Selecting Wall Color

Changing the color of the walls, and you transform a room completely. Some of the most expensive elements when redecorating are drapes and upholstery. However you can make a significant difference in a room by simply changing the wall color. Paint is relatively cheap and can make a much larger impact than any amount of fabric you could add to a room.

When you’re looking to repaint a room, you should in fact start by looking at the fabrics in the room. There are fewer colors available for flooring and fabrics than there are colors of paint, so you should decide on these elements first and only then begin looking at paint colors.

Starting with your fabric, you’ll probably think of a few colors which they suggest, each of which will result in a completely different look and feel. Think about the colors which will work well with your fabrics and consider what kind of feel you are trying to create in the room.

Choose from Fabric Colors
When using the fabrics in a room as the jumping off point, take a swatch of the fabric along with you when shopping for paints. You’ll want paint which brings out the colors of the fabric. While the paint doesn’t need to match the fabric, they should harmonize. Using a paint which is slightly darker or lighter than the fabric can add a feeling of depth to the room.

The exception to this rule is matching paint and draperies. This makes the room seem larger by having an unbroken expanse of color.

If you want an exact match with your fabrics, take a swatch along and use a spectrometer (most paint stores and home improvement shops have one) to create an exact match of the color. Keep in mind that this can only be done with solid colors however, a spectrometer can’t read the color of a pattern.

You can make light colored furniture stand out by using a darker color for the walls. This can be a dramatic contrast; not everyone finds this pleasing, so compare paint chips with your fabrics first. If you have matching drapes and walls, this will make fabrics the focal point of the room since it will be a contrasting element. By the same token, lighter colored walls will draw the eye to the darker colored drapes.

Keep in mind that paint chips do not necessarily reflect how a given color will look once painted on your walls. You should test colors on a small area of your wall or on a piece of poster board during the day as well as night so you can assess how the color looks in your home.

If you’re looking for a neutral color, try a shade or two stronger than the color you have your eye on. Using a slightly deeper tone will liven up the room – neutrals can be a little bland over a large area.

Texture should also be taken into account. If your walls are stucco, they will appear darker, since a rough surface is less reflective.

Pick a Color You Love
If you have a primary color in a room (for instance, the color of a sofa or a bedspread) to work with, you may actually have too many options; use a color wheel to help you find harmonious colors.

When you start with a solid colored fabric, you can create a less "matchy" look which is more sophisticated – you’ll also have a lot of latitude as far as colors go.

You can use the color wheel to help harmonize with any solid colored fabric. Create a unified theme by repeating the color of your walls in accents to your décor – you can also choose to use accents to work with the color of your upholstery.

Light and Color
Remember that the colors in your home will look different depending on the amount and type of light which the room receives.

You most likely have incandescent bulbs in your home; these provide a warm and yellowish light. There are also newer bulbs which can make the colors in your décor appear clearer.

These halogen bulbs give off a white light which makes colors appear more intense. However, a halogen bulb is more expensive than an incandescent one and need to be handled carefully. There are also fluorescent bulbs, which give off a bright, clear light. If you are using these bulbs, go for daylight balanced ones, these have a light which is more natural in appearance.

The natural light in your home will depend on weather, the time of day and your location (for instance, the light is genuinely different in Tucson than in say, Chicago).

Trees are great to have around your home, but keep in mind that they will give a slight greenish tinge to the light that comes in. Some yellows can be given an unappealing look at brighter times of year; be sure to think carefully about these colors.

Barrister Bookcases
After changing the color of your walls make sure to add a little elegance with a solid wood barrister bookcase to enhance to look of your home.