Many people find choosing the right color scheme to be the most overwhelming part of their home decoration process. After all, you have to consider furniture, doors, drapes, and other items before you pick any color. But it doesn't have to be all that difficult, a few simple rules can see through it with ease.
Start with a neutral shade as your backdrop and then build on by adding other contrasting colors with art and accessories. You will need to work with a color wheel and determine what color scheme of the color wheel you want to use. The monochromatic scheme involves using different shades of a single color of the color wheel. The analogous color scheme consists of using colors that appear next to each other on the color wheel to create a colorful arrangement. You may also decide to do a contrast scheme that consists of using a triad of contrasting colors. For a bolder look, use the complementary scheme— two opposing colors for the interior.
You should also consider how the lighting will change the appearance of colors within your home at different times of the day. You may have to use sample swatch cards in the colors you are thinking of using, or paint on to a card in that color and carry it around the house, testing it in different lighting conditions. Before you commit, you may even decide on painting small areas of each room to see how the colors will complement each other around the house.
Having decided on the colors you want to use, you should look at how it will flow into the general design of the room. Bear in mind the kind of furniture and upholstery you either already have present in the house or you intend to purchase. Your colors have to fit in with these generally so deciding on the exact shade of color you want should come last in what you are doing.
The entire process should not be a stressful one if you put enough planning into it. Visit with paint professionals in the paint store and ask how each color complement each other. You can bring home as many test samples as you can until you find your perfect mix. Remember, however, at the end of the day, the final decision lies with you. Your color scheme should reflect you, seeing as it is your home. So, don't hurry, take your time to reach the decision.
If you are choosing colors to sell your home, ask your real estate professional about trending neutrals in your area.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.