10 Hot tips on how to use colour
Expert Tips to picking the perfect colour combination.
1. If you are stuck for inspiration and are not sure what colour combinations work, look towards nature. The colours around us are perfect examples of colour scheming at it’s best. Use flowers, seascapes or sunsets for inspiration.
2. In preparation of redecorating, collect any pictures or colours that you like and group them together into colour groupings or room ideas. This can be a good start to identifying what type of look you like.
3. Find a favourite piece of artwork or fabric and use the combination from them to create your perfect colour scheme.
4. Make up a storyboard for your colour schemes. Gather all your swatches, samples and inspirational pieces and group them together on a large piece of card or a scrapbook. Often it is easier to build up a scheme in this way.
5. Ensure that you test colours in their real settings. Purchase a sample pot and paint up a large piece of cardboard. Stick this on your wall and view the colour during daylight and artificial light. Move it around and check it against your flooring, drapes and furnishings.
6. Try not to use more than 3 colours in your scheme.More colours will make your room appear busy and cluttered.
7. Choose a colours scheme because you like the colour, not because it is the latest shade. You are the one that will have to live with it.
8. If you are using a pale neutral or off-white for your walls and you want your room to appear larger and more spacious, paint your ceilings and skirtings in a lighter tone of the wall colour.
9. The lighting both natural and artificial, in a room can greatly affect your wall colour. Make sure you consider this when selecting your final colour.
10. Colours will be affected by other colours around them. View your colours in its natural environment rather than on a colour chart surrounded by other colours.
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