Paint Schemes

Colors have a deep effect on the mind, and when you view them in large chunks such as on walls, the effect is only magnified. As such, depending on what you are looking for, you would decide on getting specific paint schemes for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. It all depends on the kind of mood you want to create when deciding on your interior decorating project. Do you want the vibrancy of red, or a soothing sea green? Do you want to light up your room with a charming, bright yellow, or seek richness of color by using gold and brown? This you can decide by making a choice with the help of some of the ideas given below.

Types of Color Schemes

Let's understand the different types of color schemes that are usually followed when deciding on a paint color scheme.

• Monochromatic Color Scheme: The monochromatic color scheme is one where one color is dominant, in all its shades and tints. For instance, if you choose the color blue, a room could be based on baby blue, deep blue, and sky blue with a dash of white.
• Analogous Color Scheme: On the color wheel, two colors adjacent to each other form the analogous color scheme. Here, one color is predominant, while the other is used to enhance the predominant color. One may consider this slightly similar to the monochromatic color scheme.
• Triadic Color Scheme: On the color wheel, the triadic color scheme involves the use of three evenly spaced colors on the color wheel. It does not provide a stark contrast in colors, but often adds balance in terms of color. This means along with paint colors, the triadic color scheme could be incorporated in terms of furniture and accessories.

The principles of these color schemes have given birth to some of the best home and office paint color schemes. You too may be able to decide on the choice of colors for your space depending on these color schemes.

Theme-Based Paint Schemes

Paint color combinations can be broadly categorized under different themes and styles, namely, modern/contemporary, rustic, traditional, and retro. While any color can be used in any paint scheme, combining it with other colors, and keeping in mind the other elements of interior designing while doing so, will decide the ultimate style of the room.

The Traditional Theme
Traditional themes are defined by the Victorian style, where intricate motifs, moldings and carvings were the order of the day. Till date, a lot of people prefer decorating their houses in this manner, and would like to use paint schemes associated with it. With traditional interior paint schemes, red, gold, brown, and deeper, rich colors have always found their place. Particularly when wainscoting is a part of the home décor, highlighting the portion above this detail with colors such as these add to a grand look. All these colors can be beautifully combined with each other, and used within any home.

The Rustic Theme
By nature, the rustic theme is warm and slightly more inclined towards nature. Though bright interior paint colors can be a part of it, it is darker in nature, tending towards gold, brown, teal gray, grayish blue, wooden colors, and black. Usually colors such as gray and black are deeply overbearing when used in large amounts. As such, it is a good idea to have them in a room in snatches. For instance, simply one wall in these colors, with some kind of rustic wall art will add the right amount to the room. Gray should ideally be used with white, and black would make a great combination with colors in golden tones.

The Retro Theme
The retro theme basically refers to styles of the 70s that ruled the world of fashion and interiors. Characterized by bold colors and prints such as polka dots and large floral prints, this is one theme that clearly screams brightness and boldness. Red, pink, purple, orange, gray, black, and white, can all be used along with furniture with retro prints to make the most of this theme. Usually, orange, black and white are one of the better paint color combinations for a bedroom, while red, black, gray and white are great paint color schemes for the living room.

The Modern/Contemporary Theme
The modern theme is what is most prevalent at this time, under the purview of which again, all colors can fall easily. Sleek designs and minimalism form the core of this modern or contemporary theme. As such, the freedom to add a dash of brighter colors in the color scheme is available. Choose from red and white, black and red, blue and beige, beige and green, purple and blue, yellow and gray, orange and gray, etc. All these interior paint colors and combinations can be beautifully utilized in the modern setting.

Room-Based Paint Schemes

While the aforementioned ideas were based on interior design themes, there are specific room color schemes that help decide what kind of paint colors you should go for.

Living Room
Living rooms usually give a minor representation of the style your house stands for, which is why it should be designed slightly formally. As such, the colors would be the same. It is not outrageous to consider a red or an orange for your living room, given the fact that this bright color is balanced by appropriate use of lighter furniture and accessories. For paint schemes suitable for living rooms, you may take the information presented in these articles.

• Living Room Color Schemes

Bedroom
The bedroom is pretty much what you want it to be. Rich, cozy, colorful, bright, soft, are all the kinds of styles you can make use of when choosing a paint color scheme for your bedroom. Paint schemes also differ based on the type of bedroom it is. For instance, the scheme for kids rooms will be different from that of a master bedroom. For paint schemes for bedrooms, you may take a look at these articles.

• Color Schemes for Bedrooms
• Bedroom Colors and Moods

Kitchen
If you are someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, you have to ensure that it is appealing enough for you to attract you to spend enough time there. As such, it should not be too dark, not only in terms of paint color, but also the color choice of cabinetry and tiles, particularly if the kitchen is small. Ultimately of course, it is your choice and depending on what color you are most comfortable with, you may choose from any of these kitchen color schemes.

Bathroom
Similar to the bedroom, the type of color schemes you employ in bathrooms depends on the type they are. A guest bathroom will appear different from the master bathroom, and distinctly different from a bathroom meant for kids. To learn more about appropriate color schemes for bathrooms, you may refer to this information on:

• Bathroom Color Schemes
• Bathroom Color Schemes and Accessories

Exterior
There are numerous ways of deciding on paint schemes for houses' exteriors. The architectural style will determine the kind of color you want to go for, then the dominant color scheme in the neighborhood, the climatic conditions of the area you live in, etc. are all essential considerations to be kept in mind while choosing colors for an exterior. For some help in this regard you may take a look at these articles on:

• Popular Exterior Paint Colors
• Exterior House Color Schemes
• Exterior Paint Color Schemes
• Exterior Paint Schemes for Houses

Based on the aforementioned color schemes, themes or specific paint color schemes for rooms, you may pick one of your choice and create a perfect haven for yourself. Remember, colors have a strong effect on your mood, so try and feel the color before you apply it and regret your decision. Finally, your perception of colors that go well together may vary from the general consensus. As long as you believe a particular paint scheme looks good in a particular setting, you may go ahead with it. After all, it is you who has to live with it. Enjoy the colors you choose, and you are sure to love your brand new space!