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How to: Select a colour scheme for your home

October 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

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By Kerena Berry

If thereโ€™s one element of interior design that we agonise over, itโ€™s colour. How manyย movies have you seen that feature a scene where a couple are debating the colour of aย nursery? Itโ€™s become an old trope in film comedy.

But there are good reasons for careful consideration. Colours are like musical notes orย chords for the eyes, and can be incredibly subjective, hence the common decision to goย with neutrals. Letโ€™s take a look at the options so you can decide whether to be daring orย conservative with your colour palette.

Image courtesy of Mademoiselle Rose
Image courtesy of Mademoiselle Rose

Build off an existing pattern in your space

If you have patterned upholstery, a multi-coloured rug, or a striking piece of art, pullย colours from this element to create your base colour palette. For a neutral base, focusย on the whites, beige and grey tones. For a more striking, moody room, look to theย deeper tones.

Focus on one room and let that define your scheme for the home

Working on your main living roomโ€™s colours first, and perfecting them, sets the tone forย the entire home. For example, if you go for a neutral palette with deep blue textileย accents, and rustic wood furniture in your living area, draw on those elements for yourย other spaces. Take that deep blue tone, go a little darker and paint your walls in theย den, creating a cosy inviting space. Accent with white and mid blue textiles to helpย balance the palette. In your library try rustic, timber built-in furniture, again tying yourย design elements from the main living area but in a varied proportion. Use similar tonesย but various degrees and intensities.

Image courtesy of Mod Muse
Image courtesy of Mod Muse

Work on a dark to light philosophy

An old trick of the trade is to work dark to light, vertically. Use dark colours on the floor,ย mid tones on the walls, and light values on the ceiling. The floor can be any hue; justย ensure it is the darkest in the space. Simple but very effective.

Follow the ratios 60-30- 10

Think of your space in three sections. Your highest percentage 60%, which is your wallsย and your dominant colour, 30% is your secondary colour for your main furnishings andย fittings. Lastly 10% is your accent colour for your finishing touches and accessories. Aย Martha Stewart classic!

Image courtesy fo Architectural Digest
Image courtesy fo Architectural Digest

Trust the old Colour Wheel

Going back to basics is often the key to creating a sensitive palette. An analogue paletteย is one where the colours sit next to each other on the colour wheel like red and orange.ย Remember that this can be any tone, light through to deep. This is a slightly less daringย take on a monochromatic room (focusing on one key colour in a space is a strong trendย at the moment) but no less impressive!

Whiteโ€™s not always right

Donโ€™t assume white is best to give small spaces that larger, brighter feel. Instead useย darker or wow colours to bring punch or warmth for a room that envelops you. Embraceย a space for what it is and resist the urge to go against the grain.

Image courtesy of Bloglovin
Image courtesy of Bloglovin

Grey is the way!

Itโ€™s certainly become the neutral flavour over the last few years. Paint colourist haveย responded with breathtaking options within their collections, making it hard to move pastย greyโ€™s appeal. Greyโ€™s also have this unique ability, similar to white, to absorb and reflectย surrounding colours, becoming a chameleon of sorts.

Set the mood

Colours invoke a mood. Be mindful of this when working in areas that require a definiteย vibe. Letโ€™s say that in a casual living area, you want a vibrant, fun feel. In that case, optย for warm, contrasting or vivid colours. For a more relaxed and calming space, useย neutrals, deeper blues and dirty greensโ€”natureโ€™s primary palette.

Image courtesy of Domino
Image courtesy of Domino

Hot flushes and cool currents

Blend warm and cool tones to bring an exciting tug of war into your space; it will keepย the senses guessing and the mind curious. A warm caramel tone against a cool winterย grey is calming yet interesting; a good option when a compromise is needed betweenย butting personalities.

Black & white – is it right?

People will always debate whether these are actually colours (technically), yet they stillย prove to be a match made in heaven in the design world. From Modern, to Countryย spaces, this combination has a home. One could say they are a timeless combination; aย safe yet powerful one!

Image courtesy of Home Adore
Image courtesy of Home Adore

There were three in the bedโ€ฆ

If you are yet to find your match then work to the rule of three. Use only three coloursย within your space and this should erode confusion, headaches, or debates. Itโ€™s almostย fool proof.

Like what you like

There are a million design philosophies, principles and thoughts on how to selectย colours and why. But when you whittle it down, all you need to do is surround yourselfย with colours that bring you happiness, patterns and textures that support and encourageย your lifestyle (even if itโ€™s a little quirky) and a home that says โ€˜Youโ€™.

Kerena Berry is an interior designer and Co-founder of Designbx, Australiaโ€™sย online interior design solution.

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While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
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Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

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Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
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