How to Match Colors in Your Home
If your home is designed in plain white because you are afraid to make mistakes with a variety of colors, know that you do not need to be a designer to enjoy a colorful and warm home.
The right way to choose colors for a space is to treat them as if they were shades in your wardrobe. Everything that works for clothing can also work for walls and furniture.
A common misconception is that small spaces must be painted in light tones.
This is not true you can find stunning upholstery fabrics in many colors that enhance the space. Another myth is that white, associated with modernity, is always the best choice.
Harmony in color can survive for centuries, as seen in European palaces, where white does not mean an unfinished space.
So how do you match colors in a space?
- First, think not about a single color, but about a harmony of colors. Harmony means using at least three colors. This is less limiting and less intimidating than being locked into a single color.
- The dominant color in the harmony should appear at least twice or three times in the space. The eye seeks at least two points where each color appears.
- Use a color fan to define shades, remembering that harmonies can be contrasting, monochromatic, or analogous. There is no need for all three colors to belong to the same shade or family.
- Treat home colors like clothing colors. Everything suitable to wear can be adapted to the home. Consider if you would wear the color yourself. One approach is to choose a main color you love and match two additional colors to it. Matching colors can be a learned skill.
At some point, a bold decision must be made regarding the base color, such as the color of a sofa or a structural element.
It is similar to choosing an outfit in the morning and deciding what matches it jeans, skirt, sandals, shoes, bag, glasses, or jewelry.
Many architects and designers create a space without considering color and only choose furniture upholstery colors at the end, after selecting walls, floors, moldings, and woodwork.
It is better to consider color choices at the beginning, which makes the design process much easier.
Other tips to help choose colors at the start of the process:
Find an anchor point in the space, such as windows, views, the character of the room, or ceiling height.
These help select the right colors.
Define a style suitable for the space and people, such as classic, Mediterranean, modern, or Japanese. Reference professional books or magazines for guidance.
Select a color palette using samples from clothing, threads, laminate, or pictures to create a preferred range of colors.
Pay attention to proportions.
Even if you love a particular color on a small piece of furniture, consider how much area it will cover. Dark fabric on a large sofa can be overwhelming.
Curtains have become an important design element. It is better to choose them early, but they can also be added at the end to correct color mistakes and set the tone of the home.
Finally, remember the emotion that color brings.
White spaces are fine, but color allows so much more expression.
Color is a language that must be learned and practiced.
Once you start using it, you will not regret it.