Don’t Go Spinning Your (Colour) Wheels! Finding the Right Colour Scheme Made Easy

You’ve likely seen the home improvement shows where people instinctively know the best home makeover styles, the right colour scheme for their colour wheel, and yes, the true feng for their shui. Maybe you’ve even found yourself yelling at the tv,Brilliant Blue?? Those samples are all JUST the colour BLUE.” Maybe, in the world of interior design, you feel like a single drop of paint in a very large bucket.

Whatever the case, as you stare at your own home design, you may be wondering if it wouldn’t just be easier to live with exposed sheetrock and shabby-not-so-chic yard sale finds. Where do you start? And when is a design professional coming to your rescue?

Colours Colours, Everywhere

Take a deep breath: there is good news for those who are design challenged. Start with one aspect and make it brilliant. For instance, knowing the importance of the colours you choose can save any design, every time. At Barrydowne Paint, we would be (pardon the pun, but it’s true) tickled Petunia Pink to help you narrow down your options.

Sometimes, though, the first step in narrowing is looking at the broader picture. First, familiarize yourself with the Benjamin Moore colour gallery, with paints in so many shades and colours, your eyes will dance at the fun. There are several aspects to choosing the best colour scheme for your interior design style, elements for you to consider as you bring your plan to life.

The Friends and Neighbours Plan

Remember Brilliant Blue that left you feeling less than brilliant in the earlier example? The truth is, any choice on the colour wheel will have friends that compliment and neighbours that clash with what makes them beautiful choices. (By the way, Brilliant Blue looks great paired with Beacon Gray, if you’re wondering)

Don’t just focus on a monotone appearance to your colouring. Give some contrast and add some depth by letting a colour scheme community (so to speak) come out and play.

Is It Your House, or NOT?

When you are choosing the colour scheme for the room you are decorating, a great point to stick close to is–it’s your house! Possibly the best advice you can give yourself during this design journey is to just let your colours speak for you. Gypsy Rose doesn’t give quite the same speech to your guests as, say, Graphite.

Chances are, you’re planning to live in your home at least long enough to unpack the sweater Aunt Sally gave you last Christmas that looks like it was made for a creature from Middle Earth. (Side Note: For the sake of fashion eyes everywhere, please don’t wear that sweater–just be polite and unpack it, in case she snoops in your closet when she visits next Christmas.) In the same way, the clothes you buy are an expression of who you are; so too should be the colour scheme of your house.

The Little Black Dress of Design

One good piece of advice to consider in your colour scheme is the fact that a little pop of black in each room will go a long way in helping the other colours come to life. But be careful: it’s a delicate balance. Too much black, the room could be dark and dingy looking, so add a lampshade here, a bookshelf there, and watch your colour scheme take ten steps forward.

Whatever colours you choose, be sure to explore your options. Let your creativity shine. Paint can always be repainted, for a small fee. But letting your colour scheme run free–that is a priceless part of your interior design style.You’ve likely seen the home improvement shows where people instinctively know the best home makeover styles, the right colour scheme for their colour wheel, and yes, the true feng for their shui. Maybe you’ve even found yourself yelling at the tv, “Brilliant Blue?? Those samples are all JUST the colour BLUE.” Maybe, in the world of interior design, you feel like a single drop of paint in a very large bucket.

Whatever the case, as you stare at your own home design, you may be wondering if it wouldn’t just be easier to live with exposed sheetrock and shabby-not-so-chic yard sale finds. Where do you start? And when is a design professional coming to your rescue?

Colours Colours, Everywhere

Take a deep breath: there is good news for those who are design challenged. Start with one aspect and make it brilliant. For instance, knowing the importance of the colours you choose can save any design, every time. At Barrydowne Paint, we would be (pardon the pun, but it’s true) tickled Petunia Pink to help you narrow down your options.

Sometimes, though, the first step in narrowing is looking at the broader picture. First, familiarize yourself with the Benjamin Moore colour gallery, with paints in so many shades and colours, your eyes will dance at the fun. There are several aspects to choosing the best colour scheme for your interior design style, elements for you to consider as you bring your plan to life.

The Friends and Neighbours Plan

Remember Brilliant Blue that left you feeling less than brilliant in the earlier example? The truth is, any choice on the colour wheel will have friends that compliment and neighbours that clash with what makes them beautiful choices. (By the way, Brilliant Blue looks great paired with Beacon Gray, if you’re wondering.)

Don’t just focus on a monotone appearance to your colouring. Give some contrast and add some depth by letting a colour scheme community (so to speak) come out and play.

Is It Your House, or NOT?

When you are choosing the colour scheme for the room you are decorating, a great point to stick close to is–it’s your house! Possibly the best advice you can give yourself during this design journey is to just let your colours speak for you. Gypsy Rose doesn’t give quite the same speech to your guests as, say, Graphite.

Chances are, you’re planning to live in your home at least long enough to unpack the sweater Aunt Sally gave you last Christmas that looks like it was made for a creature from Middle Earth. (Side Note: For the sake of fashion eyes everywhere, please don’t wear that sweater–just be polite and unpack it, in case she snoops in your closet when she visits next Christmas.) In the same way, the clothes you buy are an expression of who you are; so too should be the colour scheme of your house.

The Little Black Dress of Design

One good piece of advice to consider in your colour scheme is the fact that a little pop of black in each room will go a long way in helping the other colours come to life. But be careful: it’s a delicate balance. Too much black, the room could be dark and dingy looking, so add a lampshade here, a bookshelf there, and watch your colour scheme take ten steps forward.

Whatever colours you choose, be sure to explore your options. Let your creativity shine. Paint can always be repainted, for a small fee. But letting your colour scheme run free–that is a priceless part of your interior design style.

-Kelly Scott