How do I choose paint colours for my home?

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and redesign one of your rooms. They say a change is as good as a rest, but where do you begin? We’d suggest starting with changing the colour of your room and going from there.

Choosing the right paint colour can make all the difference. By doing some research and reviewing your options, you’re less likely to panic that you’ve made the wrong decision as soon as you apply the first brushstroke to the wall!

Transforming a room is all about the preparation, the colour scheme and the lighting, and bringing these together will help you create a space you will want to spend time in.

Preparation

Think about the colours you love to wear, where you like to spend your time and the hobbies you enjoy. What colours do you associate with the things you love? These are the shades that will add personality to your space, while also enhancing the mood you want to create.

Inspiration is everywhere. Furniture, artwork and clothing are a good reflection of your taste and can help to guide you. Magazines and social media can also help you to choose a colour scheme. Be sure to enjoy the preparation as this is the really fun bit! Be mindful not to get too engrossed in it though. There’s so much choice out there that you can easily become frustrated. Sometimes the first colour scheme you liked is the one you’ll eventually decide on!

I’d suggest creating a mood board. You could do this either on a blank piece of white card and cut out your favourite images and colours and even photos of the furniture you’ll be using. Or you can create a digital mood board using Pinterest or a PowerPoint presentation. This will give you a visual guide of what your room could look like and whether it really is what you want.

Colour scheme

Different colours suit different rooms, so the first step is to assess the space. If the room is north facing and feels cool, warm tones will make it feel more welcoming. If the room faces south and has the sun on it for most of the day, you can generally choose most colours, even dramatic dark tones. Don’t be afraid to go bold and paint an entire room in your favourite colour. If it’s a large and sunny room it can take a dark colour, and it will add the level of sophistication that you wish to create. There are no rules; small spaces can look great painted in dark bold colours too, creating a dramatic theme, such as in a downstairs bathroom. Equally, large kitchen/dining areas look striking in light neutral colours. And if you like a quirky piece of furniture or artwork then go for it as it’s your home and it should reflect your personality! It also creates the interest or focus in the room. Think about how you’ll use the room. Is it for eating, working, relaxing or sleeping? Choose colours that reflect the mood you want to achieve. Cool, muted shades evoke calm, while strong, vibrant colours will energise you.

Lighting

Colours can change dramatically depending on your lighting. One thing to bear in mind is that the colour on your walls will not look the same all day. Natural light changes throughout the day and is affected by a room’s location. Artificial light changes with the type of bulbs you use. Halogen and incandescent bulbs emit a yellow light, which makes colours appear warmer, while white bulbs tend to give off a blue light, resulting in a cooler tone. One solution to this is to test the colour on your walls in both natural daylight and artificial evening light, considering which spaces you use in the morning and night. Also, adding floor and wall lights will create a cosy welcoming effect for any room.

We hope that this has given you some insight into redesigning your room and that you’ll enjoy the journey!

Strive for Design founder Leigh Hall is an interior designer in Cambridge and offers virtual styling, telephone consultations and on-site appointments, so please call us on 01223 622 688 for an initial discussion.