Choosing a Colour Scheme for your Home | Expert Tips

Design and colour go hand in hand. Whether it’s the colour scheme in your bedroom, or the colour scheme on your exterior, choosing well is vital. But it’s not always easy. There’s such a massive array of colours to choose from. So how do you get it right? Well, the first thing to try is expert advice.

An opinion from a design specialist will certainly point you in the right direction. But there’s plenty you can do if you’re going it alone, too. To help kick things off, we’ve listed a few of our go-to tips below. These approaches help us pick the best colour scheme, every time!

Consider colour context: How will your prospective colour scheme fit into your home?

Colour context is all-important. It’s the difference between a confused décor, and a settled ambience. But what exactly is it? Essentially, colour context is all about integration. What is your current design centred on, and how will colours interact with those themes? It might sound a little complex and theoretical, but in reality, colour context is more about feel than anything. Simply look around your home, and take in the ambience.

Recognise areas that offer focal points, and try to define them. For example, you might have a reading space that feels a little subdued and gentle. You might also have a kitchen that feels a little brighter, and more energetic. Pay attention to those feelings, and find a colour that matches the context.

Consult the spectrum: Colour cards and colour wheels are a great way to get a visual on your scheme

Choosing colours off the top of your head is almost impossible. There are countless different tones, shades, and hues to choose from. Chances are, the right one for you is one you’ve never seen before! That’s why a visual representation of your options is vital. You need the interior designer’s best friend: the colour wheel! Colour wheels demonstrate a complete spectrum of colours, from black to white, and everything in between. Of course, some are more detailed than others, but all can be useful. You can normally get them from your local paint or hardware store, too.

Darks down below, and brights on the ceiling: Choose your colour scheme from top to bottom!

If you’ve picked a colour spectrum of your own, the next step is allocation. Where will each colour go? That can be a challenge in itself. Luckily, there’s a really simply rule that can help: darks on the bottom! You may have noticed that most houses have darker floors and brighter ceilings. There’s a great reason for that: spaciousness. Lighter ceilings and walls give your home an airy, spacious ambience. At the same time, darker floors give you a feeling of groundedness. Combined, these factors can contribute to a terrific colour scheme.

Do you have a patterned focal point? Choose your colour scheme based on its neutral tones

If you’ve got a glorious centrepiece – say a rug, or wall hanging – use it to your advantage. Patterned centrepieces can guide your colour scheme to great effect. The easiest approach to take is to find a recurring or neutral tone on the focal piece. By then replicating that colour or tone elsewhere in your home, you can great a subtle, but very effective colour scheme.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment! Choosing a colour scheme is more art than science

Sure, we’ve given you a few ‘rules’ and ‘techniques’ to get you through your colour scheme search. But in reality, there are no rules! Don’t feel constricted by the principles we’ve listed – they’re for guiding purposes only. At the end of the day, you need to go with what feels right for you.

Luckily, the experts at Adina Interiors can help there. Their job is to balance the principles of design, with your feelings and preferences. With their help, you are guaranteed a great outcome.