Repeating a color such as the charcoal gray in this room creates continuity.
Sometimes choosing the paint colors for your home -- which is seldom an easy task -- proves the easiest part of decorating it. Difficulties often arise when you attempt to integrate the colors into your home and tie connected spaces together. Maintaining continuity in such spaces is vital, however, to maintain visual order and unity in your space. The key to successfully using various color combinations throughout your home lies in repetition. Look for ways to incorporate colors from one space into the next to create a unified look for your home.
Instructions
1. Look around your home for color inspiration. Inspiration can come from anywhere -- a favorite work of art or photo, a textile, even a dining plate. Choose three to five hues that speak to you to form your color combinations.
If you're stumped, HGTV designer David Bromstad advises a basic color scheme of brown and tan, with punches of one bright bold color throughout the space. Incorporate black to add some weight to the space if it feels like something is missing.
2. Tie related spaces together through wall color. This doesn't mean you must paint all the walls the same color; rather, vary the way colors are used. For example, if you've painted your living room a medium sage green with nut brown trim, use a darker green in the same color family, and the same trim color for the dining room.
If the kitchen is also open to the dining room, use a lighter tint of the green on the walls. Or, be adventurous and reverse the trim and wall colors in adjacent spaces.
3. Purchase pieces of furniture that repeat hues from your palette, for example chocolate brown furniture for a medium green living room. Or, keep the furniture neutral if you prefer for your walls or artwork to be the focal point, or if you want the option of easily changing the accent colors.
4. Carry colors from one space into another. Even if your rooms are separate, create continuity by carrying a color from one space into the next. For instance, if your bedroom is done in a gray-blue and cream, bring some blue into your butter yellow bathroom.
5. Color the space through accessories; all it takes is a few choice pieces in the same color positioned in each space to carry your eye effortlessly through the home.
Pair a large red vase and a smaller red vase on the fireplace mantel in that medium green living room; hang a painting in reds, greens and browns on another wall; and add some red patterned throw pillows to the sofa. Incorporate red chargers and red upholstered dining chairs in the dining room; and add red caf curtains and appliances in the kitchen to keep the look consistent.
6. Lay an area rug that includes all of the colors in your space; find or make draperies and pillows in a fabric that contains all the colors; or find a work of art that encompasses the color palette. If your inspiration piece performs this task nicely, feature it prominently -- such as above the fireplace mantel or between two large windows -- to serve as a focal point.
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