Choosing a Color Scheme…Four Questions to Consider
Want to redesign your space but not sure how to choose your colors? For a lot of people, this is the most daunting part of the project. Color selection fear (whiteonlyaphobia?) is real for many. The questions in this blog will take the fear and mystery out of this part of the design process leaving you with greater color confidence. So, grab a pencil and paper and get ready to create you color selection list!
Color Scheme Questions
What is the purpose of the room? Answering this question usually takes some colors out of the running right away. For instance, if the room in question is your primary bedroom, you probably can rule out bright colors as they are not conducive to a restful, calm setting desired for the room where you sleep, relax, and recharge.
Who uses the room? Is this an individual’s room or will multiple people use the space? Sticking with the primary bedroom example…do you share the room with a partner? If so, you need to consider your fellow sleeper’s color preferences as well as your own. Answering this question also will likely take certain colors out of play, further narrowing your options.
How do you want the room to feel? Critical question. If you’re picking colors for your office, you probably want the room to feel professional, perhaps calm, or maybe even energetic depending on whether you’re a poet or a choreographer. A place where you feel you can really focus on the tasks at hand. Again, simply by answering this question, you are getting closer to your ultimate color choice.
How do you want the room to feel? Critical question. If you’re picking colors for your office, you probably want the room to feel professional, perhaps calm, or maybe even energetic depending on whether you’re a poet or a choreographer. A place where you feel you can really focus on the tasks at hand. Again, simply by answering this question, you are getting closer to your ultimate color choice.
What color(s) do you love? Perhaps the most important question of them all. Imagine if someone painted your room in a color you hate. Now you hate the color plus the person who painted it. Not good. If I said you could never change that color, the hate would grow exponentially – and who wants that? Okay, everyone on Twitter, but I digress. More than likely, you would feel uncomfortable every time you enter that room. You might even feel angry or sad. Again, only Twitter trolls root for that. So above all, acknowledge what you love and start there.
These four questions may seem rudimentary, but they are the building blocks of sound color choices. I strongly encourage you to think about each one and write a list out of colors for each and compare the pros and cons. Soon you’ll be on your way to choosing the perfect color scheme. Conquer the fear, embrace the Fire Engine Red, or whatever color you ultimately choose!
Now, what will you do next to love where you live?
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