Choosing the right colour

To try a new colour in a room is rewarding in more than one way. Firstly, because the effect is so immediate; even the initial brush strokes give you an idea of the final result. A fresh coat of paint can also dramatically transform a space. So, big impact for a relatively low investment!

But how does one know which colour to choose? Here are a few considerations to get you started:

1) The location of the room. What direction does it face? How much, and what kind of, light does it get? North-facing rooms tend to have a bluish, cool tone. If you want to play up that feeling, opt for a hue with a cool undertone (bluish, greenish). If you want to warm up the room, choose a warmer colour (red, orange, yellow). There are also cool and warm neutrals. Taupe, for example, is warmer than grey.

2) What activities will take place in the room? A bathroom lends itself to a cooler colour scheme (blues, greens). Some people also prefer their bedrooms in those cooler hues for a soothing effect. For any room where social activities will take place, warmer colours are preferable.

3) What colours are present in adjacent rooms? Ideally, there should be a smooth transition between rooms.

4) What colours already exist in the room? Make sure the new colour works with the colour of the flooring, pieces of furniture, and so on.

5) If you still don't know which colour to choose, take a look at yourself. What colours do you look good in and what colours make you happy?

In my next posting I'll tell you how to try different colour options at home. Stay tuned! In the meantime, I'd love to receive your questions about colour... Do you have a painting project on the go?