Taking time to choose a colour for your living room will really repay you the time you take, and revamping your existing colour scheme can give your mood a boost that you didn't even know it needed! After all, the main living room of your house is probably one that you spend the most time in. It is also the room the visitors will see most often, so the colour needs to be perfect!
Firstly, take a look at all the home styling magazines that are out there, and make some notes so you don't forget what you've seen. A lot of them are very expensive, so go to the library, share with a friend, or even just flick through them in the newsagents! (Don't look at the ones in the doctor's waiting room, as they will more than likely be out-of-date!)
You will need to choose one basic color for the room, and one (or possibly two) highlight colors. Once you have this decision made, you can play about with adding in variations of these two.
Your base color should be neutral or pale. Although a lot of people choose bright colors for their main color, it isn't very restful. A living is a place to where you (and your guests) should be able to relax and chill out, and should be serene and/or opulent. If you want a bright or dark color, put it on one wall only.
You highlight color, or accent color, can be a darker, brighter shade of the main color, or it can be a contrasting color. A complimentary color would go well - this is one that is at the opposite side of the color wheel. Print one off from the internet, or find a book with one in. A contrasting color is one that doesn't go with the base color, but which is still pleasant to look at and livens up a room, such as lime green with navy. You wouldn't want too much of this contrasting color just enough to give your room some 'zing'.
If you choose a neutral shade for your base color, then you can add almost any other color to it. Blue, green, pink, peach and mocha all go with cream. Accent colors can be rich, deep colors like navy or old gold, or can be bright, like acid green, Barbie pink or turquoise.
These accent colors can be added as gloss paint on the woodwork, single walls, stripes or borders. You can also add color by use of pictures or sculptures.
Once you have some ideas, make a mood board. An interior designer will do this for every room he/she designs. They will glue pieces of fabric and bits of wallpaper onto a big metre-square board to check that everything goes together well. You don't have to do this - you can just pile everything up in a heap and stand back to look.
You don't have to go and get swatches of fabric or paper to make your mood board, just find things that are the colors that you are considering. Look through your wardrobe, for example, and find scarves in the right shade. For example find a notebook with the accent color you want to use on the cover. Pick out some of your favourite jewelry and add it to the pile.
When making your mood board (or pile!) add in the color of the fitments and fitting you want to use. Add silver, gold or wood for the door handles for example, and if you have things that can't be changed, eg built in wardrobes, then you will need to put in a big piece of fabric or paper of that color so you can see the balance that will be created.
You can also think about what theme you want for your bedroom.
• A country cottage theme would have lots of pastel chintz fabrics, patterned wallpaper, ribbons and bows. Keep the tone of the colours the same (ie how dark or light they are), and they will all match. Add rag rugs and shawl throws.
• A rich opulent living room can be created using burgundy velvets with gold trims. Tassels and cushions in jewel colors all add to the theme.
• A light airy living room might start with duck egg blue walls and move into turquoise accents. Use light voile curtains.
• A contemporary feel would come from brushed metal, pale beech wood and blue or green accents
• A natural living room will start with pale taupe walls, cream carpet and linen-look fabrics. Accent with dark chocolate brown.
• For an African themed room, start with natural colors and accent with deep orange-yellow, rusty red and jade green
Once you are happy with the way your mood board looks, pop down to your local paint store and buy a match pot. It seems like a waste of time when you're itching to start decorating, but if you hate the color, it will really save you a lot of heartache.
Start netural, add accents and finish with individual touches of your very own - simple!