Add
Color to Your Walls
by Shannon Emmanuel
Looking
for the most impact from a small decorating budget? Or are you
tired of the `builder's white' that is still on your walls since
the house was built? Painting walls a color other than white can
be both exciting and daunting, here's how to do it and get the
job done without having an anxiety attack!
Painting
Walls with Color is Addictive!
It's
true. Just as many women find that cutting off their long hair
releases some hidden desire to cut it shorter and shorter, painting
with color can become addictive and you will crave color –
bolder and more distinctive.
You
can take advantage of this common phenomenon by choosing a softer,
more muted color for one room and building your confidence. Soon
you will be making trips back to the paint store with more confidence
and know-how.
The
truth is, color does not have to be dark or jump out at you to
have an effect. Selecting tinted whites (not necessarily pastel)
can be a great start. For a bit more drama, choose a tinted beige
or gray. These colors, while neutral (beige or tan for warm looks
and gray for cool) have hundreds of slight variations in the undertones
which can mean more yellow, red, blue or green depending on the
light and surroundings.
Some
paint stores can provide you a `true gray' color swatch which
will be composed of only black and white. Ask for this swatch
as it may not be discernable in a sea of color swatches. Compare
the swatch to other grays and you will notice that some have hints
of lavender, blue or green that may become even more pronounced
when you get home. You do want some undertone as this is what
gives the room a vibrancy that straight gray could never do, but
just be sure it's the tone you want.
Trust
Your Instinct
Do
not worry that you aren't coming home with the `perfect' color.
There is no single wall color that is or isn't right for the look
of your home. Keeping in mind the look you want – either
cool and airy, or warm and cozy – is quite enough to get
started. You now have about a thousand colors to choose from.
What
I've found personally, and friends have confirmed, is that going
with your instinct tends to be the best deciding factor. If you
are not going to take the time to paint large test areas in your
home and view them in different lights (a technique employed by
interior decorators) than choose the color that draws you the
most. Our experiences confirmed that we were most happy when using
the color we originally chose from the swatch or from an object
we liked, rather than trying to apply too many design rules to
our decision.
Many
people assume that they should go one or two shades lighter than
the color swatch they've chosen assuming the color will intensify
on the walls. I've heard decorators both confirm and deny this
rule. If you really are torn between two or three, then consider
buying test cans of each and trying them out. Otherwise, when
choosing color for your own home, you probably won't go wrong
choosing the color you like the most.
If
you still can't decide, than try a program like the one at swatchit:
http://www.affprog.com/swatchit/a-12.
Using a photo of your room you can view different wall colors
before making your choice.
Lighting and Color References
The
only design trick you should likely consider is the lighting coming
into your home. Eastern light can wash out colors, so intense
colors work well in this light. Western light intensifies color,
so toned down wall colors may work best unless you want the full
drama. Southern light warms a room while northern light cools.
If
you don't want your rooms to look like an icebox, then you'll
want to be careful using blues and grays in a northern lighted
room. However, using blues and grays with lavender or green undertones
may reduce the effect if that is your chosen color scheme. The
same with Southern light – yellow and red based colors will
intensify and cause the room to sizzle with heat. You may choose
green or even use beige with cool undertones, to reduce the effect
and still be using warm colors.
If
the outdoors has a lot of trees or water, you must also anticipate
that the green or blue will reflect into the home and affect your
color choice.
How Color Helps
Color
is a great way to disguise other design flaws. Even a deep beige
or grey can immediately give your room a pulled together look
that cannot be easily achieved otherwise. If you have white walls,
everything (and I do mean everything) stands out because of the
contrast.
If
you have a home full of designer furnishings or antiques then
shades of white may be perfect in highlighting your collection.
If, like the rest of us, you are putting together some discount
furniture with a selection of special pieces, then you don't want
every piece showcased. A darker wall removes the contrast and
will cause the eye to view the room as a whole rather than jump
from piece to piece. This will also give a cleaner, less distracting
appearance to the room.
Color
also sets a mood. As discussed in reference to lighting, color
can give a cool, airy look or a warm, cozy feel. It also adds
your personality to the room, giving visitors an instant impression
about you. What do your walls say about you?
©
Shannon Emmanuel
Shannon
Emmanuel is a freelance writer and avid home decorating enthusiast.
Find great sources for your decorating projects at http://www.simpledetailsdecor.com