Some people prefer to keep their homes pristine and white, while others might favor brighter colors and enjoy having some variety around. When it comes to interior design, sometimes color alone can truly end up telling a story. Mark Needleman is the owner and design director of Signature Interiors, a business that has been serving Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire since 1995, and he feels that wall, furniture, and floor color can play a huge role in creating household atmospheres.
As a general rule, the darker a color is, the more visual space it is likely to take up. By incorporating darker colors such as burgundy, deep blue, and chocolate brown into a room, you might end up making the area look smaller overall. Lighter colors, on the other hand, work to reflect light and open up spaces. For cramped areas, Needleman usually suggests sticking to pale or neutral tones. Cream, yellow, light beige, and soft gray can all work to make an otherwise tiny room look nice and wide open.
On the other hand, Needleman’s philosophy is that people shouldn’t feel the need to be afraid of color; rather, they should simply be aware of the effects that various colors can have on a given space. If you happen to be drawn to the look of darker hues, then feel free to use them - though Needleman suggests reserving those truly bold shades for areas with plenty of movement and windows. Another thing to keep in mind is that color can generate heat when sunlight bounces off of it; so the presence of dark walls and floors could turn an otherwise temperate room into a sauna during those peak hours of sun exposure.
Another thing to note about colors is that they can truly work to generate emotion. Therefore, it’s important to choose colors that will enable you to indulge in the areas of life that you tend to appreciate the most. If you’re looking to create a relaxing den or reading room, then you might be best off with colors that are soft and neutral. If you enjoy cooking and eating fine food, then consider a bold red paint for your dining room walls, as it will liven up the room and help whet your appetite for whatever delicious feast you’ve got in store.
One room in the house where color tends to play a particularly significant role is none other than the master bedroom. Since the bedroom is supposed to serve as your own personal sanctuary, it’s important to choose colors that will lend to this type of environment. Soft green tends to be a popular choice for bedrooms, as it is both soothing and conducive to sleeping. Colors such as yellow, cream, and greenish-gray are also calming and inviting bedroom options.
While most people don’t tend to have too much difficulty painting their homes, the color selection process is a different story. After all, it’s one thing to glance at a paint swatch and like what you see, but it’s another thing to incorporate that color into an existing environment. If a certain color looks interesting to you but you’re not confident that it will actually work in practice, then Needleman suggests that before you go ahead with the full paint job, invest in a quart of paint and do a little spot test on the wall of the targeted bedroom or area. This will give you a better idea as to how the color in question will work within its intended environment. To keep your sampling under wraps, try conducting your spot tests in areas where pictures or mirrors are currently hanging; this way, you can simply cover up your splotches until you’re ready to tackle the paint job in full. Also, don’t be afraid to explore your options before settling on your final colors. The great thing about paint is that it’s relatively cheap, so you’re not going to break the bank by trying a number of shades.
After all is said and done, when it comes to picking out colors for your home, the best way to go about the process is to choose colors that are naturally pleasing to you. After all, you’re the person who’s going to be the most affected by whatever colors grace your surroundings, so you need to make certain that your color scheme suits your tastes and serves your emotions in a manner that will allow you to enjoy your home to the fullest.
