Interior Design—Using Color

Do you ever page through decorating magazines and wonder how they achieved a particular look? Is there a room in your house that needs to be updated or refreshed? Were you thinking about decorating the interior of your new home by bravely incorporating some bold or unusual color? And at the last minute, did you chicken out and run straight back to white or beige?

If so, you’ve got an awful lot of company, say local designers. “People are very concerned about a lot of color on the walls,” states one well-known local designer. “People use light, neutral tones on walls—[they put] safer colors on walls.”

He goes on to say a better plan of attack is one most homeowners don’t think of. He suggests to his clients that they choose neutral furnishings and play with paint colors on the walls and ceiling. By exposing them to photos and pictures, he persuades them little by little, telling them, “You have to trust me here.”

Another local designer laughingly agrees. “People are so used to off-white and neutrals, they’re afraid [of color]. It’s just paint—it’s not permanent,” she says.

Color may be changeable, but the shades we choose are still an important decision, especially since we live with them every day. We have a rather circular relationship with color. We use it as an expression of our inner selves, but then those colors turn around and impact how we feel, thus affecting how we act and live our lives. So what colors are best for our homes?

red

Used to express “stop,” the color red is actually very stimulating. It’s associated with assertiveness, strength and determination, but is also very passionate. Because red is friendly and welcoming, it is a good color to use for sitting rooms and hallways. Red also stimulates the appetite, so it is commonly used in dining rooms.

orange

Orange is a cheerful and energetic color. Its vibrancy makes it an ideal color for playrooms and entryways. Since it’s on the warm side of the color spectrum it can be used to enliven dark and gloomy rooms. Use orange in small doses because it is quite overwhelming when used in large areas.

yellow

So closely associated with sunshine, yellow is an optimistic and radiant color that is practically a light source in its own right. For this reason it is a good color in rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light. It fosters creativity and happiness so is often used in children’s rooms, kitchens, and other areas used for entertaining.

green

Because green is so commonly found in nature, it is often associated with growth and new life. Green is a very calming, stabilizing color that is most often used in bedrooms and bathrooms, but works well in any setting. It is a color allied with harmony and rejuvenation.

blue

Blue is one of the colors we see most often in the natural world. It is associated with spaciousness and expansiveness. Some shades are cool and distant while others are bright and fresh. Blue fosters intellectualism and depth while maintaining tranquility and serenity. Its association with water makes it a fitting color for bathrooms, while its restful nature prompts people to use it in bedrooms and living rooms.

purple

A color long associated with royalty, purple is a mysterious color with multiple aspects. Light purple hues can be sweet and refreshing, while dark shades can over saturate the senses. Purple is often associated with creativity and usually incites a strong emotional response in people.

black

Black can be a stifling and oppressive color, especially since it is often associated with mourning, but as an accent color, black is full of drama, sophistication, and refinement.

white

White is clean, simple, and peaceful. When added to other colors it has a softening effect, but when overdone it can create a very stark and sterile environment.

brown

A very natural color, brown can be warm and comforting. Its neutrality complements many other shades, which is why people often use taupes, beiges, and creams when decorating.

Even if you have decided on a particular color, it may be difficult to figure out the perfect shade. Interior design professionals know exactly how to help you with your choice. One local designer urges her cautious clients to purchase a two-ounce sample jar of paint, which costs about $4 and covers a two-foot square patch of wall.

Because color is simply the reflection of light off a surface, the major impact lighting has on a room and its color is undeniable. Interior designers can help pick out light fixtures to help you create the effect you want. They can also help you utilize the natural light that enters a particular room.

An integral part of utilizing natural light is controlling it. Shutters, shades, draperies, sheers and even textured glass can help create a specific lighting and color mood for your room. Consult the professionals for color, fabric, and style advice. They will also be able to direct you to other decorative window treatments such as cornices, swags and valances to top off the perfect look.

But interior designers are able to help you with a lot more than choosing paint colors and lighting. When asked why homeowners should hire a designer, one area professional has a quick and emphatic response. “To help put a whole plan together so you don’t make mistakes that are costly,” she states.

“You can hire a designer to advise you,” she says, adding that she can put a whole plan together for you to carry out bit by bit, or simply help with a specific task such as rearranging your furniture, picking the right paint color, or accessorizing a room. “There’s security in that. It helps you not to make mistakes.”

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