as ruby red, forest green and navy blue also combine well. “If you’re ready to express your festive side, go ahead and do it with color,” says Rice, noting that even a freshly painted accent wall or piece of furniture will make a difference.

This article was provided by Para Paints. More information can be found at www.para.com , by visiting your local PARA Paints dealer, or calling 1-800-461-PARA.