How to choose the right colours for your home
Are the paint colours throughout your home feeling a bit outdated and could do with an upgrade? In some cases, the paint colours you choose can make or break the space, so it’s important to be confident in your decision when it comes time to whip out the paint rollers.
How to choose the right colour scheme for your home
With so many colour options it can be overwhelming to know where to start and what will work in your space. What is a home colour scheme?
A home colour scheme is a carefully selected group of colours used to guide the interior design in your home. To create a seamless transition throughout your home, you can use the same colour scheme in each room, or if you want some variety, why not separate your home into distinct areas and choose a few different colour schemes you like.
Types of colour schemes
There are many types of colour combinations to choose from when selecting a colour scheme that works for you and your space. Here are a couple of colour scheme options to help you get started.
- Monochromatic colour scheme
A monochromatic colour scheme is where you select one colour with a variety of tones and shades. This colour scheme is good for giving your room a consistent look and feel and has a very clean finish. The downside of a monochromatic colour scheme, is that you may not have any feature items or furniture which stand out.
A monochromatic colour scheme might be a good option if you have an open plan living and kitchen area and want to create a seamless design throughout the space.
- Complementary colour schemes
A complementary colour schemes is made up of colours that are opposite one another on a colour wheel. For example: green and red, or purple and yellow. If you’re wanting a space with a high amount of colour contrast, this is the colour scheme for you!
This colour scheme is also a great option if you want to create a feature wall with your paint colours in the space.
Choosing a home interior colour palette
Neutral colour palette
Neutral colours are a great starting point if you’re feeling stuck, as they are simple to style, work well together, and are great if you have a specific feature piece of furniture with a pop of colour. This palette consists of creams, whites, light browns, or beiges.
Warm colour palette
Warm paint colours are the reds, yellows, and oranges on the colour wheel. These colours can make your space feel vibrant, bright, and the room feel more spacious.
If you’re feeling unsure about using a warm colour combination, creating an earthy tone throughout your interior design is always a popular choice. These colours range from shades of ochre to turmeric.
Cool colour palette
A cool colour palette is made up of blues, greens and purples, and can make your home feel calm and relaxing. If you’re wanting to create a space that feels cosy, this is the colour scheme for you.
Tips for choosing a home colour scheme
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Don’t forget about your flooring
Your flooring can make a huge difference in the effect it has on your home paint colour, so it’s important to take it into consideration when you’re choosing a new colour palette.
As flooring is one of the more expensive aspects of your home to renovate, it’s better to make every design aspect in your space work with it, rather than make the flooring work with your home décor and paint colours.
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Consider your window dressings
Window dressings are an important design element in your home, and it’s a good idea to try before you buy to make sure your paint colours and dressings will complement one another.
If you’re wanting to change your window dressings, a great way to ensure the colour and fabric of them will match your new paint is to order fabric and colour swatches from a range of curtain and blind options you like. At ABC Blinds, you can order 5 free samples to help you make the right interior design choices.
When choosing window dressings, consider how you want them to look in the room. If you want your curtains or blinds to be featured, choose blind options which come in a wide range of colours that way you’re guaranteed to find an option which will suit your space.
Two of our most versatile blind options for colour choices are Vertical blinds and Roller blinds.
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Consider the lighting
The light, both natural and artificial, will affect the way that your paint colour looks on your walls. So, before settling on shade, select a few paint swatches or samples you like, and spend some time observing the space with those samples on the wall before committing to painting the entire space.
Depending on the time of day of when you’re planning on using the space, your paint colour will look different. Natural light isn’t a consistent light source as it changes throughout day, typically strongest during the middle of the day, and warmer around sunset. If you want to capitalise on that natural light but find it too strong at times, our sheer curtains are a great option for softening incoming light, while still creating a bright and calming space.
Artificial light sources also impact the look of your paint colours. Incandescent bulbs produce a warm, yellow-amber light, which can make reds, oranges, and yellows more vivid, while drowning out blues and greens. On the other hand, the cool tones of fluorescent lighting bring out the best in blue and green hues.
Another consideration is how the colours themselves react to light. For example, black absorbs all colours, while white absorbs none and can instead reflect its surrounding colours.
If you have a particular colour you want to use in a specific room, but the natural light doesn’t complement it, consider blockout blinds to lessen the impact of the natural light. Blockout blind options include our Double roller blinds, or for a more luxe look, try the Tripleshade blinds from our designer range.
- Apply the ‘three-colour rule’ when choosing a colour scheme
The three-colour rule is where you pick no more than three colours (excluding tints and shades of those colours) when designing a space in your home. We recommend choosing one colour for the walls, the second for trims, and the third for any accents.
Any more than three colours within one room comes with the risk that it might make the space feel cluttered and lack cohesion. This rule applies to both colour schemes inside your hone as well as exterior home colour schemes.
Exterior house colour schemes
If you’re feeling like you’re on a roll, why not tackle the exterior paint colours of your home as well?
3 Tips for choosing an exterior home colour scheme
- Keep it simple with pops of colour
To make the process of redecorating and choosing new exterior colour schemes for your home simpler, we recommend keeping the exterior shades as neutral as possible. To personalise your home, you can easily add a pop of colour to your front door or by playing with colour through adding pots or outdoor furniture.
Keeping a consistent and clean colour scheme also makes your house easier to sell and potentially even increases the selling price if you ever decide to move.
- Match the era
If you’re still feeling a bit unsure, take inspiration from the architecture and era of your home. From modern or heritage, to minimalist or industrial, choose the right colour palette for your home by doing your research.
- Exterior blinds for your house
When it comes to outdoor blinds or outdoor awnings, our range is available in a variety of popular neutral shades to add that special finishing touch to your home’s exterior. Our outdoor blinds also offer your home better control of the light and added privacy.
The most important thing is to have fun with the colour schemes you choose! Colour choices are subjective, so what works for someone else’s home might not work for yours.
To arrange a free measure and quote with a highly-trained consultant in your own home, give us a call on 13 13 15 or fill out this simple online form. We provide this service to a wide range of locations around the metro and select regional areas, 6 days a week between 8am and 6pm.
The majority of our blinds, curtains and awnings are made in Australia and are sold for the lowest price in the market, guaranteed. Just bring in a quote on any competitor’s comparable item and we’ll beat it by 5%.