Color Selection

COLOR SELECTION Step by Step Color Selection Identify the "fixed" elements of your room that you are not planning on changing. For example, furniture, rugs, fireplace, color of woodwork or tiling, etc. All paint colors must coordinate with theses elements. Identify the room's natural attributes, such as room size and lighting, and the way in which you want the color of the room to affect those attributes. Keep in mind cool (blue, violet and green), dark colors recede and seem to pull away from you, making the room seem larger, while warm (red, orange and yellow), light colors expand and seem to come towards you, making the room seem smaller. It's important that you make a final selection only after viewing a sample of your color choice in the room you are painting so you can see how natural and artificial light affects the color. Identify what the room will be use for-rest, play, work or dining. Think about what colors make you feel comfortable, energetic or inspired. Keep in mind the colors you choose to work with will determine whether the environment is dramatic or subtle. Some colors are associated with moods. Here are some basic associations: red-energy & passion, orange-active & inviting, yellow-bright & sunny, green-calm & serene, blue-refreshing & inspiring, purple-cleansing & smoothing, neutrals-subtle & elegant . Start with colors in tones that naturally appeal to you. Tip: outline a large photocopy of a picture of your room. Duplicate this several times to get a few black & whites images. Use colored pencils to experiment with different color schemes and you'll be ahead of the game before you turn to chips or actual paint samples. Use the following basic color palettes as color selection guides: MONOCHROMATIC COLOR PALETTE:Using just one color and varying that color's intensities from pale to bold, light to dark can create a room décor that is exciting or serene. Start with the walls and select a soft color. Select a trim color or accent wall color by identifying the color two shades darker on the same color chip. COMPLEMENTARY COLOR PALETTE:Complementary colors- colors that actually oppose each other on the color wheel- can be used together for stunning results. Start with a trim color or fabric color in a rich shade. Select "complement" of that color for your walls by finding the color across from it on the color wheel. ANALOGOUS COLOR PALETTE:By using colors that are next to one another on the color wheel and similar in tone, you can create a dramatic but elegant color design for your room. Start by selecting three colors that are next to one another on the color wheel that are similar tone. Use one of the colors more dominantly and the other two as accents. For more information in Color Selection go to DiscountPaint.net