Using color is the most powerful, yet least expensive weapon in a designer’s arsenal. Paint colors affect a person’s emotions, energy level, and sense of order.
The skillful selection of color creates the difference between a formal vs. informal space… a cool and sophisticated room vs. a lively, family-friendly one.
Some of the important roles color can play:
- Creating ambience
- Focusing or diverting attention
- Making a room feel larger (or smaller)
- Breaking up and defining areas
- Unifying spaces
Muted colors and rich materials create a sense of restfulness and order. Pure colors advance and dominate for attention. It’s usually best to use the strongest, most dominant colors in the smallest amounts, otherwise they can overpower the room.
One final tip: A small color swatch always ends up being deceptive. It’s impossible to visualize the effect of the color. Always paint a test patch in the actual location it will be used. Since different surfaces in the room receive different amounts of light, ceiling colors should be tested on the ceiling, wall colors on the wall, etc. Remember to observe the color in the morning, afternoon, and evening… it will change depending on the quality of light throughout the day.
