Spring into color

Karla Chronopoulos, Byggmeister Color Consultant

Summer is around the corner. It is the time of year many homeowners reflect how they would like to change the way a room in their home looks and feels. One of the easiest ways to alter the way a room looks is to add some color.

A little color goes a long way

If you are hesitant about change, start with a small room or area. Perhaps a home office, powder room, or kitchen to help get you started. If you look around your kitchen you will find most have very little wall space due to cabinetry and appliances. A kitchen is a perfect room to start with because of the limited wall space, which often makes it easy for the homeowners to paint the room themselves.

Before you decide on a paint color, be sure to access the entire space, including adjacent rooms. Often, one room leads into another without wall separation. It is important to be aware of these adjoining rooms so your new color doesn't clash with your existing rooms dŽcor. If your kitchen opens into your family room or your dining room, make sure to pick a color that integrates the two rooms. If an adjoining room has warm shades of reds or yellows, you will need to consider hues that complement these colors in the room you will paint. This does not mean you cannot choose cooler colors such as blues and greens, it just means you need to find the right shade that balances them.

A fresh look in no time

Pick one of your favorite hues and paint a large piece of white cardboard (you can find these at most paint stores). Place the cardboard next to the wall you want to paint and leave it there for a few days. This will enable you to view the selected color against the kitchen cabinets or existing furniture you have in the dining room. It will also allow you to view the new paint color during various times of the day when the lighting changes.

Are you still not sure? Perhaps you like the color but think it may be too much for your room. Try painting the walls a shade lighter than the original hue that you picked. Basically go up one sample on that particular color index.

Another option would be to paint one wall the original color you picked and the remaining walls of the room a neutral color. Painting one wall in a room a contrasting color will add depth and energy, but choose carefully because the wall you select will likely become the focal point of the room.

You can also use contrasting trim colors to balance bright colors. White trim can add contrast to bold colors and help balance your room. The same applies with complimentary colors, which are opposite each other on the color wheel, for example blue and orange or red and green. Be selective when choosing complementary colors, as they will intensify each other visually when placed side by side.

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Tip: Consider painting the walls one color and using a complementary hue to accessorize through an area rug, window treatments, pottery, or even candles. This will add depth and interest to your room without disturbing the balance.